2005 Chateau Clos L'Eglise Cotes de Castillon

 

This is a really interesting and tasty Bordeaux blend from Cotes de Castillon in the south of France. The pour is a very deep purple, almost black. On the swirl, the legs are plentiful and enticing.

The nose on this wine is very complex and inviting. The first aromas I got were black cherries and licorice...thankfully the licorice is mild and not overpowering, and also short-lived. The next wave of smells is dominated by sweet plums and blueberries. This aroma lasts for a few seconds longer than the first bit and is very enjoyable...reminds me of fresh jam. The last little smell I get is the most interesting: there is still a hint of fruit, blackberries and black currants, but the best part is the mocha flavor that makes its appearance at the end of the sniffy-sniff. Aromatically, this wine is a homerun! Honestly, I sniffed this wine for almost five minutes before even thinking about tasting it.

Then, when I finally got around to tasting it, I was confused at first because the flavors in the mouth are so very different than the flavors in the nose. Tannins dominate the palate, and while they were slightly overpowering to start, they really grew on me in the first few sips. The tannins are sweet and lively, and the midpalate begins to show the balance and character of this wine. The midplate is full-bodied and fills each corner of your mouth with flavors of black currant, blackberry and a subtle minerality with the tannic base still present but more subdued. The finish is very youthful and cool on the tongue; the tannins return stronger than ever for a moment, balanced with chilled cherries and a long, elegant aftertaste. While I enjoyed the nose more than the palate at first, the flavor profile and breadth of this wine really got my attention and I would recommend this to anyone wanting to see what high-end Bordeaux blends are really about.

Rating: 94

Retail: $40

I enjoyed this with a prime rib dinner. This wine would also compliment duck or a ripe French cheese. I am already looking forward to the next occasion to open a bottle of this brilliant red Bordeaux!

2009 La Crema Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2009 La Crema Russian River Valley Chardonnay

The nose on this classic California chard is clean and dry and beautiful. The first aroma is that of sweet green apples; this is immediately followed by the sour component of apples. The next aroma is very sweet, like caramelized sugar, and there is also a hint of vanilla on the nose. The nose finishes and lingers with flavors of pineapple, apricot and peaches. Even with this number of flavors, each is tight and well-composed...very enjoyable.

The palate opens with lemony acidity and the sweetness and citrus of oranges. The midpalate is very smooth and long with flavors of pears, peaches and lemongrass. There is a continuous backbone of minerality/steel flavor in this chardonnay and it is very well balanced and smooth. The finish is very subtle but still definitely present, with flavors of lime and sweet citrus. I really like the balance, depth and youthfulness of this chardonnay.

Retail: $30
Rating: 91
I enjoyed this tasty California chardonnay with pan-seared scallops and an arugula salad. This would also go well with any chicken or pork dish or any seafood dish, or just as an apertif. Per usual, this chardonnay is best enjoyed chilled. I would recommend this to anyone looking to step up their chardonnay-game, even for one night, to the next level of American/Californian chardonnay. Shout out to Lynn, who enjoyed La Crema Chardonnay at her wedding! Cheers!

Adriano Adami Garbèl Prosecco

 

Adriano Adami Garbèl Prosecco 13

This is a non-vintage Prosecco from the Colli Trevigiani region of Italy. Garbèl is an old Italian word, from an ancient dialect, which means crisp, dry, and tart. I opened a bottle of this relatively inexpensive Prosecco when the Brewers won the NLDS, beating the Arizona Diamondbacks in a great game 5 that went into extra innings.

The nose is very crisp with lots of light fruits including pears, apples (both the sweetness and slight acidity of apples) and a touch of lemon zest.  There is a really nice balance of sweetness and acidity on the sniff; it is very enjoyable and it is slightly sweeter than Champagne, in a good way.

The palate is full and bright with lots of fruity acidity, including the lemon zest and apples from the nose. The 13 on the right side of the label (pictured above) represents the 13 grams of residual sugar remaining in this Prosecco, which places it between Brut and Extra Dry styles of sparkling wine. The aftertaste is dry and invites another sip.

Retail: $15

Rating: 90 - This is a great value for a tasty sparkling wine that will appeal to many palates. The nose might be better expressed in a white wine glass as opposed to a flute, but either way it is very enjoyable on the nose and palate. I'm looking forward to opening another bottle of this sparkler (hopefully if/when the Brewers beat the Cardinals in the NLCS!). Cheers everybody!

2003 Domaine de la Vougeraie Puligny-Montrachet

2003 Domaine de la Vougeraie Poligny-Montrachet Grand Vin de Bourgogne

From the vineyard: "Cluny Abbey received the land around Puligny in 1095, and the monks developed the vines there. The seigniory was held by the Mypont family, then by the Dukes of Burgundy under Philippe the Hardy, and later by Burgundy nobles."
First of all, how awesome is it to drink wine from land that has been tilled for wine since 1095?!?! This wine is 100% Chardonnay, and is absolutely not for people who think chardonnay was first thought of in California. This chardonnay was aged in French oak casks (from the Allier Forest) for 14 months before being transferred to stainless steel barrels for 4 months. This was bottled in 2005 and there were only 718 bottles produced. (by comparison, Camelot Highlands, one of Kendall Jackson's highest-end chardonnays, produced 9000 bottles of 2008 vintage chard - ps, not a bad CA chard at all)

The pour is a beautiful classic French chardonnay yellow-golden-maize-straw color (darker than your typical chardonnay, but don't judge a wine by its color...); it is just different enough to get your attention if you weren't already intrigued. No legs to speak of at 14 degrees Celsius, but that isn't surprising for a 100% Chardonnay at 13% abv.

