Allegrini La Grola 2004

The Allegrini family wines date back to the 16th century in the Valpolicella region of northeast Italy. They have been best known for their Amarone wines. I still have one bottle of the 1999 Allegrini Amarone Classico left in the cellar from a case I bought a few years ago. A fantastic wine! This past weekend, we had a bottle of the La Grola 2004, which has some similarities as the Amarone. This big-bodied wine is a mix of 70% Corvina Veronese, 15% Rondinella, 10% Syrah and 5% Sangiovese. It has a complex aroma of crushed blackberries along with some plum from the syrah, some cherry from the the Sangiovese and a hint of chocolate. The flavors are bold, like the Amarone, with mixed berries, sweet red licorice, nice earthy Italian soil, raisins, figs and herbal spices. This was aged in French oak for 16 months and the oak is so well balanced along with nice round tannins. It ends with a nice long finish. You could hold this for another 5-10 years and it will be fantastic. This was rated 90 points by both Robert Parker and the Wine Spectator. It retails for $23 and is a steal at this price. The La Grola will pair well with most red meats, stews and goulashes. A must buy!!

Renzo Marinai Chianti Classico 2005

A few nights ago, we had a bottle of the Renzo Marinai Chianti Classico 2005 produced in Greve-in-Chianti, a small town outside of Radda. Greve, the unofficial capital of Chiati, is the host to the annual Chianti wine festival every September. Renzo Marinai is an organic farmer that farms olives and wheat, in addition to the grape vineyards. This is an easy drinking Chianti made of 92% Sangiovese grapes and 8% Canaiolo. It has a garnet color with the fresh aroma of red fruits, some vanilla and some dirt. The flavors are subtle red fruits along with the earthiness of Tuscan wines. This dry wine has some oakiness and some tannins that should ease up over the next few years. This was an interesting Chianti, and I would like to try the 2004 Chianti Classico. Would go well with chicken or pork. Retails for about $25.

La Corte Salice Salentino 2006 & Solyss 2006

We recently tried two wines from the La Corte winery in Puglia Italy (the heel of the boot). The 2006 Salice Salentino and the 2006 Solyss. These wines, made by acclaimed winemaker Chris Ringland, both use the negroamaro grape as the predominant grape but are completely different. The Salentino, mixed with Malvasia, was a medium to full bodied wine with mixed berry (raspberry) aromas along with tobacco and a hint of chocolate. It has a nice sweet berry taste along with the Italian earthiness. The Solyss, made from 100% negroamaro grapes, was more of a fuller bodied wine with spicy blackberry aromas and plum and blueberry tastes. The Salentino was rated 91 points and I have to agree that it was the better wine. The Salentino retails for $11 and the Solyss retails for $16. The Salentino is a great value wine at this price, and would be a perfect fit for a plate of pasta with arrabiata sauce or a pizza with all the toppings.

Domaine De Fenouillet 2005

We had a bottle of the 2005 Cotes Du Ventoux from Domaine De Fenouillet recently and it received two thumbs down at our house. This French wine is a medium bodied Pinot Noir from the southeastern region of the Rhone that had a fresh berry nose but lacked taste and substance. Wouldn't even use it for cooking. Retails for about $10. PASS!!!!

Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2004

This is a winery with a lot of history. When Roy Raymond arrived in Napa in 1933, he worked at the famous Beringer Brothers winery. Then he married Martha Beringer in 1936. After the Beringer Family winery was sold in 1971, the Raymond family members started making wine under the Raymond name. I visited this winery in Napa with a good friend of mine, who happens to be one of the Raymond great-grandsons. The 2004 Raymond Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a nice medium-bodied Cabernet made up of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot. It was aged for 17 months in mostly French oak. It starts with a nice fruity aroma of spicy blackberry, cherry and pomegranate with a hint of chocolate. On the palate, there was more blueberry flavors along with blackberry, tobacco and some cracked black pepper at the end. It had a lengthy finish and soft tannins. There was some oak too but it was well integrated. This wine could pair nicely with ribs, a nice fillet or even burgers on the grill. We enjoyed this wine.  A 90 point rating was given by  Connoisseur's Guide and an 88 point rating was given by Wine Enthusiast. Put this wine away for a few more years and it will be even better.  Now I'm on the lookout for the 2005 vintage which received a 93 point rating.  This reserve retails for $28.

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2006

The other night while entertaining friends, I opened a bottle of the Penfolds and let me say I was disappointed. It is a nice blend of 78% Shiraz and 22% Cabernet. However, the nose opened with some harsh alcohol aromas, along with grape jam and herb aromas. On the palate, I once again thought I was drinking a hard drink, even though it only has a 13.5% alcohol content. There was some smokiness and well structured oak but was completely overwhelmed with alcohol. The pomegranate on the back had a sour bite to it as well. I came back a few days later to try it again but unfortunately it did not get any better. Wine Advocate rated this a 91 but I think an 71 would have been more accurate. Don't buy into the big Australian name. This wine is not worth it. The Koonunga Hill retails for about $12.

Allende Rioja 2004

The other night we enjoyed a bottle of the Allende Rioja 2004 produced by Finca Allende from the village of Briones in Spain. Charles Metcalf calls this region the "undiscovered jewel of Rioja." The Rioja is made with 100% tempranillo grapes. Upon opening, the dark inky purple color was the first thing that caught my attention. Then a wonderful aroma of cherries, plums and floral notes along with some spices. However, the tastes were more red fruit with an abundance of strawberries and cranberries. There are subtle tannins and some acidity that is well integrated. The flavors never ended. Towards the end of the bottle, we realized this was an unfiltered wine. It does not state this on the label. There was a small amount of sediment but was certainly acceptable. They age this wine in both new and used french oak barrels for 13 months before bottling. The Wine Advocate rates it 92 points, Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast both rate it 90 points. I side with the Jay Miller and his 92. This is one of the best Rioja's I have drank. For $22, this is a must buy. At $27, it is still a buy. Very nice wine.

Tinto Figuero 4 2006

The Tinto Figuero 4 wine was produced by Vinedos y Bodegas Garcia Figuero, a small family owned and operated winery that was started in 2001 in the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. The Tinto Figuero is made from 100% tempranillo grapes harvested from 10-20 year old vines and then aged in new oak barrels (85% American 15% French oak) for only 4 months, hence the 4. It has a nice dark red color with strawberry and cherry aromas but more of a blackberry taste. It had a relatively long finish to it with smooth tannins. My wife's sister and brother-in-law in Switzerland served this with a fondue chinoise (thinly sliced beef, pork and veal dipped into a hot broth to cook) and it was the perfect pairing. The Wine Advocate gave this wine an 88 point rating. I would agree with this rating. It retails for $20. According to Steve Kreps, Jr. from Quintessential Wines (see ad in side bar), the Tinto Figuero 15 is outstanding. If I can't find it locally, I will call Mr. Kreps and have it shipped. Give these wines a try.

