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Old Rowley – The Islander Estate Vineyard – Non Vintage Cost: $20/Bottle This is an old vines Grenache wine, which reveals complex aromas that sing Dr. Pepper and Cherry Cola like scents. In the mouth, it is light and with tight acids that overwhelm the fruit. A bit abrasive on the palate and mouth puckering […]

Bilton Wines – Matt Black, 2006 – South Africa Cost: $14/bottle   After tasting a whole bunch of mediocre red wines, I came across this one from South Africa, a red blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petite Verdot… kind of a Bordeaux blend with that juicy Shiraz to spike it up. The nose […]

Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 – Napa Valley, California Cost: $110/bottle purchased in 2002 Consumed: 2009

Montes – Alpha, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Chile) Cost: $22/bottle This is a ‘big bang for the buck’ wine. I have had 3 bottles of the 2006 vintage and I keep coming back for more. Notes of saddle leather and toasty oak greet you up front and slowly evolve into a genuine ripeness of blackcherry and […]

Ridge Lytton Springs 2006 – Red Table Wine – Sonoma, California Cost: $29/bottle ($16.99/half-bottle) This predominantly zinfandel wine is perhaps one of the finer offerings from Ridge, and here I am drinking a half-bottle knowing full well I could have easily polished off a full bottle myself this evening— it was that good. Aromas of […]

Emmanuel Rouget Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Cros Parantoux 1997 Cost: $150/bottle Dining at the Café Panache, a fine French cuisine is always paired nicely with a great Burgundy. This was showing nicely with its dark cherry, herbal tea, underbrush, and damp earthy complexity. Slight hint of band-aid on the nose that blows up with some swirling. […]

Williams Selyem – Pinot Noir, Sonoma County 2006 Cost: $36/bottle Dining at the Stable, one of the 50 or so BYOW restaurants in my neighborhood. Matching with a lunch that comprised of a spinach and chicken empanada and fork-splittable baby back ribs, a juicy pinot noir from the famed cult winery of Williams Selyem fit […]

Showkett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 – Napa Valley, California Cost: $49.99/Bottle A georgeous weekend, we dined outdoors with a lovely bottle of cabernet sauvignon from Showkett Vineyards, which, as not too many know, is a neighboring vineyard literally a stone’s throw from the famous Screaming Eagle vineyards. Having visited the winery perhaps about 12 years […]

St. Supery – Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 – Napa Valley, California Cost: $64/Bottle off the menu at Johnnie’s HideAway in Kissimmee, Florida (Retails for about $30 to $35/bottle) Recommended by the waiter, this is my first taste of this winery, and I must say it was superb. This dark plum red colored wine is medium bodied […]

Chateau St. Michelle – Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Cost: $31/bottle at Bonefish Grill (retails $12-$15 at wineshops) Medium bodied with a rather dark ruby color that becomes nearly purple in the center. Silky smooth with soft tannins and an aroma of black cherry, vanilla, and a note of damp earth. With time in the glass, the […]