Wine of the Week
- September 2010 (1)
- August 2010 (4)
- July 2010 (3)
- June 2010 (3)
- May 2010 (5)
- April 2010 (4)
- March 2010 (3)
- February 2010 (4)
- January 2010 (3)
- December 2009 (1)
- November 2009 (4)
- October 2009 (4)
- September 2009 (3)
- August 2009 (3)
- July 2009 (5)
- June 2009 (2)
- May 2009 (3)
- April 2009 (4)
- March 2009 (5)
- February 2009 (4)
- January 2009 (2)
- December 2008 (3)
- November 2008 (1)
- October 2008 (3)
- September 2008 (2)
- August 2008 (4)
- July 2008 (4)
- June 2008 (3)
Ch. de Sancerre Sancerre 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
A rather intense, complex bouquet combining floral notes
(acacia blossom, vine flowers) with fruity aromas (mandarin orange, white peach). A hint of rhubarb rounds out the medley. Fresh and full-bodied, the palate opens up to pleasing flavors of orange and grapefruit, enriched with a hint of yellow peach. Lovely length with orange zest on the finish. It will run you about $24.
2008 Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills Merlot
This merlot drinks like a cabernet, but tastes like a merlot.
The H3 Merlot entices the nose with aromas of blueberry, cassis and hints of tobacco and spice aromas. The silky and sweet mid-palate introduces slight dusty, earthy, and rich berry notes which cumulate in the long and concentrated finish. It will run you about $15.
Adelsheim Pinot Blanc, 2009 Bryan Creek Vineyard
I took my own advice and drank locally while on my trip. This Pinot blanc features
Granny Smith apple, tangerine and meadowfoam honey aromas, accented by hints of fennel.
There’s a rich mouthfeel that is offset by the wine’s general raciness. It pairs superbly
with a wide range of foods. It runs around $20.
Chamisal 2007 Califa Pinot Noir
Even if you stick to whites only... you will have to try this Pinot Noir.
With a complex nose of sweet berries and plums and a palate layered with powerful black fruit, chocolate and subtle oak spice, this pinot showcases some of the best Chamisal has to offer. The rounded acidity and fine-grained tannins carry the seductive flavors through the lingering finish and add to the plush overall mouthfeel. Tightly focused, this is a hedonistic Pinot that wows the senses.
Bennett Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
This Napa Valley Cabernet is worth the money.
This incredible release opens with aromas of dark plum, red cherry and chocolate. The palate is composed of dense flavors of candied dark fruit and subtle hints of vanilla oak. The finish is luscious and velvety, with elegant tannins. It runs around $50.
Luke Donald Chardonnay
Summer fun, golf and a great chardonnay.
The aromas of Granny Smith apple and stone fruit are supplemented by a touch of spice and slight notes of clove and cinnamon. Much like any white Burgundy, this Chardonnay will benefit from time in the bottle to blossom fully. Mouthfeel is medium full, with a nice entrance, broad midpalate, and a creamy, long finish.
2008 Provenance Vineyards Estate Sauvignon Blanc
You will have to check out the vineyard website for this one...only 719 cases were produced...but well worth the search.
Very subtly made, this sauvignon blanc shows off layered aromas of white peach, cantaloupe, caramel, vanilla and nutmeg. Its crisp, dry flavors of tropical fruit and lemon meringue pie are richly textured from sur lie aging. This beautifully balanced wine combines creaminess with fresh acidity that adds vibrancy to the fruit-intense finish.
2009 Husch Chenin Blanc
This 2009 Chenin Blanc offers inviting aromas of honeysuckle blossoms, white stone fruit,
honeydew and lemon zest with a spicy sandalwood note. To the palate, this off-dry wine is vibrant, revealing its balanced combination of bright fruit and zesty acidity while simultaneously offering a full luscious mouth-feel. Even “non-wine drinkers” have been known to fall in love with the Husch Chenin Blanc.
Montevina Barbera
Very refreshing, down-to-earth, with rich, concentrated flavors.
This Barbera is the perfect companion wine. The brightjuicy fruit is enriched with vanilla and graham cracker toast from the oak. A nose bursting with cherries is spiced with vanilla bean and cocoa and finished withcaramel toffee creaminess. It will run you about $12-$15.
Sbragia 2008 Dry Creek Home Ranch Chardonnay
This outstanding chardonnay will make your summer.
