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Lamoreaux Landing - 2009 T23 Cabernet Franc (87)
Cabernet Franc
2009
Finger Lakes, NY, USA
$15
Tasted on April 12, 2012
Light, delicate ruby with a burst of under ripe cherry, spring flowers and typical cab franc funk notes. On taste, light to medium body, big bright acidity, red fruit, fresh and zesty. Very Loire-like.
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie - 2010 Cabernet Franc (88)
Cabernet Franc
2010
Bourgueil, Loire Valley, France
Tasted on 2/5/2012
Classic Loire Cab Franc with fresh blackberries and minerality. Acidic and high pitched, but not overly tart, with a mellow tannin structure and a nice rustic earth quality. A long, warm finish with a well balanced acidic backbone.
Bodegas Carchelo - Carchelo 2010 (88)
40% Monastrell, 40% syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
2010
Jumilla, Spain
$15
Tasted on 1/2/2012
Rustic black fruit, currant, spice and light oak on the nose. Medium body, dry and spicy. The rustic, earthy gaminess continues through on the mouth, provided from the monastrell (mouvedre), complemented by some black/blue juicy notes from the syrah and mellow tannins from the cabernet. A nice, rustic wine from an interesting and growing wine region in Spain.
The Hundred - 2008 Shiraz (87)
Shiraz
2008
Coonawarra, Australia
$13
Tasted on 12/20/2011
Rich, medium body South Australia Shiraz with ripe red fruit and some nice green earth notes. Some minerally flint on the nose, subtle flavors of black licorice and brush, along with well-balanced tannin and acid make this wine stand out for an under $15 buy. Not an overly concentrated or over-the-top Australian style. Drinks well. If you like Australian Shiraz and are looking for an under $15 value, this would be one.
Victor Hugo - 2006 Malbec (89)
Malbec
2006
Paso Robles, CA, USA
$20
Tasted on 12/7/2011
Medium dark ruby red, full of smokey leather and black pepper on the nose. Ripe cherries, meaty and gamey - opens up to reveal some earthy green notes. In the mouth, medium to full body, smooth and round with mellow tannins and acidity that mixes with spice to create a wonderful structure and mouth feel. A long, filling finish rounds off the experience. A delicious and meaty malbec!
Monte Antico - Rosso 2007 (88)
85% Sangiovese; 10% Cabernet Sauvignon; 5% Merlot
207
Tuscany, Italy
$11
Tasted on November 20, 2011
A terrific value, easy-drinking red wine from Tuscany. Nice black cherry and plum fruit with old leather, earth and fruit spices. This wine has a nice, silky mouth feel with light astringency, black pepper and a satisfying finish. Recommended!
Bodega Navarro Correas - 2004 Alegoria Gran Reserva (89)
Cabernet Sauvignon
2004
Mendoza, Argentina
$15
Tasted on: 11/9/11
Nicely aged, earthy Argentinian Cabernet with deep, ripe red fruit. Recommended.
Fontodi - 2008 Chianti Classico (90)
Chianti Classico (Sangiovese)
2008
Chianti Classico, Italiy
$35
Rich, ripe red fruit, smoke and leather, chocolate and tobacco leaf. Medium to full body with well integrated tannins and acidity. Strong, structured finish. A complex, filling Chianti Classico.
Icardi - 2006 Barbaresco "Montubert" (91)
Barbaresco (Nebbiolo)
2006
Barbaresco, Italy
$45
Deep red with an orange/brown rim. Very ripe cherries, dried fruit, earth, licorice, chocolate and flowers. A big full mouthful with gripping tannins, spice and well balanced acidity. This is a powerful Barbaresco with wonderful structure and quite delicious.
Carmen - 2005 Reserva Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon Blend (87)
55% Syrah, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon
2005
Maipo Valley, Chile
$12
Tasted on: 10/12/2011
Dark purple with red/orange rim. The wine shows ripe black and red fruit with black pepper earth, spice and some cassis. This is a medium body wine with light chewy tannins, round fruit and a nice spicy finish. Delicious, but perhaps a little soft in structure. May have been past its prime 6 years in.
Domaine du Pegau - Plan Pegau Lot 2009 (88)
65% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan
2009
Rhone, France
$16
Tasted on September 19, 2011
An interestingly textured, medium-body Châteauneuf with a nice dosing of black pepper, cherries, herb and spice. Even a little French onion funk as well. Certainly wouldn\'t be upset about spending $16 on this one.
Ridge Vineyards - 2008 East Bench Zinfandel (91)
Zinfandel
2008
Sonoma, CA, USA
Tasted on August 26, 2011
This Zin is delicious, spicy and smokey! Beautiful ripe red fruit - cherry and raspberry - earth and pepper. Another terrific wine from Ridge (and at a very reasonable price).
Lavradores de Feitoria - 2010 Branco (88)
33% Malvasia Fina, 33% Siria, 34% Gouveio
2010
Douro, Portugal
$12
A fresh white wine from portugal that brings great value. This is a very light wine, green apple, some white flowers and pineapple notes. Some minerality as well. In the mouth, it\\\'s light to medium body, lemon lime and a little dirt in the back, followed by a nice long finish.
Paso a Paso - 2008 Tempranillo (88)
Tempranillo
2008
La Mancha, Spain
$11
A superb value and a delicious wine. This tempranillo is dark and smokey with leather and a heaping of earth and herbs. There are some really interesting notes in the aroma of this wine - I get a little hoisan and even a little olive. This is a nice medium to full body winy, very herbaceous on the palate, spicy, drying tannins on the finish. Ripe black and juicy. yum!
