Domodimonti’s first vintage was in 2004. The grape varieties grown include: Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, Pecorino, Passerina Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  . Do you like sulfates in your wines? No one does. Their approach can best be described as follows: Grapes are hand-picked. Sustainably-grown, using organic matter.

Franco-American couple Michael and Hélène Affatato purchased the1646-dated Chateau La Gatte in 2004, and enovated it into a B & B and winery. Château La Gatte - Bordeaux Rosé - 100% Merlot. 80% Merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon This is a field blend, vinified in stainless steel tanks then transferred to cement vats until bottling.

In 1982, the Montague Vineyard, 50 acres adjacent to the Niagara District Airport, was acquired and produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Pinot Grigio. Now you know the Merlot went incredibly well with this dish! so I am in Canada to celebrate the Icewine festival. Inniskillin Winemaker Bruce Nicholson.

Greg Dal Piaz from Snooth organized a tasting last week to sample nine Bordeaux wines from the 2004, 2005 and 2006 vintages, and below are some of my tasting notes. 2004 Chateau Sociando Mallet Haut-Medo c Full bodied, animal, barnyard, chocolate covered cherries, cherry liquore, dry leaves, $50. Chateau Dassault St.

From Lujan de Cuyo in the Upper Mendoza River Region along the Andean foothills, where great temperature variances between night and day make for a Merlot with intense aromas and good acidity. Medium bodied and ruby colored with warmer copper painted around the rim of the glass. making this very easy to drink.

Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. After two months of laying around, drinking coffee, tea, water and gatorade and laying off the good stuff I am beginning to feel the need for a long day of wine shopping, but the fridge is full and I will just have to do my part in making room for more. Here the grapes for Frascati are grown.

My second choice was a 375ml bottle of white Merlot that was given to me by winery owner Dave Mansfield when I visited his Three Brothers Winery in May. Our visit to the winery just happened to be the same day that the white Merlot was being bottled. The white Merlot has been released and can be purchased at the winery for $17.

Winemakers notes: A classic Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon. 61% Cabernet Franc, 28% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. I don't often go with Shirley and Pam to the Saturday morning Central New York Regional Farmer's Market, but I made an exception today. King Ferry Winery was founded in 1984.

I've been holding out on the wine reviews until everything gets back to normal after my surgery. At present, my Cardiologist has OK'd 3-4 oz. of wine per day and, for me, that just don't cut it. do cheat a bit and I also skip some evenings. That is what happened with the first bottles I opened. little lighter bodied than what I'm used to in Zin.

The Vineyard Today the vineyards cover about 70 hectares throughout Margaux with 130 separate parcels of vines, with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 6% Malbec, 1% Petite Verdot. The challenge of the season was to preserve freshness of Merlot because of the high alcohol potential. Maturation on lees makes for a silkier wine.

Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. An international wine collection with six brands and ten items packaged in a new exciting premium 3L wine cask from the Octavin Home Wine Bar ™. The Chardonnay was not impressive. Definitely a good party wine.

With May and New York Riesling month coming to close soon, it is safe to say that I tasted more Riesling this month than any one year in my life. The hard part was deciding which ones I would post on the blog. After this article I will post once more on a NY Riesling and may list all those I have had. Both were opened with a BBQ chicken dinner.

Park Avenue Spring was a wonderful venue to showcase the wines - a creamy 2008 Chardonnay with a long crisp finish that paired well with the oyster, refreshing 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (tank-fermented and aged in neutral French Oak barrels), 2004 Pinot Noir (everyone's favorite!) "So what did the first winery look like?" cakebread cake.

This past Monday evening was a first for me on-line. Because of my work schedule and Shirley's extra long 'honey-do' list I never have the chance to do a tweet up on Twitter or follow a wine party on Facebook. You can add comments or photos or just sit back, relax, read what others are having and just sip away on your own wine.

This past weeks edition of the Syracuse New Times, a weekly alternative newspaper published in Syracuse, New York, contained an interesting article on Finger Lakes Riesling. Gary noted four wineries, one of which I vaguely remember from an article written by Evan Dawson for the New York Cork Report. Sipping later was delightful.

