Tasting Notes

Posted: February 20, 2009

BEST BUYS

Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon South Australia The Y Series 2007

This Cab demonstrates good varietal character in an easy-drinking style with modest alcohol. Juicy blackberry and currant fruit meet secondary notes of herbs and tobacco on the palate, while soft tannins and a clean finish make the wine both food-friendly and quaffable by the glass. 3,000 cases imported.

Score: 87    Cost: $110

Perrin & Fils Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2006

This rustic French Grenache/Syrah blend shows red and black cherry fruit in the aroma, with a hint of spice and cocoa. The black fruit flavor is tinged with smoke and briary notes followed by hints of tar. Firm tannins provoke an earthy, dusty finish. 8,330 cases made.

Score: 87   Cost: $112

Smoking Loon Chardonnay California 2006

Intriguing aromas of nutmeg and clove are sprinkled over apple and pear fruit. Smoky oak and butter follow and build on the palate, adding some trademark California weight and creaminess before the crisp orchard fruits return on the finish. 278,500 cases made.

Score: 86    Cost: $104

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Sausal Family Zinfandel Alexander Valley 2005

This bold California Zin shows good concentration, revealing richly layered fruit aromas of black cherry, plum, and blueberry augmented by black pepper and earth. On the palate, good structure with herbal and anise flavors frame the juicy and rounded fruit. The finish is long, with supple tannins. 3,050 cases made.

Score: 91    Cost: $190

Golan Heights Chardonnay Galilee Yarden 2005

Kosher doesn't mean compromise in this Israeli Chardonnay showing aromas of crisp apple, pear, and stone fruit. The palate adds some zesty citrus fruit and a lean mineral edge that drinks clean and bright, while deft touches of toasty oak add complexity to this fresh and balanced white.

Score: 90   Cost: $180

Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva 2004

From the first whiff, this wine boasts a full roster of classic Rioja components: sour cherry and plum joined by dark aromas of smoke, leather, tobacco, and licorice. Somewhat tight in aroma, the flavors unfurl on the palate, where earthy fruit and smoky oak mingle with silky, drying tannins and vivid acidity. 50,000 cases made.

Score: 90   Cost: $160

SPECIALS

Gaja Langhe Sperss 2004

This Piedmontese red seems almost impossibly dense in its concentration of black fruit. Secondary notes of sandalwood, tar, and anise barely percolate through the thick fruit aroma. The wine is massive in body and generous with its dark fruit while unleashing a cascade of ripe supple tannins. One for the cellar. 1,500 cases made.

Score: 99   Cost: $2,500

Peter Michael Les Pavots Knights Valley 2005

Cabernet Sauvignon dominates this New World Bordeaux-style blend, both in proportion and flavor, lending ripe currant and blackberry fruit. Full-bodied and lush on the palate, the incredibly supple tannins create an elegant texture as the wine nicely strings together black fruit, dark chocolate, anise, and mineral notes. 3,600 cases made.

Score: 97   Cost: $2,100

E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 2004

The effusive aroma of this Syrah includes powerful black cherry and cassis underscored by pretty violets, dark coffee, and an element of meatiness. On the palate, the potent fruit is joined by figgy fruitcake, clovey spice, smoke, and mocha. With its great structure and abundance of fine tannins, this one is built to last. 800 cases made.

Score: 95   Cost: $3,500