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Rosenblum Petite Sirah “Heritage Clones” 2006 (California) $19
One of my favorite varietals when I “got the wine bug”, I have
not had a petite sirah this good in a long while! Petite Sirah,
or Petite Syrah (same thing!) can be a huge tannic wine, but
also has almost Italian rustic characteristics as well. This has
both! It has up front blue raspberry notes, but also has a lean,
leatherlike note in the mid-palate, finishing with notes of
blueberry pie. Yum!
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Solaire Chardonnay “Santa Lucia Highlands” 2006 (California)
$14
A steal from the Santa Lucia Highlands, where Chardonnays
average more than twice this price! Piercing pear and apple
flavors, with great body, little oak and a smooth toasty finish
make this a real winner.
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New Harbor Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (New Zealand) $14
Newcomer from New Zealand has hit the mark with its zippy and
crisp white from Marlborogh. This has zinging lemon and peach
notes, great notes of grass and jalapeño pepper and a crisp,
puckering finish. This is a great New Zealand style of sauvignon
blanc!
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Castello Monaci Primitivo 2006 (Italy) $14
Primitivo, a relative of California’s Zinfandel, has the great
qualities of its cousin. With great up-front fruit of dark berry
and chocolate, you can tell the relation, but with its Italian
characteristics of focus, leanness and great acidity, you can
have with food. A wonderful wine!
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Rosenblum Zinfandel “Richard Suaret” 2005 (California) $28
This is single-vineyard Zinfandel from the Paso Robles region in
California. Rich and complex, this is very smooth stuff. It
boasts black and blue fruits, great herb notes of rosemary and a
chocolaty finish. A complex and bold wine that can pair with
pepper steak!
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Palacios Remondo Rioja “La Vendimia” 2006 (Spain) $12
‘La Vendimia” is translated into English as meaning “harvest”.
It is one of the finest young Rioja I have ever had. It is 50%
Grenache and 50% Tempranillo, with an herbaceous cherry nose, a
cherry liqueur flavor and a soft, pleasing finish. It is
definitely a new world style Rioja! This would be great with
lighter meat dishes and especially if it’s grilled!
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Rapitala Piano Maltese 2006 (Italy) $12
With Imported wine prices skyrocketing, along comes this little
gem of a white from Sicily. It is 50% Grillo and 50% Catarratto,
grapes that are indigenous to Sicily. I was mistaken to think
there was Chardonnay in this, because the wine is very viscous,
yet has crisp acidity! It has great flavors of pear, unripe
peach and almonds. Very interesting wine!
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Waterbrook Chardonnay 2006 (Washington) $12
Waterbrook has been unmatched quality to price on all of their
wines, especially their whites. The latest edition of their
chardonnay has spicy ripe pear and green apple flavors, with a
long smooth finish of cream. Yum.
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Escudo Rojo Red 2005 (Chile) $14
Escudo Rojo is the Spanish translation for “red shield”, which
is what the translation of “Rothschild” is in German. The
Mouton-Rothschild family purchased property in Chile back in
1997, and the result is Escudo Rojo. It is comprised of Cabernet
Sauvignon, Carmenere, Cabernet Franc and Syrah and is
full-bodied, has great structure and racy berry flavors. This is
a great deal, and would be twice the price if it were from
anywhere else!
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Anselmi San Vincenzo 2006 (Italy) $12
Made from 80% Garganega, 15% Chardonnay, and 5% Trebbiano, this
honeyed, stony mouthful of rich golden wine has been good for a
very long time. Every vintage, it seems, Roberto Anselmi has
been turning out consistently excellent dry Venetian whites, and
this is an excellent example. It has great grapefruit, apple and
almond flavors and a smooth, refreshing finish. Enjoy with
seafood and light meats.
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Magnificent Wine Company Steak House Wine 2005 (Washington) $12
Winemaker Charles Smith, of K-Vintner’s, has taken the guessing
game out of what wine to serve with what! This is a great steak
wine, with dark plum flavors and well-integrated tannins that
are smooth and seamless.
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Pepperwood Grove Chardonnay 2005 (California) $7
This wine should be in everyone’s fridge at home! It is a dry
Chardonnay from California, with great flavors of tropical
fruit, pear and creamy vanilla oak. This is a very popular
because the wine definitely over-delivers price to quality! A
Chardonnay that can pair with virtually anything cream-based, it
can match wild salmon with rich béarnaise sauce to Mac ‘n
cheese!
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Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005 (California) $27
Intense and rich, this has flavors of black currant, dark
cherry, chocolate and nutmeg. Great value Cab from Napa Valley!
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Moon Mountain Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (California) $32
Owned by the Chalone group, this is all estate fruit from their
rugged hillside vineyards on Mt. Veeder. It has concentrated
flavors of plum, black raspberry and clove. The finish is long
and smooth, with a chocolate note. A great match for beef!
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Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot 2004 (California) $20
So surprisingly complex and well-balanced! This is great
California merlot! It has powerful flavors of blackberry and
spice that meld together beautifully on the velvety finish that
is warm and inviting. Enjoy with cold weather!
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Cline Mourvedre “Ancient Vines” 2005 (California) $15
Cline owns about 85% of all the Mourvedre in California! These
vines average in age between 80-110 years old, resulting in
small, intense grape clusters that add flavor, density, and
complexity to the wine. It has the signature spice that all
Cline wines have, (clove, cinnamon), the notes of olive and red
raspberry flavors, but also it has a deep chocolate note to link
everything together. A very interesting wine indeed!
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Moet Brut “Grand Vintage” 2000 (France) $65
Moet’s Grand Vintage has fine, minute bubbles, it smells of
toast slathered with butter, topped with apples and spice and
finishes long and elegant that is indeed grand!
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Oak Knoll Pinot Noir “Willamette Valley” 2005 (Oregon) $15
Good, inexpensive Oregon Pinot Noir is hard to find, but good
Oregon Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley is virtually
impossible to find for under 20 bucks. Oak Knoll is worth the
hunt! It is an elegant style, with all the Willamette Valley’s
terroir, and flavors of overripe strawberry, spice and soda.
With great acidity, the finish leaves your lips smacking for
more! A must with turkey.
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Trimbach Gewurztraminer 2004 (France) $19
The perfect turkey wine! This dry white wine has spicy apricot
and tropical fruit flavors with white pepper notes and a spicy
finish.
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Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2006 (Washington) $13
Don’t let the fun-loving label fool you! This is seriously good
white wine! Fast becoming the “hip” white from Washington, this
is Charles Smith’s (K-Vintners, House Wine) latest creation.
Comprised of 100% Riesling from the Evergreen Vineyard, this has
peach and apricot notes and a crisp almost effervescent finish.
This is a super Riesling that is way underpriced!
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Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2004 (California) $25
New winemaker Genevieve Jansens is making great wines at this
Napa Valley Icon winery. This benchmark Napa valley cabernet
sauvignon comes from over 20 vineyards throughout the valley,
and in great years such as the 2004, is a great example of what
Napa has to offer. This has the textbook plum, blackberry and
cherry flavors, with a great full body and a succulent long
finish. Great drinking now or cellar for up to 8 years for
future enjoyment.