Fattoria La Lecciaia Brunello Di Montalcino 2003

While I am on the Sangiovese track, here is an absolute steal at $30. This Brunello di Montalcino is made from 100% sangiovese grapes and starts with an amazing nose of raspberries, plums and cherries along with a touch of vanilla and tobacco. The jammy fruit is so well structured on the palate along with the earthiness that I need to taste in Tuscan wines that the tannins are generally forgotten. The wine is aged in oak barrels for 3 1/2 years before being bottled and won't be released for at least 5 years from harvesting. For this price, grab as much as you can. I will be adding more of the Fattoria La Lecciaia Brunello Di Montalcino 2003 to the cellar. Pairs nicely with grilled meats, pasta dishes or risotto. Wine Spectator and the Wine Advocate both gave this wine a 91 point rating.

Heinrich Zweigelt - Burgenland 2005

The Gernot Heinrich winery located in Gols, Austria produces one of my wife's favorite wines, the Zweigelt Burgenland. We were first introduced to this wine by her sister and brother-in-law, who is Austrian. We tried some other very nice wines from the Heinrich winery while staying at the incredible Schalber Wellness Hotel Serfaus.  The 2005, however, was the only vintage we could find in the States. This medium-bodied wine is made from 100% zweigelt grapes and has a dark purple hue. It starts with quite an impressive aroma of smokey cherries and plums, along with some black pepper and tobacco. On the palate, the fruit is forward and is followed by spiciness and some chewy tannins. The finish was not as long as I would have liked but still a very good wine. I am holding the remaining bottles for a few more years of aging. This is the only wine I know that has a glass stopper (cork). The 2005 Zweigelt retails for about $20. Give this wine a try.  And, if you ever want to take your wife/fiance/girlfriend on a romantic and pampering vacation, make the Schalber hotel your destination.

C.G. Di Arie Syrah 2004

Another Amador County winery that has been producing some nice Zinfandels and Syrahs is the C.G. di Arie Winery. Overall, 2004 was a tough year for Amador County wines. However, one that managed to hold its own was the "Southern Exposure" Syrah. This medium to full bodied wine starts off with a blackberry and blueberry aroma followed by some pepper and then vanilla as you swirl it in the glass. Flavors are just as complex and intense with blackberry, cassis and plum on the initial taste, followed by some spices in the middle and ending with a hint of chocolate. There is some oak and round tannins with a very long finish. Decant this wine for 30 minutes. I would like to try other vintages of C.G. di Arie's Syrah, as well as his zinfandels. This would pair nicely with grilled meats, venison, stews or a goulash. The 2004 Syrah retails for $35-$40.

C.G. di Arie was founded by Chaim Gur-Arieh in 2000. He has an interesting background that leads to the wine busienss. Chaim was born in Istanbul, Turkey and immigrated to Israel during his teen years. After receiving his undergraduate degree in Israel, he enrolled at the University of Illinois where he received his masters and PhD in Food Sciences with a minor in chemical engineering. Upon graduation, he started working for Quaker Oats where his notoriety started when he developed the technology for Cap'n Crunch cereal. After a short stint at United Technology Center, he moved on to DelMonte Foods, where he developed numerous products including puddings-in-a-cup and shelf stable yogurts. At the age of 39, he and his wife purchased and developed the C.G. di Arie Winery. His last name, Gur-Arieh, means Lion's Cub in Hebrew. Thus the lions on the label holding an ancient wine press.

Peter Lehmann Semillion Barossa Valley 2006

The Barossa Valley is located in southern Australia is probably the most well known wine region in Australia. The first known winery in Australia was located in the Barossa Valley. During the 1840's many German Lutherans suffered religious persecution and escaped to the newly founded colony of South Australia. The big-hearty Shiraz wines are what this region is known for. However, the Semillion is gaining ground and is probably the most recognized white wine in the region. The 2006 Peter Lehmann Semillion is a straw yellow wine with citrus aromas of lemon, lime and grapefruit. There is some grassiness to the nose as well. The citrus aromas follow through on the palate along with some green apples. This is a relatively dry wine that is also low in acidity. A very nice wine for appetizers or for sipping. We served it with a goat cheese salad with a European herb vinaigrette and it paired well. Retails for about $12.

The label is very interesting. It was drawn by Anelia Pavlova, who has also drawn pictures for other wine labels. Her original drawing of the Queen of Clubs, which is shown here, was banned in the US by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire Arms because the Queen's nipples were showing. They required her chest to be covered prior to approving the label and selling the wine in the US. I purchased my bottle in Europe and they are still uncovered. It is ok to show people being blown away on TV and in computer games but a little nudity is no-no. Maybe it is time to for the US to re-evaluate its thinking.

Orin Swift The Prisoner 2006

The Orin Swift vineyard was started by Dave Phinney who, like many of us, asked himself what he was going to do after college with his political science degree. While studying in Italy, a roommate from Sonoma suggested the wine industry. By 1999, Orin Swift Winery was starting production. The catchy name is a combination of his mother's name and his father's name, Orin and Swift. The Prisoner, their flagship wine, is a Zinfandel mix with 51% Zinfandel, 23% Cabernet, 12% Syrah and a mix of other varietals. It has an upfront jammy red berry taste with blackberry and plum and some coffee to mix. It is a medium to full bodied wine with smooth tannins. The back end taste was like an elegant swiss chocolate and spices. Really enjoyed this wine but I think putting it in the cellar for another 2-3 years would bring out the best. Nice wine for grilled meats. Wine Spectator gave this wine a 91 point rating. I would agree. Give this wine a try. Retails for about $35.

Vino Noceto Dos Oakies 2005

Last year on my tour thru Amador County in CA, we stopped at the Gullett family-owned Vino Noceto winery. This is another vineyard that has gone to sustainable farming, as well as, using solar panels for 100% of the winery, 90% of the irrigation (well) system and 50% of the tasting room energy. Vino Neceto is known for its Sangiovese wines, which is the main grape in Italian Chianti's, along with several others including Brunello di Montalcino. We tasted several of the Vino Noceto wines but the one I did bring home was the 2005 Dos Oakis, which his made from 100% Sangiovese. The wine had subtle aromas of blueberry and strawberry with some clove and a hint of cinnamon. On the palate,the berry forward fruits were followed by some oak and then some vanilla. It is an easy drinking wine, but for my palate does not compare to the Italian wines. Sorry. It is missing the earthiness that a good Chianti has. Also, it retails for about $25 which puts it in the same range as nice Italian Sangiovese wines. Stick with the true Italian wines.

