Tasting Notes
Posted: May 5, 2009
BEST BUYS
AVELINO VEGAS Verdejo Rueda Montespina 2007
This aromatic white showcases the Verdejo grape's characteristic tropical fruit, offering ample pineapple, mango, and citrus aromas with interesting touches of fennel and herb. On the palate, the fruit is big and bold, reminiscent of orange preserves, and vibrant acidity lends backbone to a generous, creamy white.
Cases: 15,000 Score: 86 Cost: $110
HAHN ESTATES Merlot Monterey 2006
This wine shows nice complexity for the price, with delicate touches of savory herbs and root beer emerging from the ripe plum and bright cherry aromas. The tannins are soft but persistent, with dark fruit—black raspberry and cassis—building on the palate, before the lightly spicy, earthy finish.
Cases: 12,618 Score: 86 Cost: $121
YELLOW TAIL Pinot Grigio South Eastern Australia The Reserve 2007
America's most popular imported white grape meets America's best-selling brand in this pert and pretty white offering plenty of clean apple and melon flavor, with a bit of racy lime on the palate. The nose has a fresh floral note along with crisp orchard fruits, and the snappy finish makes the wine suitable for lighter foods.
Cases: 20,000 imported Score: 85 Cost: $120
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
BERINGER Chardonnay Napa Valley Sbragia Limited-Release 2006
Demonstrating benchmark California concentration and com-plexity, this white is richly layered with aromas of chewy fig, hon-eysuckle, hazelnut, and a touch of nutmeg. The palate is full-bodied and luscious, without becoming weighty, with tropical fruit and zesty acidity acting to balance the wine's slick, buttery richness.
Cases: 5,775 Score: 92 Cost: $402
BODEGAS BORSAO Campo de Borja Crianza Selección 2005
This Spanish blend, with Garnacha as its primary component, is a decadent mélange of red and black fruit, the plummy palate nicely touched with iron, tar, and earthiness. The wine shows both polish and power in its tannins, the dark fruit nicely layered with coffee and herbal notes on the long finish.
Cases: 3,000 imported Score: 92 Cost: $160
QUIVIRA Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2006
With additions of Petite Sirah and Carignane, this California red unfurls wild and brambly, with dark berry fruit, briar, and herb on the nose. Among the pungent fruit lurk spicy hints of black pepper. The dense fruit flavors dance bright and nimble on the palate, serving up lively ripe tannins on the finish.
Cases: 3,793 Score: 89 Cost: $200
SPECIALS
CHÂTEAU DE BEAUCASTEL Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin Grande Cuvée 2005
Consisting mainly of Mourvèdre, this wine's opaque, nearly black hue foretells its power and depth. The effusive aroma layers wild berry and plum with savory soy, smoked meat, roasted coffee, and dark chocolate. On the palate, dense fruit and sweet tobacco are wrapped in ripe, supple tannins already showing good purity and poise.
Cases: 350 Score: 97 Cost: $5,040
LEEUWIN Chardonnay Margaret River Art Series 2005
The benchmark Chard of Western Australia, this wine is fresh and juicy, with zesty grapefruit, spiced pear, and ripe peach aromas augmented by nutmeg and toasted nut. The palate's seamless integration of fruit with spice, smoke, and fresh herb, together with a long, generous finish, make this spellbinding stuff, showing exceptional balance and polish.
Cases: 500 imported Score: 95 Cost: $720
VEUVE CLICQUOT Brut Champagne Rare Vintage 1988
An outstanding value from a superb vintage, this aged Champagne retains plenty of youthful vitality, its lemon peel and dried fruit nose mingled with streams of smoke and toasty hazelnut. The full palate brims with fine, persistent bubbles and flavors of buttery brioche, finishing with lean minerality.
Score: 95 Cost: $924
