Saludas Rose 2006

VARIETAL: Tempranillo
REGION: Somewhere in Spain (possibly near Castilla)
PRICE: $4.99
Egads--where to begin? As I have mentioned once or twice previously, I am a fan of good roses. On a recent outing to Fresh & Easy I was intrigued by a few of their private label selections and decided to take a few home. The Saludas, a tempranillo from Spain, looked promising and I couldn't resist the price tag. My knowledge of the vinification and origins of this wine is limited--see above. But what I can tell you is that I wouldn't buy it again if it was on sale for 50 cents. When I first poured myself a glass I thought it smelled a little off. Maybe just a little past its prime. I was sorry my curiosity could not be quelled before the first sip. Sour, tart and off-putting are the first words that come to mind. Not fresh, lacking flavor and substance are terms that might also describe my experience. I would not recommend it to my cheapest friends with the worst taste in wine. And I certainly will not be buying it again.

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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

Brampton Sauvignon Blanc 2006

VARIETAL: Sauvignon Blanc
REGION: South Africa
PRICE: $10

The Brampton is a tough little wine to find. They are the value arm of Rustenberg Winery, but you'd never guess it. This sauvignon blanc has a whole lot going on and tastes way better than most $10 pours. Right upfront you get a blast of fresh cut grass and zesty citrus on the nose. Then the lemon-lime zinger gives way to a rounder palate bursting with soft, juicy honeydew, passionfruit and lychee. I love that it is super refreshing but also substantial and constantly changing as you swirl it over your tongue. This wine makes a great warm weather quaffer and is also well suited for light seafood dishes and salads.
Get ready for summer: Brampton Sauvignon Blanc

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 . . .

Windows on the World Complete Wine Course: 2008 Edition

Southern Right Pinotage (2002) Review

Southern Right
Varietal: Pinotage
Year: 2002
Origination: South Africa
ABV: 14%
We Paid: $15.99

We did a little piece on the appeal of Pinotage wines from South Africa, and it has left us mildly obsessed. We like the big flavors associated with the Pinotages we've tried, and they're usually a great match for spicy foods with equally big flavors, which we love. While we have read people using terms like "old band aids" or "rusty nails" to describe some Pinotages, we haven't encountered those (thankfully) and we wanted to let you know about the one we've tried most recently, Southern Right.

They Say: A wonderfully ripe, voluptuous wine with concentrated dark berry fruit, beautifully balanced wood spice and fine-grained tannins. By fully ripening our Pinotage at low yields in clay-rich soil, we have avoided simple, estery fruit and rustic tannins, while filling out the middle palate and ensuring length and complexity. (from wine.co.za)

We Say: This is another big, full-flavored Pinotage, full of berries and plums and spices. One taster called it "Chipotle Wine" because she found it to be so smokey. We thought it was a bit leathery too, which didn't detract from our enjoyment. Drink this one if you need a big, burly flavor to go along with spicy foods and red sauces.

Interesting Note: Southern Right is named after a rare type of whale that visits Walker Bay in South Africa every year, and the Southern Right winery donates a contribution to their conservation for every bottle sold. You know how much of a sucker we are for good wines going to good causes - we're thinking of Big Tattoo Red right now.

Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Excelsior 2004
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Origination: South Africa
14.5% ABV
We Paid: $9 (MSRP: $9)
More Info

We picked up a bottle of Cabernet last night as we headed over to game night with our friends. We weren't looking for anything too high shelf - in fact we set a price cap of ten bucks. We were there to play games, not review wine, so we didn't want to take over the focus. We figured we'd share a bottle, get some notes from our friends, and share them with you. Turned out the bottle got more attention than we'd expected, and people were pleasantly surprised with what they found in this South African red.

Tasting Notes:
They Say: We found some tasting notes that describe Excelsior Cabernet as "dark plum red in color with a nose of black currant, plum, earth and spice. Medium-full in body, it is dry with moderate acidity and soft, ripe tannins. It offers rich, intense flavors of plums, black currant and toasty oak."

