East of Napa - Ratings, Reviews, Recipes

Kirkland Costco 2007 Meritage

2010-11-15T06:03:00.000-08:00

Kirkland Napa Valley Meritage 2007 - Rating:93 - The Perfect Recipe for this Wine is: Quite simply, wow! One would say....costco wine? Yuck. Little does one know this is some of the best wine going for the best price available. I expect what is happening is that Costco buy mass amounts from great wineries, slaps their labels on it, and sells at an amazing price. Please understand, this is not junk 2 buck chuck that leaves you with a headache...this is top level wine. I have tried many of the Kirkland wines and they have all proven amazing. This powerhouse features Merlot\Cabernet Sauvignon\Cabernet Franc is simply amazing! It is deep purple, thick, with denses black cherry and currants. Rich fruit, notes of vanilla, and oak. I have tried most Napa Valley wines, from $100 bottles to $5 bottles....and this wine drinks very good. I would put this with a juicy steak with onions and mushrooms....or simply enjoying with farmhouse cheddars and cured meats. It is simply delicious! I put this at 93 points, it sells for just over $10 a bottle and I would say it in on par with most Napa Cabs in the $35 to $45 range. In fact if you brown bagged this with a dozen other $5o Napa Cabs, I would expect no one could pick out that this was a $10 wine....probably because it's not. As I stated...this probably was a $40 wine and Costco went in and bought the whole vintage....that's my theory....

Great Wine Gift and Euro Wine Oval Stickers

2010-11-15T05:57:00.000-08:00

Check out our new euro-styled oval wine sticker for most major wine regions. Show support for your favorite wine region or give it as a gift for a wine lover. Check out our online store.

Review: The Show 2005 Cabernet

2009-01-13T06:41:00.000-08:00

The Show: Brought to you by the folks at three thieves, this wine sports a flashy label of an old western cowboy poster. The wine itself does not have anything unpleasent about it, yet it's label seems to be the best thing about this wine. While I have always been a fan of the three thieves boxed wines, it appears that the same care of quality didn't go into The Show. The wine is thin, light, and while it drinks fine, it's by no way a show stopper. (80)

Review: Palazzo Red Blend

2008-09-26T04:58:00.000-07:00

Palazzo Red Blend 2004 New world wine based on old world style. Very nice stuff. I do have to say that I think this wine is a bit over priced, that aside, it is very, very good. Made of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon this wine brings complexity and power, but also follows it with an elegance. This wine should be decanted, it needs to breathe and open prior to drinking. Palazzo is also a great choice for cellar aging if you want to put a nice bottle down for a few years. Ruby with wonderful nose, Palazzo brings light yet firm scents of spiced cherry and light cedar. Huge flavors and textures comes through with currants, blackberry, oak, smoke, vanilla, coffee, and tobacco. A nice bite of alcohol is followed by firm tannins. 92 - The Perfect Recipe for this Wine is: Pan Seared Ribe-eye Steak with Porcini and Rosemary

Finger Lakes Wine Trail

2008-09-18T04:50:00.001-07:00

Let's have a toast! The Cayuga Wine Trail in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York is celebrating 25 years this September.

The trail started in 1983 with five wineries. Today the trail consists of 16 family-owned wineries, and is part of Finger Lakes Wine Country, the largest producer of New York wines.

During the monthlong celebration, each of the 16 wineries will host an event to celebrate harvest season.

Events include a "Some Like it Hot" festival at the Hosmer Winery...

More...

Pomegranate Wine

2008-09-18T04:50:00.000-07:00

For centuries, the pomegranate has been recognised as a superfruit, containing A, B, and C vitamins as well as being rich in antioxidants. Truly, it is one of nature's wonders, and for the past five years an Israeli family, the Nachmias, have been bottling pomegranate as a wine.

Now, this wine is about to become available in the UK for the first time – and deserves to become popular if the dessert wine we sampled is anything to go by. After chilling it in the fridge as instructed for several hours before drinking, we uncorked it to be met with a pleasantly fruity smell which called out 'try me'.

And we were not disappointed. The taste of the wine is sweet and rich, and slips down very easily. Although it is a dessert wine, it tastes just as good when served as dinner wine with a steak meal – or you can enjoy it on its own afterwards.

Read More....Something Jewish

Sauvignons to Savour

2008-09-17T06:43:00.000-07:00

Cabernet Sauvignon at best is a deep-red wine with a firm structure from tannins which leave a grip or dryness in the mouth after you have swallowed it.