Martin Codax Albarino 2007

The Bodegas Martin Codax Winery is located in the rolling hill of the Rias Baixas region on the very northern border of Spain. The 2007 Albarino is a white wine made from 100% albarino grapes. This medium bodied wine has a yellowish green color with a floral aroma along with citrus and herbs. On the palate, I picked up some peaches, pear and mellons with the bite of a granny smith apple on the back. This reminds you a little of a Viognier, as well as having the acidity of a Riesling. Very nice wine to combine with an appetizer, a salad, seafood or even a white meat. Retails for about $10-12. Excellent value wine. Wine Enthusiast gave this a 90 point rating.

Honig Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Honig is a small family-run winery in Napa, CA that prides itself on its "green" practices. Not only are they a sustainable vineyard, their facilities are powered by solar energy panels and their tractors are bio-diesel fueled. Although they do produce some Cabernet, Honig specializes in Sauvignon Blanc. The 2007 Sauvignon Blanc is a nice light to medium bodied wine that has a mango and grapefruit nose with a small scent of lemon. The citrus flavors are combined nicely with some lemongrass (an ingredient in all of our wok cooking) and melon. Although we served this with appetizers, this would go nicely with Chesapeake Bay crabs or other shell fish. This was not as crisp and light as the New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, but still an enjoyable wine for a warm summer day. Retails for $16.

Firriato Chiaramonte Nero d'Avola 2006

The Chiaramonte is a Sicilian wine made of 100% Nero D'Avolo and is a medium to full bodied wine that has a nice deep purple color with a nose of prunes and raisins along with some pencil lead. On the palate, I picked up some peppery cherries and some chocolate on the back with some really soft tannins and a long finish. I paired this with a grilled chicken and herbs. It would go well with most grilled meats and would also go nicely with pasta. It retails for about $15. Give this one a try. We really enjoyed this wine. The Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator gave this wine an 88 point rating.

Vina Las Lenas Malbec 2008

This Malbec is also from the Mendoza region of Argentina, which produces some of the best Malbecs. I am having trouble explaining the mixed tastes of this wine. My initial thoughts are all the left over grapes in the vineyard were thrown together with the hopes that something would come out of it. It didn't work. This is a big pass. Retails for about $7.

Larson Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

One of my all-time favorite Cabernet's is the 2003 from Larson Family Winery in Sonoma. I have visited this winery on several occasions where the tasting is done in a barn. What is now Larson Family Winery was once the Embarcadero, farthest navigable point up Sonoma Creek from the San Francisco Bay, and the bustling gateway to Sonoma Valley. Beginning in 1847, steamboats docked here and turned around for the voyage back to San Francisco. Tom Larson's great grandfather Michael Millerick bought the "Captain's House" and 101 acres in 1899. Although the family has been planting grapes since the late 70's, 1988 was the year the winery was started with the first wines released in 1989. In addition to the Larson Family label, there is also the Millerick Road label. At my last visit in 2007, I was told, to my disappointment, that I was purchasing the last bottles of the 2003 Cabernet that they had in storage. I took all that I could get. This wine started off with wonderful aromas of currants, vanilla, spices and even a little orange peel. The fruit driven flavors of black currants and cherry were followed by tobacco, vanilla and spices. It finishes with some hints of chocolate. The tannins and oak were PERFECT! It retailed then for $50. This would be a great fit for a grilled filet with a mild sauce or pepper crusted, or even a tuna with a mild pepper relish.

Vizcarra Roble Senda del Oro 2006

The 2006 Senda del Oro is made from 100% tempranillo (Tinto Fino) grapes that are grown in the Ribera del Duero region of north-central Spain. This wine is reddish purple in color and has a smokey blueberry and blackberry nose. Don't let the oak aromas scare you as it is well structured with some soft tannins and earthy dark berry flavors that leads to a very nice wine. It has been aged in French and American oak barrels for 7 months. LET THIS WINE OPEN UP!!! The 2006 Vizcarra has a medium finish on the palate. Can be enjoyed now but I would hold this wine for 2-4 more years. This is a small winery founded in 1991 with only 3,000 cases of the 2006 Senda del Oro bottled. We enjoyed a bottle while grilling flank steaks with a spicy mint chimichurri sauce. The 2006 Vizcarra Roble Senda del Oro received a 90 point rating from Jay Miller (Wine Advocate) and an 88 from Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar. Retails for $20.

Castello di Farnetella Sauvignon Blanc 2006

This beautiful Sauvignon Blanc also comes from the Felsina winery. The wine is made from 100% sauvignon blanc grapes that were picked from a vineyard in the Sinalunga region just south of Siena. This pale yellow colored wine has rich fruitiness on the nose with a small amount of pepper. The fruit flavors are not as fruity and flowery as a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc but just as good and the acidity was perfect. We were shocked to have such good sauvignon blanc in the Chianti region. Another must buy.

Felsina also has some excellent olive oils for sale. Our favorite was the Raggiolo, a smooth rich olive oil with mild hazelnut flavors and spicy black pepper infused. It is a fantastic dipping oil or used over a salad without adding vinegar. This could also be drizzled over grilled meats after coming off the fire. This oil did come back to the States with us.

Two Angels and Vino dei Fratelli

A few weeks ago, I was invited by Steve Kreps, Jr. to a dinner to promote the family-owned Two Angels Wines, as well as wines imported by Quintessential Wines, which the Kreps family own also. Steve and brother Dennis are the "two angels" according to their mother Julie. At dinner, we tasted the following wines as described by Mr. Kreps:

Casalnova Prosecco - this wine comes from Prosecco grapes grown in the Veneto region of Italy, which is located north of Venice. The color is straw yellow with green reflections, lively sparkle, fine and long-lasting perlage. The bouquet is subtle and refined, with hints of honeysuckle and acacia flowers. Ideal as an aperitif or with light dishes such as soups, white meat and fish. Retails for $18.00

2006 Vino dei Fratelli Pinot Grigio - this pale-yellow wine from the Veneto region of Italy has a bright and slightly flowery fragrance. Firm acidity gives this Pinot Grigio a mouth-watering appeal, with good mid-palate balance, and a clean crisp finish that is typical of the varietal. Serve with antipastos, prosciutto, fish and white meats. Retails for $11.00

2007 Two Angels Sauvignon Blanc - This fruit forward wine comes from grapes grown in the highly-respected Shannon Ridge Estate Terre Vermeille vineyard located above CA's third largest lake, Clear Lake. It has pleasing intensity in the nose with herbal hints of dried thyme and sage that integrate nicely with lemon peel and gooseberry notes. The flavors mimic the aromas with added nuances of kiwi, crenshaw melon and basil. A great accompaniment to fish and shellfish. Retails for $16.00

2006 Vino dei Fratelli Chianti DOCG - This Tuscan Chianti is ruby red in color with a sweetly perfumed nose that leads to an intense, yet perfectly balance palate showing lovely black fruit depth. The flavor is smooth, with good acidity. The tannins are supple and well-integrated and the finish is long and harmonious. Perfect for Tuscan cuisine, from sausage products to grilled meats and ripe cheeses. Retails for $13.00.