We Say: After the requisite calls of "Excelsior" from our nerdy brethren at game night (y'know, from when Bart joins the nerd club) we sat down to sipping. We all were struck by how the high alcohol content came through in the nose, followed by plum and berries. The initial taste was a tart plum, with berries and cherries and a slightly bitter finish. After it sat in the glass for a few minutes it definitely mellowed out and lost the bitterness, replacing it with a smokey flavor that impressed us.

Bottom Line: For nine bucks, this was a great deal. You don't have to worry about decanting it but you'll do well to let it sit in the glass for a few minutes. Everyone was shocked that it cost less than ten dollars, and we all thought it was a great value for what we paid. If you can find it, we recommend you pick up a couple bottles.

Wynns "Coonawarra Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon

We've had Coonawarra Estate wines before, and we really liked them. We found a flattering write up of their 2003 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon - the MSRP on the stuff is $14, but apparently it tastes far more expensive than it is. Check out some tasting notes about the wine below.

For decades, literally, "Wynns" has been an advertisement for Cabernet that overperforms. There's no way you can mistake the aroma: blackberry jam, currant jelly, creme de cassis, pipe tobacco, warm oak spice. This is Cab with a capital "C." No blockbuster, it still has enough heft and length to wrestle a big juicy steak to the floor. Its length and complexity are false testimony to a much more expensive wine, a lie we can happily live with!

Franciscan Oakville Estate Chardonnay 2004

Franciscan Oakville Estate
Varietal: Chardonnay
13.5% ABV
We Paid: N/A (MSRP: $18)
Website

We haven't paid much attention to Chardonnays lately, but this bottle reminded us why it's the most popular grape going right now. Light and white and not too sweet, we were extremely happy with every sip. Of course, considering this just falls inside our "Under $20" mission statement, we're not too shocked that we liked it so much. We know a bigger price tag doesn't necessarily mean a better wine, but sometimes it does give you a nice little boost.

Tasting Notes: They say the Oakville Estate contains "notes of peach, pear and apple" in the nose, while the taste is "lively and lengthy on the palate with a great body and structure. Mineral notes linger and the finish is crisp, creamy and clean with apple and citrus flavors."

We definitely picked up on pears and apples, and we thought the nose had a good body once this one lost its chill from the fridge. The flavor was crisp and tart, carrying on the orchard fruit theme and kicking us with a nice rich, creamy finish.

Bottom Line: Like we said we haven't been drinking a whole lot of Chardonnay lately but this is one we'll sip again. We thought it'd be equally great drinking on the back porch on a warm summer day or next to a fireplace on a crisp autumn one. We'll definitely be adding a couple more bottles to our cellar (OK...closet) and we'll let you know what's up when we actually try during the late fall.

Wine Rack Essentials from AskMen

Askmen.com has put together a nice list of what they consider to be "essential" wines in a bunch of different varietals, both red and white. What drew us to it was the fact that they didn't throw out a bunch of $50 wine as essential - every single one of them is under $20. Plus, they also offer general tips about the different varietals, pairing suggestions, and tasting notes about the suggestions so you can sound like you know what you're talking about. Well done, boys!

The world of wine is a complex and daunting place for the uninitiated. The combination of tastes (freshly cut grass, are you kidding?) and smells, as well as varietals, vineyards and vintages, can be intimidating for anyone who does not know. The truth is that the world of wine doesn’t have to be a complex place, and it can be very rewarding with the understanding of a few basics.

This handy guide lists some varietals that will help you build an impressive wine rack and will certainly give you a sound understanding of the nuances of different types of wine.

New York Times on Cheap Wines

The New York Times isn't the first place you think of when we think of cheap wines, but they've just put out a story where they evaluated 24 bottles of red and white wines for $10 or less per bottle. We've included our favorites, the ones we want to try, along with their tasting notes. We know there's some stigma attached to bottles of wine that cost less than ten bucks, but if the Times can do it, so can you!

WHITES

E & M Berger Austria Kremstal Gruner Veltliner 2005
1 liter
$10
***
Crisp, clean and fresh with distinct floral, citrus and mineral flavors. (Importer: Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, N.Y.)

Domaine Delaye France Saint-Veran Les Pierres Grises 2004
$10
**½
Grassy and floral with a lively, inviting texture. (Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, N.Y.)