Flavours can suggest plums or berries, and there is often a hint of spice, cedar, chocolate or coffee from ageing in toasted oak.

Sometimes there's a vegetal hint, which adds excitement and complexity.

However, unripe grapes can make the vegetal character unpleasant and the wine thin and mean.

Cabernet sauvignon is best with red meats or full-flavoured vegetable or cheese dishes.

More....Otago Daily Times

Wine: Frost and Drought

2008-09-17T06:39:00.001-07:00

There is somewhat of a romantic notion surrounding winemaking.

We tend to picture grape growers and winemakers tending to their vineyards, crushing grapes, fermenting their bounty and then sitting back enjoying the liquid fruits of the harvest. For anyone who has participated in a grape harvest or any other substantial fruit harvest, the above notion can quickly dissipate. It is hard work, not to mention nerve-racking and frustrating, as is the case this year.

"It's a tough year to be a farmer," said Matt Hatcher of Hatcher Winery in Murphys. "We are seeing the result of the damaging frost from late last April."

But Hatcher thinks there are some upsides. The fruit appears to be terrific, said Hatcher, and it is an early harvest.

"We'll be done by mid- October at this rate. No worry about working into late November this year," he said.

Dave Wend of Wend Tyler Vineyards echoes Hatcher's opinion on the harvest's quality. He picked his Modesto chardonnay vineyard last week, and it appears to have escaped most of the frost.

"Yields are definitely down, but they show good quality and sugars."

Read More @ the Modesto Bee

Review: Montebelli Fabula Rossa Monteregio

2008-09-17T06:12:00.000-07:00

Montebelli Fabula Rossa Monteregio 2005 - Mmmmm, made of Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, and Canaiolo, this wine is a wonderful! Even more amazing is that it only costs about $12.00. A great rating and price for this wine. Ruby, very aromatic, and notes of cedar and cherry linger. Wow! The mouth feel is outstanding and while dry has juicy cherry, followed by cedar,smoke, coffee, and vanilla. Complex wine? Oh, yes! Full bodied and classic italian. (94) - The Perfect recipe for this wine is:Pasta with Bolognese Sauce

Review: Fratelli d'Italia Pinot Noir

2008-09-16T05:16:00.000-07:00

I know, Pinot Noir from Italy?! I was not expecting much from this Pinot Noir when my glass was poured. And, while not an amazing Pinot Noir, it was suprised....in a good was. This Pinot Noir was a very nice wine. Very nice ripe cherry nose, inviting nose, and a classic fresh flavor that the wine is known for. Cherry and strawberry, oak, mint, and a touch of coffee permiate this wine. Dry with good mouth feel, fairly complex, and a light body. Pinot Noir has gotten to be ones of those wine you generally have to pay for to get anything good, this is a rare exception. At About $11 a bottle it's probably the best Pinot Noir I've tasted under $25.(88) The perfect recipe for this wine is: Grilled Salmon with Basil Aioli

Review: Finca Flichman Gestos

2008-09-12T05:23:00.000-07:00

Finca Flichman Gestos 2007: Hmmm...different malbec. I am a big fan of Finca Flichman wines. Dedicado and Tupangato are sublime and amazing, even their $10 range wines are great buys. Gestos however is a bit different though. It is a malbec wine that is 50% high elevation grapes and 50% low elevation grapes...interesting concept. Anyway, the wine is juicy with a background of earth, yet maintains a fruity complexity. For those who don't like dry wines, this is a good bet. Lot of black fruit here. This is a perfect wine for BBQ's though I would not serve this to guests(see next comment). One warning, this wine has lots of histamines in it, so if you are sensative or have allergies you will probably get a small headache.(83) The perfect recipe for this wine is:BBQ Ribs with Molasses Bourbon Sauce

Free Wine Reviews and Recipes

2008-09-11T11:26:00.000-07:00

Thanks for visiting East of Napa - Free Wine Reviews, Ratings, and Recipes. Check out our online store for great wine gifts and wine t-shirts. You'll find great reviews and ratings here for wines such as plumpjack, cakebread, chimmney rock, mondavi, stags leap, frogs leap, as well as first-growth bordeaux!

Wine Gifts and Accesories - T-shirts

2008-09-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

East of Napa Wine Reviews / Wine Ratings and Recipes is proud to announce great wine t-shirts and wine gifts. In addition to free recipe and wine ratings and wine reviews from Napa Valley, Finger Lakes, Bordeaux, and Italy we now have wine t-shirts and wine gifts available. Please visit out wine gift store!

