PX This.

Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1994, Napa Valley, CA
Cost: $60/bottle

A beautiful evolution of this 16 year cabernet sauvignon from one of Napa Valley’s oldest wineries. During Prohibition, the Beringer family was permitted to continue making alcohol for medicinal purposes, therefore saving many of its vineyards. I had one bottle of this wonderful cabernet in my cellar and just felt it was the right time to open it; indeed it was. Aromatics are off the charts, with lovely mature and complex notes showcasing black cassis, blackberry pie, graham cracker, polished leather and espresso, with complex background scents of lead pencil shavings. In the glass, it’s medium-bodied and lean given its age, but still has a good concentration of fruit. The supple tannins, low acidity, and alcohol are unobtrusive, allowing the cabernet grape to sing gracefully across the palate. A beautiful and elegant wine that can be enjoyed on its own, but it’s best shared over dinner with friends and family.

Rating: 95

Selene – Chesler 2004 – Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California
Cost: $60/Bottle

Interesting; I would have pegged it as an Italian wine if I hadn’t known it was made from the fruit of Napa Valley. It has an aromatic profile with raisin, ripe prunes, mild black cherries, subtle fresh tobacco leaf and tea notes— but in the mouth, it’s bold and strong on density, overpowered with fruit and teeth-coating tannins. A whale that doesn’t smack its tail on your taste buds but sits their on your mid-palate letting its weight say it all. Give this wine more time to age— at least another 3 to 4 years. It should evolve nicely, and hopefully with more complexity on both the nose and palate. There’s good substance in this wine that only very few wines on the market can hope to sustain.
Rating: 92

Earthquake – Petite Sirah 2006 – Lodi, California
Cost: $23.99/Bottle

This is pure, dark, opaque-purple, full-bodied, velvety smooth and rich, layered to be exact as it coats the palate with its creamy milky texture. The aromatics from initial opening (and for about 30 minutes) is phenomenal; its roasted coffee, caramel, and cocoa seduces you, transforming toward its black cherry and blackberry core, all the while offering hints of pure vanilla and coffee. Very full flavors where black cherry, cocoa and vanilla reigns supreme. An uncommon bottle with great appeal that is well-priced for the masses. Well bought indeed.

Rating: 94

Doña Paula – Seleccion de Bodega, 2006, Malbec – Argentina

Cost: $29.99/bottle

Wow! Here is a dark purple brute of a wine, with an amazing concentration of fruit and unbelievably rich, decadent and velvety texture that seriously grapples your palate and overwhelms the senses. The aromatics are out of this world, showcasing black cherries and blueberries with complex accents of mocha, espresso, dark chocolate and just a hint of charred oak. Follow that up with a smooth tarp of flavors that just blanket the palate with enormous blue and black fruit— always hinting at the bittersweet German chocolate and mocha notes— and you have a winner here. It is an amazing find for under $30, and this Doña Paula has certainly caught my eye for a quick six-bottle purchase to track with much enjoyment in the future. It’s tasting mighty good today, but the sheer expression of fruit above the deep but supple tannins should promise good drinking over the next 5 to 8 years. In this day and age and current economic times, this under $30 find is more than up to the task of competing with wines costing in the 3 figure range. Bravo to Doña Paula for fashioning something affordable and classic at the same time.

Rating: 94

Antinori Solaia 1997 – Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc – Tuscany, Italy
Cost: $85/bottle purchased in early 2000 (vintage 2006 currently about $175/bottle)

Amazingly dark ruby/purple color for a slowly maturing wine that is 12 years off the vine. Full-bodied and rather inky in texture. The nose is slow to emerge, almost as if it’s still quietly waking up after resting about 9 years in my wine cellar. The Solaia performed exceptionally well (but only after about 40 minutes of aeration) offering a bouquet of blackberries, black currants, premium cigar tobacco, sandalwood, and licorice. But its true calling in life and overall quality seem to show more in its huge concentration of fruit, most notable on the mid-palate, backed by a wall of tannins. Clearly this wine is still youthful and its structure is just barely allowing consumption at this stage, and only with plenty of air time in the glass. This wine could have benefited enormously from decanting, but I admit I was remiss.
Rating: 92

Twomey 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – Sonoma, CA
Cost: $42/bottle