2006 Two Angels Divinity - 2006 was the first vintage for this Rhone style blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Petite Sirah. The nose is full of aromas that are complex and enjoyably intense. Hints of anise, blueberries and ripe plum peek out from this rich mosaic of smells. On the palate, this wine has a rich, full body and firm structure, but is balanced enough to fairly glide from entry to finish. Added flavors of raspberry, blackberry, cherry, Canadian bacon, sweet vanilla and integrated fruit and oak components add to the tasting enjoyment. Has an incredible finish. Great for duck, turkey or game, and semi-soft or hard cheeses. Retails for $25.00. Very nice wine!!

2007 Two Angels Mayacamas Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon - the second vintage of the Mayacamas Moutain Cabernet is nicely complex, with dark fruit, cherries and hints of chocolate and vanilla on the nose. It is well-structured with medium-plus body, good weight and balance on the palate. There is elegance to this wine, as it glides across the palate and leads to a pleasing finish. Serve with steaks and other grilled meats, roasts and hearty fare. Retails for $28.00.

2006 Two Angles Petite Sirah - This Sirah is "dark as night" and boasts savory aromas of dark berry, violet, pomegranate, tamarind and roasted game. Abundant fruit flavors are nicely integrated with toasted oak and roasted coffee undertones. Serve with robust dishes, including beef, venison, turkey, game birds and semi-hard or hard cheeses. Retails for $20.00. Wine Enthusiast rated this 90 points.

2007 Vino dei Fratelli Moscato d'Asti DOCG- This straw yellow wine comes from white grapes grown at Valdiville Santo Stefano Belboe, in the heart of the Piedmont's Asti rgion. It has intense aromas of flowers, honey and a hint of tropical fruit. It is a big Moscato, with fine structure and strong flavors - sweet and very fragrant, delicate and harmonious on the palate. Delightful as an aperitif or desert wine. Retails for $16.00.

The Two Angels and Vino dei Fratelli wines are a must try. If you cannot find them, contact Quintessential Wines (www.quintessentialwines.com). They also import for numerous other wineries that should not be missed either. Make Two Angels your first stop when visiting Napa.

Castello San Donato in Perano Chianti Classico DOCG 2006

When we arrived at the Relais Vignale hotel in Radda, a bottle of the San Donato Chianti Classico 2006 was waiting for us as a welcome back gift. Relais Vignale is a major partner in a corporation that purchased, restored and now manages the 10th Century San Donato Castle and village once owned by the distinguished Florentine family - The Strozzi's. The castle and village is located between Radda and Gaioli In Chianti. This ruby red colored Chianti is a light to medium-bodied wine with Bing cherry aromas along with some red currants. On the palate, red berries were subtle with some acidity and light tannins. Ended with some bitterness. Easy drinking but needs some time to age. For my palate, I would probably pass on this next time. Retails in Italy for 14 Euros. Would pair nicely with a pasta dish or a risotto.

Chianti Classico Riserva Rocca Guicciarda 2005

Another stop in our wine tasting in Tuscany was at the Castello di Brolio winery operated by the famous Ricasoli family. The family sold the winery in the 1960's to the Seagram Company but Francesco Ricasoli repurchased it in 1993. The Castle has been the compound of Barone Ricasoli since the 12th century. Although the name Chianti has been around since 1404, Bettino "Iron Baron" Ricasoli established the Chianti guidelines in the 1800's which required 75% to 90% Sangiovese grapes with others thrown in to mellow it out. More recently, the DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata Garantina) guidelines have been revised extending the range for Chianti Classico from 70% to 100%. The 2005 Riserva is a medium-bodied wine made from 100% Sangiovese that starts off with some peppery red fruit aromas and a hint of vanilla. The flavors begin with earthy plum, currants and then blackberry flavors with some oakiness. It was aged for 20 months. Not a long finish to this wine. A decent, easy drinking wine, but over-priced at $30. Would pair nicely with white meats or a pasta dish. Robert Parker gave an 87 point rating and Wine Spectator gave an 84 point rating.

Bodegas Ondarre Rioja Reserve 2004

While in Europe, I had the good fortune of buying the 2004 Ondarre Rioja Reserve from Viana, Spain. This historic town, which is the burial spot of Lord Cesar Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI, is located in the heart of the Rioja region. The Ondarre vineyards are strongly influenced by the hot, dry Mediterranean climate. This medium-bodied reserve is a mix of 75% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha and 15% Mazeulo with incredible aromas of fresh-picked blackberries and raspberries along with a handful of spices. On the palate were lush raspberries and cranberries combined with some vanilla. The acidity and tannins were perfect and the flavors never ended. It is aged in French and American oak for 16 months before bottling. This is an exceptional wine, and Rioja's are great food wines! I served it at a dinner in Switzerland with a spice rubbed wood-fired chicken and grilled vegetables and it was the perfect match for the rub. Retails for 13 SwissFrancs. Overall, 2004 was a fantastic vintage for Riojas. It could even be held for another 5 years. I will be on the search for the Ondarre wines in the States.  UPDATE:  Just found this vintage in CT on April 14, 2011.  Wine Spectator has now rated this a 91 point wine and included it in the Top; 100 Wines of 2010.  It was the highest rated Rioja under $15.  This is a must buy!!.

Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza 2003

There are three categories of red Rioja's exported from Spain. Crianza wines are exported the most. These are easy drinking, every-day wines that are aged for at least 1 year in the barrels and 1 year in the bottle. Basically, Crianza wines are ready for consumption on release. Next are the Reserva wines. These are aged for at least 1 year in the barrels and two years in the bottle and sometimes longer. Reservas are at their best between 5 and 7 years after the vintage date on the label. Finally, the Gran Reservas. These are aged for at least 2 years in the barrels and 3 years in the bottle. Gran Reservas are best between 10 and 15 years old.

This 2003 Marques de Caceres is a Crianza Rioja that is made from 85% tempranillo and the the remaining 15% from a mix of garnacha and graciano. It has a nice aroma of cherries and blackberries along with our fresh garden herbs. On the palate, I tasted strawberries, cranberries and a hint of cinnamon. The Crianza had subtle tannins but was disappointed in the finish. There was some acidity and oak but well structured and easy drinking. We served this with a pork chop that had been marinated in a Mexican salsa and then grilled over a wood fire. If you are looking for a change, try a Rioja. Retails for about $15. I will buy more of this wine.