Pascual Toso Argentina Mendoza Sauvignon Blanc 2005
$9
**
Crisp, lively and refreshing. (TGIC Importers, Woodland Hills, Calif.)

REDS

Perrin Reserve Cotes-du-Rhone 2004
$9
**½
Direct, balanced and refreshing with aromas of earth, raspberries and dark fruit. (Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, Ala.)

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Central Coast Pinot Noir 2005
$9
**
Straightforward and balanced with flavors of raspberry and anise.

Allegrini Valpolicella Classico 2004
$10
**
Dry and lively with cherry and earth flavors and a nice bitter edge.(Winebow, New York)

On Single Serve Wines

Sometimes you don't want to open up a full bottle of wine - maybe you're cooking with it, or maybe you just want a taste of wine without the possibility of smacking down an entire bottle. We've found reviews of some single serving wines that should serve if you're looking for your wine bottles to be on the petite side.

We pulled our favorite, the one we want to try most; click through for tasting notes on a few more brands.

Sofia Blanc de Blancs by Francis Ford Coppola, California (about $17 for a four-pack). This surprisingly good wine comes in cans, with straws attached. It's a sparkling white wine, yellow-gold with the aroma of warm cantaloupe and white grapes. The flavor offers good mousse, acidity and freshness, and tastes of clean fruit with a little golden apple. So far, this is the winner of the miniwines. 85 points.

Prosecco, Pepperwood Grove and a Hawk Crest

So I finally caved and picked up a bottle of Prosecco (sparkling wine) at Trader Joe's today. It's a Zonin Prosecco from Gambellara, Italy. At $5.99 a bottle, there was no need to pass it up and move on to the chocolate aisle. It's been a sunny week, too, which is as good of an excuse as any to drink some bubbly stuff. Maybe I'll ship a few bottles to Mark Cuban, too, to help him nurse his Miami-inflicted pain.

So we'll be reviewing that bottle soon. In the meantime, here are two recommended cheap whites: a 2003 Hawk Crest Chardonnay (by Stag's Leap Wine Cellar, Napa, CA). The other is a 2005 Pepperwood Grove Pinot Grigio. I haven't reviewed a pinot grigio in awhile (since the Fontana Candida) so it's probably time. Pepperwood Grove, which is owned by Don Sebastiani & Sons, makes some pretty good cheap wines overall. It's one of my grocery store staples. This Pinot Grigio (About $8) was refreshing, light and citrusy in a grapefruit sort of mode with a somewhat tart finish....It's a tasty summer white; what a Pinot Grigio should be. The Pepperwood Grove labels, according to the winemaker, were inspired by "the swirls of a Bristel Cone tree." To me, they look a lot simpler....like the minimalist Spirograph designs of my youth.

The Hawk Crest (about $10) is a very decent Chardonnay for the money. For the same price, I prefer the oak of the J. Lohr wine, but the Hawk Crest boasts some nice fruit and is easy on the palate. Definitely a lot less oak in this Chardonnay, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's balanced and tastes of melon and peach.

Grade for both: 2 stars. Both are solid table wines that I'd buy again.

2003 Sunstone Syrah

The Sunstone 2003 Syrah (Santa Barbara) is organic and made from 100 percent syrah. It costs about $17 (marked up to $39 at the restaurant we drank it at!!! ugh) and worth it at the lower price :). I do loathe restaurant markup.

The PIT and I both loved this wine, which was earthy and spicy with a great bouquet of dark fruit on the palate (the winemaker says blueberry, but I didn't taste that. Then again, I missed the white pepper and blueberry smell, too. I was more in the BLACK pepper, strawberry/plum zone). I drank my syrah with some delicious lamb accompanied by peanut-topped rice and the PIT had his with a duck breast/cherry combo. It worked well with both dishes.

Sunstone Vineyards and Winery (not featured in the movie Sideways) is located 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara. Judging by the website photo, this place is beautiful. This USA Today article calls it one of the area's grander tasting rooms. I still haven't made it to the Santa Barbara wineries, but hope to go and review a few soon.

Grade: 3 stars. I really dug this wine and would buy it again in a second.