Very aromatic with nice bright fruit. pear and lemon and a bit of minerality on the finish. It will run you about $25-$30.
Casillero del Diablo Cabernet
This is a tremendous wine with an excellent price point.
Gorgeous and lovely bright cherry, blackcurrant and dark plum with toasted oak. Medium bodied with silky tannins and long, ripe fruit and berry aftertaste, with impressive balance of fruit and polished tannins.
2008 Shannon Ridge Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon
Bonny Doon Pacific Rim Dry Riesling
The 2004 release finds itself in good company with vintages past...
Scents of the classic Mosel portion (white flower and peace) are nicely offset and deepened by more “West Coastified” aromas of quince, linden blossom clover honey, and even a little tuberose. The home fermented portions behaved themselves and spent 4 weeks reducing the sugar to dryness. The temperature was monitored and kept constant to control the fermentation and retain that which is created in the vineyard. The lees were held in suspense in order to scavenge the oxidative natives. The acidity offers the proper pucker and cleanses the palate in a savory manner.
Big House Red
Some labels can convince you to buy the wine.
This wine begins with a nose full of loganberries and raspberries, with hints of leather and spices. The palate is clean, exhibiting flavors of cranberries, roses, and a touch of rhubarb. The finish lingers, with flavors of vanilla, and a touch of smoke.
Wattle Creek's Triple Play 2006
This Rhone style blend presents a deep, dark, vibrant red and purple hue.
Aromas of blackberry and blueberry predominate while laced with notes of vanillin, nutmeg, tarry molasses, and a subtle smokey hint of oak. Flavors of blackberry with a hint of boysenberry are complimented with toasted oak, anise and an earthy sense of terroir. This is a rich, well profiled and structured wine and should run you about $25.
2008 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay Napa Valley
For those of you who are a purist at heart.
The fruit was hand-sorted and whole-cluster pressed. After overnight settling, the juice was racked to barrels for 100% native wild yeast barrel fermentation followed by malo-lactic fermentation. The wine remained in 85% new French oak barrels for eleven months, during which time the lees were stirred weekly. The wine was not fined or sterile filtered.
Rich layers of apricot, peach, almond and lemon drop are seamlessly integrated with yeasty and floral notes, highlighted by vibrant acidity. This balanced and complex wine is beautiful now but will continue to unfurl over the next several years. It will run you about $50, but you are worth it....
Jean-Luc Columbo Cape Bleue Rosé 2009
A great rosé from across the pond.
Subtle, round and full of finesse. Surprisingly complex, with intriguing notes of raspberries, fresh cherry, black olive and fennel. It is 40% Syrah; 40% Mourvèdre; 20% Counoise. it should run you about $15.
Chamisal Stainless Chardonnay
A completely stainless chardonnay.
This Chardonnay lets the fruit shine without any oak influence. Without the oak, this is a more refreshing wine for this time of year. A little pineapple, citrus, bannana, and apple. The acidity is bright and succulent, lengthening the finish of ripe, fresh flavors. It will run you $15-$18.
Sterling Vintner's Collection Pinot Grigio 2008
This pinot is very soft on the palate.
The wine opens with clean aromas of honeysuckle and citrus zest, which give way to aromas of pears, apricots, and floral notes. The palate is largely the same, focused on apricots, honey and pear flavors with crisp, refreshing acidity. This is a refreshing, versatile wine, perfect for many occasions. Will run you around $13.
Chandon Blanc de Noirs
A sparkling wine made from the red grape.
Chandon Blanc de Noirs is characteristically a delicate salmon color. Dark cherry, currant and strawberry dominate both aroma and flavor with hints of cassis and blackberry. These red fruit flavors build in the mid-palate and finish with a soft, lingering, creamy texture. This will run you around $18.
2008 Fess Parker Viognier, Santa Barbara
This is a great wine as we introduce ourselves to spring.
This refreshing Viognier offers aromas of white peaches, vanilla, cashew, Maui Gold pineapple and white flowers. Flavors of pineapple, stonefruit such as white peach, vanilla and butterscotch will be found on the palate. This wine has great balance with fresh acidity that leads to a zesty finish! This wine will run you $22-$25.
Green Lion Merlot
This merlot is easy to pick off the shelf- the label was designed by Alan Aldridge.
Out of Napa, Green Lion exhibits classic Merlot flavors of captivating black cherry, a bit of oak and remains soft. Its juicy, seductive fruit combined with the classic soft flavors of Merlot make it a versatile red wine at the table. It will run you abbout $14.
