2007 Alamos Malbec $10

2007 Alamos Malbec $10 - from Agentina. Malbec is the leading grape of Argentina, and one of my personal favorites. To my tastes I think that there is a lot of bang for the buck in a average or good bottle of Malbec. This estate grown malbec has a powerful nose of earth, and must, these aromas are the calling card of this varietal. The color is deep black and red. The taste is soft, smooth, with hints of dark coffee and chocolate. This wine is an uncomplicated and straightforward balanced malbec. With the Alamos wines the winemaker is going for a pure expression of the varietal , which means the wines are one grape, no blending. It is impressive that a wine can taste this good, be well priced at $10, and be widely available (I got this at Fresh Market). This is also a wine that has good quality nearly every vintage. I definitely recommend this wine, it is one you should seek out, it's at the high end of the quality scale for the $10 range. If you like a Napa Cabernet or a Bordeaux blend and you haven't tried a 100% malbec this is a great introduction.

Argentinian Estate Grown Chardonnay Value

Alamos 2007 Chardonnay - $10 Argentina
This estate grown chardonnay from Argentina has aromas of pear, pineapple, and butter. The Alamos has a rich, full, mouthfeel to it that finishes with tartness and just a bit of acidity. I think this is a very nice chardonnay, I definitely recommend it. If you like California chardonnay but you'd like to try a different style check out this balanced chardonnay. Another aspect of this wine I like is the fact that it is an estate produced wine. What this means is that all the grapes are grown by the winery in their own vineyards, there is no purchasing of grapes from other growers. Alamos controls all the quality factors in producing this wine. Most $10 bottles of California chardonnay are made with grapes purchased from a multitude of growers, so quality can be compromised. With estate produced wines the quality falls 100% on the winery so if it sucks it's all their fault, and if it's good, the same it true. Estate made wines have a bit more incentive to do a good job. Alamos is the value line from the Catena wine family (one of the most prestigious wineries in Argentina and South America). The fact that this wine is easy to find ( I got this at Costco) makes it even better. Check it out, I think you'll like it.
http://www.catenawines.com/eng/wines/alamos/alamos-ch-2006.html

2006 Cotes Du Rhone Parallele 45

2006 Cotes Du Rhone Parallele 45 from Paul Jaboulet Aine $12. Paul Jaboulet Aine is a large wine producer from the Rhone valley in France, they produce a wide range of wine from basic everyday wines like this one to $200 bottles of Syrah that need 20 years of cellaring. The Parallele 45 is an everyday wine that is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, and it is meant to be drunk immediately, no cellaring needed. The nose of the wine is very relaxing, with aromas of dark berry, cherry, and hint of chocolate and some earth. This wine is very smooth, the taste is just like the smell dark berries and cherry with mild tannins and a slight dry finish. It's not special it's just solid, and in my book solid is good. I recommend this as a reliable everyday drinking wine.

2006 El Quintanal from Spain $10

I'm in need of value so I'm looking to Spain for the goods. This 2006 El Quintanal from the Ribera del Duero region is 100% Tempranillo, a native Spanish varietal. There is not much of a nose to this wine but you can smell aromas of smoke and berries, no particular berries just generic berries. Medium light feel on the palate with some tannins that kick at the end. This is a simple wine, it would do better with food than it does on it's own as a sipper. I feel it's worth $10 bucks but the value isn't screamin. I've had better and I've had worse for $10. I would only buy it again if I was sticking to a strict $10 maximum price rule. It's ok, not bad, not real good.

p.s. the wrong vintage is on the label pictured but the label is otherwise the same as '06

2007 Frontera Carmenere from Chile - $5

This time it's an old varietal from the new world, the carmenere grape. Up until sometime in the 1990's vintners in Chile thought the carmenere grape were merlot and marketed it as such. In the 90's they did some type of DNA testing and found out that it was not merlot but carmenere, which is an old blending grape from France. Really the only place you'll see carmenere bottled on it's own is Chile. This wine is from the Concha Y Toro winery which is owned by the French MoetHennesy conglomerate. The nose of the wine has the classic musty smell going on, I mean that in a good way, carmenere has a very distinctive nose. Musty sounds unpleasant but it is a positive description for this wine. The color is deep rich red and black. This medium bodied dry red is an easy going wine meant to be drunk now. It is soft on the palate and the finish is smooth. I definitely recommend this wine, it could easily be mistaken for a $10 or $12 bottle of wine. Another benefit of this wine is it's wide availability, I bought this at Kroger, it will be easy to find this wine. For simple good quality great value wine check out this bargain.

