WINECENTRIC

DOMAINE WACHAU FEDERSPEIL "TERRASSEN" GRUNER VELTLINER - 2008

2009-12-01T16:51:00.008-05:00

From Austria with 12% alcohol. 100% Gruner Veltliner.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale gold tinted hue with lychee, apples and pears on the nose. Medium-bodied with citrus and dominant candy banana "circus peanuts" on the mid-palate. Good acidity and great depth of flavor.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88+ PTS

This is a very solid offering for this varietal. Gruner Veltliner can sometimes be too thin or drift into sour acidity. This has a great balance of ripe fruit and acid. Clean, dry but with a touch of sweetness. Retails for somewhere around $16 making it a good value for the quality in the bottle.

BOGLE PHANTOM 2007

2009-11-30T15:55:00.001-05:00

A blend of 54% Petite Sirah, 43% Zinfandel, and 3% Mourvedre. 14.8% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Deep red color with aromas of chocolate, oak, cranberry-blackberry and charred oak. On the palate lots of black and red fruits, spice and vanilla oak. Plum on the finish. Big tannins and a weighty wine with some serious backbone.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS

Not sure if this vintage is as good as the past two. Always a Halloween wine for me that pairs well with hearty dishes or even chocolate. Still a solid effort for $17 a bottle but not as robust and had me longing for the past.

PARAISO SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS PINOT NOIR - 2007

2009-11-28T15:48:00.004-05:00

14.3% alcohol. Monterey County.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with concentrated wild berries and cherries on the nose. Black cherry pie filling, smoke, spice and oak. Some minerality.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

Defintiely not as delicate as I traditionally prefer from Pinot. This has some weight and alcohol to boot. The alcohol gets a little in the way but is not completely out of balance. Good ripe fruit and well-made. Retails for around $22.

GROONER GRUNER VELTLINER - 2008

2009-11-20T12:41:00.006-05:00

100% Gruner Veltliner from Austria. 12% alcohol. A Meinhard Forstreiter wine.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale gold color with sour apples, flowers and lemon on the nose. Grapefruit and green apple/pear on the palate. Lots of citrus with sharp acidity and sweet hints of honey on the finish. Crisp and clean.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

Meinhard Forstreiter makes great Gruner. I have always been a fan of their Tabor. This lower priced entry is a great value. Pairs great with salads, stir fried vegetables or light fish dishes. Well-balanced acidity and flavor. Suggested retail is around $15 but you can find this as low as $10 making it a real steal. A good starter wine for Thanksgiving.

COLUMBIA-CREST RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2006

2009-11-13T23:49:00.003-05:00

From Columbia Valley, Washington State. Blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color. Very smooth with aromas of cocoa, dark cherries, and vanilla oak. On the palate there's lots of sweet tannins, mint, dusty cocoa, black cherry candy finish. Not a huge Cabernet by California or Washington standards. Medium bodied but still has some boldness.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89+PTS

The 2005 vintage of this wine received a 95 point score from Wine Spectator and is most likely in contention for a spot among the Top 10 wines of year on their forthcoming list. This effort is clearly not the same as the prior vintage but still enjoyable. For $25 a bottle, there's still great value here. I found the wine to be a bit too fruit forward and sweet at times. It begs for food and is not as enjoyable on its own.

ARGYLE BRUT SPARKLING WINE - 2002

2009-11-09T12:16:00.004-05:00

12% alcohol. 75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir. Oregon.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow color with a nose of apple, yeast, custard and green tea. On the palate, apple, citrus and toast dominate. As it evolves in the glass the wine takes on beer-like flavors on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88+ PTS

Good acidity and value. For $20 this is a solid offering in the sparkling wine/Champagne category. Has some finesse and craft like a grower's Champagne without the hefty price tag. A really nice leap above the low-mid level sparkling wines. A welcomed surprise.

ERATH PINOT NOIR - 2007

2009-10-28T16:31:00.005-04:00

13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Translucent cherry red color. Nose of oak, damp earth and berries. Black cherry, charred oak, and vanilla on the palate. Simple, straightforward with decent acidity.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

Looks and feels like a better Pinot Noir than it actually is. The alcohol doesn't quite seem in balance with the fruit. A somewhat lackluster effort. The bouquet is muted and the fruit is masked by faint oak. Wish this had more biting acidity or more upfront fruit. It is a drinkable Pinot but at $18 a bottle it is a disappointment. Pass.

CHATEAU DE FONBEL - 2005

2009-10-16T16:58:00.005-04:00

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark vibrant purple color with a black/blue fruit and pencil lead on the nose. Lots of black currant, cassis, pencil shavings, minerality and a hint of smoke. Very bitter mouth-drying tannins. Astringent with plum notes on the finish as wine opens up.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 - 90+ PTS

This is a very good wine but its too young right now. Loads of potential but needs time in the bottle. Give it a few years and this wine could be a tremendous steal at $19 a bottle.