Felsina Fontalloro 2004

While in Tuscany 2 weeks ago, we had a very enjoyable visit to the Felsina winery located just outside of Siena. We were welcomed by their staff who shared the history of the family owned winery and then poured their outstanding wines, along with some wonderful olive oils. The 2004 Fontalloro was our favorite. This ruby red colored Chianti is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes, but is not a Galo Nero (black rooster seal) because some of the grapes were grown outside the Chianti Classico region. It opens with a spicy cherrys and raisin aroma along with a hint of tobacco. On the palate, there was an abundance of raspberry flavor along with wonderful earthiness and mild spices and a touch of oak. This medium-bodied Chianti has extremely smooth silky tannins and would pair nicely with grilled meats or most pasta dishes. It was aged in barriques for 18 months. This is a MUST buy!! It set the bar for other Chianti's. Since we could not fly it home, we have stored some in the family wine cellar in Switzerland for future visits. It retails for about $35. Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated this vintage 94 points. Wine Spectator gave a 91 point rating. Be sure to stop at this winery if you are in Tuscany. You could cellar this for another 5-8 years and it will be incredible.

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc - Viognier 2007

Pine Ridge winery was the first CA winery to develop this blend (80% chenin blanc and 20% viognier) several years ago and the 2007 is excellent. It is a medium bodied wine with nice pear, melon and citrus aromas and pear, green apple and citrus taste. There is a hint of grapefruit on the back with nice refreshing acidity. This is a great dry wine for a salad, or main course of pork or an asian inspired dish. We served it with a Thai curry dish and it stood up well. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave this a 90 point rating. I may have to go slightly higher. This is a $10-$12 wine that is better than some of the $20-$25 wines I have had. We highly recommend this wine, especially at this price.

Black Pearl Oro 2005

The 2005 Black Pearl Oro is a Shiraz (57%) and Cabernet (43%) blend from South Africa. This extremely dark purple wine is full-bodied but the structure was lacking. It has a black fruit aroma with a hint of chocolate. Later in the evening, I noticed a slight eucalyptus smell like an herbal medicine. The taste is bursting with fruit, particularly blackberry and plum, with some licorice and spice. It is aged for 12 months in 2nd and 3rd year oak. Not overly impressed with the 2005 Oro. Retails for about $19.

Bodega Norton Malbec 2006

I was given a bottle of the 2006 Norton Malbec from Argentina the other night and opened it while our guests were here. It has a strawberry nose with a little smokiness. Upon first taste, it hits you like berry cough syrup. I was hoping that it would be better the next day, but it wasn't. Retails for about $10.00. This is a definite pass!! If you can find the Norton Malbec Reserve, pick it up instead.

Conn Creek Anthology 2004

The 2004 Conn Creek Anthology from Napa, CA lived up to its reputation. Since the original Anthology in 1991, Wine Spectator has scored this wine 90+ every year. Wine maker Jeff McBride describes this wine as "having red and black fruit aromas and spicy flavors with nuanced expressions of creamy oak and berry cobbler. A robust wine balanced with silky tanins." This is a full-bodied wine made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petite Verdot. Be sure to decant this wine for 1-2 hours. If you can wait, I would keep it for another 3-5 years. Pairs well with a nice filet. The 2004 Anthology retails for about $50, which is a little high for this wine.

Drylands Sauvignon Blanc 2007

The Drylands winery is located in Marlborough's Golden Triangle in New Zealand. This light yellow colored wine, that was harvested in April 2007 and bottled in August 2007, BURSTS with peach, passion fruit, honeydew and green apple. In fact, there is too much citrus on the nose. The exotic fruits on the initial taste is overbearing. It is a fuller bodied Sauvignon Blanc with heavy acidity, but not a long finish. The wine was less expressive after being open for awhile (2nd glass). Wine Enthusiast gave this a 91 point rating. For my taste, I think this is an agressive rating. Worth the try at $15 but I would pick the Villa Maria, Seresin or Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blancs from the Marlborough region of New Zealand instead.

Luigi Bosca La Linda Torrontes 2008

Luigi Bosca was founded and still run by the Arizu family who moved from Spain to the Mendoza region of Argentina in the late 1800's. However, they didn't export their wines until 1984 when Switzerland received the first shipment outside of Argentina. The Finca La Linda Torrontes wine is a great summer wine made of 100% Torrontes grapes. It has a nice sweet aroma of honey, orange blossoms and lavender and is followed by a nice fruity peach and apricot taste along with some tartness of green apples. This modertly dry wine has great acidity and reminds me a little bit of a Muscat, but not as sweet. Although the alcohol content is 14.5%, it is well disguised. Be sure to keep this COLD between glasses. In addition to appetizers, it would go well with most white meats, seafood or even a spicy indian or asian dish. Robert Parker rated this 89 points. This is a very nice wine that retails for about $10. Give this a try.

Alamos Seleccion Malbec 2007

Argentina has been getting a lot of great press about the nice Malbecs they have been producing. Recently, we served the 2007 Alamos Seleccion Malbec from Mendoza with our wood-grilled pepper crusted steaks and chimichurri sauce. It is a nice medium to full bodied wine that has a smokey, blackberry nose with a hint of vanilla. On the palate are rich blackberry and currant flavors along with a hint of anise. Anise is spice we use frequently in dry rubs. The finish is smooth and long with rounded tannins. We have served the Alamos Seleccion numerous times and it has been consistently good. Wine Spectator and the Wine Advocate both gave this wine a 90 point rating. Great drinking now, but will be exceptional in a few more years. Retails for $15.

Viu Manent Secreto Sauvignon Blanc 2008

According to the bottle, Viu Manent is a family owned winery in Chile that has been in operation since 1935. This particular sauvignon blanc comes from San Carlos, Cunaco in Colchagua Valley. It is made from 85% sauvignon blanc and 15% of other grapes, which the vintner keeps as a secret. Secreto has a golden color with soft citrus, pear and melon aroma. The tropical fruit flavors of passion fruit, nectarine and kiwi transforms you into a vacation mood. There is a sharp acidity and a long finish. This is one of my wife's favorite Sauvingon Blancs, and ranks with the best from New Zealand. Great value wine that retails for about $10-$12. Nice pairing for appetizers or scallops and shellfish.