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Sagelands Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Washington) $11
I have recommended numerous vintages and flavors of this
fabulous winery, but I believe this Cabernet Sauvignon is the
best wine Frederique Spencer has ever made at Sagelands! It
explodes with ripe plum, chocolate and blackberry flavors, a
touch of spice and has a smooth velvety finish. This definitely
a wine worth seeking for!
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Sebastiani Pinot Noir “Russisan River” 2004 (California) $31
This is one of the best Pinot Noir’s from California this year!
It has loads of cherry fruit, cola, an easy texture and a
smooth, gripping finish. This is quite a treat from a winery
that has been consistently great over the years.
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Gray Monk Pinot Gris 2006 (British Columbia) $14
Gray Monk, one of the northernmost wineries in North America
north of the 50th parallel, has been making great wines up in
the great white north since 1982. A favorite of mine in the
past, this vintage marks the 25th vintage of this wine! It has
striking peach and apricot flavors and a crisp, clean zippy
finish. This fine example shows that Canadians, in addition to
making fine beer, can also make great world class wines too!
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I’M Pinot Noir “Willamette Valley” 2005 (Oregon) $37
I’M, which stands for “Isabel Mondavi”, are wines that husband,
Michael and son, Rob produce that she likes to drink! She loves
Sonoma county chardonnay, they make one! She loves rose, and
yes, there is a rose from Napa Valley cabernet! But her choice
for red was Oregon pinot noir, a versatile wine that can be
paired with all sorts of cuisine. Coming from all Willamette
Valley fruit, this has dark cherry and spice notes, with a
seamless texture that is balanced, and a fantastic finish that
leaves you wanting for more! 2005 was a vintage with very low
production, so search this wine out fast!
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Planeta “La Segreta” Rosso 2005 (Italy) $14
One of Sicily’s finest producers, this entry level red blend of
Nero d’Avola, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc explodes in the
mouth with red raspberry and chocolate flavors and a nice
velvety smooth finish. Great with anything with the grill!
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Houghton Shiraz 2004 (Australia) $16
From Western Australia where the climate is considerably cooler,
this complex wine is more of an elegant style than the brutes in
South Eastern Australia. It is floral; with notes of violets,
plums and crushed berries to match the balanced finish of
seamless tannin and fruit. A great summer red for the deck!
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Chateau Du Sancerre 2005 (France) $22
One of the least expensive Sancerres on the market today (due
mostly to the dollar/euro ratio), this is also a great value! It
has bright lemony character with mineral flavors and a zesty
crisp finish.
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Red Door Cellars Pinot Gris Willamette Valley 2005 (Oregon) $16
This has bright citrus, pear and melon notes, with bright
acidity and a crisp refreshing finish. It is a wonderful match
with seafood, especially with Spring Salmon! Made by Laurent
Montalieu, winemaker extraordinaire, who was the winemaker for
Willakenzie in the mid-90’s and is currently the owner/winemaker
of Solena. This is a definite up-and-comer in the Oregon wine
market, and this is worth the search!
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Razor’s Edge Shiraz 2005 (Australia) $10
A huge value from McLaren Vale, as wines from there command at
least twice, sometimes thrice the price! This has great clarity
of plum fruit, with blackberry and graham on the long smooth
finish.
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Edna Valley Chardonnay 2005 (California) $14
Coming from the Paragon Vineyard, a vast single-vineyard in the
Edna Valley, this popular chardonnay over delivers for the
price! In fact, some places have this deeply discounted, so it’s
worth the search! This has lip-smacking flavors of tropical
fruit and vanilla cream that is balanced out by subtle oak
nuances. With a long creamy finish that lingers, this pairs well
with salmon or cream based pasta or salad dishes.
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Rex Goliath Pinot Noir NV (California) $10
This has smooth, velvety cherry cola flavors, with a simple soft
pleasing finish. A great wine to buy in bulk and drink with
salmon all season long.
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Mer Soleil “Silver” Chardonnay 2005 (California) $40
Used to the butter and cream bomb that is signature to Mer
Soleil? Now subtract the butter from the barrel oak aging and
add gobs of tropical fruit and citrus. That’s right, folks, Mer
Soleil now has an unoaked chardonnay and it’s awesome! It can
age for up to five years, if you can wait.
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Cape Mentelle Shiraz 2004 (Australia) $25
Focused blueberry, blackberry and plum flavors are like a laser
beam throughout this complex, well-structured wine. It sneaks up
on you, with the berry flavors present from the very first sip,
then hits you like a ton of bricks with a large, dense body and
a seamless, well-integrated tannic finish. This should last for
up to 10 years in the cellar!
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I’M Rose 2006 (California) $14
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon rose? Are they crazy? The folks
at I’M (Isabelle Mondavi, wife of Michael Mondavi) could get
three times the price if they made this into a red wine. They’re
passionate about rose and it’s a treat to drink. It has ripe
strawberry, citrus and melon flavors with a soft finish of
vanilla.
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Jean-Luc Colombo Rose de Cote Bleue 2006 (France) $12
A beautiful rose from the south of France, this is comprised of
40% syrah, 40% mourvedre, and 20% counoise. It has delicate
notes of raspberry, cherry, sage and black olive.
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Chateau Marouine Cotes de Provence Rose 2005 (France) $13
With the 2006 due to arrive soon, I couldn’t wait, so I am
recommending the 2005. It is a super year, one of the best
according to leading wine pundits, and it still is fresh on the
palate. It is made from mostly syrah, Cinsault and mourvedre and
has bright cherry and melon flavors and a smooth citrus finish.
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Shingleback Grenache Rose 2005 (Australia) $16
Another 2005, it definitely is still fresh! It is made from all
Grenache from the McLaren Vale, the Napa Valley of Australia. It
has juicy watermelon and bright strawberry flavors with a spicy
white pepper finish.
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Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir Carneros 2005 (California) $25
For all you Carneros pinot noir fans, Mondavi has hit its mark,
with rich black cherry and strawberry fruit, supported by caramel
and vanilla notes. A full luscious palate with soft, easy tannins
and a long, lingering finish. Enjoy with some pasta tonight!
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337 Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (California) $14
“337” is the name of a French clone used by Delicato Family
Vineyards in their vineyards in Lodi, California. In years past,
they have sold most of this fruit to very prestigious Napa Valley
wineries to add to their final blends. Not anymore! This big,
brooding Cabernet has delicious plum and ripe dark berry notes,
with a bright, cherry finish that lasts and lasts. A super value
worth searching for!
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Stormhoek Pinotage 2005 (South Africa) $12
Wow! A pinotage that is finally serious. This great mouth-filling
massive wine has a seamless velvety texture, great ripe fruit,
smoke and a spicy finish. A wine from anywhere else would be
thrice the price!
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Sagelands Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Washington) $12
This ever impressive Washingtonian brand’s new release of Cabernet
really hits the mark with its up-front plum and blackberry fruit,
an enjoyable mid-palate of mocha and spice, finishing with a
dollop of spicy oak. Sagelands, the epitome of value from
Washington State!
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Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Non-Vintage (Spain) $8
One of the most popular sparkling wines in the Seattle market
today, the reason is this: It’s good! Once again, Spanish cava
proves that you can get great quality bubbles without breaking the
bank. This has a small, fine mousse, with a nose of apples and
bread, with a nice apple aftertaste. And at this price, you can
bathe in it!