Now looking forward to 4 day trip to New York City and some Long Island Merlots and some more Hudson Valley wines. To continue Riesling month here in New York, I wanted to find something other than my favorites from the Finger Lakes region. Doing so seemed almost impossible. Brotherhood also happens to be America's oldest winery.

Although it has been produced only in 2004, 2006, and 2007, the label legally can’t state a vintage as a vin de table , so instead they rely on the microscopic font of the lot number , 20.06 Vin de table lies at the bottom of the administrative heap in France: it’s derided, dirt cheap and sold in supermarkets by the flagon.

Just finished watching the movie "Avatar" while sipping on my first Riesling of the summer. Finger Lakes Riesling of course. This month is Riesling month in New York and this will be the first of many I'll enjoy over the next 30 days. The 2008 Red Tail Ridge semi-dry Riesling was suggested by my sister-in-law. This is now one of her favorites.

Recently, the wife and I have been discussing a possible trip to California next year. few of the issues are for how long and where. Of course my choice would be Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley or Russian River Valley, the home of some of the best wines in the world. Oh, I'm sorry, did I leave out Paso Robles, Lodi, Central Coast or Livermore Valley.

The first of the Zin's I recently stocked up on is the Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley 2004 Reserve. The 2004 vintage is 96% Zinfandel and 4% Petite Sirah. I'm leaving Chile(till later) and heading over to California to try a few more Zin's. Deep dark fruit aromas with some cherry. Hey, you're never too old to learn. Not that I am old??

75% Sangiovese (Minimum required by DOCG), plus 25% other varieties like Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Ruffino Greppone Mazzi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2004 Only the best hand picked grapes are selected during several passes to pick bunches at the perfect state of maturation. Violets, plums, spices with herbal notes.

Since 2004 Steve has been Long Island Wine Council’s Executive Director, playing a large part in bringing the number of visitors to 1.3 Jamesport Vineyards 2005 Melange de Trois Bordeaux blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc. Wölffer Estates 2006 Fatalis Fatum 42% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, 27.5%

This is the third of the Carmenere wines I tasted this month. As I stated in my previous two articles, Carmenere is one of the wines I've pushed aside in the past, but have placed on a list to re-examine in 2010. The first two left me with mixed feelings about the wine. did enjoy this with some Muenster and Dubliner cheese. It'll be fun!!!

It's been a few years since I tasted Carmenere. If I remember right, it was a take it or leave it, nothing special, too many other fine wines, don't shop for wine. My last review confirmed that feeling, but in a very serious attempt to expand a lazy palate I purchased a few different labels to compare. The first was disappointing.

Wish I had a nice Canadian wine tonight so I could toast the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team on their winning of the Gold medal. am not an avid hockey fan, but I do watch occasionally and tonight enjoyed one of the best ever games. Instead, I uncorked an Arboleda Carmenère 2006 from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. Bring on the steaks!!! Wine Acidity: 5.31

The second course of fish was paired with Azua Bobal Roble 2007 (sweet floral nose, fruit and spice on the palate that does not weigh one down) and Quantum 2008 blend of Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Michael Apstein. Have you heard of Manchuela? It is a very small, rather new D.O.

Grattamacco Bolgheri Rosso Superiore 2006 DOC 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese. Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Campolongo di Torbe 2004 nose: chocolate, mushrooms, roasted meat, saddle, flavors: ripe sour cherries, powder, slate. Herbal, tar, cherries, smoky.

Think my taste buds are back. I've been having a few problems with red wines since finishing some prescribed meds a few weeks ago. No matter what was tried I was getting a very musty taste. opened a few old reliables thinking there must have been some bad bottles in the rack, but they turned out to be the same. Bogle Winery 2007. Great value!!

This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, is temperature control fermented in stainless steel tanks then aged in 5-hl casks for over 18 months. Tags: petit verdot Cabernet Sauvignon VINO2010 cabernet franc merlot

One of the great things about social networking is that you often get in contact with friends and classmates from a time when all was great, life was fun and we were all going to live forever. was reminded of just that this past week as I chatted with an old friend and High School classmate from the mid-60's. Here's what I learned.