Review: Armani Pinot Grigio 2005

2008-09-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

Armani Pinot Grigio Vigneto Corvara 2005: Mmmmm. If you like great Pinot Grigio you must try this offering from Armani. trust me...if you are still behind the curve and drinking Santa Margarita , you MUST try Armani. They make a variety of Pinot Grigio and all eclipse Santa Margarita in quality, and at $16.99 it's less expensive. Anyway, this wine is very elegant with lemon and apple on the nose and very aromatic. Apple, peach, apricot, vanilla and a hint ofg oak brinf this medium bodied and complex Pinot Grigio to life. Well Done! (89)

Review: 2004 Domaine Serres Mazard

2008-09-07T06:49:00.000-07:00

2004 Domaine Serres Mazard - Red Corbieres: Very nice! Talk about a really rustic old world wine. This wine is terrific! To expect a lot for $11.99 a bottle is not common, but this wine delivers on all fronts. This is a great Rhone wine made of syrah, grenache, and carignan. Earthy, firm, deep black fruit with rustic tannins, and dry with a long finish. I can't think of anything better with this wine then BBQ. Grilled burgers, grilled steaks, anything....mmmm terrific wine.(91) The Perfect recipe for this wine is: Andouille and beef burgers with spicy mayo and caramelized onions

Review: Elderton Command Shiraz 03

2008-08-28T10:30:00.000-07:00

Elderton Command Shiraz 2003: This is a powerhouse shiraz. Classic power that your would find in a higher end Australian. This wine is dense, intense, and forward. Purple, great legs, and a powerful nose of vanilla, blueberry and plum. The flacvor here is huge, concentrated, but still silky smooth. Blackberry and blueberry rip through this wine and the vanilla is followed by a hint of chocolate. Be warned, there is lots of vanilla here. (95-97) The perfect recipe for this wine is:Grilled Lamb with Mint Pepper Glaze

Review: Daglia Canyon Howell Mountain

2008-08-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

Wow! Daglia Canyon has three releases now, Howell Mountain being their latest release. This wine is outstanding. Thick, dense, firm tannins. Rich fruit and rustic nature. Currants, dark fruit, earth, intense and concentrated. This is a perfect grilled steak wine. 94 Points.

Review: Moccagatta Bric Balin Barbaresco

2008-04-02T04:34:00.000-07:00

Moccagatta Bric Balin Barbaresco 2001: This is dense stuff! Very old-school, huge fruit, thick tannins, cedar, blueberry and currants. Unfiltered so there are lots of yum yums at the end of the bottle, very nice. The wine is mouth-coating with almost perfectr balance and a finish that goes on and on. The nose follows the taste with red fruit, cedar and oak. Steep at $55, but a very nice treat. This is a monster wine, huge, yet elegant and old world.....really lots going on here. (94) The prefect recipe for this wine is:
Roasted Leg of Wild Boar (you can order boar meat online and at specialty butcher shops - ITS WORTH IT!) Do a google search from this page for "game meats or boar meat" and you'll have it drop shipped to you house in a day!

Review: Chateau de Cruzeau 2003

2008-03-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

Had the chance to taste the Chateau de Cruzeau 2003 the other day. Hailing from Pessac-Leongnan, this cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc blend is an excellent bordeaux style wine at a very good price. Around $25, Cruzeau is classic Bordeaux. Very nice nose with vanilla and red berry coming through, this ruby wine has lots of flavor. Layers of berry, cedar, oak, vailla, coffee, and tobacco will keep you guessing with this one. The finish goes on almost forever with mouth coating velvety tannins. (90) The perfect recipe for this wine is: Lamb Stew with Spring Vegetables

Review: Islander Old Rowley Grenache

2008-03-21T12:12:00.000-07:00

Islander Old Rowley Grenache: On a island off the coast of southern Australia they make some great wines. Kangaroo Island hosts some nice wineries and on top of the list is Jacque Lurton's Islander wines. You'll recognize his families name from Bordeaux fame. While Islander has begum using some screw caps, which is horrible for the environment (see archived article on screw caps), it is none the less some good wine and Old Rowley does not use screw caps yet, which is the only reason I am reviewing it. The Old Rowley, 100% grenache, is impressive. Huge nose on this, concentrated flavor, and the ruby juice emits odors or pomegranate, cedar, and toasted oak. As it hits your palette you'll find deep flavors of cassis, oak, cedar, smoke, vanilla, coffee, and tobacco. This wine is fully loaded and goes on with thick flavors, velvety tannins, and earthy flavors. (93) The perfect recipe for this wine is:Barbecued Beef Ribs with Molasses-Bourbon Sauce