From the fine folks out in Alexander Valley (Silver Oak)— they have produced another label called Twomey for some years now, and this is my first taste of their pinot noir. The color is a transparent ruby, light to medium-bodied, almost appearing very dilute or even a bit like a rosé. The Twomey’s bouquet is generous however, with nice raspberry and cherry fruit, and heavy toasted oak reminding me of Perugina chocolate cherry cordials. It is an alluring aroma one cannot help keep sniffing. In the mouth, it is certainly light on its fruit and the cherry/raspberry aromatics are consistent in the flavor profile, with good glycerine and alcohol in check. Virtually no tannins, but it is the balanced acidity that provides the structural integrity to the wine. For a 2008 vintage, this wine is certainly young, but I doubt it will get any better than it is today. Seems to me it was built for immediate consumption. For $42 a bottle, don’t cellar this; drink it right away to get your money’s worth.
Rating: 88

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Until the release of PX Me (Summer 2011), this website will henceforth be updated only intermittently (approximately once or twice a week).
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Chateau Pichon Longueville 1995 Bordeaux – Pauillac, France
Cost: $105/bottle (purchased in 1998)

Here is a 2nd growth Bordeaux from a chateau with an excellent history of developing great wines that are age-worthy; when they reach their peak, it lasts for decades. It’s been about 15 years since the great vintage of 1995, and the Pichon Longueville was stunning from its open. Aromas of lead pencil, polished leather, black cassis, plums, dry-roasted walnuts, and roasted espresso beans. The velvety fruit revealing mature cassis flavor slid effortlessly across the mid-palate with good weight and density. The tannins are firm and the alcohol unnoticeable, allowing the fruit (with just the right level of grippy acidity) to come forth, making this wine so easy to drink. Slow down and enjoy the bouquet… ahhh… this is good juice. A nice mature Bordeaux, and although most claret lovers might find this wine a bit young, I think it has developed well, with a great complex nose but still plenty of baby-fat fruit to impress the palate. Back that with a long finish and you have a winner. Delicious!
Rating: 98

Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon – Alexander Valley, Sonoma
Cost: $40/bottle (restaurant retail)

I happened to stumble across this Rodney Strong Cabernet, and it was fairly good. Aromas of toasted vanilla bean blended with sweet oak; a slight hint of confectionary sugar sprinkled over black currants and anise is a nice touch. In the mouth, medium-bodied and silky smooth, with plenty of consistent flavor to back it up. They did a great job for this label in 2007; this bottle probably retails for about $20 at your local wine shop, and it’s a particularly good value for this Alexander Valley cabernet.
Rating: 88

Two Hands – Angels Share Shiraz 2007 – McLaren Vale, Australia
Cost: $25/bottle (as part of a Vosges Dark Chocolate gift box)

Thick velvety dark opaque purple wine, a rich decadent milkshake-like wine oozing with so much viscosity. Notes of black cherry, chocolate cake, black raspberry, with strong mocha in aroma and flavor. I almost feel guilty drinking this; it’s like dessert in a glass. Dark chocolate morsels made by Vosges are a great accompaniment to this dry red— although granted, I would likely enjoy this particular shiraz with a nice juicy porterhouse steak more. A fine offering made by the folks at Two Hands.
Rating: 90

Roy Estate Vineyard, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California
Cost: $101/bottle

A browse through a convenient small wine and beer shop (located in an Ocean City, Maryland Hilton Hotel) revealed a rare bottle from Roy, a “garagiste” (or rather, a premium “cult” wine)— a bit steeply priced at about $20 above the winery-direct charge, but worth checking out anyway.
This was dark purple, full-bodied and velvety, with a voluptuous external appearance and texture. Sexy and smooth with aromatics that combined black currants, confectionary sugar-powdered donuts, and vanilla crème, with a marvelous leathery complexity. With some swirling (and just over the one-hour mark), notes of mild mocha emerge. It’s really quite amazing to sniff… with a great layered mouthfeel exhibiting perfect levels of glycerine and a density in the fruit that just wraps the palate. A full 45-second finish with lingering currants, black cherry, and vanilla makes you want to come back for more. It’s easy to take shots at more expensive wines, but this one is packed with the quality and panache that come with a premium worth every cent. A solid serious cabernet from Roy.

