Guenoc Californai Selections Merlot 2006

Woodsy scent with black cherry on the initial sniff. The body is light and non-descript. A fine 'house wine' for a cheap restaurant. Not great.

Renaissance Domaine Rotier 2006

Grape varietals include: duras 30%, braucol 25%, syrah 25% and cabernet sauvignon 20%. The 'odd' grapes are local varietals that impart tannic structure and wildness, respectively. The Gaillac area is in southwestern France, west of the Languedoc. Its overall effect is a polished raisin-tinged, velvety wine that has medium-to-full bodied fruit with bracken, tar, raspberry and plum to the finish. Very nice.

Clockspring 2006 Zinfandel Amador County

Organic. Nice, ripe berry aromas with a hint of vanilla and cassis. Bright and acidic on the finish but has a fairly rich body with flavors of cherry, raisin, and a hint of mint. Very nice for such a reasonable price!

Luna Benegas Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

From the oldest winemaking family in Argentina. Wine maker Federico Benegas Lynch makes an earthy style cab- aged in French Oak. Smells of fresh thyme and cinnamon with plum and has a very tannic finish. A little drying.

Waterstone Napa Valley Merlot 2006

Owned by Anders vineyard. Garnet colored merlot, sourced from Napa's finest vineyards. Good fruit without the name brand price. Oak-scented has a toasty character above the plum jam. Black currant raisin and prune with a dry finish. Good.

Kumeu River Matés Vineyard Chardonnay 2006

About 30% new oak, single-vineyard. The color is lemony-green and the wine has a buttery scent that is very fruited. This vineyard produces 'the best grapes' meaning, it has the oldest vines, and most mature fruit. This is evident in the glass as it has many layers of scent: apricot, dried fruit, hazelnut, fried sage. It remains fresh, though and it is very enticing, French style, terrior-dependent and very good.

Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2006

Full-bodied nose that really gives off a floral -citrus character that I find to be really terroir-driven in New Zealand. Still very fresh with violets and green apple, it still maintains a richness that Chardonnay demands. Aged in 24% new oak which gives the wine an aromatic, rich and strong finish. Very good.

Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2006

Single vineyard "Coddington". Gold color with a greenish tinge. Really fruited with peachy ripeness on the nose. A slight buttery / hazelnut / oakiness that meld together to make a complete, complex wine. Aged in heavily toasted smoking barrels. Michael, the winemaker, says they do this because the fruit is so 'full' that the oak becomes balanced. The effect is a much more forward Chardonnay that can really stand up to bold food flavors.

Kuemu River Estate Chardonnay 2006

Blend of six vineyards, the best-seller fromKumeu with 100% malolactic fermentation. Also has a grassy scent but is still very frech the color is pale like Chablis. A fruity nose but with definite golden (honey?, raisin?) flavors but has a nice acidity that is very alluring. This is not creamy or buttery, but has a definite unctuousness that leaves a rich finish. Very good.

Gordon Bothers 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Columbia Valley. Winemaker is Jeff Gordon. I now remember why I carry this wine. Just smelling it alone is reason enough to love it. It’s a lesson in paradox: bright and deep, rich and spiced, I haven’t yet put it in my mouth and it’s given me so much already... A very round and delicious cabernet sauvignon, that is velvety and has a tremendous finish. A steal at $ 23.99.

Wente Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Dark brick-red and ruby with medium bodied slightly oaked and fennel-scented. Also fully-fruited with a good deal of sweetness that would be a good compliment to salty foods.

Wente Sandstone Merlot 2006

Arroyo Seco Monterey. Clear rose ruby color with a balanced full-fruitedness that is what I like about merlots. Dry back-end structure, that would be good with food.

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.

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.

Girard Old Vine Zinfandel 2006

Nearly opaque, this wine appears dense and deep violet in color. Very nicely balanced oak-aged (will get more info).

I should definitely get this for the fall! PS, Paul loved it, too.

Chateau Pey La Tour Bordeaux Supérieur 2006

Vignoble Dourthe, Reserve du Chateau. Like most Bordeaux wines, this is a merlot-cabernet sauvignon blend. The nose is toasty warm with the merlot on the front. It has a rich black cherry color and red cherry flavors. The finish has a little oak and is well- balanced. Should get this wine for the fall.... Oh and did I mention, this is a 2006 a.k.a. the year in-between brilliant 2005 and stunning 2007, it should not be overlooked (though I fear it will be).

Paso Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Dark black color and big, bold, jammy fruit and ripe black cherries dominate this wine. Also 13.5% alcohol. French and American oak (25% new), gives it nice structure. A strong cabernet sauvignon that would retail under $20. Too bad it's not from Napa!

Estancia Zinfandel Paso Robles 2006

Keyes Canyon Ranches. Warm, plum jam scent. 13.5% alcohol gives it a little kick in the back. 12 months in Hungarian and American oak. I carry this wine and it's a very nice $12.99 red zinfandel.

Domaine de Servans Côtes du Rhône 2006

95% grenache, 5% syrah. Light and simple cherry flavors balanced well with acidity. Very smooth, rustic finish.