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Sagelands Merlot 2003 (Washington) $12
Smoking hot deals can be found on this wonderful Merlot from the
Columbia Valley! Lush, fruit-forward and oaky, this is not for
people who like restraint. This is big, gutsy Washington Merlot at
its finest for the price of a song!
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Pol Roger Brut Non-Vintage (France) $45
One of the last family-owned Champagne houses, this has a fine
bead of bubbles, great complexity of flavors such as bread dough
and apple pie, a great creamy texture and a long, lingering
finish. This is great champagne for the table, the bathtub, or for
spraying.
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Pendulum Red 2004 (Washington) $27
Coming from some great vineyard sources, this Columbia Valley red
is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc
and a smidge of Barbera. Soft, round, and deftly balanced, this
has great black fruit flavors such as currants, plums and black
cherry. The acidity firms up the soft, supple tannins like an iron
fist in a velvet glove, providing a long smooth finish. This will
improve with age, and should benefit from cellaring for 2-3 years.
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Beaulieu Vineyards Reserve Tapestry 2003 (California) $50
BV is back! This is the finest Tapestry since the 1997, and is in
good supply! This deep, dark forward beauty has nuances of
blackberry, black currant, plum and chocolate. With a solid tannic
backbone, this finishes firm. Let it breath for a few hours before
drinking, as the tannins will soften and you will be rewarded. Or
age for three years in the cellar, but I can’t wait.
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Harlequin “Cuvee Alexander” Red 2002 (Washington) $27
Winemaker and owner Robert Goodfriend is so proud of his Bordeaux
blend, he named it after his son. Impeccably balanced, this is
what I yearn for in new world wines: length. This not only has
girth, with layers of black fruits such as currant, plum and
cherry, but also has seamless tannins and a finish that goes on
and on. A great wine worth the search!
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Red Knot Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Australia) $12
An unusual Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, as it is dry, complex
and tasty for the price. Intense blueberry and blackberry fruit,
this is a value as it is from the McLaren Vale! Most wines at this
price from Australia are from the designation South East
Australia. This is like trying to decide between two wines from
California: one from Napa Valley, and the other from the whole
state of California! More often than not, better grape quality
equals better wine.
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El Coto Rioja Crianza 2002 (Spain) $12
Spanish wine is hot! This Crianza, which means at least one year
of oak aging, has bright berry flavors, rustic leather notes and a
bold spicy finish. Enjoy with your favorite tapa!
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Feudi Rubrato 2004 (Italy) $15
This is one of the best values under twenty bucks around! Rubrato
is a proprietary name of Feudi’s entry level Aglianico; an
indigenous grape from the Campania region in southern Italy dating
back to the Roman times. This is bold, with dark berry and plum
fruit, with smooth mouth-filling tannins and a long finish. This
begs for beef!
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Smoking Loon Viognier 2005 (California) $10
Winemaker and master blender Richard Bruno is a Viognier
specialist, and this vintage it shows! This has a great bouquet of
flowers, apricot and spice. With flavors of peach and apricot and
a spicy finish, this a great value!
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Firesteed Pinot Noir “Willamette Valley” 2001 (Oregon) $24
Please take note this is not the “Oregon” designation that most
are used to. This is the “Willamette Valley” and it takes no
prisoners! Always making wine with value in mind, this is a great
price on the W.V. appellation. A great, complex nose of strawberry
and cherry have flavors to match, finishing with a long cherry
cola aftertaste that is well-balanced with just the right amount
of acidity. This is what aged pinot noir is all about!
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Cellars Fuentes Priorat “El Puig” 2001 (Spain) $33
Priorat is a mountainous region in Spain southwest of Barcelona,
and this is dense stuff! With 40% Grenache, 35% Carignan, 15%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Tempranillo and 2% Syrah, this
is a typical blend from the region. It has deep, dark liqueur-like
flavors of raspberry and blackberry, with jam-like notes of dark
raspberry. It is thick and viscous wine, with a minerality that is
hard to describe. It finishes with seamless tannins that are
smooth and velvety. And to think, this is Cellars Fuentes’s second
label…
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Sella & Mosca Cannonau Riserva 2002 (Italy) $11
This is a beautiful wine from Sardinia, Italy. It is 100%
Grenache, and Italy’s answer to France’s Chateauneuf du Pape. It
has the best of the new and old worlds: new worldly up-front
fruit, with flavors of raspberry, and red currants and a
mouth-watering, dry, old worldly rustic finish. This will make
your BBQ meal a very memorable one!
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Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (New Zealand) $11
Wow. A fantastic spring-sipper! Vivid lime and grapefruit notes
hit you in the face and linger on the bright, lively finish. A
must have for warm weather sipping!
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Pine Ridge Chenin/Viognier 2004 (California) $14
This is dangerous stuff! The tropical fruit and melon flavors meld
so nicely with the crisp refreshing finish, the bottle is nearly
gone before you realize it! This is a unique, seamless blend of
80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier, and it works very well. This is
your patio wine for warm weather!
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Provenance Cabernet Sauvignon “To Kalon” Vineyard 2003
(California) $45
Amazing Cabernet Sauvignon for the price, winemaker Tom Rinaldi
has done it again! Rinaldi, who was Duckhorn’s inaugural winemaker
who stayed for their first 25 years and is now the winemaker for
Provenance, has crafted an amazing value from this highly sought
after vineyard. Most of the Cabernet from this vineyard has
commanded prices of well over $150! This seamless, well-balanced
wine has deep, dense flavors of plum, spice and dark fruit, with
leather and chocolate notes on the finish. This truly is a value,
even at twice the price as it now.
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Trimbach Gewurztraminer 2003 (France) $19
This has everything going for it: great viscosity, up-front fruit
and a dry spicy finish. A perfect match with Spring.
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Anselmi Capitel Croce 2003 (Italy) $16
Time to step it up a notch! This is the cream of the Veneto for
white wine. This outstanding peach-laden wine is chock full of
minerals, yet with the French oak aging, has a good portion of
cream on the finish. Is there a better white wine at this price?
My answer is a resounding “nope.”
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Flora Springs Trilogy 2002 (California) $58
This is a blockbuster! A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and
Cabernet Franc, this wine is the truth. It displays deep flavors
of dark berry, plum and smoke, along with a smooth, long,
lingering finish. Even though it’s drinking great now, keep it in
your cellar for up to ten years.
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Sagelands Cabernet-Merlot “Freddie’s Blend” 2001 (Washington)
$11
“Freddie’s Blend”, a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet
Franc, and 6% Merlot, is a true Bordeaux blend named after
Frenchwoman Frederique Spencer, Sagelands’ outstanding winemaker.
Great up-front fruit, with blackberry and dark fruit notes,
combined with a great structure that develops even more complexity
if decanted. This truly is a steal: it’s better than most $30
Washington State Cabernets, but fits in its nicely compacted $11
bottle. Wow!
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Goose Ridge Vireo 2001 (Washington) $22
A Charlie Hoppes cuvee, this consists of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon,
33% Merlot and 33% Syrah. This wine is called “Vireo” (Veer-ee-oh),
and is named after a small bird often seen in the specific
vineyard this wine is from. Charlie Hoppes has crafted the best
Vireo yet! It has notes of black cherry, chocolate and a bright
seamless finish.