The nose is brilliant out of the bottle and into the glass; it is SO easy to smell, and you almost don't want to stop, except that you really want to drink it too. I get major notes of pear and tropical air/mist with a touch of sour lemon/lemon zest. The oak is present but very focused. There is also just a hint of burnt wood/burnt vine at the end of the sniffy-sniff (keep rockin' GaryV). Nothing in this nose is cheapened by excess, everything is in its place and very elegantly presented to the drinker.

The palate opens with a touch of minerality and a little lemon peel. Like the nose, everything is in its place and very tight; the forepalate is inviting and leads you into the midpalate. This is not a sweet chard, it is dry and serious and focused. This is a brilliantly structured white Burgundy! There is a golden apple flavor (not the sweet flavors of apples though), and a mix of a hot grill and fresh fruit (like you let the gas grill get good and hot, and seared some apricots and pear skins and apple skins for a few seconds - that seared fruit emits a flavor that is unique and perfectly balanced into the middle of this wine). The finish is smoky and relatively simple (especially when compared to the fore- and midpalate), but ties the wine together brilliantly. If you couldn't tell, I am running out of compliments for this wine and I am already looking for other Puligny-Montrachet Chardonnay to try as soon as possible.

Rating: 94 - Amazing - Perfect balance of weight, acidity, and flavor!
Retail: $75
This is one of the best wines I have ever had. *Period*
I would recommend this wine to anyone who has had chardonnay and perhaps been less than enamored with what the grape has to offer. I would also recommend this wine to anyone who is to the point of knowing what to expect from their chardonnay and wants to expand their palate to one of the original chardonnay-growing regions of the world.

2005 Twomey Merlot

2005 Twomey Napa Valley Merlot

The pour is a deep ruby red, with simple light legs on a good swirl.

The nose is bright and led by red cherries and red raspberries. There are also mild undertones of dry tobacco leaf, red currant, and a little pine. There is also a little black pepper at the end of the sniffy-sniff (shout out to Gary Vaynerchuk...your DailyGrape and ThunderShow will be missed!). I like the complexity of the nose, and the addition of black pepper and dry tobacco really set this apart from every other merlot I've had.

The palate is bright and full-bodied. The forepalate is tart and sweet with flavors of plums and a little of that redcurrant from the nose. It is a touch dry for my tastes, especially on the midpalate which is dominated by tight tannins as opposed to fruit flavors. The late palate is really good: there is a little of the tobacco flavor from the nose, along with a long, velvety smokiness that I really like.

Rating: 89
Retail: $50
I think that this is slightly overpriced, but the brothers who started Silver Oak and Twomey have earned their stripes; the 2002 Merlot was much better than this in my opinion, but this is definitely the best Merlot I've had since then. That being said, I am not a Merlot kind-of-guy, so take this for what it's worth: if you have your heart set on the best Merlot out there, then buy Twomey...if you want a 90+ point wine, then don't buy Merlot. Cheers to a great Labor Day Weekend full of great wine!

2004 Cambiata Tannat

2004 Cambiata Monterey Tannat

The pour is a deep indigo red, very beautiful and easy on the eyes. Thick legs on a good swirl.

On the nose, I get sweet floral notes with a touch of sage and other dry herbs. The nose is simple and direct, but well balanced between dry and sweet notes.

The first sip is a shock, a perfect definition of the Tannat grape: tannins everywhere! I love bold tannins and this wine demonstrates a brilliant array of them: the short tight ones, the long stringy ones, and the medium sweet ones. The tannins are very present, but balanced by sweet raspberries and a note of harsh licorice fruit. I usually do not like licorice at all (especially not in my wine), but this is one instance in which it works; with the sweet raspberries and the bold tannins, the bite of licorice is perfectly inserted in the midpalate and adds an intricate bit of complexity to this wine.

Retail: $20
Rating: 92
I love the boldness of this grape and the brilliant balance achieved by the winemaker. I enjoyed this wine with a surface-ripened camambert. It would also be great with aged meats (perhaps a charcuterie plate). I'm looking forward to picking up another bottle or three and aging at least one of them for at least 10 years to check for evolution (I think this wine will smooth out a bit and the tannins will become more rounded but still strong, check back in 10+years for another entry concerning Cambiata Tannat!).

2007 Cameron Hughes Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 136

2007 Cameron Hughes Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 136

The pour is very very dark, almost black, but still purple. Dr. Jack and I enjoyed this bottle with some steaks (T-Bones) we grilled in Gunnison, CO. It was a beautiful evening after a round of golf, and this bottle of Cab tied the night together perfectly.

Nose: Aromas of blackberries, black cherries, and something like dried cherry pits lead the nose; these are followed by notes of French oak and sweet cherries. I liked the ease and simplicity of this aroma profile, but it is still interesting and very well put together.

Palate: The forepalate is dusty and light with a hint of a minty freshness. The midpalate is dominated by a long and brilliantly done tannic profile. The tannins are not exactly well-balanced, but they are still well done - the tannins are the reason to drink this wine, so don't expect anything but tannins and more tannins. The palate finishes with more tannins and a really nice fruity black cherry flavor with the smoothness of black currants. I love the tannic profile and would recommend this relatively cheap Napa wine to anyone looking for a great Cali Cab!

Retail: $18.50
Rating: 92
This is a fantastic value! The tannins are brilliantly done and very prominent. This complimented rare steak perfectly, and would go well with pizza, fettuccine alfredo, and lamb very well. If you see any Lot 136, buy a bottle or four and enjoy! Cheers!

2006 Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

 

This is a great example of classic California cab! The pour is a deep red, almost black, and is just enough darker than the usual cab to intrigue the drinker.