Review: Alterra Stags Leap Merlot 2005

2008-03-21T05:10:00.000-07:00

Alterra Stags Leap Merlot 2005: A $19.99 (Total Wine & More) wine from Stags Leap? Do tell! Grabbed this bottle out of curiosity, you can usually never find a stags leap district wine for under $30, so I figured lets see. Upon opening, it was a bit rough, so I decanted and let it sit for about 2 hours. Later....amazing! Blackberry, dark cherry, toasted oak, cola, and a hint of vanilla permeate this wine. It's almost purple, but comes off medium body, yet firm. The tannins are firm and velvety; the finish goes on for about 45 seconds. Almost exactly on the mark as a Margaux style in body and elegance. If I was blind-folded I'd probably assume it was a wine from Margaux maybe in the $40 range. Great value, and one of those "under-the-radar" wines. Remember to decant this bad boy! (90) The perfect recipe for this wine is:Rack of Lamb with Garlic and Herbs

Review: Castello de Trebbio Chianti

2008-03-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

Castello de Trebbio Chianti: Chianti, you have to love it. When paired with a great plate of pasta or a pizza....YUM! I've have success with chianti, but lots of dogs, they really are hit or miss. Here's one that hits the mark. Castello de Trebbio Chianti 2005 is wonderful! The nose is great with red fruit, herb, and light cheddar. It's a fresh wine, dry and complex with a medium body. The flavors are distinct with loads of cherry, cedar, and tobbaco followed by light tannins. It's a real winner in the chianti spectrum and at around $10 it's a steal! (90) The perfect recipe for this wine is: Pasta with Bolognese Sauce

Review: Montecillo Crianza 2003

2008-03-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

Montecillo Crianza 2003: Spain has wonderful wines and prices on Spanish wines are very good. Made a lovely dish tonight of beans, rice, peas, and saffron and popped a bottle of Rioja. Montecillo's Crianza 03 is a nice bottle, inexpensive, yet has quality standing behind it. While it's not a highly rated, world class wine, this is a really nice crianza, in fact, I'd say better then most $15 to $20 bottles, which is why I am reviewing it. The nose is of leather and fresh berry with a nice ruby color. Though it's a medium bodied wine it has a subtle density to it with very light tannins. While it's a simple wine it has nice layering to it, cherry, tobacco, coffee, and a hint of leather and herb. Nice structure, nothing off. This is a great wine for grilling, paella, or jambalaya. (87) The perfect recipe for this wine is: Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Wine Travel: Weekend in Finger Lakes, NY

2008-03-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

Gas prices are through the roof, airfares are skyrocketing, so what's a wine lover to do? Well, the Finger Lake region of New York state is a great weekend wine lover getaway. Located in central New York state, the Finger lakes are a series of glacier carved lakes surrounded by rolling hills and almost 100 wineries. Philadelphia, New York, Washington, and other east coast cities are just a short drive away. Philadelphia is just 4 hours away, yet it's a rural world apart.

The lakes Seneca, Cayuga, and Keuka are huge, Seneca being 38 miles long and 3 to 5 miles wide, are dotted with wineries and rolling vineyards. It's an amazing area with lots of activites such as fishing, hiking, sailing, shopping, and enjoying the numerous wineries. Fishing charters can yeild land-locked salmon and lake trout, Watkins Glen features a Nascar track and waterfalls, and Dundee features an amazing Amish farm market.

Wineries are everywhere along the main roads, be sure to visit Wagner, Fox Run, Red Newt, Swedish Hill, and the Thirsty Owl. The Windmill, in Dundee, is huge Amish farm market where you can find honey, wine, crafts, food, candles, and tons of other great items. There are some great hotels in Geneva, Watkins Glen, and Penn Yan, Belhurst Castle is fantastic! Belhurst also has it's own winery and a wonderful upscale resturant called Edgars.

Wine is a major attraction in the area and being a cold-climate area you'll find Reisling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and some nice old-world styled Bordeaux blends. Don't expect huge fruit driven wines like California or Austrailia, the style is more soft, subdued, and rustic.