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Wilridge Merlot “Klipsun Vineyard” 2001 (Washington) $34
This is a bargain for Klipsun Vineyard! This small winery is based
out of Madrona in Seattle, but has very good relationships with
all of the top vineyard owners in the state. One of the first
winemakers to produce wine from Klipsun Vineyard, Paul Beveridge
has made a luscious merlot that is built to last. It has great up
front fruit of dark berries and plums, great acidity and
mouthfeel, and a long smooth finish. Enjoy with a large steak!
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Goose Ridge Vireo 2001 (Washington) $22
Made by winemaker extraordinaire Charlie Hoppes, this deep
extracted wine is from the best lots of one of the largest
vineyards in the state of Washington. It has plenty of black
raspberry fruit, chocolate and a hint of cedar in the outstanding
flavors. This is Charlie Hoppes at his best!
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Bertani Due Uve 2004 (Italy) $16
Great white blend from Italy! It consists of 50% Pinot Grigio and
50% Sauvignon Blanc. The great citrus flavors and mouthfeel of
Pinot Grigio combined with the added crispness and lemon notes of
the Sauvignon Blanc make this the perfect wine with Halibut. Wow!
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Anselmi San Vincenzo 2004 (Italy) $12
Made by visionary Roberto Anselmi, who brought Soave back from the
dead, comes this bright, viscous mouthful of wine. Pale in color,
this has a great nose of citrus, minerals and melon. In the mouth,
by adding 20% chardonnay, it has the feel of a much heavier wine,
but without the oak! Very, very good wine for the money!
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Goose Ridge Red Table Wine 2002 (Washington) $16
An estate bottled wine from vineyards adjacent to Red Mountain;
this kitchen sink blend has Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and
Malbec in it. With his pick of the vineyards, winemaker
extraordinaire Charlie Hoppes makes this dense, deep, rich wine.
It has dark complex fruit, good structure and a monstrous finish.
Wow! This is under $30 bucks?
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Newton Claret 2002 (California) $24
Newton’s Claret, another name for Bordeaux blend, is comprised of
Cabernet Franc and the majority is Merlot, with touches of
Cabernet Sauvignon. It is deftly balanced, with black cherry and
vanilla spice notes. It is soft enough on the finish to drink now,
but will age well and will drink great in two years time.
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Ryan Patrick Red Meritage 1999 (Washington) $26
This is a re-release of Ryan Patrick’s debut vintage, and it is
drinking great! A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet
Franc, there is nothing better than finely aged Washington state
reds. This has great cherry fruit, chocolate notes and a smooth
silky finish. This is still a youth, and can be cellared for up to
five more years. This is definitely a wine worth seeking out!
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Chateau Larose-Trintaudon Haut Medoc 2000 (France) $21
The 2000 vintage was a blockbuster, and this is a value from that
vintage. The vintage has been heralded as the “best since 1961”,
and while I haven’t tasted many Bordeaux’s from that spectacular
vintage, the wines I have been able to try have been a combination
of new and old world: big, up-front fruit, but with structure and
an earthiness only Bordeaux can supply. This Haut Medoc is in the
same mold. It has black currant and plum fruit, yet a graphite
earthy note and a dry, soft and supple finish. Yum.
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Orogeny Pinot Noir 2004 (California) $27
From vineyards in the Green Valley, the coolest section of the
Russian River AVA, comes this over the top Pinot Noir. It boasts
the deepest black cherry and a dark strawberry, almost strawberry
compote notes. One of he thickest, most viscous Pinot Noir’s I’ve
ever had, it is syrah-like in structure, but finishes elegant like
a Pinot Noir should. This is Pinot Noir on steroids, and is not
for the meek!
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Pasek Cellars Cranberry (Washington) $12
When I first tried this, I thought, “Great, another syrupy fruit
wine”. Boy was I surprised to find this had concentrated cranberry
fruit, a light body (no heavy syrupy taste), and great acidity!
This is a must to have with your Thanksgiving dinner, and being an
off-dry style, I would even recommend it with spicy cuisine like
Mexican or Asian food. A very surprising bottle of wine!
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Feudi Ognissole Primitivo 2003 (Italy) $18
Primitivo is like crossing a juicy and ripe California Zinfandel
with a finely structured Tuscan red: great fruit and balance so
that one can drink it with food. The 2002 was one of my previous
cellar picks, but there is more of the 2003 vintage, so the
importer dropped its price. The 2003 is a better wine, with
luscious raspberry jam notes and a plush velvety finish. This goes
great with Turkey and is by far the finest Primitivo I have ever
tasted!
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Oberon Merlot 2001 (California) $21
Coming mostly from the Stags’ Leap District, this Napa Valley
Merlot has been made under the supervision of Michael Rolland,
world renowned winemaker that specializes in the varietal. This is
a special wine worth seeking out, as it is the result of a major
Napa Valley Winery’s downsizing of its Reserve program. In fact,
the prestigious winery (which I won’t name) made 80,000 cases of
the 2000 vintage, and only half that during the 2001 vintage. The
other 40,000 cases went into this, and the 2001 Napa Valley
Cabernet as well. The Merlot has great dark berry fruit, with some
clove, spice and chocolate flavors and a big tannic finish. This
wine has everything going for it: great pedigree, it drinks great
now, or you can cellar it for 2-3 years, and there is a lot of it
to be had!
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Pol Roger Brut Non-Vintage (France) $50
One of the last family-owned Champagne houses, this has a fine
bead of bubbles, great complexity of flavors such as bread dough
and apple pie, a great creamy texture and a long, lingering
finish. This is a great champagne for the table, the bathtub, or
for spraying.
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Anselmi San Vincenzo (Italy) $12
Made by visionary Roberto Anselmi, who brought Soave back from the
dead, comes this bright, viscous mouthful of wine. Pale in color,
this has a great nose of citrus, minerals and melon. In the mouth,
by adding 20% chardonnay, it has the feel of a much heavier wine,
but without the oak! Very, very good wine for the money!
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Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (New Zealand) $10
Wow. A 2005 vintage already and it’s fantastic! Vivid lime and
grapefruit notes hit you in the face and linger on the bright,
lively finish. A must have before the weather changes!
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Canoe Ridge Merlot 2002 (Washington) $22
A winner in our panel’s blind tasting, this bright fruited,
well-balanced red is a treat, and a steal for the price! It
exhibits bright cherry, red currant and cedar notes, along with a
vanilla and berry finish. A must-have with grilled pork-chops!
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Masi Campofiorin 2001 (Italy) $15
From the Veneto region in Italy, this great Ripasso wine hits the
mark. It has great bright cherry fruit throughout, and with great
acidity that brightens any food! A must have with your pasta.
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Sagelands Merlot 2002 (Washington) $12
Merlot is still king in Washington State! This outstanding value
comes from four areas in the Inland Empire: Wahluke Slope,
Rattlesnake Hills, Walla Walla and the Horse Heaven Hills.
Striking bright color, this has great notes of cherry and berry
fruit, with a seamless balance of tannin on the finish. Can anyone
to bring a better merlot for the price to the table?