The nose is layered and fantastic, beginning with blackberries and cherries. These aromas are followed by notes of vanilla and dry tobacco. There is something spicy about the nose as well (classic California cab)...something bolder than simple black pepper, like the whole peppercorn before crushing it in the pepper mill. I like the aromatic blend of this wine, it is very linear but not too intense.

The palate opens with flavors of black currants, black raspberries, blackberries and mild tannins. The midpalate is flecked with herbal anise and soft cocoa notes. The finish is long....so very long, but brilliantly done. The tannins are perfectly interlaced with the spicy black pepper from the nose and the sweet blackberry from the forepalate. The finish is smoky and, as I mentioned, very long and enjoyable.

Retail: $40

Rating: 92

I love this cab, I'll be looking for it on special at wine shops around Denver and I'm looking forward to the next glass I get to enjoy. My friend Martin and I enjoyed this bottle with a meal including espresso rubbed duck at Wine Experience Cafe. The wine is brilliantly balanced and would also be great with steak, mushroom dishes, and lamb...I would also enjoy a glass of this on a summer evening on a back porch.

2002 Roggio Del Filare Rosso Piceno Superiore

 

Wow! What a fantastic bottle of Italian wine! It is a combination of Montepulciano (70%) and Sangiovese (30%) grapes and it is aged in French oak barrels. I had a tasters portion, then decanted the bottle for a few hours before the first full glass.

The pour is a bright, concentrated ruby red...very beautiful. Minimal legs for a 13.5% abv wine. The nose is intense but still smooth (especially after decanting), beginning with lots of fruit: black cherry, blackberry, red raspberries and a hint of bing cherries too. The bouquet is well rounded with lots of oaky notes to complement the fruit aromas as well.

The palate is where this wine comes to life; there is something full and almost chewy (in a good/great way) about the wine as soon as it enters your mouth. The forepalate is light and fruity (black cherries and raspberries) with a noticable but very enjoyable hint of tannins in the fruit. The wine almost tastes warm on the midpalate even though it is a few degrees below room temperature; the fruit continues with just a slightly more sour note: the bing cherry flavor from the nose. The finish is relatively short but it is so well put together with blackberries and light, crisp tannins that you are looking forward to the next taste before the flavors have left the palate.

Retail: $46

Rating: 93

This wine pairs beautifully with Italian red sauce, dishes with spicy sausage, as well as flank steak.

I'm not usually a fan of Italian reds because they seem to be too alcohol driven for my palate right now, but this one is brilliantly done and the last 9 years of aging did this wine a great deal of good I think. I would recommend this for someone branching out/up in price range for a special bottle of red; I'll be looking for a sale to pick up another bottle or two for the cellar.

2009 Domaine de la Patience Chardonnay

 

This certified organic Languedoc (southern Rhone) wine is 100% Chardonnay. It is made from 13 year old vines and aged three months in concrete, creating a 13% abv wine.

The pour is pale yellow and the swirl yields neat, simple legs. The nose opens with notes of nectarine and a mineral coolness. There are also aromas of pineapple acidity, a little lemon rind, and a faint sweet floral note.

The forepalate is strong with flavors of acidic oranges and sweet peaches. It is well balanced and enjoyable as the palate progresses. The midpalate continues with fruity sweetness but there are also complex notes of vanilla extract and a more pineapple acidity than the citrus that began on the tongue. The finish is relatively long for a chardonnay, and the palate is left with notes of sweet peaches.

Retail: $14

Rating: 91
This wine would be best paired with seafood, salads, grilled veggies, or by itself, chilled down to about 12 degrees C, on a warm summer afternoon. I enjoyed this with steamed mussels and a light arugula salad.

2008 Simon Bize Bourgogne 'Les Champlains'

 

This white burgundy from the Cotes du Beaune (north of Lyon) is a great value and a good example of French/California contrast in 100% chardonnay wines. The 'Les Champlains' was two-thirds barrel fermented and one-third stainless steel fermented.

The nose offers a lot to the drinker, beginning with pears and apples, and finishing with sweet apple blossoms, other floral notes, and a touch of both a minty freshness and wet gritty earth. The flavors evolve into this brilliant mixture over the course of about 20 minutes in the glass with occasional swirling.

The palate begins with crisp clean apple flavors, including both its acidity and sweetness. The midpalate is slightly sweeter, and the pears and floral notes make their reappearance. The finish is long and intentionally acidic once again, but there is a soothing oaky flavor that relaxes the palate and prepares the drinker for the next sip.

Retail: $18

Rating: 91
I would recommend this to all chardonnay drinkers who would like to try something a bit different, a little sharper and less buttery than the typical California chardonnay. Tasty tasty!...especially for <$20 white burgundy grapes. I had this by the glass at Bin 71 in Manhattan; I would recommend visiting Bin 71 for great paninis, great service and a fantastic wine list.

2007 Luigi Bosca Malbec

This Argentinian wine is one of my favorite malbecs...it is both strong in drinkability and complexity! I enjoyed this by the glass at Wine Experience Cafe and World Cellar (Southlands, Aurora, CO). The pour is a deep ruby/purple and the legs are thick and juicy.

The nose is fruity straightaway, lots of red raspberries and blackberries. There is also a touch of black pepper spice, very common in Malbec, but this one is different; directly following the spice note there is a green tobacco leaf aroma that really gets my attention in a good way. It's a soft aroma, especially following the sharp pepper note, and it really rounds out the nose for this fantastic wine.

The palate is just as exciting as the nose. The forepalate is led by soft and sweet tannins with a mainly raspberry flavor; this is the earliest I've enjoyed tannins in a malbec, and they are so well balanced that it is both drinkable and excitingly complex. The midpalate has the occasional hint of wet tobacco from the nose along with the fruity raspberry flavor. The finish distinct and long; it is dominated by ripe red fruit and there is a touch of sea salt with the tannic conclusion. The salty end leaves you looking forward to the next sip with great anticipation and makes this a fantastic buy.