The Insider

Review: Daydream Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

2008-03-17T04:56:00.000-07:00

Daydream Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley: In my search for hidden gem wines I look for wines that are not only very high quality, but offer great value. With many big names you pay for it, even if there are better wines for less. Name is everything. One high quality name is Diamond Mountains Reverie Winery. Reverie produces exceptional Diamond Mountain wines in the $40 to $80 range yielding mid to high 90's ratings. Well, Reverie also produce a line of wine called "Daydream". Daydream 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is for sale at Total Wine stores for just $24.99! This wine is an wonderful representation of a Napa Valley cab, holding many of the qualities of wines twice the price. With blueberry, cheery, and oak on the nose this wine is concentrated and very full-bodied. Dense cherry and currant are supplemented by notes of blueberry, oak, cherry, currant, vanilla, pepper, and coffee. There is alot going on in this almost perfectly balanced, velvety wine! If you are looking for a powerhouse cab at $20-$25 this is your wine. (91) The perfect recipe for this wine is: Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Review: "Rudy" 2005 Von Strasser

2008-03-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

Rudy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005:
Wow! I was fortunate to taste RUDY Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, from Von Strasser Winery today. Now, I have always been a big fan of Von Strasser, I see them as one of the best wineries in Napa, but stays under the radar of most. They are like that perfect, unspoiled, hidden beach that only the locals know about. Von Strasser makes wine at their winery on Diamond Mountain winery and Rudy is up there with their other high ranking bottlings. The nose is light and airy with flutters of cherry and vanilla. At first sip the word "clean" comes to mind. The wine then gives way to black currant, dark cherry, light vanilla, and cola. With moderate density, just shy of full-bodied this is a really versatile wine. The finish combines smooth and rich texture with velvety tannins and goes on for over 1 minute. This wine sells for $29.99 at Total Wine stores nationwide. In $20 to $30 range Cabernet's, this is by far the leader. Very few come close to this quality at this price. (91) The perfect recipe for this wine is: Prime Rib with Red Wine Sauce

Review: Castano Solanera 2004

2008-03-15T08:33:00.000-07:00

Castano Solanera 2004: Looking for a powerful, old-world wine that still affordable? Got one for you! Solanera, from the Yecla area of Spain. This is a monster red, rustic, deep, and powerful. It is a blend comprising Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tintorera and is oak aged for 10 months. Deep garnet and rich dark fruit nose this wine is a steal at this price. Heavy blackberry, Dark Cherry and hints of Raspberry are followed by a light creamy vanilla, small notes of tobacco, smoke, and very fine tannins. Decant it and let it breathe if you can. This is an oustanding wine for BBQ and Burgers, has a LOTS going on, and somewhat rustic, nothing bad going on here. Available at Total Wine stores for around $15, this is not only a great quality wine for the dollar, but it's a fun wine! (89) The perfect recipe for this wine is: Dominican Chimichurri Burgers

Review: William Randall Shiraz

2008-03-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

William Randall Shiraz from the the folks at Thorne-Clarke is simply stunning! It is, without a doubt, the best Shiraz I have ever had and one of the best wines I have ever had. This wine is dense with concentrated dark fruit, creamy oak, cedar, herb, and a light layer of chocolate. While the wine is full and powerful it has a soft and smooth elegance. Randall is very good now, but should improve over the next 5 years or more. At $39.99 it is priced perfectly and is a definate hit! (94) The perfect recipe for this wine:Grilled Porterhouse Steak with Parmesan-Paprika Butter

War of Corks and Screwcaps

2008-03-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

Visit Total Wine or just about and wine store and you'll find corked wines and a growing line of screw capped wines. So, what's the deal? Well, screw caps are being pushed by retailers, wineries, and even wine magazines. They seem to be taking over at lighting speed, salesman telling you the wine is the same, it helps avoid cork taint...yadda, yadda. Problem is they are not presenting the full story and are pushing the propaganda of the industry. So why are they doing it? I guess you could answer it with one word.....GREED. They are pushing screw caps to save money, make more money....at any cost. So whats the problem? What's the other side of the story they are not telling you?

Most of their rational is as I said based on greed and short-sighted thinking. The salesmen are simply pushing what corporate tells them to say and not researching the true side of the story.

Let first look at the problem. It's really an environmental one. Now, I am not a tree-hugger by any means, but I do think our environment has issues, most of it caused by humans. And most of it driven by consumers not thinking and corporate greed. So, what is a screw cap? It's a metal and plastic enclosure used to seal wine bottles, as well as other food and drink products. I'll repeat what I just said....IT'S MADE OUT OF METAL AND PLASTIC. Both not renewable resources, both create pollution when produced, and both filling up landfills.

