Pinot Gris, Oregon, $13
A to Z produces some excellent wines and this does not disappoint, with a nose of rich tropical fruit. The palate pops of nectarine, tangerine, pineapple and hint of buttered pop corn. This full-bodied white wine is rich and ripe with balanced acids and structure. A long and lingering finish makes this [...]
Posts Tagged ‘best buy’
25 May
2006 A to Z Pinot Gris 90 points
22 May
2005 Falesco Pesano Merlot 91 points
Merlot, Umbria, $16
Wow, this is why I love Merlot, value, style and intensity. Medium-bodied, lush fruit with chocolate, blackcherrie, leather and spice. This intensely concentrated, multi-layered Merlot is an oak bomb that finishes off with vanilla and caramel. This wine represents why Umbria makes some of the best large production wines on the market. This [...]
21 May
2007 Felton Road Riesling 91 points
Riesling, Central Otago, $22
I love Rieslings and this is the reason why, a little sweetness, lots of tropical fruit and great aging potential. A nose of pink grapefruit, lemon zest and stone with a palate of exploding tropical fruit. Medium body with a lush mouth feel and balanced acids, with a smooth long finish. Drink [...]
13 May
2006 Kingston Family Tobiano 91 points
Pinot Noir, Casablanca Valley, $15
This wine is very seductive, with a flowery nose offset by black cherry. Meaty and earthy with heavy notes of bitter chocolate, caramel, and vanilla flavors stemming from new oak. Very nice Pinot Noir from Chile but very different from typical California of Oregon styles. Drink now.
7 May
2006 Tait The Ball Buster 93 points
2006 Red Wine from Barossa Valley, Australia $16
I tasted this blend of 78% Shiraz, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot three times over the day and could not get enough. Beautiful inky color, with a nose of dark fruit, earth, spice and dark chocolate. Soft and lush on the palate, with blueberry pie, espresso, leather [...]
4 May
2006 Stonecap Riesling 90 points
2006 Stonecap Riesling (Columbia Valley); $11
A real lipsmaker, with a great balance between acidity and sweetness. I find this Washington State Riesling very stylish and a great value for 11 bucks. Crisp pineapple, melon, granny smith apple and a underlying layer of spice. It finishes off tangy and tart framed by vibrant acidity, drink [...]
3 May
2005 Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 95 points
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla); $20
I gave this Cab 2 extra points because of the price, even at 93 points, 20 bucks is a killer price. Perfectly executed and drinkable now, amazing layers of flavors with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 76%, Merlot 14%, Syrah 9%, Malbec 1%. Blackberry, black cherries, cassis, earth and spice [...]
30 Apr
2005 Ruffino Modus 91 points
Red Blend, Toscana, $20
Big production wines normally don’t thrill me, I like boutique producers that are more difficult to find. I decided to try this one and was not disappointed. Deep ruby red hue, this blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot is very impressive with richness and refinement. Balanced and dry, it [...]
26 Apr
2006 L’Ecole No. 41 Sémillon 92 points
Sémillon, Seven Hills Vineyard Estate, Walla Walla (WA), $20
Delicious and ripe, one of best Sémillon I’ve ever tasted and with a good punch of achohol. Very clean and creamy with green apple, melon, kiwi and honeysuckle with just the right amount of oak. Barrell-fermenting helps add balance and tempers the acidity and brings out toasty [...]
25 Apr
2004 Geyser Peak Walking Tree Vineyard 93 points
Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, $22
A big Cab is always a big deal to me and this one is dynamite, big, rich and powerful. This cab is young but very approachable and food friendly and will only get better in the cellar till 2013. This wine needs some air to open up, with it’s deep ruby [...]