Retail: $20
Rating: 92
This is a fantastic example of where Argentinian wines are headed and what many of them should strive to become. I would pair this with spicy barbecue, anything with chili powder, spicy sausage, and most any Italian tomato-based dishes. At the Wine Experience Cafe I enjoyed this with a rare hanger steak with a spicy seasoning, and it was fantastic!

2008 Stéphane Tissot - Trousseau Singulier

Trousseau is one of the principle red grapes from the Jura region of France (the same region as the last wine I wrote about). The grapes are grown in low-yielding vineyards and winemaker Stéphane Tissot uses a biodynamic process with no chemicals or synthetic pesticides to make this amazing wine.

The pour is lighter red than many people would expect; it almost looks like a Burgundy to me. I think it's beautiful, and the interesting color peaks an interest in the wine drinker.

The nose is bold and beautifully delicious. There was a big kick of black pepper surrounded by bold red fruit, strawberries and raspberries. There is also an aroma of something else, something wet and earthy - all I can think of is hiking in a rainforest and kicking up a little wet dirt on the forest floor.

The palate is where this wine really comes to life. The red fruit from the nose hits the tongue straightaway, followed by some tight tannins that surprise the tongue and give this wine a feeling that its alive. The midpalate is strong with sugary fruit and a really nice acidic note. The finish brings it all together with a bit of the black pepper from the nose, and the aftertaste includes a bit of the wet earthy flavor from the nose. What a brilliantly designed, complex bottle of wine; it will be on my mind in many wine shops in the future.

Retail: $58
Rating: 93

2008 Côtes du Jura Domaine Alain Labet en Chalasse

This is a similar label, but instead of the 'Fleur de Savavnin' the label should say 'en Chalasse' (but I forgot to take a picture).  The Jura region is on the eastern border of France:

 

This wine is 100% Chardonnay and the pour is golden yellow.  The nose is intense at first but after a little swirl, more flavors are revealed and the intensity is more in-check. The aromas are well balanced including smooth floral notes, light acidic citrus and a nutty almond scent too.

The palate is sharp and doesn't hold back. It leads with acid and minerality along with a little peach sweetness. The midpalate is dominated by sweet pear and apple notes with a milder acidity. While the wine is in my mouth I get another hint of the floral aroma from the nose; it really ties the wine together.

I really like where this wine is going but I'm not sure it made it to its destination (especially for the price); I think the palate was a bit simple but it was tied together very well. I love French reds and I've been branching out to try more French whites, but I'm still searching for a different terroir.

Rating: 89

Retail: $45

2010 Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc

 

This wine is from the Marlborough region of New Zealand and is 100% Sauvignon Blanc.

I really like the nose on this Sauv Blanc. It is very aromatic, starting with an herbal aroma; it's like you're in the herb garden (the floral aspect of the herbs) combined with dried light Italian herbs. There is also a sweet component to the nose, something like white/green raisins. At the end of each sniffy-sniff (Gary Vaynerchuk reference...bringin' the thunder!) there is a bit of lime zest with the sweetness of passionfruit.

The first taste on the palate is the zest from the late nose (sour but under control). The midpalate follows the acidity of the forepalate with a passionfruit sweetness and a hint of British gooseberry (tough to find good gooseberries in this country but definitely worth tasting if you have the chance...good sauv blanc often has a touch of gooseberry flavor in it). The finish is marked with a return of the acidity and a minerality (possibly from the stainless steel cask in which most this sauv blanc is fermented). The finish is pretty long and but I would still describe this wine as tight and crisp.

I had this on a warm afternoon with a black peppery, lightly seared tuna with arugula and spinach. This would be great with any seafood, chicken, or by itself on a warm afternoon. This wine should be chilled down to 44 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 7 degrees Celsius).

Rating: 91

I really loved this Sauvignon Blanc. It is by no means a go-to varietal for me, but I really liked the complexity and flavor of this very reasonably priced wine.

Retail: $10

Yeah! Only $10 for a 90+ rated wine! See it = Buy it! [especially with warm summer afternoons coming]

2005 & 2008 Gundlach Bundschu Chardonnay

Gunlach Bundschu is one of my favorite wineries...for many reasons. One, their wine is fantastic, and two, the owner/farmer, Jim Bundschu, is very nice and knowledgeable and gave a great talk at the Wine Experience Cafe which I was lucky enough to attend. One of my favorite wines from that dinner was the chardonnay. We had the 08 at the dinner and I had a bottle of the 05 at home, so I'm going to compare them here.

First, both the 05 and 08 pour a beautiful pale golden wheat color. Skinny legs are plentiful on the swirl. The two vintages are the same color as far as I can tell. Both vintages are 100% chardonnay from the same two clones: the 30+ year-old Wente clone and the 2003 Robert Young clone (which made its debut in the 05 vintage).

On the nose:
First, the 2005...Lots of pineapple, especially the acidic notes of the pineapple, and a set of well-rounded spices hit the nose, more after the swirl than before the swirl.
Then the 2008...Sweet honeysuckle and tart apple smells hit the nose first, then after a good swirl I get a sweet vanilla note and just a few spices.
I liked the nose on the 08 version of this chardonnay a bit more because I love tart apple on the nose of California chard. Both are intriguing and complex enough on the nose to get you excited about the tastes to come.

