Regaleali Rosso 2005

VARIETAL: 90% Nero d'Avola, 10% Perricone
REGION: Sicily, Italy
PRICE: $16
Italian wines, for me are incredibly food specific and when I choose one, it is usually a food driven choice. That said, there are so many interesting varietals, particularly in southern Italy and in Sicily that thrive in the hot arid climate and produce wines that are riper and rounder than many of the north's more acidic styles. The Regaleali Rosso is a prime example. It hails from a noble estate that produces a number of higher end wines and that is certainly reflected in this blend. It possesses a stunning garnet hue that perfectly complements the crushed, ripe cherry and berry scents. But the Regaleali isn't just about the fruit. You do get crazy notes of dried varieties including currants, dried blueberries and dried cherries, along with a current of crushed sage and a hint of vanilla. This would be outstanding with roast venison or if you are a little more traditional, with stracotto (Italian pot roast made with about a bottle of wine and earthy porcini mushrooms). However, I'm throwing caution to the wind and having it with a kalamata olive and crumbled sausage topped thin crust pizza.
Give it a shot: Regaleali Rosso

Is it a Cabernet Franc ... or Chinon ... or both?

Hmmm . . . I am famished and I'm feeling a little bit naughty tonight. I'm tired of salads and seafood and cooking things that look pretty and are fairly nutritious. Tonight I want a cheesesteak. Soft, fresh bun with tender, paper-thin sliced sirloin, gooey cheese and the sweet and savory kick of sauteed peppers and onions. So here, my friends is my dilemma . . . am I in the mood for an herbaceous yet fruity Cabernet Franc from sunny California or an earthy and spicy Chinon (aka Cabernet Franc) from the Loire Valley? I just might have to taste a little of both in order to decide.

Ironstone Cabernet Franc 2004 $11
I can't say that I'm a huge fan of Ironstone wines in general, but I can tell you that this wine consistently knocks my socks off for the money. While Cabernet Franc is a little off-putting to some, I think most people who try the new world incarnations are expecting something quite like a Cabernet Sauvignon. However, I love that you get a mouthful of ripe, juicy dark cherry fruit contrasting with layers of fresh cut dill and peppers and laced together with a current of creamy vanilla and toasty oak. Sounds a little weird, I know, but somehow it really works because it isn't too fruity, or too vegetal or too creamy.

Marc Bredif Chinon 2005 $16
One the other hand, the Marc Bredif Chinon (which is 100% Cabernet Franc), is much more restrained, or shall I say less overt, but no less interesting. The fruit flavors are intense, but they are distinctly dried--blueberries, strawberries and cherries--rather than fresh notes of those fruits. And you definitely get a lighter, tighter and spicier feel on the palate.

It is a tough call, but I think I'm leaning toward the Ironstone tonight. That vegetal kick will really work well with the peppers and onions. Then again, I do love Chinon. Perhaps I'll have just a little more of each before I decide . . .

Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2005

VARIETAL: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
REGION: Cotes du Rhone, France
PRICE: $11
Sometimes I just need to try things in pairs. Thus, my decision to review an actual Rhone red right on the heels of the Aussie version. I find that tasting similar wines in groups gives me perspective, and a deeper appreciation of the similarities and differences. But to the point, if you have never tried a Jean-Luc Colombo wine, please do. As soon as possible. His passion for winemaking and love of his land are evident in every bottle. In fact, you'll find quite a few red and white selections in the $10-$20 range that are all remarkable for the money. The Les Abeilles Cotes du Rhone is an intense blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre. It looks like purple ink in the glass and differs from yesterday's Australian Rhone blend in that it is much more earthy, and a significantly spicier pick. You get wafts of saddle leather and spice mingling with currants, plums, dried blueberries and raspberries and shots of anise. It is a no brainer in the winter with braised lamb shanks, but will just as easily pair with any number of grilled meats in the warmer months. I know I'll never decide if I prefer old-world to new, stylistically speaking. For me, deciding what wine to open is entirely based on mood and food. But you should try for yourself. Are you old-world or new-world?
Check it out, s'il vous plait: Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Cotes du Rhone Red

d'Arenberg Stump Jump Red 2006

VARIETAL: Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre
REGION: McClaren Vale, Australia
PRICE: $11
Leave it to the Aussies to come up with the crazy, catchy names. The Stump Jump may sound a little weird, but it comes from quite an esteemed winemaking family in Australia. d'Arenberg wines generally fall into our swanky category, but this red blend is the ultimate in value. I bet if you tasted this one blind, you'd probably give it a price tag in the $25-$30 range. And you might mistake it for a Rhone blend - which except for geography, it is. This 70% Grenache, 20% Shiraz and 10% Mourvedre blend is the perfect Rhone knockoff. Beautiful deep ruby coloring is the one thing that sets this wine apart from its Rhone counterpart (which often has more bricky coloring). Otherwise you get the same earthy intensity balanced out with rich, dried fruits on the nose followed by a mouthful of ripe blueberry, black cherry and mulberry laced with clove and cardamom and just a hint of freshly chopped herbs. It is an impressive wine for the price - not fussy, but definitely interesting and lushly layered. This is a wine that is a staple in our house. Drink it with pleasure . . . and if you like, serve it with a mustard-crusted pork loin over roasted carrots and lentils.
Check it out: d'Arenberg Stump Jump 2006