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Clay Station Viognier 2004 (California) $11
Clay Station makes great Viognier, period. It has spicy floral
aromas, and outstanding flavors of apricot, peach and a tinge of
orange blossom. This will pair perfectly with the warmth of summer
and your favorite pasta salad!
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Ryan Patrick Chardonnay 2003 (Washington) $12
Great deal in Washington State Chardonnay! This has lip-smacking
flavors of tropical fruit and vanilla cream that is balanced out
by subtle oak nuances. With a long creamy finish that lingers,
this pairs well with salmon or cream based pasta or salad dishes.
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Pepperwood Grove Syrah 2002 (California) $7
It can’t get any better than this for the money! Chock full of
varietal flavor characters of syrah that is twice, even three
times the price, this is your BBQ party wine for June. It has
great dark berry flavors and a well-balanced finish. Again, this
is a superb value!
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Provenance Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2002 (California) $35
Amazing Cabernet Sauvignon. This up and coming winery from Napa
Valley has one of the valley’s best winemakers, Tom Rinaldi. Mr.
Rinaldi is best known as being the founding winemaker at Duckhorn
vineyards. This robust, dense wine has piercing black fruit
(currant, plum, blackberry) along with earthy mineral and
chocolate flavors. This is one impressive wine, and should benefit
from short-term cellaring to tame the powerful young tannins…if
you can wait that long!
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Woodinville Wine Cellars Merlot 2002 (Washington) $25
A winner in our panel’s blind tasting, this dark brooding merlot
breaks all stereotypes from a certain popular pinot noir movie.
This is very interesting wine, with dark currant fruit, sweet oak
and an ultra smooth/long finish. It’s hard to believe this winery
has only been making wine for 3 vintages…bravo!
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Canoe Ridge Merlot 2002 (Washington) $22
A winner in our panel’s blind tasting, this bright fruited,
well-balanced red is a treat, and a steal for the price! It
exhibits bright cherry, red currant and cedar notes, along with a
vanilla and berry finish. A must-have with grilled pork-chops!
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Sebastiani Merlot Sonoma County 2000 (California) $16
This is the monkey wrench that was in our blind tasting of
Washington merlots because it is from California. This is a huge
tannic wine with good dark fruit characteristics with an oak-laced
finish. Even though it is from the 2000 vintage, this needs a few
years in the cellar to settle down. This is very highly
recommended.
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Pavin & Riley Merlot 2002 (Washington) $12
This is the second vintage from this up-and-comer, and it placed
well in our blind tasting of Washington Merlots. This has a medium
body, good bright cherry notes and a soft, pleasing finish.
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Sockeye Merlot 2001 (Washington) $12
This negociant winery has hit the mark with its merlot. It has
everything Washington merlots are stereotyped about: great fruit,
good texture, soft finish. This will pair well with your summer
BBQ!
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Feudi di San Gregorio Ognissole Primitivo 2002 (Italy) $25
This is the very best Primitivo I’ve ever tasted! Primitivo, a
cousin of Zinfandel is grown predominantly in southern Italy, and
produces great reds to pair with anything grilled. While most are
simple reds that go great with burgers, this is a vast, complex
wine that is a must with peppercorn steak. This has immense
blackberry and black cherry fruit, smoky oak and a finish of earth
seeping with dark spicy fruit. One final word: Yum.
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Pavin & Riley Merlot 2002 (Washington) $11
A gutsy effort for this label! This has all Columbia Valley fruit
and it shows great, deep flavors of dark berry and plum, with a
rich mouth-filling tannic finish that lasts for a very long time.
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Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Knight’s Valley 2000 (California)
$22
This is smooth and well-proportioned cabernet at its best, and for
a great price! It’s gentle soft plum flavors will fool
you…underneath this velvet glove is an iron fist of tannins that
will age gracefully with time.
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Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2000 (California)
$14
This mature wine is ready to open tonight! The sleek blend of blue
fruit, graham, and the chocolate milk finish make this a must have
in the middle of winter.
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Goose Ridge Merlot Columbia Valley 2002 (Washington) $24
Every experience I’ve had with the 2002 vintage wines from
Washington has been very positive. This is a great Washington
merlot from the largest estate vineyard in the state! In fact,
winemaker Charlie Hoppes has his pick from over 1300 acres and the
rest is sold off to Chateau St. Michelle for their various wines.
This is great merlot, with plums, black cherry and earthy notes
and a long smooth finish. Charlie Hoppes has done it again!
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Magnificent Wine Company House Wine 2002 (Washington) $11
Zany Charles Smith has brought us WineSquire’s House wine.
Charles, founder and winemaker of K Vintners has created a simple
label with a picture of a house in black and white. While the
label is simple, the wine is definitely not. Made with grapes
sourced from the Columbia Valley, this is could be called Cabernet
Sauvignon, as there is over 75% cabernet in the delicious blend.
With luscious black fruit, earth and a smooth finish, we’ll just
call it our House Wine.
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Deakin Estate Shiraz 2001 (Australia) $7
If it’s all about bang for your buck these days, then this is your
wine! This has great flavors of dark cherry and raspberry, a touch
of creaminess to the mouthfeel and a great velvety finish. For
about $7, you can’t go wrong.
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Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 (California) $24
Seductively smooth and supple, this is a great value for your
cellar. This is a wine I deem “dangerous” because the bottle is
gone before you know it! It has enticing flavors of black currant,
plum and a hint of leather. Seamless tannins are well integrated
and rear their heads on the long finish, with chocolate overtones.
This can be cellared for up to 5 years, but this is so good now,
why wait?
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Beaulieu Vineyard Chardonnay Carneros 2002 (California) $16
BV has been making great Carneros Chardonnay for many years, and
this could be one of their top ten made in recent memory! This has
clean flavors of nectarine, apple and spicy pear, with some (not
overwhelming) oak notes to it, balancing out with a smooth vanilla
finish. Enjoy with warm spring weather.
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Wyndham Shiraz Bin 555 2001 (Australia) $8
This is one of the oldest wineries coming out of Australia and is
readily available at almost every retail store. It is also the
least expensive it’s been in a few years as well, justifying
making this a value selection. With its blackberry fruit and a
smooth, long forward fruit finish, there’s one last reason this is
on the value list: it’s darn good! |
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Chateau Larose Trintaudon 1999 (France) $13
Almost a cellar pick in past months due to the price, the
wholesaler discounted this to get into the famed 2000 Bordeaux
vintage (2000 was considered the best vintage since ’61 by
national publications). This estate borders Pauillac and Saint
Julien is a neighbor to Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou. This blend has
mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with equal portions of Merlot and
Cabernet Franc. This is just great! It has real, raw power for a
wine of this price. It has great plum and lead pencil aromas, with
red raspberry flavors and a muscular chocolate finish. Should you
not like tannic wines, decant this for an hour, or cellar for 1-2
years to soften.
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Kangaroo Ridge Merlot 2002 (Australia) $7
With vineyards that are “carefully guarded by the many kangaroos
that thrive in the nearby hills” comes this super merlot. Now
Australia is not known for making deep dark merlot, and especially
not for under ten bucks, but this is a screaming deal! This is
dark and rich, with great chocolate, plum, blackcurrant and
eucalyptus flavors. Have this with your next BBQ!
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Lucente 2000 (Italy) $21
This is a joint venture between Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi.
