Terrazas Malbec Reserva 2005

8 2/5 Screwcaps

Great New World Juice! Almost Australian in its bold fruit forward style as it has inky purple wine that really throws you off before you even taste it. Now, we will do blind tasting and off of looks alone, I would think that this would be Shiraz, but upon tasting, you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is nothing but Malbec from Argentina. With tannins to burn and fruit to spare, this wine is wonderful with dishes like pork and beef tenderloin.
This can lay down for about 2-3 years, but I would drink it now. Enjoy!

Höpler Grüner Veltliner 2005

8 1/5 Screwcaps

So for Christmas Dinner appetizers, my family had chicken empenadas (Spanish fried pastry stuffed with well...chicken and spices). Being that it was a spicy dish, I opened one of the bottles that I knew everyone would like. A white wine called Grüner Veltliner.
This Austrian wine is somewhat of a cross between French Sauvignon Blanc and German Riesling. It has the tart, grassy taste coupled with great apricot and a hint of sweetness, which in this case is perfect for Chinese, Thai or any spicy cuisine because it cleanses the palate, much like ginger with sushi. Buy it and try it today as it is low priced and easy to enjoy because if my family is any indicator to enjoying a new wine, anyone can appreciate this lovely Austrian!

PS. It won't run for governor of California anytime soon!

Chumeia Zinfandel Dante Dusi Vineyard 2005

9 1/8 Screwcaps

Talk about a blockbuster!! I almost feel like the greatest bargain shopper of zinfandels when I see this wine on the shelf. Now, if you are a Zin drinker and the name of this vineyard sounds familiar, it should. Dante Dusi Vineyard is the same vineyard that Turley Winery sources some of their Zins from, except Chimeia does it at a fraction of the price.
This Zin is a grand effort in that it is big, like an Italian Corvina with plenty of spice, cherry, fig and plum with a high alcohol content that doesn't boast its verbose at the end... 16.5% that tastes like a 13%. If you can find this veritable hodge podge of a wine, buy it today and drink it anytime over the next 3 years!!!

Mumm Cordon Rouge NV

8 5/8 Screwcaps

Such a beautifully complex wine at such an affordable price! This standard bearer for quality starts around $30.00, depending where you are, and it will not disappoint. This is a full bodied, Pinot Noir dominated champagne that gives floral scents with honey on the nose and caramel, hazlenut and citrus on the palate. Good for any occasion, buy a bottle and try it today. Give yourself a chance to have a preview of New Year's!

Terrazas Cheval des Andes 2002

9 Screwcaps

Talk about a blockbuster! This very strong wine (by that, I mean solid tannins and well balanced acidity) is a joint effort from both Terrazas winery in Argentina and Chateau Cheval Blanc in Bordeaux. This wine reunites Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec much in the same way that Rage Against the Machine had a reunion: you truly didn't know what to expect, but you had the feeling that it would be a powerfully emotional show. This show is packed with deliciousness that should be enjoyed in about 5 years for you collectors out there as the structure needs just a little more time to develop. This currant and cherry will smack the old taste out of you! Trust me, if you see it out there, take the time to appreciate this joint effort.

Martin Syrah 2004

5 1/2 Screwcaps

I want to go to Sonoma County with a large blackboard and make everyone that produces Syrah there to write 5,000 times "I will not make Syrah in Sonoma County."
(by the way, the same thing goes for Zinfandel in this county) It's not that the wine is terrible, it's just that the wine isn't good.
As typical of many Syrahs that are grown in Sonoma, this wine has enough fruit, but with no acidity or tannic structure. The nose is flat, with just a hint of blackberry followed on the palate with just...cold, jammy fruit.
Martin family, please pull these vines and plant tomatoes or something over them...

Allagash Curieux

8 4/5 Screwcaps

Are you wine drinkers too good for beer? Well, check your attitude at the door and stop looking down your nose! Allagash, a brewery from Maine has answered the call of a fine beer to compliment fine dining! This heavyweight (10.5% alcohol) is not just a Miller Lite, it is made in the Methode Champagnoise, creating a natural carbonation that works well whether you are pairing it with spicy Asian or sweet Creme Brulee.
Oh, did I forget? On the front, you will taste herbs, vanilla spice with a distinct tasted of bourbon on the back. Yes, I said bourbon, since before bottling, it is aged in Jim Beam Bourbon barrels for 8 months!! Thirsty yet? I am!

Rhodan Croze Hermitage 2003

8 1/4 Screwcaps

Let me start this first and foremost in that to me, most of the time, Croze Hermitage (northern Rhone Valley of France) reds are like the beautiful woman that you spoil and shower with gifts that you fall in love with, but eventually find out that she just used you. Fortunately, this is not a typical Croze Hermitage.
By law, Croze Hermitage has to have 90% Syrah and 10% white wine in their blend, making it a poor cousin of Cote Rotie. That having been said, this wine brings about a wonderful nose of pepper, floral smells, plum and slate and follows through beautifully with a cocophony of black cherry and white pepper that is coupled with nice, velvety tannins and a balanced acidity.
Perfect to use as a substitute when you are just tired of pinot noir to which it goes very well with lamb, turkey, pork and duck. Drink it within the first 5-7 years of bottling and you won't be disappointed!