Rocket Science 2004 Proprietary Red

When John Caldwell arrived in Napa Valley in the early 1980's, his intent was to make his mark as a real estate developer, but when the Napa bureaucracy crushed that dream, he decided that his land might just be the ideal spot for growing grapes. And so Caldwell Vineyard was conceived.

Caldwell Vineyard; the confluence of superlative soils, an ideal climate, and the passion to produce delicious wines. We are so fortunate to live and work in a place where Mother Nature conspires with us to make magic.

Now I've had my share of swanky wines but I must say, there are not too many that I've enjoyed as much as this one. No, for me the Caldwell 2004 Rocket Science is in a category all its own. The deep, dark garnet juice is a jewel in the glass. At first whiff, the sweet tobacco and spice and rich macerated berry are mind-blowing and totally hypnotic. This wine is so rich and layered that my mind and my palate can hardly keep up. My heart is racing. The Rocket Science teases with layers of black cherry and berry fruits that remain on your palate but at the same time give way to clove and cedar and sagebrush. It is reverent and refined, yet completely unpretentious. I am in love. And why shouldn't I be? This Proprietary Red blend is composed of some of my favorite varietals. It is 32% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. You can find the current release (2005) on the Caldwell Vineyard site for $40. And it is worth every red cent.

P.S. If you are interested in learning more about the what Napa was like before it became a tourist destination and while it was struggling to become one, check out James Conaway's, Napa: The Story of an American Eden. It is a truly engaging account of Napa's storied past starring a fascinating cast of characters that you come to love or love to hate.
Photo from www.caldwellvineyard.com

Castle Rock Monterey Pinot Noir 2006

VARIETAL: Pinot Noir
REGION: Central Coast, California
PRICE: $13
It is no easy task to make good, cheap pinot noir. It can be watery or too acidic, or just plain dull. The folks at Castle Rock rise above the skepticism and the mediocre juice with this fantastic little number from Monterey. The climate along the central coast of California provides a longer growing season for the grapes which means they stay on the vine a little longer, resulting in a more intense and concentrated wine. So what you get is a nose full of black cherry, dried flowers and spiced tea which is followed by ripe plum and spice on the palate. The Castle Rock is medium bodied and super smooth and quite frankly it is a whole lot of wine for not lot of money. You just have to try it. And what to serve it with you ask? Well, just about anything. Roast chicken, Salmon, pasta, lamb. . . it is so flexible you can serve it with just about anything and it will shine.

Check it out: Castle Rock Monterey Pinot Noir

Vinum Cellars "Pets" Petite Sirah 2005

VARIETAL: Petite Sirah
REGION: Clarksburg, California
PRICE: $13
Mondays warrant a special bottle. I don't mean expensive... just knock-your-socks-off good because you still have the rest of the week to get through. Or maybe you're tired of the long, cold drawn-out winter. Whatever your predicament, the Vinum Cellars Petite Sirah is sure to make you smile from the inside out. This wine seduces you with its intense plum hue and languid viscosity.
Swirl it, swirl it... now inhale. You'll be blown away by intoxicating scents of rich fig, cassis, deep berry and a twinge of pomegranate. This big chewy red is lush with jammy plum and blueberry balanced with a blast of cranberry, dusty sage and a hint of smoke. This is everything a petite sirah should be. You may not want to stop sniffing and sipping long enough to serve this with food. But if you do, it pairs beautifully with roasted racks of lamb - or any other roast for that matter. And as an added bonus, Vinum donates a portion of the profits from this wine to their local animal shelter.

Give it a shot: Vinum Cellars "Pets" Petite Sirah 2005

St. Hallet Faith Shiraz 2005

VARIETAL: Shiraz
REGION: Barossa Valley, Australia
PRICE: $16
Well, I admit this wine is a bit pricier than my typical mid-week selections. But it is still winter and the St. Hallet's gives me faith that spring will return again. Crafted from premium Barossa Valley fruit and nothing but, this shiraz looks like smashed berry ink in the glass. Warm spicy cherry and berry scents are just the prelude. Rich and dense, the St. Hallet's really lingers on your palate with smooth juicy cherry, ripe black raspberry interspersed with shots of spice and subtle black pepper from a 12-18 month stint in American and French oak. Sometimes Aussie shiraz can be a bit too jammy, like the fruit is overripe. Not so with the St. Hallet's. I love this wine - and have for about 8 years - because it is incredibly balanced, always impressive for the money and never ceases to make me feel warm and fuzzy all over. This wine is the perfect complement to just about any red meat and most hard cheeses. Or slurp it up with nothing at all.

