Le Lapin Paso Robles Petite Sirah (NV)

wine number three from rabbit ridge. the petite sirah is another nice find and sells at the same $7-8 price. the nose is full of plum, blackberry, spice and earthy notes. the flavor is fruity and tannic, with plum flavors, followed by lots of spice notes. i got some really nice earth notes as well. this is an easy drinking red that will work well with a wide variety of foods, including hearty cold weather meals like stews and roasts.

Le Lapin Paso Robles Zinfandel (NV)

as promised, more of the rabbit ridge le lapin (the rabbit) line. the zinfandel is not the biggest, boldest zin you will find, but for the price ($7-8) it is quite nice. paso robles is known for some nice syrah's and zins, and this one is no exception. the nose was fruity and complex with black cherry, blackberry, spice and anise notes coming through. on the palate, ripe blackberry and bramble fruits in a full mouth feel. this was followed by some nice black pepper notes and finished with some tobacco flavors as the wine opened up. medium tannins and a medium finish. get a nice steak or stew, or spicy italian meal together and serve this with your meal and you will be very satisfied. this wine will also lay for a bit but at this price, drink it now.

Le Lapin Paso Robles Merlot (NV)

rabbit ridge has decided to go after the two buck (now about $4) chucks of the world with their entry level le lapin (the rabbit) label. they have just released four wines which i recently tried. these wines are all blends of various vintages from the rabbit. the first under the microscope is the merlot. the nose was very interesting, with blackberry, plum, leather, earth and some spice notes all coming through. this could be real fun if the nose was any indication. on the palate, plums and berries bursting forth, followed by some nice earth flavors. i then got some licorice notes and medium tannins. the finish was medium and i was not disappointed. the wine sells for about $7-8 ($6 in the rabbit ridge tasting room) and easily tops the above mentioned chuck. spend the couple extra dollars and go after this one. great with a beef stew or burger. and look for the other three varietals which i will blog the rest of this week. all the same price. all worth buying.

Domaine Valdernier 2005 Coteaux d'Aix en Provence

french wines always seem to fascinate me. some times they are so subtle that i don't really appreciate them. this one was not so subtle and i guess that is why i was drawn to it. nose of raspberry and a nice licorice note. i also got a little dark chocolate and a very interesting herbal aroma as well. good start. the palate was at first very tannic, so i let the glass sit for a while. i was rewarded with some really nice flavors of raspberry and tart cherry. got some spice notes and herbal flavors also. the finish was medium and the price was nice at about $10. try this with a red meat dish or possibly pasta dishes.

Rex-Goliath Shiraz

looking for a nice everyday red? try this fruit forward shiraz from california. i previously tried the pinot noir and enjoyed it. so i decided to give the shiraz a try. the nose was full of fruit, with plums and blackberries. also picked up hints of spice and a little earth. the taste was very fruit forward, with black cherry leading the way. got some nice bramble fruit notes as well, followed by subtle black pepper and anise notes. this wine sells for about $7 at my local grocer and i enjoyed it with pizza, which it complemented quite well. i could see this as a go to red when you are on a tight budget as it would work with many different foods. nothing pretentious. just a nice drinkable red.

Debonné Vineyards Pinot Noir / Syrah

ohio does make good wine. don't believe me? try this 50/50 blend from madison, oh in the grand river valley appellation near lake erie. the nose was blackberry, vanilla, earthy wet forest floor and tobacco. everything you would expect from these two grapes. on the palate, strawberry, cherry, vanilla and more earthy flavors. but this is not a big, bold overpowering wine. it is very delicate with just enough tannins to let you know they are there. this wine grew on me as i tasted and it opened up. very nice wine. sells for about $14 and will pair well with many foods, especially chicken dishes.

Wyndham Estate Bin 444 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

bargain shoppers looking for decent reds to enjoy can turn to wyndham estates for good wines at around $10 like this cab. blackberries, black currant, chocolate and minty spice on the nose. on the palate, a full bodied red that had flavors of black currant and plums, followed by some very nice smokey notes. this is a very easy drinking cab that will work well with red meat or pasta dishes, or enjoy it by itself on the deck watching the leaves change.

Maryhill Winemaker's White 2007

this white blend from washington was something i tried recently and i was very pleased. nice table wine that works with a wide variety of food and it is also inexpensive at about $10-12. the blend is chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, semillon, and viognier. interesting blend of grapes. the nose was melon and citrus and some apricot. the palate was crisp and full of citrus and some melon, with some nice floral notes as well. very well balanced white wine. like i said before, this one will work with a wide variety of foods and is well worth a try at this price.

Corbett Canyon Pinot Grigio Chenin Blanc

boxed wines are making a splash on the market with people being more value conscious. i have tried and blogged on several varieties and makers and have found some really nice wines. first time for this one from italy. selling for about $12 for 3L, this white blend had a nose of pears and apples. the flavor was a bit too mineral for me. pear and melon flavors with stone/mineral notes weighing a bit too heavy on the palate. finished clean and dry, but just not pleasant in the aftertaste. not my favorite white boxed wine at all.