This is comprised of Sangiovese and Cabernet from Frescobaldi’s
Castelgiocondo estate in Montalcino (where their tasty Brunello is
produced) and Merlot from Frescobaldi’s Castiglioni estate
vineyards in Tuscany. This joint effort combines the superb
vineyards of Frescobaldi and the experience and expertise of new
world winemaking from Mondavi. The best of both worlds, I’d say,
because of the resulting wine. This has terrific structure, with
great cherry and mocha notes with a seamlessly smooth finish. A
knockout!
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Avery Lane Syrah Columbia Valley 2001 (Washington) $8
The best tasting of the Avery Lane line is by far the Syrah and is
a superb value. It exhibits dark and concentrated blackberry and
currant flavors, mingled with leather and coffee notes. A wine
this good makes you look twice at the price tag!
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Casa Lapostolle Merlot “Cuvée Alexandre” 2001 (Chile) $21
Casa Lapostolle has come into its own down in Chile. While the
flagship wine, the “Clos Apalta” has received much critical
acclaim from national wine publications; it’s their high-end
merlot that has turned my head. In fact, the “Clos Apalta” is
mostly merlot, and is only made in the better vintages in Chile.
Whatever merlot that doesn’t make it into this fabulous wine goes
into the Cuvée Alexandre Merlot. This dark brooding wine has smoky
bacon and black raspberry notes, with layers of other dark, rich
fruit such as plum and black currant. This concludes with rich
chocolate and toast nuances on the long, rich and seamless finish.
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Joseph Phelps “Le Mistral” 2000 (California) $23
A fine blend of 46% Syrah, 22% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10%
Carignane, 6% Alicante Bouschet, 6% Petite Sirah. Do these
varietals sound foreign to you? It’s easier just calling this
California’s version of France’s Chateauneuf du Pape. These
traditional Rhone grapes have been flourishing here in California
and have great flavors of dark fruit, just the right amount of
spice and a long smooth finish. A must-have with steak!
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Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon “Alexander Valley” 2001
(California) $27
Dark and brooding, this complex wine will not disappoint even the
toughest critic! Ripe black currant, plum, spice, leather and
chocolate flavors are layered in a full-bodied frame. With a
smooth chocolate finish, enjoy this with hearty fare, or cellar to
mellow out the gigantic flavors.
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Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon “Coastal” 2001
(California) $10
Coming from an outstanding vintage for California is this charming
little cabernet from BV. This is medium to full bodied, has good
garnet color, great flavors of black fruit and dark cherry and a
smooth, warm, and toasty vanilla finish. This is one of the best
from the “Coastal” category I’ve tasted in some time.
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Sebastiani Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2002 (California) $13
Sebastiani has making great wines since the early 1900’s, and this
Pinot Noir is very impressive! Extremely rich and concentrated,
this luscious red boasts great flavors of red currants, cherries
and floral aromas. With great balance of acidity and a seamless
finish, this wine can be enjoyed now, or cellared for a few years.
At this price and because of how good this is now, why wait?
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Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay Sonoma County 2001 (California) $12
This is one of California’s finest values in Chardonnay. With
pinpoint balance, this Chardonnay exhibits clean tropical fruit,
spicy pear and apple nuances and creamy vanilla oak…and the price
is so right! There’s even money left over to buy Christmas
presents!
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Terrazas Malbec 2002 (Argentina) $11
This is the highest quality grape grown in Argentina, and because
of the climate down in that country, Argentina is producing high
quality wines for cheap. This Malbec is drinking like a wine three
times the price! This has rich dark fruit, coffee notes, currants,
chocolate and an ultra smooth finish that lingers.
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Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon “Alexander Valley” 2001
(California) $27
Dark and brooding, this complex wine will not disappoint even the
toughest critic! Ripe black currant, plum, spice, leather and
chocolate flavors are layered in a full-bodied frame. With a
smooth chocolate finish, enjoy this with hearty fare, or cellar to
mellow out the gigantic flavors.
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Joseph Phelps Viognier Napa Valley 2002 (California) $30
Viognier is a white wine grape best known in the northern region
of France, where it is revered. This is a very delicate grape, and
poor versions of this come off as sweet. This particular bottling
from Joseph Phelps is anything but sweet. With its vibrant floral
qualities and distinctive nose of ripe pear, honey and stone
fruit, and its great oily texture make this California version
comparable to the great Viognier of France’s Condreiu. While most
Viognier should be drunk young, aging will develop richness. But
why wait?
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Meridian Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 (California) $9
With flavors of blackberry, plum, licorice and currant, this fruit
forward wine is a steal! This readily available wine is
surprisingly complex and pairs well with tight budgets.
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Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir Non-Vintage (California) $17
A perennial favorite of mine, this outstanding bubbly from the
Sonoma Valley has it all: great pale-salmon color, tight bubbles,
and great flavors of cherry, strawberry and toast. This is great
for drinking and spraying (the price is right!).
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Byron Pinot Noir Santa Maria 2000 (California) $22
Great cherry, berry and cola notes, followed by a silky smooth
vanilla finish, make this a must at the Christmas dinner table. It
has great depth, color, and acidity enough to last for three to
five years.
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Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon “Rutherford” 1999
(California) $23
A recent return to the retail market (the wine was only available
in fine restaurants in the Seattle area), this fine bottling from
BV comes from vineyards only in the area of Rutherford smack in
the middle of the Napa Valley. With the unique soil conditions,
there deems a term called “Rutherford Dust” that gives this
Cabernet Sauvignon a unique earthy flavor. This earthiness, along
with flavors of cassis, black cherry and coffee make for a complex
wine. The long smooth finish tempts wine lovers to open now, but
patience will be rewarded with short term cellaring. In a couple
years (if you can wait that long), enjoy this with a nice hearty
steak.
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Balcom & Moe Merlot 1998 (Washington) $13
Rich and ripe, this Washington State Merlot exhibits plenty of
currant, plum and chocolate flavors to satisfy the biggest Merlot
drinker. Great complexity, great depth and a great long milk
chocolate finish.
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Arrowood Chardonnay Sonoma County 1999 (California) $26
Balance and precision are key words when describing this wine. It
is very complex, full bodied, and supple tasting of roasted nuts,
pineapple and citrus with an ultra long finish. Enjoy this with a
multitude of dishes, goes great with cream based sauces.
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Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 1997 (Italy) $60
Yes, I am jumping on the “Brunello Bandwagon” because of the 1997
vintage, but there isn’t anything I don’t like about this wine,
and it isn’t going to be available for much longer! This wine
exhibits all of the dark fruits (cassis, black cherry, blackberry,
etc.), with hints of tobacco, chocolate and cedar. Very full
bodied and very extracted, allow breathing time before drinking…in
fact, open when lighting the grill to give it some “air time” and
have it with a big steak!
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Hyatt Cabernet-Merlot 1999 (Washington) $8
This tasty Bordeaux style blend aims for delicacy and elegance,
offering pretty red currant and berry flavors laced with cedar and
spice notes, finishing soft and smooth. This is your perfect wine
for everyday consumption!