Then on the palate:
2005: Sweet lemon on the tip of the tongue, a bit different than other chardonnay I've had. This is followed on the midpalate with tart apples and a touch of non-fruit sugar (almost like a touch of marshmallow). The finish is not terribly long but it is pretty acidic, like lemon surrounding sweet melon. I really like the sharp notes and easy to understand, but still complex, palate on this chard.
2008: Acid-forward lemon on the forepalate, immediately followed by the sweetness of a ripe pear. The midpalate also has minor notes of coffee beans and sweet melon. And then on the late midpalate and early finish there is the note that sets this chardonnay apart, brilliantly balanced minerality. It is distinctive but well-rounded into the palate! It tastes like how wet rocks smell in the rain, mixed with a touch of steel, brilliant! The finish is long and bright with alternating notes of minerality and acidity.
I like the palate on the 2008 better, mostly because of the creative minerality and the longer, tastier finish.

2005 Retail: $27
2005 Rating: 88
I thought the finish was a bit abrupt and the palate was lacking a little something, but it was a very very enjoyable chardonnay.

2008 Retail: $27
2008 Rating: 91
I love this chardonnay! This is a step away from my normal chardonnay preference (normally I love big oaky, buttery chards), but the steely minerality surprised me in a great way and set this chardonnay a step above most $20-30 bottles. Pairs great with shellfish or lightly seasoned fish. Definitely worth a try if you see it!

2008 The Crusher Cabernet Sauvignon

I was lucky enough to find this gem on special by the half-case at a wine shop about a year ago. I was at dinner the other night and this wine came up in conversation (thanks Martin), and it reminded me of the bottles I have left and prompted this sharing of my tasting notes.
This Cab is from the Wilson Vineyard in Clarksburg, California. The Crusher is meticulously concocted by Greg Kitchens at 13.5% abv.

On the pour, this beauty is a very dark crimson/scarlet. Nice legs and a relatively rapidly evolving set of aromas upon a good swirl or three. On the nose I get plums initially. After some oxygen and a few minutes I continue to get the plum but it is muted and followed by raspberries and a hint of spicebox (great California cab spices, intriguing and a big plus on the nose).

The palate is full and exciting. It starts with lots of dark fruits: blackberries, dark plums and subtle dark cherries too. There is something behind the fruit as well: I always get a hint of coffee bean and black pepper making a background appearance on the midpalate. Tannins are present but well balanced and very enjoyable throughout. The finish is dusty and long, with the core tannins lingering appropriately. The last taste to leave the palate/throat is a rich jammy flavor which is not overpoweringly fruity but more a lingering reminder of the brilliant wine you just tasted.

As with any bold, California cab, a fine pairing list will always include steak of any cut. I had this with ribs in a mild bbq sauce and that was fantastic as well. I am looking forward to pairing this bold cab with an aged gouda or grayson cheese.


Retail: $18 (but often on sale...keep a look out...)
Rating: 91
I consider this a diamond hidden on the wine shelves. Great value for an up-and-coming region (Clarksburg).

2008 Root 1 Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a simple but tasty cab from Chile.

Ruby red on the pour. Decent set of legs on a good swirl. The second glass changed a bit on the nose but not on the palate.

On the nose I get muted plum and a hint of ripe strawberries and dark berries, like blackberries. After 20 minutes of air and some vigorous swirling, the nose evolved a bit to include a spicier component, almost black pepper.

The palate was relatively uneventful (not complex but still very tasty). The palate was dominated by black cherry flavors and relatively well-balanced tannins. The finish was long, and the lingering flavor was mostly bitter like dark chocolate with the occasional reappearance of a silky tannic note. I enjoyed this wine with a sharp cheese, but it would also pair well with steak of any cut or preparation.

Retail: $13
Rating: 89
I would recommend this to anyone wanting to branch out and try different cabs, especially those from places other than California.

2006 Salice Salentino Riserva

2006 Leone de Castris Salice Salentino Riserva
This winery has been making this wine since 1954 with 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia Nera grapes. The winery is located in the province of Lecce, the most southern province in the heel of the boot that is Italy.

This wine is beautiful ruby red. On the nose I get dark cherries, blackberry, and Italian spices (basil and maybe just a hint of garlic). Not terribly aromatic, but enough to draw you in and there is nothing obtrusive to scare your nose in this bouquet.

The fore-palate is briefly fruit-forward, including the cherry and blackberry from the nose, along with dark plum. This is followed by a mid-palate of well balanced but stout tannins, which are enjoyable and not too lengthy on the finish. The finish is long with fruit and diminishing tannins...very enjoyable. My friend PJ and I enjoyed this with spaghetti and a spicy sausage-driven red sauce...brilliant!

Retail: $13
Rating: 90
This is an absolute steal! If you see it, buy at least one, maybe two. Thank You PJ for buying this one and serving it with dinner, I'm going to pick up a few bottles for my next couple Italian dinners.

2006 Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz

2006 Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz
I was lucky enough to have a glass of this at a tasting and it definitely got my attention. I usually don't like the Syrah grape, and its not for lack of trying many of them, but this one is so different that it's worth talking about.

This is a brilliant dark violet on the pour and then you give it a good swirl...and then...this is when the wine first gets the drinker's attention...there's a bunch of sediment stuck to the side of the glass...so you hold it up to the light and see sediment evenly distributed throughout the whole glass of dark wine. At first I thought 'Did I get the bottom of the bottle?'...but no, the whole bottle looks like this all the time (I held the bottle up to the the light a couple times to check).

Then on the nose: brilliant blueberry and dark plum fruit all over the front of this wine; followed by an ever-changing group of soft spices along with a dry tomato smell too, then tobacco, more black raspberry fruit, and dirty mineral nose too. I enjoyed the evolving aromas and they all seem to complement each other somehow in the end.

