Bodegas Montecillo Verdemar Albarino 2008

Rias Baixas. Made by Maria Martinez. Bright, fresh with a hint of lychee, mineral and a hint of lemon. Very nice.

Rocca Della Macie Chianti Classico Riserva 2005

Dark rustic color that is garnet. Black cherry and tobacco on the nose with a medium-bodied richness in the mouth. The flavor is richer than expected- for a short-priced chianti as this. It finishes with a bright, tart puckery finish that (though sounds negative) I do not mean it that way- it's just young, and I'd recommend decanting.

Kumeu River Matés River Chardonnay 2004

Golden-hued with very full-bodied scent that is ripe with apricots, almond and mineral. Long finish that has smooth acidity, but lively. Very 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.

Kumeu River Chardonnay Estate 2005

Made by Brajkovich Family Proprietors. Presented to me by Michael Brajkovich, these wines are of the highest quality, and compete with similar wines from Burgundy. In other words: they are remarkable quality for the price. The 2005 is a more golden color than the 2006 and the scent is still fresh but has a depth to the nose. Flavors of pears, mineral and a light buttery essence that remains cool-tempered with a hint of almonds and cream. Also very good.

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.

Kumeu River Village Chardonnay 2007

2/3 fermented in stainless and 1/3 in old oak barrels in the style of Chablis and Macon. The scent is a little grassy (Think cut wheat the has been in the sun, drying) with a gala apple, buttery maybe tarte-tatin nose. Very cool-climate grown, you can tell by the fresh taste and good acidity. 100% malolactic fermentation, but spends 2-3 months on lees.

Graham Beck Chenin Blanc Gamekeeper's Reserve 2008

Upfront tropical fruit, ripe pineapple, melon, peaches and honey flavors on the nose. Full and juicy palate with layers of ripe tropical fruit complemented by a long clean and crisp aftertaste.

This winemaker is committed to caring for its workers and neighbors, by providing education and housing.

Graham Beck Cabernet Sauvignon Gamekeeper's Reserve 2007

Great complexity of black berry fruit and cassis on the nose, which is well supported by spicy mineral and cigar box flavors. This wine has a rich, juicy and intense palate with a long lingering finish.

This winemaker is committed to caring for its workers and neighbors, by providing education and housing.

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.

Domaine des Pothiers Fou de Chéne 2007

100% Chardonnay Vine de Pays d’Urfé full bodied yet really nice like a pouilly-fuisse. This wine is from the Côte Roannaise in the Loire Valley. Lemon curd and bright honeysuckle flavors open up to a little gravel and the slightest hint of lychee. This wine is new to the US and is non-certified organic. It is versatile and would be served well for all types of seafoods and fowl.

Image is from the blog: http://domainedespothiers.blogspot.com/
of the vineyards at Domaine des Pothiers. Check it out!

Graham Beck Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Clean scent with fresh minerally flavor that has a light touch. Tropical fruit on the nose with aromas of pears and lychee. The palate is crisp, ripe passion fruit and lime fruit wrapped up in a mouth-watering finish. More earthy and silkier than a New Zealand sauvignon blanc. This wine is a sure bet for turkey season.

Graham Beck is a giant of the South African wine scene and has led the country's thundering success since the end of Apartheid in 1994, a year that saw Nelson Mandela toast his inauguration as President with a flute of Beck's Brut NV. This winemaker is committed to caring for its workers and neighbors, by providing education and housing.

Cirque du Vin by Peachy Canyon 2006

Paso Robles. Tasting Notes from Peachy Canyon: Aromas of Black Currants, Sage, Leather, Cherries and spice fill the glass. Hints of lightly toasted oak with hints of vanilla follow the fruits and spices. The color of this wine is deep purple. The palate is fresh and layered.

We tasted this at the Boston Wine Expo earlier in 2009. It was a unanimous 'yes!' for it's smooth mouth-filling texture and balanced fruitedness.

Composition: 25% Petite Sirah, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 18% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Brave Oak, Torgesson, Twin Oaks, Steinbeck, Kathryn's

Flora Springs Trilogy Meritage 2005

Bright black cherry nose with a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Decent with a nice balance of fruit and tannin. A hint of pepper and a round warmth provided by the oak make this smooth and toasty.

Wine Advocate: The vintage is exemplified beautifully by the 2005 Trilogy. This is a superb example of this proprietary red. Beautiful deep red, blue, and black fruits all intermingle with some crushed rock, lavender, and spice box in a very scented bouquet. In the mouth, it is layered, medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannin, gorgeous purity, and length. This is a stunning wine that should drink nicely for 15 or more years. Score: 93. —Robert Parker, December 2007.

Flora Springs Soliloquy Vineyard 2007

Oakvile, California. Bright and crisp green apples in the front and a hint of minerals . With the complexity of the 2006 but is a little greener- with straw notes. Has a little grapefruit and honeydew and a nice full finish. This wine would be great with sharp cheeses and pork or poultry with fruit sauces.

From the Winery: Following fermentation, the wine is sur less aged for eight months in 1600 gallon, sixty-year old, neutral oak, upright ovals. The combination of bright acidity unique to this vineyard site, and the wonderful complexity that comes with the sur lees aging, creates a long, smooth finish of clean fruit flavors of melon and fig that linger on the palate. The result is a Soliloquy in perfect harmony.

Villa San Juliette Petite Sirah 2007

Has a high-alcohol scent that I’m not too interested in. It’s 15% alc. hmmm. Very black and inky in color with a slight floral scent that is nice. Full bodied with decent flavor. Pass.

Villa San Juliette Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

With former winemaker from Hahn. Paso Robles. Dark berry colored with an intersting nose with a little clove and thyme. Has an elegant finish that is remarkable.

Line Shack Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Lots of fruit in the nose, black cherry black berry and blueberry. Non-descript in the center with a finish that is not memorable. Nah.