ALBERT MANN PINOT BLANC AUXERROIS - 2007

2009-10-10T15:40:00.003-04:00

12.5% alcohol. Vin D'Alsace.

TASTING NOTES:

Cool gold color with grapefruit, lime and Riesling aromas. Crisp lemon-lime-orange citrus, flowers, definitive acidity, yet smooth and lush. Some sweetness on the mid-palate. Great minerality, peach notes, and sharp-bitter hints on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92 PTS

What a sensational wine. The is a Riesling disguised as a Pinot Blanc. The peach, citrus, minerality is like a Riesling lurking underneath. Yet this wine has its own distinct style and character that keeps revealing itself. Drank over several days and paired with food it always delivered. At $15 a bottle, this is simply excellent.

POGGIO AL TESORA MEDITERRA TOSCANA - 2006

2009-10-01T18:53:00.001-04:00

14% alcohol. Super Tuscan blend of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark cherry red color. Aromas of cherries and black currants. Sweet tannins, with a hint of oak, black currants and cherry cola. Charred oak on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

For $18 this is a great Super Tuscan at an affordable price. Wine Spectator gave this wine a 92 point score, which I'm not sure it delivers. That said, it is difficult to find this kind of quality in Super Tuscan without paying a lot more. Well worth the price tag.

SOGRAPE VINHOS CALLABRIGA DAO - 2006

2009-09-27T18:21:00.003-04:00

13% alcohol. From Portugal. Blend of Tinto Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro Preto.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with aromas and flavors of blackberry, restrained vanilla oak, mulberries, black cherry, and tobacco-tea-leather finish.. Well-integrated tannins and alcohol. Big robust fruit with elegance and softness on the mouthfeel.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

Very solid wine for $11. It won't wow you but a shining star in the price category. Portugal continues to be a go to region for stellar inexpensive wines.

DARTING DURKHEIMER MICHELSBURG RIESLING KABINETT - 2007

2009-09-18T10:22:00.003-04:00

TASTING NOTES

Light gold color with aromas of citrus and fruit candy on the nose. Flavors of peach, apricot and citrus fruits are off-set by minerality and good acidity. Lots of residual sugar for a Kabinett. Some caramel on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

For $14 this is a great wine. Very balanced and delicious. If you like your Kabinetts tilted more toward the dry end this wine won't be for you. It definitely has a sweeter edge.

LEITZ RUDESHEIMER MAGDALENENKREUZ RIESLING SPATLESE - 2007

2009-09-07T18:26:00.003-04:00

8% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Good golden color with peach, lime, and lots of tangyness and mid-level acidity and sweetness. Some petrol on the nose. Minerality on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87+ PTS

Solid effort and a definite crowd-pleaser. Very easy drinking. Retails for around $17 making this a bit of reach on the cost side. Comparable Rieslings can be found for less.

CHATEAU TOUR SERAN - 2005

2009-08-30T20:58:00.004-04:00

Medoc, 13.5% alcohol. 65% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Verdot.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with smoky char-grill on the nose. Black currant dominates the palate with black cherry and oak on the finish. Very saturated ripe fruit with sweet tannins on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

Definitely shows off the strength of the 2005 Bordeaux vintage. A structured and flavorful wine with a bit of power and finesse. For $25 a bottle this is a pretty good offering from a pricey vintage.

JOH. JOS. PRUM GRAACHER HIMMELREICH AUSLESE - 2005

2009-08-25T22:19:00.004-04:00

8% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Lots of frizzante. Gold in the glass. Aromas of peach, flint, flowers and citrus. Flavors of green apple, peach, and lime. Minerality with tremendous balance, sweetness and just the right tart acidity on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

94 PTS

Phenomenal balance. Weightless, easy to drink. A delightful wine with great purity. What's not to love about this one? Retails for around $40.

CHATEAU MONTELENA NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2001

2009-08-17T16:11:00.005-04:00

14% alcohol. 80% Cabernet and 20% Merlot.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple color with wood pencil and black fruit on the nose. Flavors of pencil shavings, blackberry, black currants, plum-raisin. Oak on the finish is joined by dusty tannins with some sweetness.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

Low yields and high quality grapes pay off in the bottle. This wine seems to be in perfect drinking shape after a few years in the cellar. Highly enjoyable. Great structure, length and balance. Solid all around for $38 a bottle.

