Alamos 2008 Torrontes

Ever want something really different in a white? Torrontes is something to try. It's generally inexpensive but very tasty. It's much like sauvignon blanc but very forward with big citrus and melon on the tongue. I sensed a little bit of nutmeg and basil along with peach and lemon. The nose is lemony with a grassy touch. It finishes very nice with a long sour send-off.

Compare this to a young and flavorful sauvignon blanc but more tasty. It's a big hit in Argentina but still mostly unknown in the US. This means you get a whole lot of bang for your buck! This offering from Alamos can be had for less than $10 most everywhere. Buy it up now and enjoy for it won't be long before everyone else knows about torrontes. Once they do, the price is sure to go up.

T-Scale 89+. I love this one for the money! Actually, I love this one for the taste. Christina even liked it - bonus!

Castle Rock 2007 Russian River Syrah

So I went shopping at my favorite local shop for Enthusiast's tasted wines for the month. Well, I only found one - the Castle Rock syrah. It was $11.99 so I wasn't expecting much although W.E. gave it an 86, a fair rating for this price.

I admit, this syrah shows more structure and tannin than expected. I concur with W.E. that this wine would make "a good by-the-glass" wine for restaurants, but it also makes for a decent wine to back up a steak or big pasta dish at home. If you're like me, you save the better bottles for the weekend, but during the week you want a taste and don't really want to put out big money for it. Add this to your list of nice bigger reds for less money.

T-Scale - 88. I like this one at this price. This syrah is better than most Australian shiraz/syrah I've had at this price level. It shows much better than the $10-$12 price would suggest.


From Castle Rock:

WINE MAKING NOTES
Vineyard Source: 100% Russian River Valley
Harvest Date: September, 2007
Brix: 24.0
Fermentation: Barrel Aged 18 months
Oak: 75% French, 25% American
T/A: .60 gr/100 ml
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bottled: April 2009
Cases Produced: 1,400
Winemaker: August Briggs

Beaulieu - BV Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

I picked this up after Wine Enthusiast gave it a fat review of 92 points. I found it at Jungle Jim's in Fairfield for $17.99 and later in Costco for $14.99!!!. Costco had at least twenty cases of it on the floor as well.

Is it a 92? Well, no, but it's plenty good, especially at that price. This has 5% merlot and 1% cabernet franc to give it a really good finish. Aged for 18 months in American Oak, BV shows exceptional quality in production at this price level.

Dark fruits and cola are bold and forward. It's a bit flabby, but refined on the finish. I don't recommend this for the cellar but can recommend drinking now. It's ready!

T-Scale 90+. This is a big winner in the under $20 cab market. Put this next to the Wente Southern Hills, Rodney Strong, and Hess Allomi Vineyard cabs. Very good value!

Simi Landslide cabernet sauvignon 2005

The Simi Landslide is the premier offering from this winemaker and it is a dandy! During my visit, the shop keeper allowed tastings of a few vintages and all show nicely. I shipped two of the 2005's back from Healdsburg because of its excellent value. This big time California Meritage costs roughly half of similar offerings in Napa.

The 2005 reviews at 94 in Wine Enthusiast and rightfully so. I found deep dark fruits in the nose along with Coke and Pepsi. Large current, oak, and spices on the tongue with an extra long tannin finish. The Alexander Valley can give Napa a run for the money with this one... and at half the cost of a Miner, Stag's Leap, or Peju. OK, it's not quite Peju, but it's available and affordable.

T-Scale 93. If anyone sees Landslide on the shelf, let me know. You will see plenty of Simi Cabernet Sauvignon out there, but the Landslide is scarce outside of the source. Any vintage shows well, but the 2005 is exceptional. There also exists a Landslide Reserve which is as rare as a whooping crane sighting. If you find this, treat yourself. Drink now or cellar for up to 5 years.

Talbott "Logan" chardonnay 2006

This is the second best chardonnay you ban buy. There, I've said it.

We mere mortals are afforded the opportunity to enjoy this one on occasion as long as price is not a consideration to you. It's not unreasonable, however, at $24.99 (although I've seen it as low as $19.99). I understand most of you chardonnay consumers are used to great offerings at much lower prices, but take a chance and see what chardonnay can really be.

When I visited Talbott in August, I'd tried 20 different chards at that point on my sojourn to California.

I was less than enthused about yet another.. but I learned that Talbott does two things and does them better than almost everyone else - chardonnay and pinot noir. All of the Talbott chardonnay offerings are outstanding. The Logan gives one the impression that they left a pineapple in the barrel during aging. Slight malolactic fermentation gives some buttery vanilla texture but not overly so. Much ripe fruits on the tongue but no sting from over alcohol content. This is the smoothest chard I've ever tried, honestly!

I'm not a chardonnay fan as you know, but this one is an honest world-class white. This and the Sleepy Hollow Vineyard are the best chards I've had. T-Scale 93. It's available, lucky us! Drink now. Other vintages offer similar taste and quality, so I can recommend all years but the 2006 shows very very well now.

Rosenblum Cellars Fess Parker Vineyard Roussanne 2007

I visited a local wine merchant and found this little number on sale at half price. The only other domestic Roussanne I've tried was the dynamite Zaca Mesa Santa Barbara County offering, so I figured, why not.

Great deal! Nice light honey nectar nose with some of the feel of a Cotes-du-Rhône - no surprise as Roussanne hails from that area. This, one like most American versions of Roussanne, yield honey and pear in the middle with a slightly oily finish on the tongue.

This is one to add to your short list of nice inexpensive whites to serve with dinner or at social gatherings. Not a bad idea for a Christmas white! I'll be serving it to my guests.

T-Scale - 90! I bought it for.... $8.99 a bottle!!! Yeah, that's half price, but I'd pay full boat for this one. Compare to the Zaca Mesa which scored 90 points in Wine Enthusiast but costs $25.00. I've been to both vineyards, and they're neighbors (both on Foxen Canyon Road in Los Olivos!)

Justin sauvignon blanc 2007

I've started a new quest to find great sauvignon blancs to compare with my so-far-favorite from Alpha Omega. I've had some fume blancs and Loire River offerings but the quest continues.

Enter Justin's contender. I tasted this at the source and was moderately pleased. I had another this week and liked it better. At $17.99, it's priced well and offers the best qualities of a sauv-blanc like a grassy nose, high citrus tongue with a medium alcohol tingle. It finishes well, but not as well as the Alpha Omega.

The Justin is a good way to venture into the world's most popular white wine. What? Did you think it was chardonnay? Surprise! My local sommelier informs me the contrary. Sauvignon is king and to my taste, it deserves the crown for whites.

The Justin is a good way to get into the California style of fume/sauvignons. Try also offerings from New Zealand, Australia, Bordeaux, or South Africa. Every one is different. I've never know a more versatile grape, really!

T-Scale 88. Good price but I've had comparable offering for less $$$. I've had better but they'll cost more.