Bubbles | Bottle | $14 | Pine Orchard | My business partner, Lynne D’Autrechy, and I recently had an impromptu proposal win celebration. We raided her wine cellar and picked a Caposaldo. It was quite good. Not too sweet or dry. Just right for a winning bid and/or a summer afternoon.
The Prisoner 2012 Red Blend from Napa
Reds-Case (if money were no object) | $52/bottle (Iron Bridge) or $40/bottle (Total Wine – but without the Iron Bridge’s excellent beef tenderloin) | Iron Bridge | Total Wine | This has been a consistent favorite of mine. Used to be from Orin Swift but I’m told it was sold—it’s still a great wine though. Wine Advocate (90 points) says “Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a big, peppery, meaty, Rhone-like bouquet with hints of bay leaf, unsmoked cigar tobacco, black currants and sweet jammy cherries.” I’ll go along with that!
Shenandoah Vineyards of California Amador County 2011 Black Muscat
Whites-Bottle | $14 | Perfect Pour | Who knew California has a Shenandoah Valley? Although the most expensive wines by volume tend to be dessert wines, there are some good values among them.
My wife and I served this one with strawberry shortcake last night and it seemed to pair well.
Too often dessert wines can be sickeningly sweet. This wine, derived from the Black Muscat grape is different. We found it to be slightly sweet and fruity but not over the top.
Testarosa Santa Lucia Highlands 2011 Chardonnay
Whites-Bottle | $40 | Total Wine | If chard is your thing, this is your wine. Smoother than silk. Great complexity. The only problem was the bottle was too small!. Although $40 is a lot of money for a white, rest assured that it is a legitimate 90 points. This is the good stuff.
Maipe Torrontes 2012
Whites-Case | $11/bottle or $132/case before discount | Total Wine | I’m always looking for a great wine for sushi and, not being a big Riesling fan, this is my favorite so far. From Mendoza, Argentina. Crisp, Pear, Apple, Light-bodied. A beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish. Best enjoyed in its youth.
Mendoza Station Torrontes 2012
Whites-Case | $6/bottle or $72/case before discount | Total Wine | Here is my second submission in the budget category, this time a white from Mendoza, Argentina. This highly aromatic white is filled with bright notes of orange blossoms and hints of apricot. The off-dry palate is balanced by a crispness reminiscent of fresh citrus, with a lingering perfumed finish. Delicious as an aperitif or with fresh seafood, especially sushi.
El Prado 2012 Tempranillo Cabernet Blend
Reds-Case | $6/bottle or $72/case before discount | Total Wine | Hopefully I’ve built some wine cred with a few midrange submissions, so I can now offer up my go-to red for bigger crowds when budget plays a larger role. This is a real easy drinker, very respectable for the bargain price. Good with food or when it’s alone. Or when I’m alone and don’t want to feel guilty about opening a bottle.
Fresh, Raspberry, Currant, Medium-bodied Spanish Red Blend. This medium-bodied blend of 70% Tempranillo and 30% Cabernet has a rich red purple color, and displays raspberry and blackberry flavors on the palate. Silky in texture with a superb finish, it pairs well with simple dishes such as cold meats and cheeses or pasta dishes.
Cougar Crest Viognier
Whites-Bottle | $27 | Iron Bridge Wine Company | Cougar Crest has chosen Viognier as their signature white wine. It is the only white grape in their estate vineyards. They chose it for its unique heady aromas, rich mouth feel and the fact that it is so different from Chardonnay! Floral, citrus, and melon aromas tempt the nose, and pear, peach and tropical flavors please the palate. A smooth honey-like finish gives depth and length to a wine that can be sipped by itself but also pair very well with food, such as seared scallops.
WINE AWARDS:
91 Points Wine Spectator
Gold San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Cougar Crest Dedication 7 2010
Reds-Bottle | $25 | Iron Bridge Wine Company | Red blend, Merlot-Syrah-Cab-Petit Verdot – Cougar Crest Winery’s seventh release of Dedication is a blend of four varietals; 50% Merlot, 29% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Lush, ripe plums, red currants, black cherries, and a hint of dried roses and herbs on the nose are balanced by acidity and tannins that are smooth and graceful, not overbearing. Rich on the palate and long on the finish, the overall effect shows balance and finesse, a hallmark of Cougar Crest wines. A deeply satisfying wine that is versatile and can be paired with bold, smoky meats, grilled chicken or salmon, lamb stew, or pizza. Enjoy!
WINE AWARDS:
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90 Points Wine Spectator
Double Gold Indy International Wine Competition
The Chook 2012 Shiraz Viognier
Reds-Bottle | $22 | Total Wine | Winemaker’s Notes: The seamless integration of Shiraz co-fermented with Viognier, generates a seductive nose of apricots, spice and ripe berries. The palate is smooth and full of rich flavor, perfect for a long lingering finish of delightfully soft Shiraz fruit, but not without the punch.
“Deep garnet-purple in color and replete with lifted notes of ripe blackberries, freshly crushed blackcurrants and fresh mint with hints of pepper and aniseed, the full-bodied 2012 Shiraz Viognier has plenty of exuberant and juicy, blackberry flavors well supported by lively acidity and a medium level of rounded tannins. It finishes with good length.”
90 Points The Wine Advocate
“Saturated ruby. Floral, fragrant and fresh on the nose, displaying dark berry and oak spice aromas. Zesty blackberry and bitter cherry flavors show good clarity and lift thanks to juicy acidity. Deepens on the persistent finish, featuring peppery spice, vanilla and violet pastille notes.”
90 Points International Wine Cellar
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