Enjoy

2007 Estancia Pinot Noir Monterey County $14

California pinot noir is like most pinot noir, overpriced, so it's hard to find the good stuff for less than $20. This Estancia has a fairly basic nose not much going on there, but there is a decent cherry and oak component on the smell. On the palate the wine is soft and light. The wine is dry with a slight bite from the tannins on the finish. This wine is alright but I don't recommend it. I have found it really hard to find a decent bottle of Pinot Noir at a reasonable price lately, I'm almost turned off by the whole variaetal. But it is best to keep trying to find a good one cause they are out there, it's just not this one. This wine is by no means bad but it is just not interesting.

The Southern Wine Report - ’05 Peter Lehmann Shiraz Tuesday, November 25, 2008

This week it's the Thunder From Down Under: Peter Lehmann Of The Barossa Shiraz '05 $15. This classy wine has dark cherry and dark chocolate aromas. Real nice nose to the wine. The dark fruit flavored wine is medium bodied and well balanced. The tannins are well managed, the mouthfeel is soft and supple, the finish smooth and harmonious. This 100% shiraz shows why the Barossa is the leader in Australian Shiraz. This wine is one you should seek out, it will complete dark meats nicely but stands on it's own as a sipper as well.

Weekly Wine Bulletin - It’s a Twofer Saturday, November 22, 2008

First ever twofer for the bulletin. First up to bat is a white from the new world, an '07 Zolo Torrontes from Argentina $11. Torrontes is an Argentinian specialty, it is the most widely planted white grape in Argentina. On the sniffer there are aromas of pear, green apple, and lime, kind of spells like Sprite or Spritish. The color is very pale, straw color, a light yellow. It has a light crisp, fresh taste to it with hints of lemon zest, and granny smith apple. The wines are best drunk young so buy and drink 'em don't hold on to them. I recommend especially if you like Sauvignon Blancs.
Next up is an old school wine from Bordeaux the '01 Chateau Duhart Milon Pauillac Grand Cru Classe $46. These winery has been owned by the Lafite Rothschild group since the mid '90s. For those who don't know a river runs through the middle of Bordeaux. The wines of the left bank of the river are wines that are comprised of a large percentage of cabernet sauvignon and then blended with lesser percentages of a combination of (but not necessarily all)merlot, cabernet franc, petite verdot, and malbec. The wines of the right bank are comprised primarily of merlot and the blended with lesser percentages of the above mentioned grapes. The reason is because of ripening, cabernet ripens better on the left bank, and merlot does better on the right bank. The region this wine comes from, Pauillac, is on the left bank and is considered one of if not the best areas in the world to grow cabernet. Now to the wine; on the nose there is pepper and cherry aromas. The taste is of flat strawberries. This wine is fatally flawed and it's unfortunate. This wine is basically dead. It is not a problem with every bottle of this wine but this particular bottle of wine. I got it from a retailer that did not store it properly, it has been exposed to warm temperature for too long. It sad this wine should been much better. The '05 vintage of this wine is supposed to be incredible but what I tasting isn't worth drinking. The lesson to be learned is store wine properly and if it looks like a retailer has an older bottle of wine but it's sitting out in the open as opposed to laying down in a cool dark place, don't buy it.
Enjoy

p.s. Wrong vintage on the picture above

Weekly Wine Bulletin - ’05 Washinstonian Cabernet Sauvignon Wednesday, November 19, 2008

