Posted on 21 August 2010
Bodegas Emilio Moro-Ribera Del Duero-Tinto Fino-Spain-2005-$24.99-A big nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color. A smooth, delicious full bodied red, decanted for 2 hours, blueberry, plum, black cherry, smoke, minerals, a great mouth feel, long finish, a terrific value, have tried the 2005 and 2005, both outstanding. RP-92 WS-92 CR-4.5-5 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Vina Cousino Macul-Finis Terrae-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Maipo Valley-Chile-2007-$19.99-A nose of dark fruit and smoke, dark ruby in color. A smooth, full bodied blend, plum, cherry, currants, good smoky finish. NR CR-4 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Posted on 03 August 2010
Volver-Tempranillo-La Mancha-Spain-2007-$13.25-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color. A interesting full bodied red, black cherry, blueberry, smoked meat, spice with a good finish. A very good value. RP-90- WS-90 WE-85 CR-4-4.5 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Quinta and Vineyard Bottlers-Croft-Distinction Porto-Special Reserve-Portugal-NV-$15.99-A sweet nose of raisins, dark black in color. A full bodied port, raisins, chocolate, figs, long flavors, lasted a month in frig. WE-88 CR-4-4.5 Good with desert, ice cream.
Posted on 31 July 2010
Vinedos de Paganos-El Puntido-Red Table Wine-Rioja-Spain-2003-$39.99-A nose of dark fruit and smoke, dark purple in color. A smooth, full bodied, plum, black cherry, smoke with a long finish, one of my favorite Spanish reds, a delicious wine. RP-94 CR-5 Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.
Chateau Sansonnet-Saint-Emilion Grand Cru-Bordeaux-France-2000-$30.00-A nose of dark fruit and spice, deep purple in color. A smooth, elegant medium to full bodied red, cassis, black cherry, currants, smoke, a very good value. RP-88-90 WS-92 CR-4.5 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Posted on 24 July 2010
St. Francis Winery & Vineyard-Old Vine Zinfandel-Bacchi Vineyard-Russian River Valley-California-2006-$37.50-A nose of blackberry and spice, dark garnet in color. A full bodied, delicious Zin, blackberry, smoke, toast, some vanilla, a great tasting red. I really have enjoyed the St. Francis Reserve Zins over the years, they have a great tasting room. NR CR-4.5-5 Good with steak, chicken, pasta.
Edetaria-Sl-Edetana-Garnachia-Carinena-Peluda-Spain-2005-$12.46-A nose of dark fruit, dark purple in color. A smooth medium to full bodied red, blue and black berries, spices and nice balance, drinks like a $30 wine, have tried this wine a few times recently, similar results. RP-91 CR-4-4.5 Good with chicken, meats, pasta.
Posted on 13 July 2010
Altolandon-Red Blend-Manchuela-Spain-2005-$29.99-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark amber in color. Black currants, blueberries, cola, chocolate, a full bodied smooth very long finish. A very nice bottle of wine, decant for a couple hours. WE-88 CR-4.5 Good with steak, chicken, pasta.
Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Wines-Blue Label-Merlot-Geyserville-California-2007-$12.99-A nose of ripe plum, medium amber in color. A smooth medium bodied red, was surprised how decent it was, berries, currants, chocolate, a good value. NR CR-4 Good with meats, chicken, cheeses.
Posted on 05 July 2010
Hutchinson Wines Inc.-Amphora Wines-Zinfandel-Dray Creek Valley-California-2006-$26.99-A nose of dark fruit and spice, medium ruby in color. A smooth, medium bodied, not over the top Zin. Elegant, raspberry, black cherry, spice, ready to drink now, at it’s best. NR CR-4.5 Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.
Bodegas Luzon-Jumilla-Red Wine-Spain-2008-$6.98-A light nose of violets and spice, medium ruby in color. A smooth, medium bodied red, some black berry, blueberry, nothing exciting but very good for the price. RP-87 WS-87 WE-88 CR-3.5 Good with chicken, cheeses, salad.
Posted on 23 June 2010
Andrew Rich Wines-Pinot Noir-Willamette Valley-Oregon-2006-$19.99-A rich classic Pinot nose of spice and cherry, perfect Pinot ruby color. A smooth, rich flavors of cherry, plum with nice acidity and long finish. Drinks like a Pinot twice it’s price. RP-90 WS-90 CR-4.5 Good with seafood, cheese, salads.
Bodegas Izadi-Reserva-Tempranillo-Graciano-Rioja-Spain-2004-$15.91-A nose of tar and dark fruit, dark purple in color. Medium to full bodied, very very dry, blackberry, tar, spice and oak, was just ok, decant. RP-90+ WS-86 CR-3.5-4 Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.
Posted on 20 June 2010
Four Vines Winery-The Sophisticate-Zinfandel-Sonoma County-2006-$22.99-A big nose of zesty berries and spice, dark purple in color. A full bodied but smooth, in it’s prime drinking time, berries, pepper, plum, smoke and dark chocolate. Visited their tasting room in Paso Robles a few years back, they make very good Zins and Syrahs. WS-92 CR-4.5 Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

Reserva de la Tierra-Vega Escal-Priorat-Carignan-Grenache-Shiraz-Spain-2005-$12.99-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark almost black ruby in color. Blackberry, blueberry, jammy, smooth with chocolate and vanilla on backend, was a $30 wine, now a great bargain. I have had this wine a few times over the past year with similar results, the last bottle I thought it had peaked, changed my mind with this bottle, it still has it’s legs. RP-90 WE-88 CR-4 Good with steak, burgers, pasta.
Posted on 08 June 2010
Palmina Wines-Subida-Tocai Friulano-Santa Ynez Valley-California-2008-$18.98-A funky nose of honey, a cloudy yellow color. A mess, a bad Californian try at a Italian white, honey, bitter, just awful, maybe someone would like it, not me. NR CR-2.5 Good if you move onto the next bottle.
Vinedos de Paganos-El Puntido-Rioja-Spain-2004-$45.00-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple black in color. A big full bodied red, black cherry, blackberries, plum, roasted meat, a delicious wine, decant for a couple hours. I have had the 2003 and now 2004, both were excellent. RP-90 WS-90 WE-96 CR-4.5-5 Good with steak, chicken, pasta.
Posted on 06 June 2010
Louis M. Martini Winery-Cabernet Sauvignon-Sonoma County-2007-$13.40-A nose of dark fruit, dark amber in color. Cassis, plum, black cherry, spice and cedar, a good value, think the Napa Valley Cab in same price range is better. I just visited their tasting room in Napa in March, a must visit if in that area. RP-90 WS-87 WE-87 CR-3.5-4 Good with burgers, chicken, pasta.
Edetaria-Sl-Edetana-Garnachia-Carinena-Peluda-Spain-2005-$12.46-A nose of dark fruit, dark purple in color. A smooth medium to full bodied red, blue and black berries, spices and nice balance, drinks like a $30 wine, have tried this wine a couple times recently, similar results. RP-91 CR-4-4.5 Good with chicken, meats, pasta.