An Atwater Estate Vineyards , Cabernet-Merlot 2007. blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot. Winemakers notes: This dynamic duo combines the brawn of Cabernet Sauvignon and the suppleness of Merlot. So much so, at half time of game, I got on-line and ordered more Atwater Cab-Merlot and Syrah. Alcohol: 13.0%

Big break in weather today here in Central New York. Temperatures will reach about 30F. Must be the annual January thaw! To celebrate I figured to open one of my usually reserved for warm weather whites. My choice is one that was recently purchased at Lakewood Vineyards on Seneca Lake at the December 'Deck the Halls" event. 2007 Riesling.

Trentino Traminer Aromatico Casato Montfort 2004 Varietal: Gewürztraminer Region: Trentino Aged 5 months in steel vats and 3 months in bottle. Feudo di San Nicola Negroamaro 2004 IGT Puglia Smoky candy, ripe cherries, blueberries, strawberries, and spicy on the finish. Well, here they are.

Somewhere among my 50 New Year's resolutions (99.9% failure rate) was to leave my wine comfort zone more often as I continue to expand my trapped palate. To do so, I will have to taste, I mean drink, more wines that I never tried or wines I just never liked. So, to start off the new year I opened one of my least favorite wines, Zinfandel.

Bruno Giacosa Spumante Brut 2004 DOC Varietal: Pinot Noir Region: Lombardia Bruno Giacosa, known more for his Barolo and Barbaresco in the Piedmont region makes this Spumante Brut in the neighboring Lombardy region. In 2004, Piero purchased a vineyard in Patagonia Argentina which is now Bodega Chacra in order to produce Pinot Noir.

Syrah has always been one to those wines I could take or leave it. Almost all that I had ever tasted were the Shiraz from Australia. While visiting Damiani Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake this past spring I tasted an excellent Syrah and I was sold. From that day on I was a fan. enjoyed the Syrah with Shirley's three bean chili.

Paul Giamatti : played role of Miles in Sideways (2004); crushed the fortunes of Merlot with a single line while the film boosted interest in Pinot Noir. Thanks to everyone for the fascinating discussion suggesting nominees for the Wine Person of the Decade. Now it’s voting time! You can only vote for one person.

This has been one fantastic year of enlightenment for me when it comes to all things wine. Believe I may do a year end article on the subject. If I do, I will have to include the German grape, Dornfelder as one of the highlights. Dornfelder is a cross between Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe grapes. It is the 3rd most planted red wine grape in Germany.

The wine is 85% Cab/Sauv, 10% Merlot and 5% Syrah which gives it a nice fruity and peppery finish. A4C has released three wines from Central Coast California: a Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and a Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Such was the case with one of the two wines received from Martellotto Wines. Now Cabs I have no problem with.

From the Columbia and Walla Walla Valley in Oregon comes this tasty blend made from 35% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 14% Syrah. Select Cuvees of Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah from top sites in the Walla Walla Valley were blended with choice lots from the Columbia Valley to produce this unique wine.

Can't seem to find a Finger Lakes Riesling I don't like. Thanks to my son, this past weekend I opened a dry Riesling from Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars located in Lodi, NY, on the east side of Seneca Lake and my first stop on the annual " Deck the Halls " event on Dec. have to say his timing was impeccable. g/L pH: 2.93 Alcohol by Volume: 12.1

Tonight I added another favorite place to eat in Syracuse, Joey's Italian Restaurant. Shirley and I have been dining here for the last 10 years and it seems that the food just keeps getting better and better. Best of all is the fabulous and always changing wine list. The only downside is the lack of New York wines on the list and no NY reds.

Sometime near the end of the year, I would like to post all that I have learned and the wines that I have come to enjoy over the past two years. From a European reds only wine drinker who could not tolerate most white wines or any wines over 0% RS, to be even drinking the many wines I am now, I think I have come a long way.

