Domaine des Hauts Chassis Crozes Hermitage 2007

Smoked meat and roses this 100% syrah this is not as earthy as some Crozes Hermitages can be. Very pretty perfumey style with a distinct gameyness. Medium-bodied with a nice finish that is redolent of field flowers with a dash of fennel.

Cline 2007 Sonoma County Syrah

Rich berry colored with a warn toasty scent. The predominant scents I get are: plum, cassis, cherry tobacco. It's rich and light at the same time- mouthfull of cherry and plum jam. Not jammy though because the acidity maintains control. Shows a great deal of elegance on the finish. Very likeable.

Cline 2008 Cashmere

Mouvedre 47%, Grenache and Syrah blend. Nicely toned nose with a good balance with fruit and acid- leaning toward acidity. Aged in used oak- imparts a slight woody character. I think this wine would be great with fatty roasts, egg noodles and carbonara.

Cline Syrah Sonoma County 2007

A mouth full of blackberry and a nice back flavors of pepper, cassis with a dry finish.

Andre Brunel Côtes du Rhône 2007

75% grenache 15% cinsault 10% syrah: fresh cinnamon buns and cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium-bodied with jammy mouth feel and a silky finish. Very good.

Domaine la Guintrandy Côtes du Rhône 2008

Try this delicious Côtes du Rhône by Marie-Claire and Olivier Cuilleras. It's made from 70 % Grenache, 20 % old vine Carignan and 10 % Syrah in the commune of Tulette. From sandy marl and cobalt, stony soil. This wine has a medium-ruby color and is non-fined or filtered. The grapes are hand-harvested and are non-certified organic. Flavors are of rich cherry and cola- a hint of licorice and has a nice, dry cedar-kissed red-raspberry finish. Drink this with pork or veal stews, grilled lamb or braised beef.

Comes in a 3-liter box ($29.99) or a 750 ml bottle.

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.

Clos Saron Heart of Stone 2004

If you're looking for a 'cult' wine, you have found it, in Clos Saron. In the Sierra Nevada foothills, winemaker Gideon Beinstock, imparts a European sensibility to his wines. Named by their style, not their grape varietal, the blends change with each vintage. All the wines are biodynamic and are aged in old oak. His vines are old (pre-pyhlloxera) unharmed rootstock. They are very complex wines. The Heart of Stone is 96% Syrah and 4% viognier. The nose comes off like port with tarragon and violets and has a HUGE presence. Cherry, raisin and creme brulee -an odd mix- unfold to form a match that is super-delicious. It's opulent and velvety rich. Big, but restrained at the end and very compelling. Unfined, unfiltered, it should have sediment and a slightly cloudy appearance (the one we tasted did). Only 2064 bottles made.

This vineyard is free of: herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers.

Crios 2007 Syrah-Bonarda

Looks black, like octopus ink. Bonarda, used mainly as a blending grape in Italy, flourishes well in Argentina. This blend has been highly regarded by the Wine Spectator. Smells of cassis and black cherry with garnet edges. Very lively and has ripe red plum and black raspberry flavors with a slightly spicy character and a long, juicy finish. Nice fruitiness and finishes with good structure.

Homegrown Family Harvest Red 2007

Petite Sirah, syrah and barbera blend (equal parts), deep dark color and galoshes on the label make for a trendy- restaurant table wine. Taste: starts off drier and then has a big, juicy finish that says: CHUG ME! I think I can sell buckets of this wine, as it is a palate-friendly pizza and lasagna loving wine that would also be just as good on the couch on a cool autumnal Sunday afternoon. It will be in store on 9/5, come-n-get-it!

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.

Bleasesdale Shiraz 2005

Bremerview, Langhorne Creek. Potts Family. Rena Hirsch, winemaker. Nice dark inky color and purple ripe fruit abound! Smooth and earthy with chocolate and a hint of leather on the finish. New to Haley's; it's a 'big' shiraz at a reasonable $22.00!

Gougenheim Syrah, 2008

Valle Escondido. Mendoza, Argentina. Violets and chocolate covered cherries. Medium-bodied style with punchy fruit and tight tannins. May need decanting. But appealing and very drinkable.

Price isn't everything

I have a customer who came in today to thank me for selling her the Amador Foothills Katie's Cote Syrah/Grenache. She brought it over to a friend's home who she described as "people who regularly spend up to $100 on a bottle of wine". They all 'loved' this little gem. Priced at a very reasonable $17.99, this customer commented how great it is to drink a delicious wine under $20. She also "doesn't understand why her friends spend so much money on a bottle of wine, when there are so many great wines being made". I couldn't agree more!

My notes: wonderful rhone-like balance: 51% syrah and 49% grenache. This wine, from Shenandoah Valley California, has lush red raspberry flavors and an even tannin structure. Great with anything from eggplant parmigan to grilled meats to cheese platters.

ONLY 206 cases made. Get it NOW!

Melville Syrah 2007

Santa Barbara. Loaded with sweet cherry and deep, ripe pomegranate flavors. Arik says he gets 'bacon fat'. I agree! Very deep and rich. A definite contender for shelf space. I don't carry any Melville wines yet. But I should. Not to mention that it's my father-in-law's name!

Avondale Syrah 2005

Rustic color, rich and velvety chocolatey finish. Dark berry and oak flavors meld well into smoothness. Biodynamic. Organic.