Renieri Rosso Di Montalcino 2004

The Rosso di Montalcino DOC was established in 1984 as a means of giving Brunello di Montalcino producers the flexibility to continue the tradition of long aging of the region's flagship wine. Rosso di Montalcino is made from 100% Sangiovese grown in the same delineated region as Brunello di Montalcino. However, the wine is required to spend only six months aging in oak and 1 year total aging before release. The 2004 Renieri is a nice medium-bodied, deep ruby colored wine made from 100% Sangiovese with aromas of cherry and blackberry and some cedar as it opens. The spicy berry taste is well accented by the earthiness that nice Italian wines have. Manageable tannins and easy drinking with a long and balanced finish. The wine is aged for 24 months in Barriques. Robert Parker rated this 88 points. Wine Spectator rated this wine at 86 points. I would tend to agree with Parker's rating. Retails for about $25. We have served it several times and it pairs nicely with pasta dishes and braised meats. Cellar this wine for another 2 years if possible.

Indaba Shiraz 2008

This juicy South African Shiraz flaunts lively flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry and dark chocolate, with hints of white pepper, licorice and spice. It makes a perfect partner for bacon cheeseburgers, grilled sausages, hearty pasta dishes, and lamb chops. We served this with wood-fired burgers with manchego cheese, prosciutto and a chipotle adobo paprika aioli. The Indaba Shiraz is aged in French and American oak barrels for 6 months before bottling. This was a surprisingly good Shiraz, which retails for about $11.

Indaba is known for its commitment to social responsibility. A portion of the proceeds from all global sales is used to support a scholarship program for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue higher education in the wine industry. Indaba scholars have gone on to pursue opportunities in winemaking, marketing, agriculture, business, and graduate education. Mzokhona Mvemve is currently the head winemaker at Indaba. He was the first ever black South African winemaker to graduate from Stellenbosch University in 2002 and he was the first recipient of the Indaba Scholarship. The program is in its sixth year.

Ruberte Tresor 2007

This Spanish wine from Bodegas Ruberte is made from old vine garnacha and has a ripe berry nose along with a little peppery/spice. The taste is very fruity and sweet, like cotton candy. Garnacha is typically blended, which is what they should have done with this wine. The taste got worse by the minute instead of better. This is a BIG PASS!!!! Retails for about $9.00.

Nine Gables Barbera 2006 & 2007

On a recent trip thru CA, I made a detour thru the lesser known Amador County. This region of the Sierra Foothills,which is not as popular as Napa and Sonoma, is warmer than those regions and is known for producing some outstanding zinfandel wines. Nine Gables Vineyard and Winery is a family owned and operated winery of Jerry and Pam Notestine. The name comes from the nine gables on the house they built in 1992. The Nine Gables winery has been producing wines since 1998, although the Notestine's have been crafting wines at other locations since 1978. I had a very enjoyable tasting and conversation with their son Ryan who was very knowledgeable of the winery history as well as each of the wines. I brought home several bottles of the 2006 Ottimista Vineyard Barbera which had a nice dark red color and a nose of red and black berries. The berries were predominant in the initial taste, along with a hint of cherries and even some blueberries. This is a nice medium bodied wine with little tannins. Decant this wine for 1-2 hours and it becomes a very nice wine. It was the perfect match for our pasta with bolognese sauce. Would also go well with pizza. I recently received a shipment of the 2007 Barbara, which I tasted out of the barrel. I hope I can hold off on opening it until 2010-2011. If you are doing a CA wine tour, make a stop in Amador County.

Well, I held off till May 2010.   I just opened the 2007 Barbara from the Ottimsita Vineyard and it was very tasty too.  Although not from Italy, it was  nice Barbera with dark cherry and plum aromas along with mushroom and oak.  I always appreciate the earthy aromas from true Italians wines but this had a some earthiness to it also.  On the palate is dark fruits along with the cherries.  Although very young, the tannins were round and and the acidity was well balanced. The 2007 Barbera retails for $25.  For our taste, the Italian Barbera's are the best but this is a very enjoyable wine.  It retails for $25.  I will hold the next bottle for abother 5 years, hopefully.  Should be a great wine with more cellaring.  We served it with a wood-fired flank steak (local farm butchered) with a spicy chimichurri sauce.  Although it is a medium to fuller bodied wine, it did not overpower the thinly sliced, tender meat and actually complimented the sauce quite well.  Give this wine a try!!!

Domaine d'Esperance Soleil Colombard 2007

This is a cheap ($10) white wine from South Western France that is made from 100% colombard grapes. This flowery grape is typically used for Cognac or for mixing with other varietals because of the high acidity. It was popular in CA prior to 1990 as the base grape for jug wines. Don't waste your money. PASS!!!

Oceana Riesling 2007

One night I was trying to pair a wine with a Chinese meal served at home. Most Chinese restaurants serve Chardonnay, but there are better pairings. I was thinking of a Gewurztraminer because of the spicy peach and ginger flavors. However, my local wine store recommended the 2007 Oceana Riesling from the Oceana Estates Winery in Sonoma, CA. The grapes for this wine are grown in Monterey, CA which has a slightly cooler growing season due to the winds from the Bay and the grapes typically remain on the vines an extra month. As a result, the flavors are stronger and sweeter. This Riesling had some peach aroma but it was being overpowered by a fig newton cookie smell. The wine was quite dry and sweet with the citrus flavors. Interesting blue bottle with a mermaid logo but it will not entice me to buy another bottle, especially at $20. I think the Gewurztraminer would have been a better selection, or an Alsace. Don't be afraid to try wine with spicy ethnic foods.

Baron De Magana 2004

The 2004 Baron De Magana is a red wine from northern Spain that is a blend of 40% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 20% tempranillo. It has a dark sherry red color with aromas of flowers and roasted coffee beans according to the vintner. I also picked up some smokey toast and currants. My first tastes were cherrys and blackberries, followed up with some spicy currants. The climate in this region makes for richer, fuller wines with sweeter and more polished tannins. Open this wine early as it really needs to open up. An interesting wine that I will try again. I think this wine could be stored away for another 5 years and it will be an outstanding wine. The 2004 Baron De Magana retails for about $17. The Wine Advocate rated this a 90.

Bleasdale Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

The 2005 Bleasdale Cabernet Mulberry Tree from Australia is a medium bodied cabernet that has aromas of currants, cranberry and cedar. The wine is fruit forward with blackberrys and and has subtle tannins with a decent finish. It was aged in American and French oak barrels for 15 months. However, my wife and I both felt it was ok but would not run out to buy it any time soon. Retails for about $16. Rated 90 points by the International Wine Cellar and 89 points by the Wine Advocate. These are generous ratings.