Check it out: St. Hallet Faith Shiraz 2005

L. A. Cetto Petite Sirah 2005

VARIETAL: Petite Sirah
REGION: Baja, California/Mexico
PRICE: $10
I must admit I was a bit intrigued by the origins of this wine. I had never tasted a wine from the Baja peninsula and after closer inspection of the label I was a bit confused about whether or not the wine is considered a Mexican or California wine. Research only led to more confusion so I just had to crack it open and see what it was all about.

At first whiff the L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah is quite appealing. Lots of jammy fruit on the nose and a hint of spice. But the romance stopped there. I don't know if this bottle was a little cooked, or just past its prime, but there was nothing appealing about the taste. I found the fruit to be a bit bitter on the palate and for a Petite Sirah, it lacked lushness and any sort of finish. No kidding, I mean there was NO finish, zero taste in your mouth after the first few bitter sips. Weird . . . and disappointing after reading so many glowing reviews of previous vintages. Perhaps I'll give it another shot down the road. . . way down the road.

Block No. 45 Petite Sirah 2005

In our pursuit of the economical, yet tasty domestic wine, we have begun to notice a number of interesting California selections of vague origin. A number of small California producers are not really "wineries" in the sense that they do not necessarily grow their own fruit on lush rolling vineyards. Rather they pick and choose from other local producers and either buy grapes with which to make their own juice, or they buy juice and blend their own wines. Fascinating stuff, the modern world of wine. And for those of you who are skeptics or purists, rest assured there are some fun wines out there from such unassuming beginnings.
Block No. 45 Petite Sirah is just such a wine. Perhaps not quite as rich as many petite sirahs, it is, for the money, quite full-flavored with distinct plummy notes enhanced with shots of crushed blueberry and spice. It begs for a fire in the fireplace and a savory beef stew. A pretty impressive pick for a meager $5.99.

Inca Cabernet Malbec 2005

I am a sucker for Argentine wines, malbec in particular. In fact, I had such a fantastic sojourn through the Mendoza Valley just after the harvest that I often choose malbec in hopes that it will trigger those now fading memories of the dusty terrain and sweeping views of the Andes. This wine just did not do it for me.
The Inca Cabernet (80%) Malbec (20%) blend is from quite a different region altogether: the Calchaqui Valley, nestled high in the mountains in the Salta Region of northern Argentina. But the climate isn't the problem. I think they just spent more time manipulating this wine rather than giving it the structure to come into its own. Had it been bagged or its label disguised, I might have described it as a fruit forward, smooth, round red with ripe berry flavors and a vegetal twist--green pepper and dill--quite reminiscent of a California Cabernet Franc. Were it not for the far-too-creamy mouth-feel I might have mistaken it for a merlot. It just wasn't what it purported to be. A perfectly decent wine for $10, but I probably won't buy it again.

Chateau d'Oupia Les Heretiques 2006

Year: 2006
ABV: 13.5%
We Paid: $13
Website:

Les Heretiques commemorates the massacre of Minereve in 1208. Inhabited by members of the Cathari religious order, a pacifist Christian, non-conformist group that prospered during the Middle Ages, the destruction in Minereve was only one of the many Crusades led by the Roman Catholic Church, who, calling the Cathari “heretics,” persecuted them in town after town. The Cathars’ story, one of the unquenchable spirit of man, juxtaposed with the inhumanity of man, imparts new significance on Languedoc’s ruined towers and castles, some sitting high and seemingly inaccessible, on mountaintops. The label alone is worth the price. Lasting, robust flavor and a hint of spice make this a great wine for roasts and ham.

Fess Parker's Frontier Red Lot 71

We know we've featured it before, but this wine continues to impress us. It's interesting, and best of all around $10 bucks. The wine has a real house wine feel - meaning - you can drink it daily and not worry you're wasting a little wine here or there, and we love the screw cap for the convenience. It's also become a favorite at several of our local wine stores here in MA - so check it out - lots 51, 61, and 71.

At Fess Parker Lot 71 Frontier Red - Red Wine

Smoking Loon Syrah 2005

Year: 2005
ABV: 13.5&
We Paid: $12
Website

Great name, great label design and amazing value. It even tastes good! The money we saved on the wine went to some amazing grilled lamb chops for dinner and the pairing was perfect. Even Crazy Karl liked it. If you are low on lamb chops, it's OK, this wine can stand on its own. Definite smoky oak, cherry and a hint of cream. Dark purple tint, good legs and quite opaque. Initial burst of flavor that faded after about 30-40 minutes. We've had better syrahs but not for the money.