One misinformation item is that we're cutting down trees to make corks and that's bad for the environment. Again, propaganda. Cork trees are never cut down to make corks. The bark is removed and corks are made. The tree regrows the cork. This is one of the most earth-friendly and renewable resources on the planet. And what happens to the corks that get thrown away? They rot, as they are all-natural. What happens to the plastic and metal screw caps? They sit there.

Well, if that was enough to convince you, here's an even bigger picture. The cork forests themselves are in serious danger. As screw cap usage continues the cork forests of Europe are becoming less economically viable. What's that mean? That means, tear them up and put in condos and business parks. The World Wildlife Foundation has recently released reports stating that if the trend continues that 75% of the Mediterranean's cork forest will be gone in less then 10 years. Pretty sobering fact. In addition over 60,000 jobs will be lost and numerous endangered species that call cork forests home will be pushed further to the brink. Again, I am not a tree hunger by any means, but at a certain point you have to look at the big picture and do the thing that is morally correct.

I'd suggest that the next time you buy a wine, buy a corked wine. If they try and con you into buying a screw cap tell them you don't buy screw capped wines. Contact Total Wine and other retailers and tell them you you will not buy screw capped wines. If you like a screw capped wine, e-mail the winery and complain. Are screw capped wines good? Yes, some are, but that's not the point. There are always alternative wines that are just as good or better then screw capped wines. Choose the earth-friendly wine. Australian Wines and New Zealand Wines are using screw caps at alarming rates.....don't buy them! E-mail their web sites and tell them why you aren't buying them.

Hope this helps you avoid being talked into a screw cap, oh, and lets not forget the tradition factor of wine. Screw caps are just plain tacky.

Check out our Screw Caps Suck T-Shirt

The Wine Insider

Review: Playing Catch up......

2008-03-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

Daglia Canyon Oakville Meritage: Very good meritage! Dense oakville fruit, soft tannins, long finish. Very well done. At $19.99 this is a bargain. (89-90) The perfect recipe for this wine: Grilled Steak Sandwiches

Tupangato: Long time favorite, this blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec is from Argentina south of Mendoza. Coming in at $17.99 this is one serious wine drinking like many $40 bottles. Thick fruit, velvety tannins, and smooth as silk. (90-91) The perfect recipe for this wine: Grilled Steak with Fresh Garden Herbs

Bertinat Lartigue: Affordable high quality Bordeaux? Yep, this Saint Emilion is a very nice bottle. Haven't ever found a decent Bordeaux for under $20, but Bertinat hits the nail on the head. This is an 05 priced at only $17.99! Drinks like many $30-$40 bottles. Decant and you will find old world styled Bordeaux, fruit, earth, tobacco, and nice tannin structure. (90) The perfect recipe for this wine: Beef Stew with Shiitake Mushrooms

Titus Amphora: Always been a fan of Titus, they simply produce great quality wine almost every time. When I saw the Titus Amphora, which is a Cabernet Sauvignon based red blend I was intrigued. Dense fruit, rich texture, cedar, smoke, oak, herb, and light ginger. Finish goes on and on in this complex wine. No doubt this is probably one of the best under $50 bottles. Comes in at $29.99 and is a bargain. (92) The perfect recipe for this wine: Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola Sauce

Review: Chateau Garraud 2003

2008-03-12T13:46:00.000-07:00

You have to love a good Bordeaux! Bad news is 05 prices gone into orbit and taken many of the 03's with them. There are some good buys in 05, but they are few and far between. Today, I am looking at the 03 Garruad, a Grand Vin, from the Pomerol area. As I do with most reds, I like to open them the day before, pull off a glass, then re-cork it and let it sit for the next day. I have found that by doing this wines really open up and show their true composition.

Anyway, here I sit with the Garraud that I was just OK with yesterday. Not surprised it opened up big time! Borderline purple, just shy of heavy, with a pleasant oak blueberry nose. The blueberry follows through leaving a long velvety finished laced with tobacco. Rick dark berry lines this wine. The tannins are great, chewy yet leaves the wine smooth. Very old world and rustic. There's nothing out of balance on this wine. Very nice drinking now with decant time and would probably improve with another year or two. This wine is in the $20's and the 05 is now out. I would expect the 05 to be on par with a possible greater concentrated fruit. Very good buy for Bordeaux in the $20 range. Score (89)

The perfect recipe for Chateau Garraud: Beef Stew with Shitake Mushrooms and Vegitables