A perennial standby, the 2005 Renwood Old Vine is all you can ask for in an under $15 Zinfandel. Deep, rich, and attractive as well as a fine value, the 2004 Zinfandel Old Vine (92% Zinfandel and the rest Merlot, Alicante, and Syrah) offers plenty of jammy berry fruit interwoven with notions of licorice, herbs, [...]

And now for something completely different. Dry Creek Chenin Blanc is a fantastic little “quaffer”, feeling like it toes the line between a nice Riesling and a Viognier. Described by Wine Spectator as “Rated 87 - Peach, apricot and citrus flavors are ripe and juicy, with fragrant chamomile and herb notes. There’s good intensity to [...]

This will be a first for me on this blog…hyping a South African red. Not that you should read much into it, more a coincidence than anything else, I have had much more past experience with SA whites. The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from Excelsior could easily be mistaken for a above average cabernet from France’s [...]

The entry Pinot Noir from Cristom Winery in Willamette Valley, Oregon, is the Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvee. This light, bright red Pinot displays sexy aromas of strawberry and raspberry preserves, with a lively floral overlay. Juicy, gently sweet red berry flavors are modestly concentrated but very pure and spicy. A graceful, spicy pinot that’s delicious [...]

Capcanes Mas Donis Barrica Monsant 2005, almost takes as long to say the name of the wine as it does to drink a glass. Now that I have that monster of a name out of the way….this beauty pretty much encapsulates everything I currently love in a red; #1-Spanish, #2-Rhone varietals, #3-Cheap enough to drink [...]

Here is a great little, “off-the beaten path” red blend from Argentina. A region known almost exclusively for Malbec, this little gem is a combination of the classic Bordeaux varietals; Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. Bodega Benegas Don Tiburcio 2005 show a bright ruby color. Smoky dark berries, black cherry, plum, [...]

Something a little thematic today. On a day that we hopefully celebrate and embrace our liberty,  Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 is a lot of wine in normal size bottle, for a small price. This wine displays upfront aromas of ripe red fruit and hints of vanillin, followed by similar vibrant red berry flavors. Solid [...]

Having steak…Cabernet Sauvignon, Salmon…Pinot Noir, dinner salad…Pinot Grigio. There are some very classic and easy pairings out there. What if you are having pizza for dinner? Or Chili. Or grilled burgers. Complex flavored foods can be very difficult to find everyday wines to compliment. I reach for Cotes du Rhone. The blend of Syrah and [...]

Los Vascos has got to be one of the most under-appreciated wines in Chile, if not all of South America. I am not sure if it is because many of their wines are of a French style instead of the more common new-world style embraced by most Chilean/Agentinean producers, but whatever the reason, Los Vascos [...]

R Wines from The Grateful Palate Imports is a mercilessly irreverent winery that manages to churn out winner after winner every year. From the simpler Bitch Grenache, and Bon-Bon Rose, to the newest regional Luchador Shiraz 2007, there are very few misses in their lineup. The Luchador, sources completely from Barossa Valley fruit, is big [...]