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Clos La Coutale 2007 – Cahors, France (dry red wine) Cost: $10/Bottle Browsing at a wine store, they give this bottle to me and say, “just try it and see what you think.” At $10/bottle, how could I go wrong? And I certainly didn’t. It does indeed have good value with its dark opaque purple […]

The PX This “Friends and Family” peer-based review of Aria Wine Bar, NYC.

Bangin Red 2006 – Napa Valley, California Cost: $11.99/bottle Shopping at one of my favorite liquor stores, the manager recommended an $11.99 bottle of Bangin Red, made of a blend of 6 grape varietals: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, petit verdot, plus a scant 2% of zinfandel— a blend I couldn’t help but find […]

Landmark Chardonnay 2006 – Napa Valley, California Cost: $22/bottle Nice light-gold color, clear and crisp, notes of lemon, honey, oak, and oatmeal. Full-bodied, smooth and rich on the palate. Gobs of fruit with forgiving acidity. Fills the mouth so much, it can be enjoyed on its own just sipping away at happy hour. Personally, I […]

Cellar Notes Review: Siduri – Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 – Santa Lucia Highlands, California Cost: $35-$40/Bottle

The “Friends & Family” peer-based review of Carte Blanche cafe, The Gansevoort Hotel, NYC.

Rudd – Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay 2006 – Russian River Valley, California Cost: $65/bottle Dining at a newly opened restaurant in our neighborhood, we are treated to an impressive selection of fine Italian dishes. During appetizers, we enjoyed this bottle of Bacigalupi Vineyard chardonnay, the signature white wine of the Rudd Estate. Its impressive nose of […]

Rustenberg – John X. Merriman 2005, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, South Africa Cost: $26.99/bottle A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and some dollops of the remaining Bordeaux varietals, this dark, saturated, ruby-colored wine exhibited a silky smooth medium body with perfume-like scents of cedar, black currants, black cherry, dark Godiva chocolate, and subtle toasted oak. In […]

Black Wing Pinot Noir 2006, South East Australia Cost: $22/bottle Nice, deep, garnet red, with moderately full-bodied package. For a pinot noir, it looks strikingly similar to a Californian cabernet sauvignon, but the aroma is all pinot noir, with its vibrant bouquet of cherries, raspberries, cloves, and a hint of sage and thyme. Boldly flavored […]

Trazado Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Maipo Valley, Chile Cost: $24.99/bottle On my way to the checkout counter at my local wine shop, I came across this in the “featured” aisle— with a sign expressing that this is Chile’s version of a