TUA RITA ROSSO DEI NOTRI TOSCANA - 2007

2009-08-02T09:19:00.003-04:00

A blend of 60% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a dash of Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Tuscany, Italy with 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark cherry red color with aromas and flavors of tart cherries, minerals, red fruits, herbs and spices. Vanilla oak on the finish. Considerable amount of acidity. Medium-bodied.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

Well made but lacks excitement. Falls into the middle ground where its somewhat enjoyable but leaves you wishing you opened a different bottle that night. Much better with food but the wine sort of flattens out. ALmost feels like its relying on its Tua Rita name to get by. Retails for $20 making it a pass.

GUNDERLOCH NACKENHEIM ROTHENBERG RIESLING SPATLESE - 2007

2009-07-24T16:37:00.003-04:00

8.5% alcohol. German white wine.

TASTING NOTES:

Golden yellow color with frizzante. Orange creamsicle nose with peach, citrus and near-perfect acidity. Tremendous balance of sweetness and structure. Bright, zippy, vibrant.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92 PTS

This is a wonderful wine with great balance and flavor. If it had more complexity this would probably be a very high scoring wine. Retails for around $37 a bottle. Some bottle age might help this wine improve. Plenty of potential.

ANDES PEAKS SELECT CABERNET SAUVIGNON - NV

2009-07-20T14:20:00.008-04:00

Andes Peak Select is Chile's first ever premium bag-in-a-box wine offered in 3 Liter format. Farmed grapes from winemaker Antonio Bravo, a protege of Alvaro Espinoza, South America's foremost pioneer of organic and sustainably farmed wines. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

TASTING NOTES:

Medium red color with red fruit on the nose. Iconic earthy loam from Chile, oak, dry tannins, raspberry and cranberry flavors. Some tartness on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

84 PTS

This may be the best box wine I've ever had. Nothing stellar but definitely decent. Enough fruit and character to make it enjoyable. If you are looking for a box wine and prefer over bottles I would say this is one you might want to check out. Retails for around $18.99 per box. I'm still waiting to taste a sensational box wine. I know there is one out there in making. Andes Peak Select is promising and gives me hope.

CENTINE ROSSO - 2007

2009-07-12T00:08:00.002-04:00

60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. With 12.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark cherry-red color with vanilla, earth, charred oak and red fruit on the nose. Soft yet finishes with mouth drying tannins. Flavors of tart cherries, plum and black fruit.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

A fair effort. Decent fruit and structure. Enough acidity to pair with food. Retails for $13.

CENTINE ROSE - 2008

2009-07-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Toscana IGT. Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. 12.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Excellent vibrant pink color. Muted aromas and flavors of berries. Crisp but lacking any detail or nuances. Flat.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

75 PTS

Yet another pink alcohol with nothing to back it up. I'm still searching for some impressive Rose wine. This is not it. Alcohol and light fruit with a suggested retail of $13. Pass on this one.

CENTINE BIANCO - 2008

2009-07-10T23:48:00.005-04:00

Toscana, IGT. 12% alcohol. 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Pinot Grigio, 30% Chardonnay.

TASTING NOTES:

Light gold-yellow color with a nose of lychee and Juicy Fruit gum. Citrus, Anjou pear and floral flavors. Crisp, round and fruity. Dry with a sweet kick.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

A delightful white blend with enough fruit and acidity to pair well with a variety of foods. With a suggested retail of $13, this is a great value wine for the summer.

POST SCRIPTUM DE CHRYSEIA DOURO - 2002

2009-07-06T21:23:00.001-04:00

12.5% alcohol. From Portugal.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark rose red color with a jammy raspberry Shiraz-esque nose. Black currants, blackberry and plum on the palate. Thin. Mid-palate and finish sort of disappear.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

84 PTS

I've raved on and on about how great Portuguese Douros are but this one has come up short. Ordinary and not special. This one is a pass.

LA SPINETTA BARBERA D'ASTI CA' DI PIAN - 2006

2009-07-02T21:12:00.000-04:00

14% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple red color with aromas and flavors of tart berries, black currants, cherry, plum and oak. Very dry and very tightly wound. Red fruit and black cherry on the extremely acidic finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87+PTS

A good food wine that you find for around $16. Not sure if this needs some time or not but it was not showing as well as I hoped. There's good fruit but there's definitely some flaws. Pairs well with pizza where red sauce can balance out that zippy acidity.

CUPCAKE CENTRAL COAST CHARDONNAY - 2007

2009-06-29T05:02:00.000-04:00

13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow water color with aromas and flavors of apple, light oak, butter and citrus. Very clean, dry and crisp with good minerality. Finishes with honey and just the right amount of acidity.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

Under $10? Almost too good to be true. A really solid and impressive effort for the money. I've had Chardonnay that is triple the price that doesn't deliver the basics that this wine does. For all of those out there buying cheap Chardonnay that doesn't really taste good and has out of balance alcohol and nothing but oak, you really need to try this. An enthusiastic recommendation!