If you haven't tried a Washington State Cabernet, I highly recommend it, there is lots of quality to be had for a fraction of the price of comparable California cabernets, that said they also have a style all their own. This week it's the '05 Chateau St. Michelle Indian Wells cabernet approx. $18. It has a nice deep purple reddish color going on. The nose is of deep dark fruits, like blueberries, brambleberries, and plum. It doesn't have the deepest nose, kind of a lighter nose but still very pleasant. There is a nice soft mouthfeel. It doesn't taste like you standard Napa Cab that's for sure. The tannins are a bit harsh, but the fruit is very ripe almost luxurious. It starts off tasting like a cabernet but on the finish it feels like a totally different wine. The Indian Wells is a nice wine but is different from most every other cabernet I've had. Good mouthfeel and a bit dry. This cabernet has been blended with a bit of syrah so that may be what makes this taste so unique. I recommend this wine but I still don't think it's quite the quality of a mid level Napa cab., but it's also half the price.
Enjoy

Weekly Wine Bulletin - California Chardonnay - ’06 Sequoia Grove Chardonnay Saturday, November 08, 2008

This week it's the first ever white wine (I think) on the weekly wine bulletin. This wine is the '06 Sequoia Grove Chardonnay approx. $27. The grapes come from Carneros and Napa Valley, it's 100% percent chardonnay. On the nose I get some pure good chardonnay smells coming through, sounds generic but that what it is, maybe a combination of peach and vanilla, maybe some plain yogurt smells. Definitely there as some apple smells coming through, green apples like granny smith, not red apples. It has a nice soft mouthfeel, and full bodied creamy texture for a white wine. The wine has been aged in French oak barrels so there is definitley some oak flavors coming through, but it's well done the oak complements the wine, it doesn't overpower it. The finish is persist and smooth. "Every sip I take is just delicious, it's tasty as fuck" - Ben Mackie Well Ben I couldn't agree with you more. I love this wine and I highly recommend it. You need to seek this out. I am definitely biased becaused Seqouia Grove is the reason I got into wine. I used to hang out at the winery and cause trouble. Seqouia Grove is the first bottle of high quality wine I ever had, and is the whole reason I work in the wine business. So try this out! I hope you like it.

Holla

Weekly wine Bulletin - Vina Borgia 07 Saturday, October 11, 2008

If you like drinking good wine but you don't always want to pay a lot for it I recommend looking to Spain. With more acerage under vine than any other country in the world there are lots of good values to be found there. Grenache that's tasty and easy on the wallet is Spain's calling card. This week's wine is a 100% Grenache from Vina Borgia that comes from the Campo de Borja region of Spain is only about $7. On the nose it has dark berry smells, some raspberry and bosenberry coming throught the nostrils. It's got some definitely got some oak to it but it's not overpowering. The taste is smooth and soft with goodmouthfeel and mild tannins. You can use this wine to drink with food or on it's own as a sipper. This is really good everyday wine, if only more wine at this price point could be this good. I definitely recommend this wine not only as a tremendous value, but it's just good uncomplicated wine. This wine is a Jorge Ordonez selection. Jorge Ordonez is a wine importer/exporter who works very closely with the winieries he represents to bring a quality products. His wines also tend to be very resonably priced. If you see the JO symbol on the back label of a bottle of Spanish wine, you chances of enjoying the wine are very good. In my experiences about 9 out of ten of his wines are very enjoyable so look out for that JO.

Holla

Weekly wine Bulletin - Australian Shiraz Wednesday, October 01, 2008

In these hard economic times I am trying to make my wine dollar go as far as possible. That's why I look to Australia for great wine at fair prices. This week it's the Tintara Mclaren Vale Shiraz '05 $15. Australian shiraz is made in many different styles and for the most part the quality is very good. As always though beware of critter label wines. Particularily good shiraz comes from the Barossa and McLaren Vale, this ones from MLV. The first thing I notice about the wine is the color, it's very dark purpley purple, it's dark and beautiful. The color goes all the way to the edge of the glass, and that's a good thing. The nose is very pleasent, lots of dark berry smells coming through. Mostly just dark fruit smell not any oak. The fact that the oak is not overpowering but well maintained is impressive considering this wine had 15 months of aging in French and American oak barrels. The taste of the wine is not as ripe fruit as the usual Aussie shiraz it is more subdued, which is a nice change of pace. The wine is nice and smooth on the palate. This wine is a good sipper, not too dry or tannic, but it would also do well with the usual dark meats. I like this wine, although I would say it's good, not great. It is a wine I would recommend trying although it's not really memorable. The nose is so good that the taste doesn't exactly live up to the nose. I do feel that it is solid for the money paid. This wine is particularily nice on an early fall evening while watching Ironman in high def.
Enjoy

