Francis Coppola 2008 Chardonnay Sonoma County Director's Cut

the comely brunette and i recently enjoyed this bottle of chardonnay. we don't drink very much chard, tending to gravitate towards lesser known grapes, but we had this recommended to us. the nose was full of nice citrus and floral notes. the palate was full and lush with flavors of honeysuckle and melon. i also got some very nice spicy clove notes and some vanilla. this is not a buttery chard. it is a little sweeter than i usually like, but was not cloying. it opened up nicely as we drank, and finished very nicely. this wine sells for about $16 and will pair well with seafood, chicken or a nice salad with feta cheese.

Petite Petit 2007

wine tasting sample again. this one a blend of 85% pitite sirah and 15% petit verdot from lodi, ca. very fun label for a nice red wine. the nose is loaded with fruit and floral notes, most notably plums and violets. got a little spice note as well. the flavor was full in the mouth with blackberry and blueberry, followed by some floral flavors and vanilla as well. medium tannins and a shorter finish than i like, but still nice. decent food wine for barbecue or other slightly spicy dishes or with a nice red sauced pasta dish. sells for about $15-18.

Domaine De Rugusse Pinot Noir 2008

i tried this pinot noir from france at a recent wine tasting. the nose was fruit forward but was not as expressive as other pinots i have tried. very subtle, with some slightly green notes. on the palate, plenty of cherry and raspberry fruit, but it was a bit thin. not much substance. subtle hints of spice and maybe a little earth. i was a bit disappointed as a pinot noir lover. it sells for about $12. i have had other pinot noirs in this price range that i have liked more. could be this one just needs more bottle time and may be worth a revisit in a year.

Tedeschi Monte Tenda Soave Classico 2007

wine tastings are fun because you get to try wines that you have not had before. such was the case with this white from italy. the grape was garganega, which i had not heard of. the nose was not overpowering, with subtle aromas of almond and apple, which carried over into the palate. refreshing tastes of green apples, mineral notes and almonds, with a very clean finish. a good patio pounder that will go well with seafood or lighter dishes or spicy asian dishes. priced at about $16.

Beaulieu Vineyards Reserve Dulcet 2004

my local wine merchant had this red blend from napa valley in a sale bin. it was nearly half the original price, selling for $20. was there something wrong with the wine? this is a napa cab bordeaux blend! how can it be priced so low? i had to get a bottle to find out. if the wine was bad i could get a refund at the wine store. the blend was 74% cabernet sauvignon and 26% syrah. the results? a nose of black cherry and black currants, with a large amount of black pepper and some nice floral notes of violets. on the palate blackberry, anise and some tobacco notes. smooth and silky on the tongue with well balanced tannins. a beautiful finish with hints of dark chocolate made this one very worth while purchase. i was very fortunate to pay $20 for this. i have seen it elsewhere for as low as $30 and as high as $40. get a bottle, throw a nice steak on the grill and enjoy the experience.

Hook & Ladder "The Tillerman" 2006

at me favorite wine merchant recently i tasted this red blend from the russian river valley in california. the blend is 52% cabernet sauvignon, 15% cabernet franc, 16% merlot and 17% sangiovese. i love good blends and this one is very nice, and worth a try if you like red blends. the nose was raspberry and chocolate and spice, especially clove and a little pepper. the palate was loaded with fruit, with black raspberry and blackberry, followed by a really nice spice note of cloves. i then got the chocolate flavor. very nice, well balanced tannins and a nice, long juicy finish. all for about $15-17. a good wine for anything slightly spicy like barbecue, or for that grilled steak.

Banrock Station Merlot 2007

always one to look for a good bargain wine, i found this one from australia at the local grocer for $5. it even had a sticker touting how a wine magazine is giving it rave reviews. so why not give it a try. i was not disappointed. the nose was fruit forward with blackberry and plum, anise and leather notes. good start. the palate was more black cherry and some raspberry, with some nice leather and earth as well. medium tannins and a nice full finish. impressive for only $5. good grilled meat or chicken wine. i enjoyed this with a stir fry of pork and asian vegetable medley.

Zaca Mesa 2006 Viognier

i would like to apologize for the lack of posts lately. the baldwinegeek has been traveling a bit lately and i have not been very good bout writing. i have however tried some nice wines and will be a bit more diligent in getting things on-line for you to read and taste and hopefully give me feedback. the most recent white i tasted was from a vineyard i have blogged on before…zaca mesa, which is in santa barbara california and they are known for their wonderful red blends. i tried this white while in new york with the comely brunette. the nose was peaches and a nice floral note of white flowers. very fruit forward aroma. i was planning white fish for dinner and hoped this would work with it. the palate was a drier viognier than i expected, which was a pleasant surprise. the flavors were green apple, some melon, and a nice mineral finish. very crisp, very food friendly with the fish. very soft mouth feel based on the wine spending just a little time in french oak after the initial stainless aging. priced at about $18, a worthy white. and their 08 scored a 90 in wine enthusiast!

Alice White 2008 Pinot Noir

australian pinots can be interesting and fun wines. and you can find nice bargains also, like this one for $8. the nose is strawberry and raspberry with some vanilla notes as well. the palate was not bad with flavors of cherry and toasted oak. i also picked up a little tobacco as well. tannins were medium and the finish was medium in length. a drinkable every day pinot noir that will pair well with many foods. if you are trying to impress someone, this would not be the wine i would buy. just want an easy drinking red on a budget, this is worth a look.

Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

california is cabernet country and this one is very interesting. 77% cabernet sauvignon, 15% petit syrah, 5% petit verdot, and 3% syrah, this wine offers up a really nice mix that is worth the $18 that it sells for. the nose is loaded with berries. blackberry, strawberry, and black cherry, with some nice caramel aromas as well. the flavor is very fruit forward, with black cherry and currants, hints of cranberry tart and some raspberry. i also got some nice pepper notes and cocoa flavors. the wine has a beautiful, long finish and the tannins were not too overpowering, but decant this and you will appreciate it even more. grilling season is still here so try it with that steak or ribs you have waiting for you in the freezer.