Bodega Catena Zapata - 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (89)
Cabernet Sauvignon
2008
Mendoza, Argentina
$15
A smokey and spicy, dark black fruit Cabernet. Quite smokey, vegetal and chalky on the nose. Some green and red pepper. Spicy in the mouth, a tad hot, nice long finish. Some tannin but not gripping.
Palacio de Menade - 2009 Verdejo (87)
Verdejo
2009
Rueda, Spain
$15
Tasted on July 14, 2011
Medium yellowish gold. Bit of a tight nose but I get a little lime and peach. In the mouth, crisp fruit - honeysuckle, lemon citrus medium body. Nice, refreshing wine. A little disappointed by the weak finish. But, overall, a great summer white.
Gloria Ferrer - 2007 Estate Chardonnay (90)
Chardonnay
2007
Carneros, California, USA
$18
Tasted on July 17, 2011.
See review - July 19, 2011.
August Kesseler - 2004 Riesling (89)
Riesling
2004
Rheingau, Germany
$12
Beautiful butterscotch color with a sweet dessert nose, stone fruits, some chocolate and butterscotch. The initial attack is late harvest sweet but balances out quite nicely through the mid-palate bringing in a little petrol and apple with a nice level of acidity. This is not an overly sweet Spätlese. It\'s light and refreshing with a crisp body/finish. Yum!
Bodega San Huberto - 2010 Torrontés (88)
Torrontés
2010
La Rioja, Argentina
$12
Crisp, dry and spicy. Nice acide and balance. The relatively colder climate from La Rioja adds a nice depth to this wine that isn\'t always common in warmer weather Torrontes.
Porta - 2009 Carmenere Reserva (83)
Carmenere
2009
Maipo Valley, Chile
$12
Earthy and muddy, hints of olive. A little light and lacking of camanere spice. Drinkable, but not very exciting.
Qupe - 2007 Block Eleven Chardonnay (88)
78% Chardonnay; 22% roussanne
2007
California, USA
$22
Creamy, citrus and vanilla, nice acid, fresh. A little horse and bramble. Tasty with a nice bit of earth and popcorn.
Emiliana - Novas 2007 Carmenere/Cabernet Sauvignon (88)
54% Carmenere; 46% Cabernet Sauvignon
2007
Colchagua, Chile
$12
Tasted on June 20, 2011
Dark ruby, big black fruit, spice and leather, some tobacco smoke and a lot of earthiness. A bit hot on the finish. Decent tannin structure but not gripping. A nice wine for $12.
Sada Estate - 2006 Carpoli (90)
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
2006
Tuscany, Italy
Tasted on June 12, 2011
Big, rich flavors of tobacco, ripe red fruit and a touch of jam make this wine a big winner. Nice tannins, long finish. Blog post: June 13, 2011
Sada Estate - 2008 Baldoro (87)
Super Tuscan (Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante, Montepulciano)
2008
Tuscany, Italy
Tasted on June 12, 2011
Sada Estate - 2009 Integolo (88)
Super Tuscan (Cabernet Sauvignon, Montepulciano)
2009
Tuscany, Italy
Tasted on: June 12, 2011
A fresh, light and delicious red to pair with any kind of food. Beautiful spice on the finish. Blog post: June 13, 2011
Sada Estate - 2010 Vermentino (88)
Vermentino
2010
Tuscany, Italy
Tasted on: June 12, 2011
A beautiful, fresh white wine with crisp acidity and a coating mouth feel. Blog Post: June 13, 2011
Bodegas Castaño - 2007 Solanera Viñas Viejas (89)
Monastrell (65%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Tintorera (15%)
2007
Yecla, Spain
$12
Tasted on June 5, 2011
See Great Weekday Wine from June 6, 2011
Sella & Mosca - 2006 Cannonau di Sardegna (86)
Cannonau
2006
Sardinia, Italy
$12
Tasted on: May 7, 2011
Light-medium red, medium body, almost Pinot Noir-like. 13.5% ABV. Earthy, pepper, plastic, black cherries, leather, plum, hibiscus, licorice - pleasantly interesting aromas and flavors. Slightly hot and bitter on the finish.
Pine Ridge - 2010 Chenin Blanc/Viognier (89)
79% Chenin Blanc, 21% Viognier
2010
Napa, CA, USA
$10
Bright, crisp and refreshing! Tropical citrus notes, banana, grapefruit... a nice little weekday wine.
Bodega Catena Zapata - 2009 Chardonnay (90)
Chardonnay
2009
Mendoza, Argentina
$16
Tasted on 5/31/11
Beautifully balanced, lightly buttered, fresh acidity. Great value chardonnay!
Domaine Brazilier - 2009 (86)
Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pineau d\'Aunis
2009
Loire Valley, France
Pago De San Gabriel - Pradomayor De Zubiola (89)
80% Cabernet Sauvignon; 20% Merlot
2007
Castejon, Spain
Bodegas La Cartuja - 2009 (88)
50% Granacha, 30% Mazuelo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah
2009
Priorat, Spain
Pegasus Bay - 2007 Riesling (88)
Riesling
2007
Waipara, New Zealand
Calina - Reserva (89)
Carmenere
2009
Maule Valley, Chile