From New Zealand, this Bordeaux blend of 87% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec is fermented in stainless steel and aged in oak for 17 months. Tags: Cabernet Sauvignon cabernet franc merlot bordeaux stainless steel oak New Zealand malbec

The breakdown was 5 flights of 4 each of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (unoaked), Chardonnay (oaked), Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This past week the Long Island Wine Council sponsored a seminar and blind tasting of its wines to compare them with others from international regions. So, here we go.

I think it gets a little scary when you choose a not so good wine for three consecutive nights. When the fourth night comes and you just get home from work and you are looking for a nice wine just to sip, watch a little TV and catch up on a little blog work, you check every bottle in the wine fridge and just can't decide for fear of failing again.

Every Friday and Saturday after work, a few friends and I visit our favorite lounge for some great food off the bar menu and to down a few glasses(maybe more than a few) of wine. Of course, the lounge is owned by my son and his fiance and has become our regular hang out since opening one year ago. Finally, he has listened to his dad. At that price.

The gift pack included a bottle of Merlot and a bottle of Pinot Grigio, of which we opened at a dinner dance held during my annual military reunion. blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot. About two years ago I found a special deal on a gift pack of two wines from Candoni Wines. Both wines were well liked by all of us at our table.

Alright, here's my dilemma or at least one of them. Tonight Shirley and daughter Pam are making 'halupkies' for dinner. Halupkies are also known as stuffed cabbage or as we called them in our house as kids growing up in the Pennsylvania coal region, 'blind pigeons.' The dilemma, I have no clue as to what wine to open. That only added to the dilemma.

There comes a time when you believe that a certain wine just can't get any better. hope I never get to that point in my lifetime. don't hide the fact that in the past two years I have fallen in love with wines from the Finger Lakes region of New York. have my favorite Finger Lakes wineries and my favorite Finger Lakes wines. Such is the case today!

While in Virginia on vacation, I picked up four bottles of Virginia wines, figuring I would try all four and choose one to review. Tonight I opened up the second bottle and had maybe the best white wine find of this summer, a 2006 Michael Shaps Viognier from the King Family Vineyards. The wines are produced with a traditional old-world style.

I 'm currently making room in my wine cooler for a recent large quantity buy, so I pulled out a Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2005 Riserva for a pizza dinner tonight. had this wine about four years ago and wasn't fully impressed at that time, but thought I'd give it another chance and the price was right. Turned out to be a good move.

One of the problems with bringing home lots of wine from a Finger Lakes wine tour is deciding which ones to try first. Shirley helps make that decision easier by planning some meals ahead of time or by just giving me a warning of what's on the menu for the night. Sometimes though, it can be challenging choosing the right wine for the meal.

OK, today I sinned again, at least according to some. took my list of New York medal winners to another local wine shop. Unfortunately, I found only one, besides another Anthony Road Vinyards 2008 semi-dry Riesling which I already have in the cooler. Oh yeah, for those who don't know, that wine was judged the most outstanding New York wine for 2009.

Well it's time to try a new wine, at least new to me. Before now I have never tasted Gewurztraminer. Please, no comments on that issue. It took me over 30 years to appreciate any white wine, and now that I do, I am trying them all. The first was OK and will be nice at a evening get-together, but not one I would bring to the party. Great Buy!

Based on what I found on the net, it is probably a 2004. With ample experience in making and aging great wines dating back to 1964, Santiago Ijalba García left his position as general and technical manager in a historic Haro bodega to launch his own personal project. In 1998 under his newly-incorporated company Santiago Ijalba S.A. Great Buy!

The Lindeman's Merlot 2007 was recommended by a friend this past week-end. Palate: A medium bodied palate is defined by abundantly ripe plum fruit, a touch of earth and trademark Merlot spice. The wine is smooth and supple, very much in the keeping with the modern style of Merlot. Tags: red wine merlot Australia

There I tasted more reds and found an interesting blend 'Viridescens', a bordeaux style blend of Cab Franc, Cab/Sauv and Merlot. had already done a review on the 2004 Eclipse, so we skipped that one. I am just sitting back enjoying one of the many New York Finger Lakes wines I brought home from last weeks tour. The first was a must do.

