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Bishop by Ben Glaetzer – Barossa Valley Shiraz 2007, Australia Cost: $24.99/bottle This wine was genuinely rich and thick in texture, with a complex nose of crushed blackcherries, blueberry pie, and vanilla milkshake, with hints of smoked meat, cedar, and toasty oak. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, with a creamy viscosity similar to ‘half […]

Chateau Clinet 1994, Pomerol, France Cost: $40/bottle (purchased in 1998) Dark ruby red, medium-bodied, and with an open nose of black cassis, black cherry, licorice, and a touch of prunes. There is also a haunting nose of cedar wood and something that reminds me of black shoe polish. In the mouth, smooth with a somewhat […]

Cancilla Cellars Pinot Noir Reserve 2007 – Williamette Valley, Oregon Cost: $34.99 This is a medium-bodied but dark, ruby red colored pinot noir showcasing a perfumed nose of strawberry, cassis, cherry-pie, clove spice, and Dr. Pepper soda. It has a crisp mouthfeel, with grippy acids and tannins that dry the upper innards of your mouth, […]

Domaine Paul Blanck – Pinot Blanc D’Alsace 2007, France Cost: $11.99/Bottle Often overlooked at wine stores amongst a sea of chardonnays, white Burgundies, or pinot grigios are wines from Alsace, and their pinot blancs are extraordinarily good for the hard earned dollar. For about $12, Paul Blanck makes a fantastic dry white wine loaded with […]

Ironstone Cabernet Franc 2004 – California Cost: $5.99/half-bottle (Full bottle at about $10) I’m still dealing with a mild head cold and sinus congestion— taking the day off to rest and load up on the Sudafed; it helps clear the nasal passages. I know I shouldn’t be drinking, but a balanced meal always includes a […]

Amizetta Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 – Napa Valley, California Cost: $22.99/bottle It’s quite a surprise to find an 11 year-old California cabernet at a wine store these days— but I came across this for just a penny under $23 and thought it certainly worth checking out. My palate tends to prefer older more mature wines for […]

Alban Vineyards – Syrah – Central Coast, California Cost: $30/bottle Wow— Anything Alban on the label is probably a rare find lately. This is why: This beautiful wine offers notes of smoky oak, bacon fat, blackberry, spicy peppers and loads of red and black fruit. The nose alone is intoxicating, but in the mouth — […]

Francis Ford Coppola – Director’s Cut 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Cost: $18-$24/bottle Dark purple opaque in color. Very young, almost fresh pressed juice but still with a tannic presence. Nice fruit content showcasing notes of toasted oak, vanilla extract, black and red currants and a touch of

Grgich Hills Merlot 2003 – Napa Valley, California Cost: $42/bottle Impressively endowed wine, a merlot that in my honest opinion is the greatest one ever produced in California. This is solid, and ranks even with the finest right bank Bordeaux Grand Cru out there! Complex notes of leather, cedar, black cherry, and cassis with hints […]

Peter Michael Winery – Les Pavots 1997 – Napa Valley, California Cost: $110/bottle   Rainy Sunday, but there’s nothing like having a decent cabernet sauvignon with lunch. Peter Michael has a long reputation of producing fine cabernet, and the 1997 certainly lives up to its pedigree. Still exhibiting its youthful nose upon open with cherry, […]