The palate his heavy and long with cherries, raspberries, blueberries, dark plums, lots of different spices, especially black pepper (which persists through the whole evolution and sequence of flavors). The finish never really stops (this was the last wine of the evening and I could still taste it over an hour later) and it is surprisingly enjoyable in this capacity. The tannins are present throughout but are well blended and not obtrusive in any way. The sediment is not in the way of any of the flavors and probably adds to or intensifies some of the best flavors in this wine - the wine does not quite require chewing, but a few of the other tasters described it that way.

Retail: $50 (definitely worth having a glass at a wine shop or good wine bar)
Rating: 93
This is the best Syrah I have ever had by a very large margin. I thoroughly enjoyed every sip and the complex evolution and combination of flavors that this wine afforded. Brilliant!

2005 Montecillo Crianza Rioja

2005 Montecillo Crianza Rioja
This is made of 100% Tempranillo grapes. A Crianza is a Rioja which is aged for at least two years: one in the bottle and at least one in oak casks.

This wine is ruby-red on the pour. The nose is strong with plums, black cherry and just a touch of oak. The edges on the nose are pretty sharp at first, but they round out after about half an hour.

The first taste is a bit strong as well, but rounds out after a little oxygen as well. The taste is heavy with black cherries and blackberries, surrounded by an oaky spiciness. There are also hints of white pepper and definite moments of vanilla on the midpalate. The finish is not long but it is oaky and enjoyable.

Rating: 88
Retail: $12
I like this as a red table wine, nothing spectacular but a very good example of non-reserva (and non-gran reserva) Rioja.

2005 Saint Jeans du Barroux

2005 Saint Jeans du Barroux Phillipe Gimel l'Oligocéne
This wine is made of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Carignan and 5% Cinsault grapes. These grapes are hand picked and hand-stemmed. This wine comes from Southern Rhone from a northern facing slope on the foothills of Mont Ventoux (of Tour de France fame, added plus for this wine).

The nose is beautiful with floral, dark cherry, a sweet raisin scent, a hint of subtle chocolate, a little spice box feel, and maybe a touch of licorice. Amazing evolution from second to second on the nose, I love it!

Then on the palate, what a beautiful and perfectly balanced set of flavors! The palate starts with a burst of cherry: sweet cherry, sour cherry, and a touch of chocolate with cherry. The tannins make their appearance on the midpalate, but are immediately followed by another rush of acid and fruit. This medium bodied wine is velvety and long on the finish. The 15% abv is covered perfectly with these flavors and never rears its ugly head.

This wine is more acid driven on the palate than a northern Rhone wine would be (northern Rhone is fully fruit-driven); because of that fact, this is a time when a full-blooded red french wine pairs perfectly with salmon. The fattiness of the fish is perfectly complemented by the acidity of the wine...perfect pairing (yes, one of the rare times you'll ever hear me say that).

The finish just kept on keepin' on. Minutes after the first tasting-sip I was still getting a finishing flavor of spice and herbal and a touch of floral too (Lavender I want to say) along with a sour cherry bite. This is one of a few wines which can change someone's whole point of view about what wine can be and honestly what wine should aspire to be.

As you can tell by this review, I love what Philippe Gimel is doing on his 12 hectares in the south of France. This wine will only improve with time over the next 5 to 8 years, and I'm already looking forward to the next time I have the opportunity to have this wine again.
Rating: 93
Retail: $30

2009 Maculan Pino & Toi

2009 Maculan Pino & Toi

This is an Italian wine from the northern part of the country, a region called Veneto. This wine is made up of 60% Tocai Friulano grapes, 25% Pinot Bianco, and 15% Pinot Grigio.

 

The pour is pale yellow with a hint of light green as well. On the nose I get lots of fruit: mostly pears and apples, and a touch of wet stone (almost salty like a coastal rain shower). Nothing spectacular, but very appealing none the less.

The palatal flavors are a nice mixture between the acidity of good white wine and the fruity dry flavors from these particular grapes. The green apple and pear return from the nose, with a little peach too. The finish is crisp and refreshing. This wine was enjoyed with a variety of things, including Brie and Stanser Rotelli cheeses, steamed mussels, wild boar fettuccine, and pan roasted duck. I would also recommend this on its own, or with other seafood or antipasti dishes.

Rating: 89

Retail: $14

This is definitely worth picking up if you see it; fun, fruity, and cheap - brilliant combo. I enjoyed this as a change-up from the same ol' inexpensive Pinot Grigio.

2006 Director's Cut Chardonnay

2006 Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Russian River Valley Chardonnay

This is a GREAT bottle of Chardonnay, upon the first smell I was intrigued and then on the palate I fell in love with this wine! The pour is a beautiful pale golden color; a good swirl leaves a fun set of legs from this 13.5% abv Chardonnay.

The nose is ridiculously aromatic, a TON of scents hit the nose at once and in sequence, all at the same time, love it! Ripe pear, orange blossoms, honeysuckle, a titch of vanilla, and a dose of citrus. These flavors come in layers and then blend wonderfully into a great fragrance!

Then on the palate: the honeysuckle sweetness and the citrus return from the nose, and I get a great taste of green apple as well. There is a split second where the vanilla returns as well, but it is directly followed by a great rush of French Oak, the cask in which this wine is kept for 10 months before bottling. I love a great oaky Chardonnay and this delivers! I chilled this bottle down to 12˚C, and as it warmed a bit in the glass I liked it more and more up to about 16˚C (perfect Chard temperatures).


Rating: 92
Retail: $24

I love this bottle of Chardonnay! I was looking forward to opening it and I was not disappointed at all. This has jumped up into my top three Chardonnay bottles (along with Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay and Moshin Russian River Valley Chardonnay) - and this is cheaper than each of them! Don't pass this up if you have a chance and are in the mood for a big step up from flat apple chardonnays.

