Clarendon Hills Vineyard-Liandra-Syrah-Clarendon-Australia-2005-14.5% Alcohol-$34.29-A nose of bold dark fruits and spice, dark purple in color. A full bodied controlled fruit bomb, with candied plum, kirsch, blackberry, blueberry, layers of fruit and spice with a long finish. A delicious wine. RP-94 WS-93 WE-93 CR-94 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Col Solare Winery-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Cabernet Franc-Columbia Valley-Washington State-2007-$29.99-A nose of dark fruits and spice, dark garnet in color. A medium to full bodied smooth Bordeaux blend with blackberry, currants, cherry, with layers of coffee, chocolate and spice on finish. A very good and highly enjoyable blend and a steal at under $30, has years of life left. The winery is a collaboration between Tuscany’s Marchesi Antinori and Washington State’s Chateau Ste. Michelle. RP-93 WS-91 WE-94 CR-93 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Etude Wines-GBR-Merlot-Malbec-Grace Benoist Ranch-Estate-Carneros-Napa-California-2007-14.9% Alcohol-$37.49-A classic nose of dark fruit and spice, dark black garnet in color. A full bodied red blend, thought it was a Cab at first, with black cherry, blueberry, kirsch, toffee and chocolate and spice on elegant finish. A delicious wine, decant for a hour or so, still years left to enjoy. RP-92 WS-91 WE-88 CR-93 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Buoncristiani Family Winery-O.P.C.-Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah-Merlot-Malbec-Hyde, Stagecoach, Caldwell Vineyards-Napa Valley-California-2005-14.8% Alcohol-$37.50-A nose of dark fruits and spice, dark purple in color. A full bodied kitchen sink blend with blackberry, currants, cherry, and chocolate with spice on finish. Decant for a few hours, was layered and delicious, still has years of life left. WE-95 CR-93 Good with steak, chicken, pasta.
Vinedos de Paganos-El Puntido-Tempranillo-Rioja-Spain-2005-14.0% Alcohol-$31.99-A nose of dark fruits and spice, dark black purple in color. A full bodied red, with blackberry, black cherry, some tar and chocolate with a long spicy finish. A delicious and still young wine, decant for a few hours. Good stuff every vintage. RP-94 WS-91 WE-95 CR-93 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Tenuta Poggio Verrano-Dromos-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Alicante-Sangiovese-Cabernet Franc-Maremma Toscana-Italy-2005-14.0% Alcohol-$29.99-A nose of elegant dark fruits and spice, a great nose, dark purple in color. A medium to full bodied smooth Super Tuscan, with black currants, black cherry, plum, tobacco and chocolate on a spiced long finish. A really enjoyable blend, decant, years left to enjoy. Not sure what wine WS tried. RP-93 WS-81 WE-91 CR-93 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Linne Calodo Cellars-Outsider-Zinfandel-Syrah-Mourvedre-Paso Robles-California-2008-15.9% Alcohol-$54.00-A nose of dark fruits and spice, dark purple in color. A full bodied Zin blend, with jammy black cherry, blackberry, licorice and pepper and spicy long finish, as all LC’s wines great stuff. NR CR-93 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Carlisle Winery-Zinfandel-Dry Creek Valley-California-2007-15.1% Alcohol-$29.99-A nose of bold sweet black cherry and spice, dark garnet in color. A full bodied delicious Zin, with black cherry and smoky pepper flavors, jammy with good acidity, and a long finish. A classic Zinfandel, well worth the price, wish I had more. RP-90-92 WS-95 CR-93 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Kosta Browne Wines-Pinot Noir-Sonoma Coast-California-2008-14.6% Alcohol–$52.00-A nose of cherries and spice, medium amber in color. A medium to full bodied Pinot, with currants, cherries, good acidity, dust and spice on finish. Hard to ever say anything bad about a KB wine, good stuff. WS-90 CR-92 Good with seafood, cheeses, salads.
Belle Glos Wines-Pinot Noir-Clark & Telephone Vineyard-Santa Maria Valley-Santa Barbara County-California-2009-14.4% Alcohol-$34.99-A nose of dark black cherry and spice, dark garnet in color. A medium to full bodied single vineyard Pinot, dark in color for a PN, with black cherry, raspberry, currants, with good acidity and exotic spices on long finish. Not Old World in any way, good stuff, nice waxed cover. WS-93 WS-92 CR-92 Good with seafood, cheeses, salads.