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Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon “Georges de Latour” 1998
(California) $75
Ultra rich and smooth, this has to be the best 1998 Cabernet I
have tasted out of California yet! Being skeptical of the vintage,
this wine shows well and actually has some guts to it. This wine
has great dark ruby color with great concentration of bright
cherry and milk chocolate flavors to start. Following the initial
flavors of cherry and chocolate, layers of dark forest fruit,
anise, cedar and earth run throughout. Be very choosy when
deciding upon a California wine that is the 1998 vintage of this
caliber and price, but this is the wine that shines from that
vintage!
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Deakin Estate Shiraz 2000 (Australia) $9
This shiraz will surely not disappoint your barbecue meal, with
great flavors of blackberry, cherry and a soft finish.
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Greg Norman Cabernet Merlot Limestone Coast 2000 (Australia)
$15
How can a wine be so ripe and yet be so soothingly soft? It has
all the great ripe flavors, with no biting aftertaste. This great
value from Down Under has very ripe flavors of currant, plum and
white pepper, with a pleasing soft chocolate finish. Great wine to
go with the Barbecue!
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Robert Mondavi Zinfandel Napa Valley 1999 (California) $21
A subtle monster…This high alcohol red Zinfandel starts out with
smooth raspberry and white pepper flavors, finishing with bright
cherry and milk chocolate. And this doesn’t melt in your mouth,
after the second sip, the vastness of this wine rears it’s
beautiful head. This is a deep, concentrated wine that will drink
very well over the next five to six years.
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Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay Sonoma County 2000 (California) $13
Blended with 30% of the total production from their highly touted
“Robert Young Vineyard”, this great ultra smooth Chardonnay has
spicy pear, baked apple and citrus flavors with a perfect balance
of oak. This great balance of up-front fruit and oak make this
wine a steal of a bargain!
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Ironstone Zinfandel 2000 (California) $10
From a small, family owned and operated winery located in the
Sierra Nevada foothills comes this spectacular value in Zinfandel.
Flavors are dominated by dark fruits such as plum, currant and
black cherry, followed by white pepper and finishing with smooth
milk chocolate. Enjoy this with a large steak!
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Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial NV (France) $44
Buy It!
There is some graceful notes on the nose: perfume, flowers and
spice. It has a creamy mouth-feel with a honeyed, subtle, sexy
finish. This is a great Non-Vintage Brut!
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Sherwood Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2000 (New
Zealand) $11
This New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is just plain great. It has lush
fruit, with typical citrus and lemon flavors and a mouthful of
asparagus on the finish, balanced by great minerals and acid.
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Chateau Souverain
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 (California) $35
Chateau Souverain has broken away from the norm with this fine
bottling! With flavors of cassis, currant and chocolate and a long
ever so smooth finish, this wine compares to its high quality
Californian brethren that charge over $100 per bottle! This jewel
has just been released on the market, and has everything going for
it: the name, the vintage, and most of all the quality in the
bottle. This is the value of the cellar list!
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Gray Monk Pinot Gris 2000 (Canada) $9
With a nice viscous mouth-feel, this bright dry white is chock
full of apple, pear and flinty flavors and a crisp finish. A must
have with shellfish, lemon chicken or by itself.
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Freemark Abbey Chardonnay Napa Valley 1999 (California) $17
This Chardonnay from the Napa Valley is ripe, rich and
full-bodied, with layers of toasty pear, tangerine, butter and
cream, holding its flavors on a long detailed finish. A good value
from a great producer!
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Torres Sangre de Toro 2000 (Spain) $9
Deep ruby color with a hint of ochre. Rich complex aromas with
exuberant notes of spices and blackberries. Velvety tannins are
noted on the palate with elegant flavors of licorice and small
dark forest fruits. Great with Spanish cheese and meat dishes!
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Waterbrook Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 (Washington)
$22
Hungering for an elegantly long wine? This wine is by no means
made in the new world style, with huge mouth filling tannins that
coat teeth and finish with that puckering feeling…this wine is a
subtle version that has great flavors of plums, black currants and
raspberries with light cedar notes on the finish. This is a wine
of great complexity and length.
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Beringer Chardonnay Napa Valley 1999 (California) $15
Rich aromas of ripe Golden Delicious apples and creamy oak, this
mouthwatering Chard puts fruit first, then trims the fat with
vanilla oak but with just enough acid to make the fruit and oak
balance perfectly. This wine is great with cream based dishes and
poultry.
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Waterbrook Melange 2000 (Washington) $11
Previous vintages have been recommended on this site before, but
the price has dropped and this wine is too good to pass up! This is
an absolute stunning blend consisting of Sangiovese, Syrah, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc with immense depth and great
flavors of cherry, currant and a long soft finish. This wine is
perfect for you bargain shoppers!
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Markham Petite Sirah 1998 (California) $23
Deep, intense, concentrated…shall I go on? Dark fruit: black
cherry and black currant contrasted by spicy white pepper flavors
that last quite a long time on the finish. A huge wine with very
ripe fruit flavors that can be cellared for the next few years.
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Balcom & Moe Merlot 1998
(Washington) $15
Rich and ripe, this Washington State Merlot exhibits plenty of
currant, plum and chocolate flavors to satisfy the biggest Merlot
drinker. Great complexity, great depth and a great long milk
chocolate finish.
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Michel Chapoutier Cotes
du Rhone 1999 (France) $12
You’ll recognize this wine from France with the braille label on the
front, the only brand that labels in braille (Michel Chapoutier has
a blind relative that he does this for). This blend of Syrah and
Grenache is medium bodied and has black currant fruit that should
drink well for the next couple of years.
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Byron Pinot Noir Santa
Maria Valley 1998 (California) $21
Great barnyard nose of earth, cherry and leather on this under
priced Pinot Noir from California. Great flavors of cherry, cola,
strawberry and minerals and a good backbone of soft elegant tannin.
Finishes with smooth cherry-cola flavors that don’t quit!
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Beaulieu Vineyard
Carneros Pinot Noir 1999 (California) $16
Carneros, a region in California known for its cool climate, is
ideal for growing Pinot Noir. This Pinot Noir is a perfect example
of how the Carneros region balances power, elegance and finesse. It
has flavors of bright cherry, smoke, cola and vanilla oak. The great
smooth finish of cherry will go well with your turkey on
Thanksgiving!
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Lange Pinot Gris
Willamette Valley 1999 (Oregon) $12
Lange is a small producer of fine Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris is
located in the Red Hills of Dundee, Oregon. This dry white wine has
flavors of green apple and pear that are accented by a crisp, zippy
finish. Great with almost anything!
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Grant Burge Barossa Valley Shiraz 1999 (Australia) $10
What great balance of spice, fruit and oak! Flavors of pepper and
dark blackberry fruit is balanced with a whisper of oak on the
finish, this newcomer to Seattle has started out with a bang! Enjoy
with your summer’s end BBQ.
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Cline California Zinfandel 1999 (California) $10
Full bodied and loaded with fruit, this Zinfandel is dancing a jig
on your tongue! With bright raspberry fruit flavors and the typical
clove and olive overtones, this wine is like a freshman starting on
the varsity team: so young and oh so good!
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Masi Campofiorin 1997 (Italy) $12
This unique wine is made from the ripasso process, where the
winemaker semi-dries the grapes before pressing them. This
increases concentration, alcohol content and ageability. It is
rich, full bodied, round and velvety and screams for food. Enjoy!