Bolla Soave
Now is the time to revist this tremendous Italian wine.
Bolla Soave is made from handpicked grapes from the hills of the Soave DOC area. It is a light, refreshing, fruity wine with pear and lemon flavors, a hint of almonds, and a crisp,delicious aftertaste. It's a blend of two white grapes, the Garganega and the Trebbiano. The soft, clean taste of Soave Bolla nicely compliments light appetizers, seafood, poultry, and pasta. It will run you about $8.00.
2006 Taz Pinot Gris, Santa Barbara
The 2006 Santa Barbara Pinot Gris has aromas of fresh lemon and pineapple, with a light floral note.
The palate is clean and refreshing with flavors of grapefruit and a touch of spice. About 10% of the blend is barrel fermented in used French oak barrels just to fill out the mid-palate; the rest of the blend sees only stainless steel. This wine will run you about $15.
2007 Bouchaine Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley~Carneros
For anyone searching beyond overly-oaked Chardonnays, this one will surely delight and satisfy!
This wine comes from vines dating to Bouchaine's original plantings in 1981, growing on their windswept Napa Valley Carneros hillsides. It's a true expression of Chardonnay-bright, citrusy flavors graced with only the merest hint of oak. Its fruit flavors, bright acidity, notable texture (a hallmark characteristic of Carneros Chardonnay), and relentless finish harmonize in an elegant, stylish wine. Straw gold in color, it dances in the glass like sunlight.
Kenwood Pinot Noir, Russian River
This is a great Pinot Noir that will compliment whatever you are doing for Valentine's Day- dinner, cookout or cocktails at your house.
The Russian River Valley is a premier cool weather region and one of a few places in California that can grow world-class Pinot Noir. This cool terroir combined with ideal soil make for exceptional Pinot Noir grapes with distinctive cherry and aromatic flavors.
Tantalizing aromas of dried cherries, figs and sage combined with vanilla notes give this wine a opulent and full-bodied mouth feel followed by a long, lingering finish. This is a great deal at around $20.
Taittinger Brut Champagne
One of my absolute favorites.
An elegantly fresh and delicate Champagne blended from a high proportion of Chardonnay grapes to yield a refined flavor palette of pear and stone fruits offset by warm, yeasty notes and hints of breadcrust.
Rocchioli 2008 Chardonnay, Russian River
The 2008 Chardonnay is a blend from their Estate Chardonnay vineyards.
The blend consists of Sixty percent Mid 40, twenty-four percent River Block, and sixteen percent South River Vineyard. Aromas of ripe apple, tropical fruit, vanilla and a touch of spice combine with the rich apple flavors and crisp acidity. This wine will run you about $45, and is well worth celebrating.
Pine Ridge 2008 Chenin Blanc Viognier
The 2008 Chenin Blanc - Viognier flaunts aromas of ruby grapefruit, pear, lychee and melon,
with a delicate touch of spicy, white florals. Lively citrus and bright tropical fruit flavors are offered up alongside a supple texture. The slightly off-dry finish is clean and crisp, perfect with many dishes or on its own as an aperitif. Enjoy now or cellar for two years. This wine should run you $12-$14.
Parducci Sustainable White
This white sustains itself on the nature of the vineyard.
This very refreshing wine has crisp, clean aromas and flavors of citrus (lemon, lime), pineapple, and melon. It is a blend of sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc, viognier, muscat, and fruilliano. It will run you about $10.
2006 Napa Valley Clos Du Val Cabernet
Who wouldn't want to go to dinner with three goddesses?
This recently released cabernet is very big (85% cab), but has 15% cab franc, malbec, petite verdot blend to soften it up a bit. You get a lot of black fruit and great spices. Deep purple-black in color (word of caution- don't spill it on anything!!!), the 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of black currant, cassis and spice. Intense flavors of black fruit, dried herbs and a hint of spice fill the mouth.
Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a fantastic cab all around.
It delivers great complexity and depth while still retaining a rough-hewn charm. It has a nice acidity, rich tannins, and a solid concentration of fruit. Will run you about $17-$18.
Domaine Carneros Damask Rose
This is a new introduction Domaine Carneros.
This rose is great for celebrations. Mostly pinot noir, and a tiny amount of chardonnay, it doesn't have an overwhelming amount of acidity. It will run you about $30 at your local megamart.