The shop had a small selection of Portuguese wines and I only had about $15 in my wallet, so I chose a inexpensive Quinta Da Cortezia 2004 Reserva. blend of Touriga Nacional, Merlot and Tinta Roriz (tempranillo) Winemaker's Notes: "The reserve is a very deep black ruby in colour. Drink now or through the next 5 years." Great Buy!

Bonterra adds a little Merlot and Syrah to expand it's flavor and texture. I have a daughter that is living at home right now while she fixes up a house she bought a few months ago. She is very much into eating healthy and buys only organic veggies and fruits and free range meats, eggs and cheeses. Great Buy!

Today, I found a bottle of Eclipse 2004 on the shelf of a local Mom and Pop shop and decided I should give it a try. The wine is a bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, but more of a medium body and a bit fruity. After that, I basically stayed with my favorite European red wines.

2001 Cullen Wines Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Margaret River. 2004 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra. 2004 Mt Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz, Grampians. 2004 Penfolds RWT Shiraz, Barossa Valley. 2004 Dalwhinnie Eagle Series Shiraz, Pyrenees. Day One. Day Two. 2006 S.C.

From 95% cabernet sauvignon, with 3% merlot and 2% petit verdot.makes me think they should add 2% petit verdot to the final blend of the 2008, in an attempt to recreate the longevity of the sweetness here. Tags: 2004 Central California 2006 1988 3 stars Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Napa Valley 4 stars This wine put the 1989 to shame.

We tasted these wines blind over the past five nights, with a 2004 Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon thrown in to mix things up. The 2004 Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ** by contrast was mote black and abundantly oaky on the nose at first glance. But the predominant note on day 1 was the vanilla.

This Medoc is a Bordeaux blend made from 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. big fruity red wine with deep luxurious color and aromas to match. Silky, with ripe juice, and spices on the nose, with flavors of black fruits, resin and earth, followed by fresh cut wood.

The 2004 Chateau Le Pey Cru Bourgeois is a Bordeaux blend made from 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. Aged for a minimum of 12 months in French oak barrels. Deep garnet red in color with a bouquet of ripe red berries, earth, mineral, mint and eucalyptus.

Castiglion Del Bosco Dainero 2004 IGT?? From the Tuscan region of Montalcino comes this mouthwatering blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese grapes.?? From Arezzo, Italy this blend is a balancing act of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah, and 5% Petit Verdot and aged in French barriques for 12 months. ??Nuances

Tenuta Il Borro Toscana 2005 IGT From Arezzo, Italy this blend is a balancing act of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah, and aged in French barriques for 12 months. Castiglion Del Bosco Dainero 2004 IGT From the Tuscan region of Montalcino comes this mouthwatering blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese grapes.

We followed up with Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot 2005 ** which is less robust than the 2004, and not quite as fruity, but is more subtle, and a generally good value wine at $16 To conclude my previous post. Cherry red color with bricking at the edge, this was full on bloody with nice tang on the mid palate.

From the Tuscan region of Montalcino comes this mouthwatering blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese grapes. Aged in barriques for 6 months, it puts on an aromatic show of violet, currant and chocolate all wrapped in a full bodied style.

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot 2004 ** a very good merlot with blueberry notes and solid body that can be had for under $20 Bryce Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004 * ripe and succulent but with sufficient acidity to hold it all together. But more on that, later. Why that's important to me. don't really know. But there it is.)

2004 Mouton Cadet Bordeaux. 2004 Cantina Zuccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva * (Previously reviewed) Nice bright fruit this tasting, with good acidity and a lightly silty texture. NV Concha y Toro Reservado Merlot C.O. Mexico is a difficult place to find a good bottle of wine. drink beer.  Pirque, Chile. 2006 M.

2004 Napa Valley Merlot **+ Thoroughly enjoyable. 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ** The merlot was so good I went back and bought a bottle of the Cabernet Sauvignon. This opened up very nicely after a few hours, but never really showed the complexity and big fruit of the 2004 Merlot. So I kept mum. God forbid.

Chateau Cadillac Bordeaux 2004 smooth cherries, nice. made from 70% Merlot with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and a 12.5% first impressions sent via twitter. more to come. Here's more. alcohol content, this Bordeaux is aged in oak barrels for 12 months on one of the oldest properties in all of Bordeaux.