St. Hallett Wines-Shiraz-Old Block-Barossa-Australia-2004-14.5% Alcohol-$34.50-A nose of dark fruits and sweet spices, dark purple in color. A smooch and full bodied Shiraz, with raspberry, jam compote, blackberries, layers of flavor. I have learned with these big Ausi Shiraz’s to hold them for at least 8 years, at it’s peak, good stuff. WS-91 WE-88 CR-92 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Fattoria Rodano-Rodano-Monna Claudia-Cabernet Sauvignon-Sangiovese-Toscana-Chianti-Italy-2007-14.5% Alcohol-$29.99-A nose of dark fruits and spice, dark garnet in color. A medium to full bodied Super Tuscan blend, with black cherry, blueberry, tar and spice on finish, very smooth and balanced, still has many years left. WS-93 CR-92 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
David Sterza-Amarone-Corvina-Rondinella-Molinara-Della Valpolicella-Classico-Veneto-Italy-2007-15% Alcohol-$35.00-A nose of cherries and spice, dark garnet in color. A medium to full bodied red blend, with black cherry, raisin and cinnamon, very smooth and easy drinker. Classy and elegant. WE-93 CR-92 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Azienda Agricola Campo Alla Sughera-Arnione-Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc-Merlot-Petit Verdot-Bolgheri-Italy-2006-14.5% Alcohol-$28.99-A nose of silky red fruit and spice, dark garnet in color. A smooth full bodied Super Tuscan red blend with raspberry, cherry, blueberry, chocolate and vanilla on finish. Still young, decant, a steal under $30. RP-87 WS-93 CR-92 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Alberto Giannotti-Diadema-Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Syrah-Super Tuscan-Toscano-Tipica-Italy-2007-13.55 Alcohol-$56.99-A nose of dark fruits and spice, dark garnet in color. A full blooded Super Tuscan, with blackberries, black cherry, licorice, and long spicy finish, a elegant but powerful blend. The bottle is encrusted with Swarovski crystals. WS-95 CR-92 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Bodegas y Vinedos Maurodos-San Roman-Tinto de Toro-Spain-Tempranillo-2005-14.5% Alcohol-$33.99-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color. A big full bodied red, needs a couple hour decant, with blackberry, black cherry, black currants with spice, chocolate and spice on finish. A delicious wine, still young. RP-93 WS-93 WE-94 CR-92 Good with steak, chicken, pasta.
Napa Redwoods Estate-Yates Family Vineyard-Cabernet Sauvignon-Mount Veeder-California-2006-14.4% Alcohol-$50.00-A nose of dark fruits and spice, dark garnet in color. A full bodied Cab, with blackberries, black cherry, currants, smoke and vanilla on spiced finish. A delicious wine, in perfect drinking zone now. WE-92 CR-92 Good with steak, chicken, pasta.
Steltzner Vineyards-Richard Steltzner-Cabernet Sauvignon-Reserve-Estate-Stags Leap District-Napa Valley-California-2006-14.5% Alcohol-$39.99-A nose of dark fruits and spice, dark black garnet in color. A medium to full bodied Reserve Cab, with blackberry, black cherry, cassis, some bacon and spice on smooth long finish. A very good Cab, easy drinking, great QPR. NR CR-92 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Chateau Manzanita Winery-Vin De Manies-Cabernet Sauvignon-Reserve-Napa Valley-California-2006-14.5% Alcohol-$21.53-A nose of dark fruits and spice, dark garnet I color. A medium to full bodied Cab, with blackberry, currants and cassis, layers of flavor with a spice finish. You must decant this wine for hours for it to show it’s true colors, was really good. NR CR-92 Good with steak, chicken, pasta.
Robert Foley Vineyards-The Griffin-Petite Sirah-Cabernet Sauvignon-Charbono-Merlot-California-2008-14.5% Alcohol-$31.98-A nose of bold dark fruits and spice, dark black purple in color. A robust full bodied kitchen sink blend with blueberry, black cherry, spice cake and pepper, a big but balanced wine. Decant for a few hours, many years of life left. RP-93 WE-87 CR-92 Good with steak, chicken, pasta.
Robert Biale Vineyards-Syrah-Kiger Family Vineyard-Sonoma Valley-2008-14.9% Alcohol-$55.80-A bold nose of dark fruits and spice, dark black purple in color. A big full bodied single vineyard Syrah, with blackberry, currants, dark chocolate and layers of favors, long finish. WS-90 CR-92 Good with meats, chicken.
Flora Springs-Trilogy-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Cabernet Franc-Petit Verdot-Napa Valley California-2006-14.4% Alcohol-$35.81-A nose of dark fruits, tobacco and spice, dark purple in color. A medium to full bodied Bordeaux blend, with blackberries, black currants, tar and cocoa with a long spiced finish. I am not sure what WS and WE were trying but it was not this wine…delicious and classic. RP-90 WS-78 WE-84 CR-92 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
Lava Vine Vineyards-Viognier-Napa Valley-California-2011-15.95% Alcohol-$32.00-A bold nose of citrus and spice, golden in color. A medium to full bodied delicious white with rich flavors of pineapple, pear, guava, and crème Brule. This wine has loads of acidity, very refreshing. NR CR-92 Good with seafood, cheeses, salads.
Bodega Catena Zapata-Catena Alta-Chardonnay-Adrianna Vineyard-Domingo Vineyard-High Altitude Lots-Mendoza-Argentina-2008-13.9% Alcohol-$22.53-A bold nose of citrus and spice, golden yellow in color. A full bodied complex Chard, with honey, apple, peach, buttered popcorn, with a long acidic spice finish. A fantastic white, at it’s peak, a great QPR. I met Laura Catena a couple years ago, a great lady and winemaker. RP-92 WS-88 WE-86 CR-92 Good with seafood, cheese, salads.
Chateau La Tour Blanche-Sauternes-Grand Vin De Bordeaux-France-.375 ML-2004-13.5% Alcohol-$23.04-A nose of sweet honey, golden in color. A medium bodied desert wine, with honey, lemon, rich oily acidity, light on finish. WS-88 WE-93 CR-92 Good with deserts.