Weekly Wine Bulletin ’07 California Rhone Blend Thursday, September 25, 2008

This week it's the Cline California Cashmere '07 approx. $16. It's a blend of Syrah, Granache, and Mouvedre, three of the main blending grapes from southern Rhone. At 14.5% alcohol it probably has closer to 16% which is why this wine slightly burns the nostrils, you can tell there is a lot of alcohol in this wine. There is also a smokey component to the nose, not so much an oak smell, but a smoke smell. On the palate you can feel the alcohol, it's not overpowering but it is strong. The wine is decent, not to dry, and decently smooth. You taste some berry flavors but I'm not sure which ones, mostly the the darker ones. This wine is ok, nothing great, but not bad. I'd recommend this wine as a simple easy sipper. Also with this wine Cline donates a portion of the proceeds to the Breast Cancer Network of Strength's Ride to Empower. I don't know what that is exactly but drinking wine to support a good cause is what I'm all about.
Enjoy

Weekly Wine Bulletin - ’05 Bordeaux Wednesday, September 10, 2008

From the famed '05 vintage is the Chateau De Mendis red, Appellation Bordeaux Conrtrolee $13. Wine Spectator says to buy everything from cheap $8 whites to all the collectibles from Bordeaux, they say it's the best overall vintage since '61 and this is my first '05 Bordeaux. It is a merlot based blend with a touch of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. On the nose there is some black cherry and some black cracked peppercorn smells. Not a whole lot of different stuff going on with the nose but it is well balanced and full bodied. The is a solid pepper, and tartness to the wine. The mouthfeel is smooth and velvety it coats the mouth in a gentle manner. The tannins are pretty subdued, they don't overpower you. The tannins are there but there is no bite. For the money the wine is freakin awesome, it would go really well with dinner, but can also stand on it's own as a sipper. Also the wine is ready to go right out of the bottle, no decanting necessary although it certainly wouldn't hurt. And thanks to Ashley Scott for helping on this bulletin.
Enjoy!

Weekly wine Bulletin Monday, September 08, 2008

Two wine bulletins in one week, I'm blowin up. This time is cheap but good Argentinian Malbec, Alcion Malbec '06 for $4. This wine drinks many times above it's price. Be careful though when searching out cheap Malbecs, there are many out there and most aren't good, but some are just plain incredible values, like this one. On the nose it definitely has some wood smell, some oak for sure but it is well done oak. It is good oak well integrated, not to over the top in your face, it's balanced. Also some earth smells going on. The tannins are soft the mouthfeel is gentle, the finish smooth but doesn't last long. The flavors are of cherry and some other dark fruit, dark fruit that is soft not bitter. This wine will definitely please a lot of palates not to mention, going easy on the wallet.
I gotta go it's time for Monday Night Football.

Enjoy

Weekley Wine Bulletin - September 7, 2008

It's been awhile but the weekly wine bulletin is back. This weeks it's the wine of southern rhone, french red wine. The wine is a 2007, a very young wine, but it hasn't been in the bottle even a year. It is a creation of Daniel Couston and is a Cotes du Rhone* that gets better by the glass. On the nose the wine has a component that carries a slight minty burn. The taste resembles dark berry flavors. Possibly some blueberry and blackberry mixed together. The wine is definitely dry. If you don't like dry wine this might not be for you. It's a blend of three grapes, Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah. This wine is tight and very young. I recommend the wine for decanting. Le Carrignon is a well-made wine and I recommend it especially for traditional Italian dishes with a strong tomato sauce. This wine is a solid example of how a classic southern rhone blend should taste.

Enjoy

*'07 approx $12