The 2004 Yarden El Rom Cabernet, a single vineyard Cab made from 3 blocks at the El Rom vineyard is a wine that appears to be quite ageworthy, yet it remained somewhat closed and required significant aeration to show its big black fruit, interesting cedar & clove aromas and concentrated flavors.  looks a little freaky huh.

Bond "Pluribus" Napa Valley 2004 ** did not display the depth and concentration I hoped for from a 2004 Bond. Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley "Special Selection" 2006 ** Reminded me of the 2004 Shafer Hillside Select in its concentration and subtlety. This year, the 2004 was underwhelming. love their events.

Prior to visiting the winery today I tried their LOW LEVEL supermarket 2007 "Private Collection" Cab/Merlot blend.  I fancy myself an aspiring Israeli wine expert, but I must admit that I have lots to do before I earn any such title.  Among the many things I must do is to better acquaint myself with one of Israel's oldest wineries - Carmel. 

No Merlots (OK, maybe 1) and no Cab's (OK, maybe 1 or 2).  The 2003 is drinking great, the 2004 is delicious and the just released 2005 is gorgeous.  Those are: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot & Malbec. The Dalton Alma , a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is a nice wine that is priced right. 

Medium body. Dark cocoa, raspberry liquor, and a little menthol. Pretty good stuff - drinking nicely right now

Also used in the wines/blends was Tempranillo, Carignan, Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and Tinta del Pais (which I learned is really just another name for Tempranillo). Of distinction among the reds was the "Marques de Tosos Reserva 2004 (Cainena) made with 40% each grenache & tempranillo & 20% cabernet. But I found out today.

The Les Tourelles is a Merlot based blend with cabernet sauvignon making up 40% and cab franc rounding it off at 10%. Merlot based Bordeaux is a beautiful thing. The special occasion wine this week is a beautiful and approachable Bordeaux blend form the village and appellation of Pauillac. This is a meal wine. Man, am I hungry. Cheer

When tasting Cabernet Franc (and Merlot, but I don't have enough context on that grape so I'm limiting this thought to Cab Franc), I found wines that smacked of vanilla and some sort of blackberry jam. Shinn's 2005 Estate Merlot is balanced and spicy, and just delicious. Enough to make you rethink Merlot. Where is the soil?

Even though this red wine from California is labeled Cabernet Sauvignon , upon further research I found that it is in fact a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Syrah , 4% Merlot and 1% Tempranillo. Aged for 8 months in French and American oak barrels, it has smoke and cedar aromas with blueberry, plum, cherries and a hint of chocolate.

Zinfandel is a very common varietal in Sonoma county and I tried 2 Zins at Sausal; the 2004 Family Zinfandel & the 2005 Private reserve Zin. There was also a Merlot, Cab, and then 4 zinfandels. It was actually the 2004 "old vine" Estate Alexander Valley Zin that I liked most. Maybe he simply lacked personality. Great stuff!

Reds: 2005 Chateau la Rame, $13, Rosenthal Imports (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot). 2004 Sandro Fay Rosso del Valtellina, $13.50, Omni Wines importer (100% Nebbiolo). Reds: 2004 Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardigna Reserve, $12, Palm Bay Imports (100% Grenache). For several months now the Euro is comfortably in the 1.5 range.

We had some Merlot & Cab from both a regular series and a reserve one. had a 2004 " The Sisters " Cab made with 8% Cab Franc. tried a 2004 red blend called "Blend 24" by B Cellars that was 75% cab, 15% merlot & 10 % syrah that had nice forest pine & forest berries to it. Havens had some really nice wine.

Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 This Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California is made from 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petite Sirah, 5% Syrah, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 1% Malbec- quite an intense mix, but it works. Here are 7 of my most recent favorite inexpensive but good wines. alcohol. We are in the $12 range.

His 2004 Neiman Cellars Napa Valley Red is a blend of 1/3 Cab Sauvignon, 1/3 Merlot, & 1/3 Cab Franc. Sadly Pam was not there, but her 2005 Cab Franc & 2004 Cab Sauv were. The 2004 C & S "Stone Place" Cabernet Sauvignon also had a very nice round & velvety mouth feel. don't know. great wine. Onto the reds.