Jekel Vineyards Riesling
This great, easy drinking riesling will not disappoint anybody on Thanksgiving.
Jekel Riesling has a great balance of fresh fruit (apricots, pineapple, mandarin oranges) with a little of the mineral characteristics known to riesling. It is a wine that everyone can drink. it will run you around $11-$12.
Meeker Rollercoaster Red
This is a soft red blend with eleven different grapes.
It could be considered the non red drinkers red wine with its black and red fruit. It has great packaging and can be a wonderful hostess gift- only running you about $9-$10.
Pfendler 2007 Pinot Noir
Cherry pie, rhubarb, bramble, plum, chocolate, roasted earth and mocha...seriously what else could you ask for?
The mid-palate is expansive with bright notes of black raspberry, ginger, creamy oak and tea, finishing with plush tannins and a multi layered finish of dark fruits and beautifully balanced acidity. This was is a little more expensive...around $45, but well worth the price.
Pepi Chardonnay
This is a great wine paired with a great price.
Tropical fruit flavors, fresh and crisp on the palette. This pleasant ripe fruit flavor stays true to the finish. It will run you about $10.
Nickel & Nickel Medina Vineyard Chardonnay 2005
This chardonnay has fruit that is complemented by subtle floral notes.
Pear and lemon are very bold upon first taste and build with layers of sweet, toasty oak that expands into a nice, creamy texture. The natural crisp acidity liveliess to the palate and enhances the fruit flavors, which carries through to a long, persistent finish.
2006 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Great cabernet that we reviewed on air this week.
It opens with deep black cherry, blackberry and cassis flavors. Intense, round and well-structured tannins provide a strong backbone throughout the middle. Cedar and vanilla notes linger on the finish, beckoning another sip. Great on the pocket as well....It will run you about $15.
Ridge 2007 California Zinfandel East Bench
This is the second vintage from a young zinfandel vineyard planted atop the eastern bench of Dry Creek Valley.
A lot going on, you can taste blackberry jam, chutney, exotic spice, toasty oak. Sweet briar fruit entry. Full-bodied, structured, with fruit-coated tannins. Powerful, lengthy finish. Classic Dry Creek Valley zinfandel. After twelve months of barrel age, the wine has integrated beautifully. Enjoyable now, it will continue to develop over the next five to seven years.
Dog House Cabernet Sauvignon
This cabernet is a great pairing with the grill.
Dog House Cabernet Sauvignon is strong, yet graceful, with rich cherry, dark berry and currant fruit flavors beautifully balanced by savory oak tones and well-structured tannins. Very reasonably priced and some of the proceeds go to Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Rochioli Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2008
The Rochioli Estate Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of forty percent from the original Sauvignon Blanc vineyard planted in 1959,
Thirty-four percent is from the newest planting of a very special rare clone, and twenty-six percent is from a seventeen year old hillside vineyard. It has tropical fruit, grapefruit, and flinty characteristics. This sauvignon blanc will run you around $30.
2008 B.R. Cohn Grieve Family Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
This 2008 Sauvignon Blanc was produced with grapes grown exclusively from the Grieve Family Vineyard in Lovall Valley.
This wine begins with wonderful aromas of grapefruit and green melon, with a hint of oak in the background. It offers bright tropical flavors of pineapple and melon, ending in a long, crisp finish. It is limited production and you can get it off BR Cohn's website .
Sokol Blosser 2008 Dundee Hills Cuvee Pinot Gris
This wine is showing plenty of development and complexity -
mineral, stony, earth, and spice aromas, with flavors of apricot, peach, and fig. The mouthfeel is both crisp and very rich, concentrated, and creamy, with a long, lush finish. This wine should run you $16-$18.
Fog Head Sauvignon Blanc
This Sauvignon Blanc has enticing aromas of citrus peel and grass with hints of pineapple and guava.
Fermented to dryness and racked off the yeast lees, this wine was aged in stainless steel only. On the palate, it is crisp with flavors of grapefruit and honeydew melon with kiwi and Granny Smith apple notes. Will cost you around $15.
2008 Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Summation
This premiere vintage of Summation, is a white wine blend and mingles refreshing flavors of honeydew melon,
apricot, pink grapefruit and white pepper. Added hints of honeysuckle and a creamy mouthfeel result in a soft, dry wine that is excellent for food pairing or simply sipping. This tremendous bottle will run you about $14.