2007 Newton Claret

2007 Newton Napa County Claret
This is a red blend of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Syrah. Claret is a red wine done in the style of French Bordeaux. Katie and I had this wine with a steak dinner at Marlowe's Chophouse (5280 Denver Restaurant Week).

Beautiful deep red on the pour. Uniform color, many little legs surround a good swirl.

On the nose I get a big kick of strawberry, a bit of plum, black cherry and a little spice box (nutmeg in particular). About 20 minutes after the first pour, this wine smooths itself on the nose, less obtrusive edges, very nice on the nose.

Then on the palate the strawberry disappears completely; instead, the palate is heavy and long-winded with black currant, blackberry, dark plum, also a touch of licorice (but it is quickly washed over). The spice box continues on the palate, more with cloves than the nutmeg of the nose. Very enjoyable in the mouth by itself, but with the flavors of a spiced rare steak also very brilliant.

Rating: 90
Retail: $25

2006 Chateau de Pierreux Brouilly

 

2006 Chateau de Pierreux La Reserve de Chateau Brouilly
Brouilly is the largest wine area in Beaujolais. The grape from this region is Gamay. The wine that most people have heard of from this region is Beaujolais-Villages.

This wine is a medium ruby on the pour, a bit purple too.

On the nose I get black currant, blueberry, raspberry, plum, and a bit of earthy dirt smell. I decanted this for about an hour between my first taste and second glass. The smells did not change over this hour, but they were a bit less intense after the decanting, more rounded edges on the nose.

On the palate I really noticed a change from the first tasting out of the bottle and after the hour of air.

First, the initial tasting: floral flavors, black cherry and plum. Nothing outstanding but nothing obtrusive either.

After an hour in the decanter: continuing floral, black cherry and plum; but the addition of sweet tannins is brilliant. There is definitely an alcohol flavor at the end, which is refreshing in a good red wine (often they are too fruity but this wine has a nice balance). The warm alcohol flavor is followed immediately by the tannins again, a very well done balancing act.

This is not a big, huge, dark wine; I think of it more as a happy red grape. I enjoyed this wine with a seared steak and a spicy vinegar spinach salad; it would also go well well poultry and even a darker chicken dish.

Rating: 89 - This is a very good wine, but it is not complex enough to coax a 90point rating from myself.

Retail: $16

2007 Burgáns Albariño

2007 Martín Códax Burgáns Albariño Rias Baixas
Albariño is a grape variety from Rias Baixas (ree-ahs buy-shuss), which is region in Galicia, located in northwest Spain.

On the pour, this is a beautiful light-gold colored wine, more yellow than green in the bottle and in the glass. Zero legs whatsoever on a good swirl.

Before the swirl, I gave it a sniff and got lots of floral (crisp floral) and a little lemon zest, pretty simple and straightforward initially. Then after a good swirl, it opened up a bit on the nose: still heavy with the floral component, more lemon peel (pleasant, not overly sour at all), but the mineral smell that is common with good Spanish white wines makes its debut after a bit of O₂ is added to the mix. There is also a fruit flavor on the nose just at the end, white peach is what comes to mind.

On the palate I really enjoyed what I experienced. Chilled to between 13 and 17˚C, this is very crisp and refreshing. The acidity of this wine is very well done; I mean that it is very present and definitely wakes up the mouth, but it is not obnoxious or painful. There is a surprising velvet component on the palate (makes me think of good red wine while in the mouth from time to time, fun!). I get the floral aspect from the nose returning intermittently along the palate. The finish is structured and leaves the drinker satisfied.


I enjoyed this wine with a seasoned fresh fish fillet (orange roughy) and a light spinach salad. BUT, like I say, pairings are overrated, be creative and experiment. 

Rating: 90
Retail: $14
Very great value! Not the best Albariño out there, but the $/glass value is unmatched in my experience (aka best Albariño under $20 without a doubt).

2007 Francis Coppola Pinot Noir

2007 Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Pinot Noir
Magenta on the pour, deep and fancy-looking like good Pinot should be.

The nose is heavy with plum, strawberry, black cherry, a touch of a floral component and a nice bit of spice box too. The 12 months this wine spent in a french oak cask are not terribly apparent on the nose but there is definitely some sort of a wood note present for a second or two with the floral component (just a bit of bark on the ground around the flowers or something like that). I do like the complexity of this aromatic set, especially for the price.

This inexpensive wine is remarkably complex and is a lot of fun on the palate. At first I get black cherry, black currant, strawberry, and the plums make a return from the nose. This initial burst of flavor is followed by a strong kick from the tannins, which are very present and bitter and prevent this wine from earning 90 points. The tannins do not linger forever, but they were present a bit longer than I had hoped for. The finish is long and elegant with cloves and other spices making a late tongue/palate appearance which helps knock the tannins off the tongue.

I had this wine with lamb tenderloin with a port reduction (with shallots, garlic, and cumin). It would also be good with pork, anything with a cream sauce, and foods with a large spice profile. Pinot Noir is a notoriously versatile wine, so be creative and have fun with it

Rating: 89
Retail: $20
This wine is often on sale (buy it buy it buy it!) and the 2009 that is currently available in stores has great potential to be similar and possibly even better (it all depends on its tannin profile in my opinion, because I am sure that Francis Coppola Winery didn't mess with the rest of the flavors).

2009 Garnacha de Fuego

2009 Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines

A deep purple on the pour, nothing remarkable about the look of it. The label on the bottle, on the other hand, is eye-catching and does nothing but help this good Spanish wine.

On the nose I get a deep black cherry and a kick of spice box. I like how intense the nose is, but at the same time it was still pretty smooth.

Concentrated ripe fruit on the palate: cherry and a touch of blueberry. I was surprised with the smoothness of this wine, especially for the price. In my notes I wrote 'well balanced with no hard edges, smooth start to finish, but not terribly complex.'

