2011 Abstract, California Red, $28.99: Dave Phinney, the mastermind of The Prisoner, likes all things big. This wine is propelled by Grenache with Petite Syrah and Syrah in the formula. So, it?s ?macho,? like all Phinney?s wines. Crushed black fruits and Bing cherries varnish your tongue with ineffable sensations.
2009 Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma, $32.99: We understand that this wine derives from the oldest Zinfandel vines of the original Seghesio estate (these guys came from Piemonte in Italy, of course), right out the kitchen window. The Seghesios are rapturous if they harvest two bunches of grapes per vine. So this is a ripe, unctuous Zin with power and depth. A treat for fans of Seghesio?s wildly popular Sonoma bottling.
2010 Cartlidge & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast, $11.99: Ripping deal in a Cal Cabernet. It gives you some spine, not just fruity lunacy. It tastes like a Cabernet valued much higher. Congrats to Cartlidge & Brown. Great, just before an ACL operation.
2006 Bernardus Marinus, Napa Valley, $25.99/Sale $19.99: A classic Bordeaux blend from a solid producer. It?s fun to have six years of age on this ? you can really see what a little age adds to a wine that can handle it. It?s medium bodied, with nice spice and structure, rather than lush fruit. 91 points Wine Enthusiast.
2008 Barrel 27 Syrah, Central Coast, $18.99: This is our kind of Syrah. It?s not absolutely French in style but it?s not as oozy as the typical Shiraz from Australia. There is smoke, spice and dark fruits, all in a smooth package. A great find!
2004 Verso Cabernet, Colorado, $16.99/ Sale $14.99: This wine has aged magnificently. That is, it gives smooth, integrated Cabernet flavors. In many ways, it reminds you of a dandy Bordeaux. If you still believe Colorado can?t make tasty wines, try this one. It offers some outlandish finesse.
2010 Petite Cassagne, Costieres De Nimes, $13.99/Sale $11.99: This is just the sort of every day drinker that wine lovers fantasize over. Why? It?s most reasonably priced and is delicious. It?s the traditional Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. It?s mid bodied with some herb and garrigue (those crazy Proven?al ravines) mixed in the flavor spectrum.
2010 Domaine Santa Duc, Cotes Du Rhone, Les Quatre Terres, $20.99/Sale $18.99: In a different world from most Cotes du Rhone generiques. It comes from four different villages, one of which is the esteemed Vacqueyras. It tastes much like a Vacqueyras or even a mighty Gigondas. It has massive round fruit with dirt, Proven?al herb and that confounding garrigue. For adherents of Rhone reds, this is not to be missed.
2010 Domaine Roux Pere & Fils Beaune Montee Rouge, $28.99: With a steadfast attention to every detail, Domaine Roux Pere & Fils combines valuable traditions with the most advanced technology to produce top-level wines. This concentrates the cherry aspects of Pinot Noir and does not come off lean or mean as some Pinots off the Beaune hill or Taylor Swift. It?s a rockin? red Burgundy at an unbelievable price. Kind of James Taylor-like.
2006 Chateau Haut- Bergey, Pessac-Leognan, $43.99/ Sale $39.99: The ?06 Bordeaux are truly sublime and, perhaps overlooked amidst the recent run of great vintages. Drinking great now with some tertiary flavors?leather, earth and soft tannins. It would sing with a leg of lamb.
2009 Chateau Aney, Haut Medoc, $28.99: A sterling Bordeaux here that reflects its terroir. We love the nose ? you think you are in a horse stable. The blackberry and dark fruit notes are in equilibrium with its oak curing. A really nice Bordeaux for a reasonable price and, though one would be entirely content to drink it now, it has many stellar years ahead of it.
2011 Chateau La Rame, Bordeaux Blanc, $17.99: The Sauvignon Blanc grapes for this cuvee come from a four hectare hillside parcel of clay and limestone that overlooks the Garonne River. This wine has citrus flavors and is lively and crisp but not as assertive as many New World Sauvignon Blancs. It would be perfect with trout or Dover sole saut?ed with butter and lemon.
2011 Chateau Soucherie Anjou Blanc, $19.99: Dry Chenin Blanc can be a remarkable creature. This has a lovely floral nose with crisp flavors. It has more body than a Sauvignon Blanc and more food options. This comes from near France?s Loire River. It would shine with a well made boudin blanc (carp sausage). And they offer some of the tastiest along the Loire River. Not like the gnarly carp we used to haul out of Lake Michigan as children. What horror.
2010 Chateau Soucherie Anjou Rouge, $19.99: This is the red analogue of the above white. It tastes much like a neighboring Chinon. We are assuming Cabernet Franc is the grape. So it?s a mid-sized red with a hint of graphite in the nose. Like the white above it is a great food wine. We would like it with some becasse (woodcock).
2011 Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon, Les Charmes, $16.99: In all essences, a personality wine. While Morgon Beaujolais can be notably grapey, this offers a panorama of flavor essences. There is soil and sun and maybe a couple flat tires from bicyclists riding through the lovely hills of Beaujolais.
2008 Domaine La Boutiniere Chateauneuf-Du-Pape $34.99/Sale $29.99: A gentle Chateauneuf, reflecting the vintage of 2008. Red fruit delight with some herb and spice. We?d love to down it with some lamb chops and mint during a Valentine?s feast or Presidents? Day lunch, of course.
