Luigi Bosca Malbec 2006 DOC

Single Vineyard Lujan de Cuyo region. Rich and delightful will come back to this laters...

Luigi Bosca Syrah 2006

Hot oaky scent with big fruit, jammy with a tannic backbone that can stand up to the fruit. Plums, currants, long delicious finish.

Luigi Bosca Sauvignon Blanc 2008

100% stainless, sits on fine lees 6 mos. Nice fresh citrus scent, likeable.

Luigi Bosca Chardonnay 2008

Argentina: 1/3, 1/3, 1/3: malo/oaked/stainless. An approach that is unlike California. God balance with a tart finish unlike chardonnays I've had recently.

La Linda Malbec 2007

Luigi Bosca. Deep color with black cherry and leathery scent. 3 months oak and not very memorable mouth. I'm thinking that it could be better with more 'open' time. Seems like the fruit is too restrained. Will have to re-taste.

La Linda Bonarda 2007

Most widely planted grape in Argentina (even more than Malbec!). This grape was originally used in Italy as a blending component. This is aged 6 months in American oak. Very warm, woodsy nose with dark black color and inky. Much lighter in the mouth with cedary fruit and nice finish. A maybe...

La Linda Viognier 2008

Definite apricot and honey on the nose and a tart, clean mouth. 100% stainless though seems creamy in the finish, is it the soil? The wine is soft and approachable. I could sell this wine all day if people weren't so afraid of trying a new grape. Good.

La Linda Torrontes 2008

Region: Cafayate Salta. This line is the 'everyday drink', orange blosson, warm peach cobbler scent with a clean citrus finish. Dry in the mouth with a bitter lime flavor that is a burst of freshness. Organic and sustainable. Oh and think: beautiful white peaches.

August Cellars 2007 Riesling

Yakima Valley Washington. Very likeable dry-style with lychee fruit and cream front and drier mineral back. Reminds me of a chenin blanc. Another different stylistic approach, which is definitely a nice alternative to pricier German rieslings.

August Cellars 2005 Pinot Noir

Very small winery - they make 2,500 cases across all their varietals- pinot noir being the most (about 900 cases). Willamette Valley Oregon. Very minimal intervention, though not organic, they use very little sulfite and do not filter the wines. Black currant, anise and toasted oak nose. Deep raisiny-color with clear edges. Big brambly flavor and earthy with clean sweet finish that is refined, and very unusual compared to California pinots. Very nice especially as Elena brought the bottle in with a slight chill and the cellared coolness works really well.

Good Chianti 2007

Also by Casa Liliana. Mostly sangiovese with 10% canailolo. All stainless steel light-bodied, very dry with bright cherry and dark chocolate flavors, it is medium bodied. Dark ruby red. The scent is a little like lavender or thyme with lemon peel. Look for it in the store. Only $9.99!

Good Pinot Grigio 2008

Casa Liliana, producer. The "good" line was created by VINILANDIA USA. This citrusy - lime-scented wine is a true gray-straw color with clean approachable finish. Nice fruitiness makes it perfect with fresh fish, and light appetizers. It's better than GOOD! Light with good flavor. Totally likeable! Only $9.99.

Frei Brothers Reserve 2007 Merlot 2006

Dry Creek Valley, Merlot, 2006. Black cherry, really ripe and a dry backbone, soft tannins and nice finish. You may find this in the store.

Frei Brothers Reserve Chardonnay 2007

Russian River Valley- Sonoma, Winemaker Jim Collins. Clean scent with gala apple, a hint of apricot and peach. New French oak aged, and well-balanced.

Mirassou Chardonnay 2007

California, 150-year family-owned vineyard. Sweet and flabby, with oak-added flavor, malolactic fermentation on oak staves.

Maso Canali 2007

100% pinot grigio, 6% of the grapes are dried, pressed and then mixed back into the wine. Sweet, yellow raison nose, straw-colored, full bodied with tart finish, needs to be colder.

White Haven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Musk melon and gooseberry nose with gravel and flint. The body is fuller with nice texture. I saw this on the wine list recently at G restaurant Swampscott.

Domaine Sallies Malbec 2007

Deep color. Unoaked (read different than Argentine malbecs). Candied orange peel nose with blackberry and black pepper. Nice dry, finish, with ripe black berry and plum. Has a distinct freshness that would go well with cheese, appetizers and roasted meats.

Domaine Sallies Marselan 2007

First created in 1961 by French agricultural researchers, Marselan is a hybrid cross between the Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache Noir grape varieties. Domaine Sallies planted our first Marselan vines at Domaine de La Ferrandière in 2003.

Color is deep purple and oxblood. The nose is spicy and clean with black cherry/berry, tobacco and a touch of anise. Reminds us of valdiguie with a bright, spiced finish, this would go well with fatty meats on the grill and pasta with red sauces, sausage or smoked salmon.

Domaine Sallies Viognier 2008

Nice lychee fruit essence and tart apple nose. Silky and dry with a gravelly feel. From the Languedoc, and a really well-done style with a Jasmine, finish. A real keeper that you should have as your 'house' Viognier. Great with salads, spicy foods, roast chicken, and brandade of cod. This wine is an absolute steal at $10!

Domaine Sallies Sauvignon Blanc 2008

From the Languedoc, southwestern France, between Corbieres and Minervois. Near the Mediterranean. Fresh, bright scent with a hint of rose petal. Unoaked. Decent with an acidic finish. Grapefruit and citrus peel flavors and would be great with a cheese plate or on a longhot summer's day.