Villa Mt. Eden Pinot Noir Russian River 2007
Aromas of strawberries, cherries and cranberries develop nicely into mature Pinot Noir fruit characters.
These ripe red fruit flavors include a hint of oak. The silky dried cranberry finish lingers seductively. This wine will run you about $18.
Francis Coppola Diamond Claret 2005
This is a great time for blends.
This is Cabernet Sauvignon-based and made in the same style as Bordeaux's finest wines. A blend of the classic Bordeaux varietals - Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc - Francis Coppola 2005 Claret is supple and rich with smooth tannins, ripe berry flavors, and seductive aromas. It will run you about $17.
Heitz Napa Valley Cabernet
With its rich varietal flavors, this is a great summer wine.
This wine delivers on the palate what it promises in the nose --- a generous mouthful of dark cherry and a touch of spicy plum. With a graceful marriage of fruit and oak, this powerful Cabernet glides smoothly along to an elegant finish. Will run you a little more at $42, but completely worth it- it is all you would want in a Cabernet.
Matua Matheson Sauvignon Blanc
For those who are into the pink grapefruit of New Zealand, this is the one.
Almost clear in color with green hues. The nose is typical Sauvignon; vibrant, citrus and tropical fruit. The palate is generous in its intensity, soft and round. Will run you about $13.
Mischief and Mayhem Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Made from old vines averaging 45 years,
this terrific Bourgogne Rouge has red cherry, clove, nutmeg and raspberry fruit in the nose and mouth. The soft mouth feel leads to nicely integrated silky tannins, with smooth flavors of cherries, plums and vanilla. Lots of flavor and complexity at this price point...should run you around $20-25.
Etude Pinot Gris
This Pinot Gris gives you a great feeling of what California is about.
This Etude Pinot Gris opens with inviting aromas of key lime, wet stone minerality, orange blossom and hints of white peach. The pure flavors carry over on the palate and mingle with subtle cardamom and jasmine notes. The wine is fresh with bright acidity and a richness that begs the next sip. Hints of clove spice linger on the satisfying finish. It will run you about $22.
Matua Valley Matheson Chardonnay
This New Zealand Chardonnay is straw in color with green hues.
It has delightful aromas of pears, lemon and stone fruit. The palate in complex and long with creamy mouth filling lees characteristics of cashew, combining with fruit flavours of fresh pear and an underlying minerality. Beautifully balanced, a delight to drink now or in the coming years. It will run you around $15-$18.
2008 Murphy Goode Fume Sauvignon Blanc
The 2008 vintage boasts a citrus, tropical flavor profile,
which results in glorious blend of texture, bright notes of grapefruit and hints of tangerine and oak. It is the chardonnay lover's sauvignon blanc. It balances really well and does not have the overwhelming grassy acidity that turns some people off of sauvignon blanc. It will run you around $12.
Sbragia Family Vineyards, Dry Creek Home Ranch Sauvignon Blanc
This wine from the Northern end of Dry Creek is one of the most refreshing I have had in at least 6 months.
It is crisp, acidic, has lemongrass and a great balance. Price: $15-$20.
14 Hands Chardonnay
This Washington State Chardonnay offers bright aromas of apples and pears,
with a touch of caramel. Elegant fruit flavors give way to hints of butter and coconut, ending with a juicy finish. This one should run you $10-$12.
Pepperwood Grove Chardonnay
This great California chardonnay is under $9.50.
Every type of drinker can enjoy this wine, which has a clean flavor. It has a nice apple finish with a hint of oak.
Faldo Shiraz
Faldo wines were launched in 2000 and named in honor of legendary golfer
Nick Faldo.
This shiraz has an abundant array of spicy and savory aromas including licorice, pepper and
raspberry. There are also subtle hints of smokey and vanilla oak. Medium bodied wine with
generous fruit flavors. It runs between $12 and $15.
Dana Estates Hershey Vineyard 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
I have went out on a limb on this one- it is quite different from all of my other recommendations.
This Hershey Cab from Dana Estates is one of three that will be released in the fall of 2009. It runs about $275, but will increase in value. This WILL be the next cult wine. Rasberry, blueberry and cassis combine with notes of sage and a beautiful minerality to create a seductive range of flavors and aromas.
Seven Deadly Zins Zinfandel
This is a great America Red.