Rating: 94

Dry Creek Valley – Endeavor Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Cost: App. $50/bottle

Lush fruit— currants, black berries, and blueberries, along with graham cracker pie crust and toasted oak, with a touch of smoke and dark chocolate. Layered in the mouth, a long decadent finish, a joy to sniff and of course to taste. Accompanied with an artisanal cheese plate followed with filet mignon, this wine has a voluptuous body that keeps giving on both the mid and back
palates. Wow.

Rating: 94
(Worth looking for; only 749 cases made. May be tough to find but worth the search.)

Barkan Cabernet Sauvignon – Altitude Series 2005 – Galil, Israel
Cost: $49/Bottle

Wow! Who would have thought a wine like this could be made in Israel (and Kosher to boot)? This wine is unbelievable. Dark, rich, ruby in color, full-bodied, with an inky texture loaded with black fruits, currants, and black raspberries, saddled with espresso, toasted oak, and anise. The flavor complements the consistent aromatic sensation. This is quite a surprise to me— a quintessential cabernet from Israel. Awesome. (And did I mention it’s Kosher?)
Rating: 95

Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2007 – Sonoma County California
Cost: $22.99/Bottle

Light pewter in color, medium-bodied, nice genuine notes of grapefruit, wet stones, and lemon rind on the nose. In the mouth, tart and dry, good balance, refreshing and light on the palate with slightly diluted but consistent flavors of grapefruit and minerals.
Rating: 86

Simi Chardonnay 2007 – Sonoma California
Cost: 19.99/Bottle

A dry chardonnay that hints at juiciness— with its buttery oak, honeydew, pear, and tropical fruit aromas. It’s moderately full-bodied with consistent pears, fruity flavors, and minerals that flow quite nicely with a zingy acidity that puckers the upper section of your mouth. A slightly short and dry finish, but that’s fine for the value of this Sonoma chardonnay.
Rating: 87

Matua Valley – Sauvignon Blanc – 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand
Cost: app. $16 to $18 / bottle

One of the hidden gems in the world of dry white wines can easily include the sauvignon blanc, and New Zealand is well known for producing fine examples. This Matua Valley was quite simply… awesome. This is crisp, light to medium-bodied, with a slight pewter in color. The aromas and flavors that dominated the entire time were a refreshing array of grapefruit, lime, and just a suggestion of lemongrass. Went very well with the summery cuisine I enjoyed alongside this wine of excellent value.
Rating: 90

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 color and medium-bodied package— but with its rich color, it really looks heavier. Its nose is dark cassis, cherry preserves, herbs, menthol, with a slight hint of heat that gives it a sherry-like fragrance. It remains smooth and firmly tannic on the palate. A dry finish, suggesting a little age would help this come along, with a good level of fruit that could meld better with time. I don’t believe I have ever had a wine from the Cahors region in France, but this truly looks promising.
Rating: 87
(I may pick up 2 or 3 bottles and allow it to rest on its side for a year. Will report on its progress over time…)

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 intriguing. And I’m glad I succumbed to the temptation.
An amazing nose of red berries and cherries greeted me immediately, and in another 20 minutes or so emerged a wonderful scent of rosemary— yes that sweet smelling nose. A slight hint of eucalyptus (but mostly rosemary) accompanied, with a twinge of cherries and berries. Very impressive. In the mouth, the 14.2 % alcohol seemed tamed (but it’s there), taking a back seat to the fruit and supple tannin textures. Very juicy, ripe, and quite nice, perfect for an easy relaxing night.
Rating: 90

Hartley Ostini – Generation Red 2006 Central Coast – Santa Maria, California
Cost: $20.99/bottle

An interesting red combination of cabernet franc, merlot, syrah, and refosco grape varietals. Santa Maria is best known for their pinot noir and chardonnay; this Hartley Ostini red blend pulls no punches. Big, with its 14% alcohol and plenty of complexities, including hickory smoke barbeque sauce, herbal tea that blends nicely into cherries and blueberries, and a subtle hint of pepperiness thanks to the syrah. It’s silky smooth on the palate with plenty of juicy glycerine and fruitiness at the middle and back of the mouth. Good finish (and fairly priced at just over a $20).
Rating: 89