Rating: 88
Retail: $9
I would recommend this to anyone experimenting with reds; this is a good example of a great cheap wine that has a number of things going for it.

2007 Velt.1 Grüner Veltliner

This Austrian wine (my first ever wine from Austria) is a very light yellow/green in the glass, served at 10°C.

On the nose I get a ton of green apple, the sour cooking variety, followed by the sweetness of apple blossoms and other floral notes. There is also a bit of a raw green veggie flavor on the nose, maybe peas or green beans right off the vine.

The taste is very citrus, followed by apples; very juicy and fruity. There is a mineral component that is present intermittently along the palate and down the throat...it reminds me in a way of the smell of cold wet rocks right after a rainstorm...kind of out there, i know, but I its what came to mind.

Rating: 87
Interesting to be sure, but not brilliant in any aspect. Serve chilled for optimal flavor. Very nice on a warm afternoon.
Retail: $14

2007 Stags' Leap Viognier

 

Full name: 2007 Stags' Leap Napa Valley Viognier

While pouring this into a glass for the first time I was mesmerized by the golden color of the wine. Upon a swirl, long skinny legs get your attention for a second or two.

The nose is large and inviting, with notes of pear, and the acidity of pineapple balanced by sweet notes of honeysuckle and ripe apricot.

The palate is layered nicely. First I get a touch of grapefruit and tropical fruit-sugar. Then I get a subtle flavor of oak, which is brilliantly placed and it is one of the reasons I love this wine! The pear then returns from the nose to the palate along with a light peach note. The finish is long and enjoyable with the palate still sensing bits of orange or tangerine with a creamy peach flavor as well.

I had another glass about half an hour after removing the bottle from the chiller, and the wine opened up a bit. This resulted in the nose being a bit stronger aromatically and the flavors on the palate being smoother but unchanged in quantity or duration (fewer sharp edges is what I'm trying to say).

Rating: 92

With a price of $25 this is a wine worth experimenting with, especially if you've had your fill of the same old chardonnay for a while and want to try something similar, but at the same time brilliantly different.

2006 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon

Full name: 2006 Chateau St. Jean Sonoma Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon
Cinq Cépages means '5 grapes' or '5 vines' and it signifies the Bordeaux-style blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.


I had this at Wine Experience Cafe and World Cellar last night with a meat platter which consisted of prosciutto, mortadella, and bastirma served with a freshly prepared relish and Moroccan green olives and a nice french loaf.

Deep violet, darker than maroon-red in color. Thin but exciting set of legs on this beauty; variable in size and shape, but very multi-directional and fun if nothing else.

On the nose I get big red fruit initially, raspberry and strawberry even. Then there is a note of a floral component on the nose, I'd like to call it Violet, but I'm not knowledgeable enough about horticulture to say with certainty.

Multilayered on the palate...first I get dark fruit, blackberries and a touch of sweet like a blueberry. This is followed by the classic big Cab tannins that get your attention, but are balanced well with the sweet, big fruit flavors that follow directly, including a rich plum shadow. The aftertaste is brilliant and long with ripe fruit and minimal tannins.

Rating: 93
Expensive ($70) but well worth it, one time, for an educated palate to enjoy for hours. Complex and beautiful!

2006 Las Rocas Garnacha

Full name: 2006 Las Rocas de San Alejandro Garnacha Calatayud
Varietal: Garnacha, which is the Spanish version of the Rhone varietal Granache.

Deep red in color. Legs of a varying nature, but nothing noteworthy visibly on the swirl.

On the nose, I get a big whiff of blackberries and black cherries straight away. The nose opens up with a dose of spices, black pepper, and then it finishes with a dull, dirty raspberry note. Neither the nose nor palate were altered with an hour or more of decanting.

The first taste was smoother than initially anticipated, and extraordinarily pleasant therefore. But upon a second and more thoughtful tasting moments later, it is full bodied and broad on the palate. Subtle tannins present but not overpowering. Definitely get the dark berries from the nose returning on the palate. A very enjoyable and brilliantly cheap wine! I am definitely going to pick up another bottle the next time I see one.

Rating: 92
Recommended to any and all for the reasonable price of only $12/bottle, but still complex enough to make the most educated/primed of palates sing for minutes at a time with its long finish.

2006 Domaine d'Eugenie

 

Full name: 2006 Domaine d'Eugenie Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Aux Brulees
I had this about a week ago at the Wine Experience Cafe and Cellar, but took these notes from the tasting.

Dark red, almost ruby in color. Substantial legs after a good swirl.

I poured two glasses at first, both in large vintner's glasses. The first I swirled and drank within 20 minutes, but the second I let decant for about an hour before drinking.

The first glass on the nose was very fruity with cherries and raspberries. The second glass (after about an hour of decanting) opened up a bit on the nose. I got a bit of oak and spices on the nose after the decanting. I love the oak notes, and it is an added bonus to this pricey bottle.

On the palate I got raspberry, cherry, cranberry, with a rush of spice coming through on the long finish. Very well balanced and very enjoyable, especially the second glass after letting it open up a bit.

Rating: 93 (if you come across it, it's hard to pass up, but its a pricey little number)
Price: ~$110/bottle

2007 Can Blau Montsant

 

Dark purple in color.

I get blackberry, black cherry, a little blueberry, and a mineral bite, cool on the nose.

Depth on the palate, spicy dark fruit flavors, maybe a little licorice, I liked the tannins, they were definitely there but muted. Smooth and sweet, lingers on the palate long enough to make me look forward to the next sip.

On my made up ratings scale: 91 (definitely recommended for the price {~$18}, and complex enough to be pondered by the most discerning of palates).