Soft, pepper and licorice-clove notes merge into a sinful marriage of deep, brambly blackberries and lustful cherries. The finish is clean on the palate with hints of rich vanilla, cocoa, and mild tannins. Should run you about $12 a bottle.
Sean Minor "Four Bears Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a great cab for everyday drinking.
This balanced, full bodied wine with sweet tannins has a hint of cigar box to complement the cassis and framboise notes.
Cambria Chardonnay- Katherine's Vineyard
This week I am dedicated to the pursuit of Southern California.....Cambira Chardonnay has been my wine of choice.
You get tropical fruit- bannana, some oak..It has great balance and rich. You can definitely get your teeth into this one. This will run you about $15 a bottle.
Vinho Verde
The perfect wine for St. Patrick's Day.
A Portugese wine and the name literally means "Green Wine," referring to its useful freshness rather than its color.
Trinchero Petite Verdot
This varietal clearly shows it characteristics.
Inky color, floral aromas and a velvet mouthfeel. This bottle will run you about $24.
Wild Rock Sauvignon Blanc
This crisp, refreshing New Zealand wine is great change. It will run you about $16.
Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon
This intense, fruity cabernet
is under $10, but will hold up to anything in the under $25 category. Delivers aromas of rose petals and cherry blossoms. It has a perfect balance of earth and berries and leaves you with a soft cocoa finish.
BV Carneros Chardonnay
This round, tropical wine with hint of vanilla
makes you feel like you are
sitting in Key West. Will run you about $14.
Banfi Rosa Regale
Italian Brachetto, from close to Asti.
Lightly sparkling, lightly sweet, the color and flavor of strawberries. The PERFECT wine for any chocolate.
Helfrich Pinot Gris
The Helfrich family has been crafting wines in Alsace for six generations.
This Pinot Gris starts off rich and full and you will be able to detect a slight smoky flavor, with a touch of grass. Leaves you with a pleasant and long finish. Should run you between $12 and $15.
Beringer Napa Chardonnay
There is one good thing about the weather these days, and that is the great boom to the white wine drinkers. No more wine taking up space in the refrigerator, just put it outside your back door.
The bottles piling up outside of mine this week are Beringer Napa Chardonnay. This wine has come a long way from it "chewing on an oak tree" days. Bright, with good balance, it tastes like a vanilla caramel coated green apple. It has enough body to hold up to winter salads and soups, and surprisingly, fits in amazingly well in front of a fireplace. Great value for the day, and is a bold enough wine that even die hard red wine drinkers may take a pause. Should run you about $14.
Honig Sauvignon Blanc, Napa 2006
Nothing refreshes the hot days like this well chilled wine can.
A rarity for Sauvignon Blanc, this wine sees a little oak, which takes some of the almost over the top acidity away and balances this beverage perfectly... Mango, Papaya and Peach, this is the closest California comes to Sancerre, and honestly, I think it beats it.
Grgich Hills Chardonnay, Napa 2006
One of the greats of Napa, this wine is a true splurge.
Worth every penny, this wine makes bad days bearable. The wine is honey and pear- with a nuttiness to it that seems to clear the palate between every sip. You are definitely worth this bottle.
Tunnel of Elms Cabernet Sauvignon
One of the best value wines around. Usually inexpensive
Cabernets taste like grape juice, but this one is very ripe with great black fruit and plum flavors. Actually aged in oak, it is soft, with no true bite. This wine will pair well with anything you put on the grill or with red meats.
Kendall Jackson Meritage, California
Another value red from me, but one you might needlessly overlook. This wine is a great blend of grapes and locations.
Cab, Merlot and Cabernet Franc come together well in this wine and whether you are a novice or an expert you have to enjoy. Throw a little chill on this and there is almost nothing on the dinner table that this will not pair with. With flavors of blackberry, licorice and violet, it is lush and decadent- like all reds should be.
Cambria Katherine's Chardonnay, Santa Maria 2006
Santa Barbara wine with more elegance than most from that area. Great citrus and peach with some grapefruit overtones.
This wine sees some oak, so it balances the acidity with some nice caramel like vanilla. Perfect with summer salads or just by itself while you are sitting on your deck. Actually, good with anything and known to make grumpy people nicer.....
Yangarra Estate Viognier
The nose is a ripe and exotic mix of jasmine and white nectarines. The palate is fresh and crisp with stone fruits and citrus. A hint of creaminess brings harmony to the long crisp finish.
Sokol-Blosser Evolution