Called Black Coyote Bates Creek Vineyard 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. it's 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot and barreled for 19 months in new and used French oak. believe they're already sold out of the 2004, so if you spot a bottle anywhere (it's in the $30-40 range and well worth it), grab it and hold it for a few years.

Other wines worth mentioning (listed alphabetically) Andrew Will 2006 Sorella ($53); Axios 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon * (retail $100) and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon * ($95); Barnett 2006 Spring Mtn. Eric Baugher (left) Sean McBride (right) holding bottles of 2006 and 2007 Monte Bello. traveled down to Wasihngton D.C. French wines! Awesome.

Italy • Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico is made from 90% Sangiovese , 5% Merlot , and 5% Canaiolo , the grapes for this Chianti Classico are selected and picked by hand. The must undergoes maceration over the grape skins for 12-14 days. It is full bodied, warm robust with flavors of cherries and a nose of spice, jam and wood. alcohol.

This Mendoza red wine blend from Argentina is composed of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon , 33% Malbec , and 33% Merlot , aged in French oak for 12 months. It has a very intense floral nose, deep purple red color, the palate is dark cherry, toast. It's full bodied and long on the finish. Recommended by the restaurant ( Alberto's

could write about the fabulous Israeli Cab or the not so fabulous French Bordeaux, the overrated California red, or awful Israel Merlot (it was BAD) but who cares?!?!! Merlot, Cab, Syrah - been there done that. lighter wine than a Cab, merlot or Syrah, Barbera is said to be the most (or second most) planter varietal in Italy.

Also in the $13-$14 range from Galil Mountain and worth checking out is their Merlot &/or Shiraz. Rogov gives the 2004 the best score of the bunch, but any will do the trick at $14 or so. Definitely fruit forward, the PS/Zin can be found in the 2004 vintage and sells for between $16-$24 - yes, a wide range. Galil Mountain.

And their 2004 "Right Bank" Red, a blend of Cab Franc (53%), Merlot (30%), Petit Verdot (9%) & Cab Sauv (8%) was beautiful. She had a nice Sauvignon Blanc and very pleasant Merlot as well. It had 84% Cab Franc, 14% Merlot & % Cab Sauv and was delicious. Sadly, the prices for Peay wines are quite high. Great stuff.

The only other reds that I really liked at the whole tasting were the 2004 Poliziano Nobile de Montepulciano Asinone and the 2003 Terre degli Svevi Aglianico del Vulture Serpara. 2005 Vistorta Friuli Grave Merlot Vistorta - should have a blank white lable with one word on it in black letters -"Red Wine." Nose of roses and road tar.

White 2004 Vergé Viré-Clessé Vieille Vignes - barnyard funk is overpowering on the nose. Red 2004 Peyra Côtes d'Auvergnes - somewhere between the south-eastern edge of the Loire and the north-western Rhône is Côtes d'Auvergnes. 2004 Derain Mercurey " la Plante Chassey" - smells like cured meat and sandalwood, kind of chalky too.

©photo 2008 Dave Trieger Italy • The grapes are 90% Sangiovese with the remainder a mix of Malvasia nera, Colorino , Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the original Chianti regions, Rufina. This red wine is #57 on the Wine Spectator's Top 100 list for 2007 and received a 91 rating for the 2004 vintage.

• 2004 Cayalla RTW (A nice and elegant full bodied blend of Cab Merlot and Syrah) • 2004 Gravity Hills Syrah (Cali wine reminiscent of the famous Chateauneuf De Pape of Provence) • Bookwalter Red Lot 21 (A wine with multiple vintages. March is here and with the way this winter has been going.well.I Cheers

photo ©2008 by Kristen Trieger Monte Antico Toscano 2004 IGT • This red wine by Italian wine specialist Neil Empson and winemaker Franco Bernabei is made from 85% Sangiovese , 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. Aged in oak barrels for a year and in bottle for 6 months, this ruby red medium weight wine is 12.5%