2004 Stella Italia Merlot

Me with Justin Baldwin, winemaker - Justin. He was nice enough to pour me a sample of one of my all-time favorites, Isosceles.





But I digress. I visited my local shop Sunday and did my usual round of tasting but noticed one lone bottle off to the side. JP, our local sommelier, didn't offer much information about it, just that this wine was "name your own price."

I don't normally let that interfere with my taste, but I was now intrigued. Merlot is not my normal taste in reds, but this one was very different, being an Italian-made one. Not overly fruity, not a bit flabby, some smoke and earth were the highlights. I can tell it wasn't on par with Barolo or Brunello, but few wines are after all. However, the Stella Italia had something very old-world about it.

After some haggling, I took home 11 bottles of it at an undisclosed price. For all of you who like "little dog night" or "how to score a wine cheap night and impress your friends and family" this Merlot is for you.

T-Scale 90+. I'm adding a point just for the outstanding value in this old-world style Merlot that drinks a lot like a Super-Tuscan, but without the big price tag.

2007 Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

I've had a taste for Washington Cabernets lately so it was time to pull one of these out of my cellar. Ever since the 2005 vintage was honored as Wine Spectator's wine of the year, the Columbia Crest Reserve has been a bit tough to locate. Even the 2006 alluded me, but I got a jump on the 2007 and secured a few for cellaring.

I popped the cork and sampled, found it to be be a bit tight, but quite drinkable now. After the Vinturi and decanter, it opened right up.

I would agree with the winemaker's notes in that there was a slight mint, a bit of green pepper, definite anise and blackberries. Very well structure cab here, it will cellar for the next 5 years with no concerns. In fact, I plan to leave the others alone for a few years.

This is one of the finest, if not the best cab, at this price point. I bought a few Louis Martini Monte Rossos at a steal price, but still, they were a bit more than this one. Very nicely done, not as large as a Napa or Paso Robles cab, but tight tannins, fruits, green pepper and earth complete the Columbia Crest Reserve, making it a solid all around cab.

T-Scale - 92. I give kudos to the winemakers for letting this one go for $37 or so. I've seen it a bit cheaper, but again, it's pretty scarce.