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Jacuzzi Zinfandel Contra
Costa (California) $40
Made by Cline Vineyards, this is their top of the line Zinfandel,
named aptly after relatives who invented the “large jetted tub”.
With Cline’s signature brambleberry, clove, and olive flavors, this
deep and complex red wine also displays flavors of raspberry,
chocolate and tar. A long lasting finish that softly lingers for
close to a minute is the encore to this multi-faceted wine. This
Zinfandel, while always good with BBQ steak, is a meal in itself!
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Gloria Ferrer Carneros
Chardonnay (California) 1999 $17
Very focused Chardonnay from Carneros, with intense apple, citrus
and mineral flavors throughout. Great viscosity in the mouth, this
full-bodied Chardonnay has a long cream filled finish, and
definitely is a great value to enjoy now, or cellar for two years
for added complexity.
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Balcom & Moe Cabernet
Sauvignon 1997 (Washington) $18
This fine wine, from the Tri-City area in Washington State, reveals
big up front flavors of black cherry and chocolate. Medium bodied,
this wine has a good backbone of tannins that balance the flavors
with the smooth finish. Great Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon
for under $20 bucks!
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Beaulieu Vineyard
Carneros Chardonnay 1999 (California) $19
This dynamic Chardonnay layers a dense, concentrated fleshy fruit
over a core of mineral tones. The potent mineral flavors, matched
with just enough citrus and apple nuances make for a well- balanced
dry white wine.
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Cline Fulton Road Zinfandel (California) 1998 $30
Black in color, this velvety Zinfandel has the concentration meter
off the board! Great depth of flavors, starting with deep
blackberry and leather and finishing off with the typical
cult-like clove and olive finish that Cline is known for. Very
smooth, very rich, and very Zin! Even on the “difficult” vintage
of 1998, this gem shines through.
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Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 1998 (California) $68
Chuck Wagner has done it again! From a spotty vintage at best,
Caymus has done extensive vineyard work to produce this
outstanding wine. An extraordinary wine that is dense, earthy and
rich, with big powerful tannins and layers of complex dark fruit,
earth and mineral flavors. It keeps its tight focus on the long,
rich detailed aftertaste.
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Domain Chandon Brut Fresco Non-Vintage (Argentina) $13
Like a symphony, this Sparkling Wine from Argentina shows great
depth and range for the price. This "bubbly" has citrus
and dough flavors throughout, with a firm finish for balance. This
is very rich, a great value and drinks well on warm summer nights.
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Waterbrook Sauvignon Blanc 1999 (Washington) $8
Refreshing as the cool spring rain, this wonderful Washington
White has a dangerous side. The wine is too easy to drink! Ripe
peach and citrus flavors, followed by a crisp finish make this
wine enjoyable for a long hot summer.
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Markham Napa Cabernet 1997 (California) $27
There are very few 1997 California Cabernet Sauvignon's left, but
this one just was released. This wine has dark garnet color, with
flavors of plum and dark fruit, followed by a silky smooth finish.
This remarkable wine truly displays the outstanding 1997 vintage.
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Alderbrook OVOC Zinfandel 1998 (California) $16
From hand-selected grapes where the vines are heavily pruned, this
wine has great flavors of raspberries and bright cherry, followed
by great spice and a dollop of cream. OVOC stands for "Old
Vines Old Clones."
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Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz 1998 (Australia) $14
Layers of black currant, mineral, spice, chocolate and smoke
unfold in this ripe, rich and complex Shiraz, finishing in a long
smooth aftertaste. This is a very appealing and elegant wine for
the money. What a great deal from the growing popularity of
Australian wines!
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Beringer Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 (California) $100
The 1996 is an intensely structured blend of Cabernet Sauvignon
from the Howell Mountain vineyards (Tre Colline and Bancroft) and
the St. Helena vineyards (Home and Chabot) some of the finest in
California. The wine opens with the classic notes of ripe cherries
with rich tannins and concentrated flavors of black currants, mint
and cedar, cassis, light minty herbs. The new French oak barrels
add complex flavors of vanilla, spice and toasty oak, but it also
has a whole other dimension of aromas and flavors: hints of cocoa,
roasted coffee beans, even tobacco and licorice. In the nose and
in the mouth, this wine just keeps revealing itself a great wine
that will age gracefully for years to come.
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Beaulieu Vineyards
Georges de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 (California) $100
This bottle is one of the reasons why the national publication
writers are proclaiming the 1997 vintage as the best of the
decade! Ripe and rich, with complex layered flavors of chocolate,
earth, dark fruit and minerals that are balanced by a long,
extensive finish. If you haven't the patience to cellar for four
plus years, this wine goes great with a big fat steak!
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Casa Lapostolle Merlot
"Cuvée Alexandre" 1998 (Chile) $23
This highly extracted merlot exhibits smoke, currants and red
berry flavors. These flavors, along with tight uniform structure,
allow the flavors to hit in waves. Drink this with steak, veal, or
lamb. A tannic monster of a wine, lie down for a few years, or
open and let breathe for an hour before consuming.
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Mer Soleil Chardonnay
1998 (California) $36
This full-blown white has rich flavors of honey, tropical fruit
and sweet toasty oak. The malolactic fermentation and barrel aging
gives this wine great mouth feel and incredible structure with a
long, lingering, intense finish.
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Cline "Big
Break" Zinfandel 1998 (California) $20
Cline, who provides 85% of the Mourvedre they grow to the entire
state of California, is also known for their great Zins. This
single vineyard bottling has a one-two punch of jammy raspberry
and spice flavors, and finishes with clove, chocolate and raisins.
Drink this with a variety of beef and game, and especially with
chocolate!
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Waterbrook Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 (Washington) $25
This Walla Walla valley favorite sports a dark garnet color with
flavors to match: black cherry and blackberry, with aromas of
spice, tar and violets. The finish is chewy and lingering, but
soft enough to not overwhelm. Great with lamb or beef!
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Chateau La Fleur D'Or
Sauterne 1998 (France) $9
Super Value in dessert wine! Taste apricot, honey, melon and peach
in this charming bottle. Sweet yet well balanced. Goes well with
romance (Saint Valentine would love this wine on his celebration
day!).
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Castello Banfi Brunello
di Montalcino 1995 (Italy) $50
This dry Italian red is made from 100% sangiovese grosso. It is
medium bodied, has firm tannins to complement the bright fruit,
and a long velvety finish. A great wine for long-term cellar
aging.
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Michel Chapoutier Cotes
du Rhone 1998 (France) $11
ATTENTION RHONE FANS: This one just came off the ship! Black
cherry, earth tones and hints of vanilla dominate this beautiful
wine. Basic laws of supply and demand apply to this wine. The
supplier has been out of this for months and remarkably they gave
us more of the famed 1998 vintage. Get it while the getting is
good!
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Waterbrook "Klipsun
Vineyard" Sauvignon Blanc 1999 (Washington) $8
This has just been released by the winery, and it is outstanding!
Peaches and citrus fruit dominate the flavors, with a crisp lemon
grass finish that is quite refreshing. From a great Washington
producer, comes this quality single vineyard bottling at a can't
turn down price. Enjoy this with a variety of white meats and
light sauced dishes, or all by itself.
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