2011 Pesquie Blanc, Igp Mediterranee, $13.99/Sale $11.99: The white sibling of our beloved Pesquie red that we?ve been selling for centuries. It is 70 percent Viognier with some Rousanne and Clairette in the mix. It tastes like a high class Viognier with white flowers and white fruits in the nose. Dry, refined flavors. None of the bubble gum and bananas that you battle with Viogniers from hot climes around the globe. It?s another hit for Pesquie. The Chaudiere family, who owns Pesquie, certainly seems to know what wine is all about.
2010 Alain Voge Cornas, Les Chailles, $67.99/Sale $55.99: Cornas is the French emperor of Syrah, because it is 100% Syrah. It?s grown across the river from Hermitage. This is an almost black, rich, potent wine. It?s smoky, gamey with some charcoal notes. Yet there are blackcurrants, raspberries and violets in the nose that moderate the force. Not for the timid, but not abusive on the palate. It?s a delight with red meats, stews and game. It?s one of the world?s less known great wines.
Berlluchi franciacorta, Method Classic Brut Cuvee 61, $22.99/Sale $16.99: This is the house Franciacorta at the most revered wine bar in Italy, Bottega del Vino in Verona. Franciacorta is the closest thing to Champagne you find in Italy because Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the principle grapes. Dry, finesse and more power than Proseccos.
2011 Pra Soave, $16.99/Sale $13.99: Over the past decade, Soave has climbed to become Italy?s most consistently good white wine. No, we?re not talking Bolla which virtually ruined the appellation?s name. Pra is certainly among the zone?s top five makers. This Soave is soft, fruity, minerally and nice. It?s a joy to drink. On each sip, it brings you to the beautiful, walled town of Soave.
2010 Stemmari Nero D?Avola, Sicily, $10.99: Nero d?Avola is a very big grape in the island of Sicily. And it should be. It?s a soft, but mouth-filling red to match the hearty and fine Sicilian cuisine. If you are stumped what to do on a special pasta night, this is your bambino.
2009 Piazzano Chianti, $13.99: Always a favorite at our Courtesy Clerks? pizza parties. It?s ruby red with cherry and plum aromas. It?s simply a round and friendly quaffer. And with two dozen Kashi pizzas it is totally agreeable. Or so the Courtesy Clerks claim.
2011 DeForville Dolcetto D?Alba, $17.99: DeForville is an estimable Piemontese wine producer, outside of La Morra, we believe. Here they give a dark, rich and mouth-filling Dolcetto with earthy overtones. Some have called Dolcetto ?the Piedmont?s Merlot.? Well, it?s a little different from Merlot, but is softer than the region?s Barolos and Barbarescos.
2010 Quattro Mani Barbera D?Alba, $13.99/Sale $10.99: Our love for Italy?s Barbera wines is virtually eternal. Mainly because they are so good with food. That is, they have the acidity to cleave hearty flavors, but don?t become the main event. This dandy devil falls right in there. It bugles red fruit notes and has substantial fruit to go with the acid. Bring on a heaping plate of tajarin.
2009 Polkura Syrah, Colchagua Valley, $21.99/ Sale $19.99: This Chileno Syrah could stand right in there with some of the best Shiraz from Australia. It?s big with the expected smoke and spice. That?s easy. The class and finesse of this is what impresses. Muy Sabrosa.
2011 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, $19.99/Sale $16.99: Whitehaven makes a Sauvignon Blanc of style which is still true to its provenance?so, there are some floral notes, minerality and a touch of that ?Kiwi? grapefruit. Not as assertive as many New Zealand Sauv Blancs.
2011 Jules Taylor Pinot Noir, Marlborough, $19.99/ Sale $17.99: Often we believe New Zealand Pinot Noirs don?t get the respect they deserve. Yes, at times they are too expensive for their quality level, particularly those from Central Otago. But this Marlborough Pinot hits the price/quality sweet spot. It?s not just a fruity, vivacious young thing, but has some substance with darker fruit and depth of flavor. Darn good Pinot Noir.
?2009 Chocolate Box GSM, Barossa Valley, $17.99/Sale $15.99: The classic Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre blend from Down Under. Chocolate, cherry, spice and vanilla. (Don?t be distracted by the name ?chocolate box.? There is no chocolate inserted in the wine? thank God!) 90 Points from the Wine Spectator.
2011 Emilio Moro Finca Resalso, Ribera Del Duero, $14.99: The wines of Emilio Moro were featured at the FAC Wine Festival two years back. We?ve loved them ever since. Porque? Because they give power and elegance. This red shows the exuberance of youth, but is tempered a tad by four months in new French oak barrels. This is a great value!
2009 Valle Do Bomfim, Douro, $13.99/Sale $11.99: Despite a dead economy, remarkable things are happening in Portugal?s world of wine. It?s kind of an adaptation to reality. This lovely, mid-bodied red comes from the Port zone, where Port sales are not what they once were. So, why not make dry red? Here we get a delicious red for dinner, without a hefty price.
2010 Decero Malbec, Romilinos Vineyard, Mendoza, $19.99/Sale16.99: I suppose our main gripe about a lot of Argentine Malbecs is that they are overly tutti-frutti. We definitely opt for the old grisly Malbecs made in the Cahors region (often referred as le vin noir du Cahors ? black wine of Cahors) of France. But this wine has some spine and fundament, along with the ripe Malbec fruit and colors that everyone seems gaga about. We also have their cr?me de la cr?me, a Bordeaux blend called Amano.
2005 Quinta De Noval, Late Bottled Vintage Port, $21.99: From the first Port house to make LBV, comes a lovely, complex wine which is, in part, due to the fact that it is unfiltered. Four and a half years in cask makes it more integrated ?it is delicious, both richer and just slightly drier than most LBVs.
Source: http://www.coaltrainwine.com/arrivals-noted-favorites/
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