Carneros Creek Pinot Noir Reserve 2005

The Carneros Creek winery was founded in 1972 by the husband and wife team of Francis and Kathleen Mahoney. In 2006, Michael Mondavi, son of the late Robert Mondavi, purchased the winery. And now, in March 2009, Sapphire Wines from Franklin, TN buys the Carneros Creek label. Pinot Noir has been the specialty at Carneros Creek since the Mahoney's operated the winery. This 2005 Reserve is full bodied but has silky tannins and very little oak. It starts with a very nice fruity, cherry and plum nose and has an earthy cherry, red licorice taste. It got more expressive as it opened. We served the 2005 Pinot Noir Reserve at a luncheon, along with some mini open faced steak sandwiches on garlic toast with caramelized onions and provolone cheese topped with a parsley oil. We have served this wine several times and it has always been a hit. Give it a try. This retails for about $22.

Terrabianca Scassino 2005

After trying the Campaccio and the Croce (see previous postings), we had to try the 2005 Scassino. The medium bodied Chianti is made from 97% Sangiovese and 3% Canaiolo and has a nice aroma of raspberries and blueberries, along with a red licorice. Like the other Terrabianca's, it has a soft red fruit taste along with the earthy Tuscan flavors. The Scassino is aged in Slovenian oak barrels for 8 months prior to bottling. Scasso, which means stony soil, best describes the terrain in this region. 2005 wasn't a great year for this region, and like the 2005 Campaccio, this was lacking in flavors and structure. Of the three Terrabianca's that we have tried, the 2004 Campaccio was the best followed by the 2004 Croce Reserva. Robert Parker gave the 2005 a rating of 87 and the Wine Advocate gave a rating of 85. Retails for $24.

Sula Sauvignon Blanc 2007

We were introduced to Sula, which means sun, last year while celebrating our friend's Indian Christmas. The wine had great floral aromas and crisp citrus flavors like a nice Californian Sauvingon Blanc. The acidic finish was refreshing and long. I would not have thought of India as a wine region. This winery was started by Rajeev Samant, a Stanford grad who enjoyed visiting wineries while living in CA. Mr. Samant left his job at Oracle in Silicon Valley and moved back to India where he converted the family fruit farm into a vineyard and winery. In fact, it was one of the first wineries in India and has grown to making 18 different wines. Today there are 30 wineries in India. Give this a try if you can find it. Look for the sun on the label. This is a really nice $15 Sauvignon Blanc.

Carema 2003

Recently I tried a bottle of the 2003 Carema from Cantina Produttori Nebbiolo di Carema. This wine is from the northwest region of the Piedmont section of northern Italy. This area is mainly known for its outstanding Barolos and Barbarescos. The grape for all of these wines is the nebbiolo. While the Barolo and Barbaresco are fuller wines, the Carema is a medium bodied, less tannic wine that is grown higher in the Italian Alps. The aroma is sweet like strawberries and roses. A very fruit forward wine with tastes of raspberries and plum. It had a long enjoyable finish. For half the price of a nice Barolo,try this Carema 2003. This will cellar nicely and only get better. Paired very nicely with pork but will be great with most meats and pasta.

Molly Dooker Two Left Feet 2007

Last weekend we made a goulash with lots of paprika and other spices so we decided on the 2007 Molly Dooker Two Left Feet. This is an Australian Shiraz mix with Cabernet and Merlot made by the famous couple Sarah and Sparky Marquis. Molly Dooker is just a start-up winery that Sarah and Sparky started in 2005. Although the winery is new, these famous winemakers have been making wines together since 1994 for such popular wineries as Henry's Drive and Marquis Philips. In 2000, they were selected as the Australian Winemaker of the Year. The Molly Dooker wines are hard to come by as stores sell them faster than they can stock the shelves. This full bodied wine is almost black in color and has an aroma of smokey oak along with black cherry and blueberries. You will have to decant for several hours to get these aromas. The flavors are spicy blue and black fruits. As with many of the Molly Dooker wines, the alcohol content is 16% and is a bit tannic. This is a hard wine to pair with foods unless it is a bold, spicy dish that can hold its own ground. I would cellar this for about 5 more years and then try it again. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated this 93 points and the Wine Spectator rated it 88 points. I am closer to the Wine Spectator score. It retails for about $25.

Wine vs Water

Enjoy a glass of wine...

As Ben Franklin said: "In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria".

In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia ia coli, (E. coli) - bacteria found in feces. In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of poop. However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor) because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.

Remember: Water = Poop, Wine = Health. Therefore, it is better to drink wine and talk stupid than to drink water and be full of sh*t.

Quote provided by a local Napa area winery proprietor.

Dom. Brunet Pinot Noir 2007

This Pinot is from the Limoux area of Southern France. It had no nose with a bad grape juice taste. We gave this a 2 thumbs down rating. This is a quick pass!!!

Paul Jaboulet Aine Gigondas 2000

Recently we had a very nice wine from the Paul Jaboulet Aine winery in the Rhone region of France. This is a family winery that has been around since 1834. The wine was the Gigondas Pierre Aiguillo 2000 and is made from a mix of 80% grenache, 10% syrah and 10% mourvedre grapes. This is a medium-full bodied red with a pale red color and a nose of currants, chocolate and cherry. On the palate, I picked up some peppery yet sweet fruits and some tobacco with nice ripe tannins. This was rated 87 by Steven Tanzer (2003) and 88 by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2001). I would have to rate this more in the 88-90 point range. I wonder how they would rate it after another 6-8 years in the bottle?? Since it is not a big hearty wine, it can be served with just about any food. We served it with a pasta dish and it was a very good compliment to the meal. I highly recommend this wine.

Bodegas San Martin Navarra Isolda 2007

This is a medium-bodied Spanish red wine made up of Tempranillo, Granacha, Merlot and Cabernet. It is VERY fruit forward of red berries and jam. However, there is no finish to it. Was like drinking Kool-Aid. Was OK but I would not run out and buy it again. Retails for about $7.

Rivera Il Falcone Riserva 2003 & 2004

This is a very well structured Italian wine from the Puglia region (the heel of the Italian boot)that is a mix of 70% Nero di Troia, 30% Montepulciano. The nose consists of cherries and currants with tobacco and pepper aromas as well. The spicy fruit flavors combined with oakiness and licorice along with some acidity and a nice long finish. Open this early or decant. The label (a picture of a falcon) is homage to Emperor Fredrick II of Swabia who liked to hunt with his falcon on the very grounds where some of the grapes are picked. Wine Advocate gave this wine a 92 point rating and I would absolutely agree. Retails for about $40.

Update:
Last night I had the 2004 Riserva and it has a bold structure with some complex flavors of dark berries and pepper. It was a little harsh on the palate along with some chewy tannins and heavy acidity. I was hoping that it would mellow out a little better over time but it did not. This vintage needs some more time in the bottle. It retails for about $35. I would stick to the 2003 Riserva.

Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2007

This South African white wine was produced by the Simonsig Winery in Stellenbosch. It starts with a nice aroma of golden delicious apples and Bartlett pears. The taste is full of flavors from apricots, pineapples and melons along with some honey and raisins from the chenin blanc. This grape was originally from France but is now one of the largest grown grapes in South Africa. A nice dry wine with a fair amount of acidity. This could be paired with an appetizer or with fish. Nice every-day wine that retails for about $10. Imported by Quintessential Wines.

Chateau La Clare 2003

This is a nice French Bordeaux that has a mix of 45% merlot, 35% cabernet sauvignon, 15% cabernet franc and 5% petite verdot. It has a nice aroma of raspberry and tastes of raspberry and black currant with a hint of vanilla. The tannins are nicely structured and ends with a nice long finish. We served it with a lamb tagine, an apricot couscous and a tabbouleh salad. Paired very nicely with the dish. It retails for about $25.

Arger-Martucci

Last week, my friend Anthony Arger and his parents, Dr. Kosta Arger and his wife Julie, were in NYC for a winemaker dinner at Il Postino. They served a 5 course meal paired with 5 different wines. This is a small vineyard in Napa that is owned and operated by the Arger and Martucci families. Dr. Arger is a practicing cardiologist but finds time to make some great wines, in addition to having his own cooking show. Sons Anthony Arger and Vincent Martucci are the day-to-day operators of the winery. Vincent also helps Dr. Arger with the winemaking.

To begin, an antipasta was paired with the 2006 Chardonay from the Carneros region. This dry wine had aromas of nectarine, toasted almonds and cinnamon. On the palate, I tasted apples, mangoes and some spices. The wine was aged in 100% French oak that infused some oakiness into the wine. Overall, a good wine that retails for $20.

Next up was the 2006 Viognier which was produced primarily from Russian River fruit, supplemented by the young vineyard around the winery. This wine was blended with tiny amounts of Gewurtztraminer (2%) and Muscat of Alexandria (2%) to enhance the bouquet and flavor complexity. The bouquet serves up a hint of melon and peaches followed by a mouthful of lush, spicy flavors. The texture is crisp, with good acidity, yet finishes with a softer touch. The flavors of melon and peach with a touch of bananas follow through on the palate. The Viognier retails for $22. One of my two favorite Arger-Martucci wines.

A pasta dish was served with the 2005 Gold Medal winning Syrah. These grapes were harvested in their Odyssey Vineyard on Atlas Peak. This 1,350' peak has produced some exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with grapes being grown above the fog line, thus getting longer time on the vines. These cooler temperatures allow the grapes to ripen slower than the heated valleys, resulting in more flavor and definition. On the nose, there was dark fruits, licorice, and white pepper. They blended the Syrah with 4% Merlot to soften the blow, but was still a knock out. The big cherry flavors were combined with smokiness and oak. A nice powerful punch that retails for $25.

The Odyssey is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petite Verdot. Once again, Dr. Arger described this as having layers of flavors, with black cherry predominating; yet nuances of white pepper, chocolate and cinnamon are present. This has a smooth long finish. The Odyssey retails for $50.

The semifreddo and mixed berry dessert was paired with the 2004 Dulcinea. This is a blend of 70% Semillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. The sweet juicy peach aromas are continued on to the palate along with some apricots and a creamy honey on the back. A nice ending to any meal. Retails for $45.

Make this a stop on your next trip thru Napa. Ask for Anthony and tell him Jason sent you. Check out their web at www.arger-martucci.com.

Terrabianca Croce Riserva 2004

This winery was purchased in 1988 by Roberto Guldener and his family who had moved to Italy from Zurich Switzerland where the family had been in the clothing business for multiple generations. By 1989, they started replanting the vines and made their first wine,the Campaccio. This was followed by the Scassino and then the Croce. The Terabianca winery is located in Radda, one of our favorite towns in Tuscany. After having a great 2004 Campaccio, I ran across the 2004 Croce which is a Chianti Classico Riserva. It is made from 97% Sangiovese and 3% Canaiolo. It has a great nose of plum with some hints of vanilla. The cherry and spicy fruit flavors are long with very smooth tannins. I may be biased since I have a Swiss wife, but the Terrabianca's are exceptional wines. On my next trip to Tuscany, I will make a stop at this winery. If you are looking for a quaint town with easy access to Siena or San Gimignano or even up to Florence, Radda is highly recommended. This 2004 Croce is a wine you should try also. The 2004 Croce retails for $31.

Valentin Bianchi New Age

After my meeting with Robert Pepi, noted in a previous post, I found the New Age white wine by Valentin Bianchi in a local store. The New Age is a citrusy blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Malvasia. It starts with a citrus and flowery nose followed by a crisp fruity taste of lime and lemon. This is a sweet wine with only 9.5% alcohol. Great summer drink. The New Age can also be served on the rocks with a slice of lime. Tonight, we served it with one of our many Swiss meals, raclette, which is made with a semi-soft cow's milk cheese. With the salty cheese, potatoes, paprika, pickles, baby corns and pickled onions, it was a good pairing. Would also be a great fit for seafood appetizers. Retails for $10. Imported by Quintessential Wines in Napa.

Bianchi & Two Angels

I recently had the opportunity to meet and speak with Robert Pepi, the master wine maker for Valentin Bianchi wines from Argentina and Two Angels wines from Napa, CA. We compared similar grapes from each country including a Sauvignon Blanc from Argentina and one from Lake County, CA. The Bianchi Sauvignon Blanc had a mixture of herbal aromas, fresh cut grass, avocado and pear along with pink grapefruit and white peach. The Two Angles Sauvignon Blanc had a more intensely fruit forward nose of lemon peel, gooseberry, dried thyme and sage. The palate also had lemon along with melon and kiwi and a hint of basil.

There was also a comparison of Bianchi Malbec to a Two Angels Petite Sirah.
The 2006 Malbec is a purpleish red colored wine with intense plum, cherries and red berry aromas. The flavors mimic the aromas. The finish is long and silky. The 2006 Petite Sirah from Two Angels is "dark as night" and boasts aromas of dark berry, violets and pomegranate. There is an abundance of fruit flavors that are integrated with toasted oak and roasted coffee undertones.

In addition, we tasted Mr. Pepi's personal label, The Eponymous Cabernet 2004 and the 2003 Red Wine MacAllister Vineyard. The 2004 Cabernet is a full-bodied Cabernet that is rich, full and round from the initial taste that leads to a long, lingering finish. There nose starts off with plum and violets along with some currants. These aromas follow through on the palate along with some coffee and nutmeg.

The 2003 Red Wine MacAllister Vineyard is a scarlet colored wine from the Mayacamas Range near Sonoma and has a complex aroma of cassis, spicy oak and raspberries. The aromas follow through on the palate along with a hint of chocolate and rhubarb.

I highly recommend you tracking down wines from all of these wineries, or contact Quintessential Wines.