Graham's 10 Year Tawny Port

this isn't really port season for me but i had opened this bottle a while back intending to write about it a bit sooner. i really enjoy a good port and this one was not bad for the price range of about $30, but i was left wanting a bit more. the nose was loaded with spicy apple, some floral notes and a little cocoa. the palate is where i was a bit let down. most ten year ports seem to have a lot more caramel and candied fruit. this one was a lot smokier than i expected. flavors of tart raspberry and a great deal of the nutty flavors that were okay, just different than i was used to. it did have a nice vanilla finish.

Benmarl Winery DeChaunac 2008

i visited benmarl winery in the hudson valley region of new york a while back and wrote about their proprietor's reserve. this red is a hybrid and is a very hearty grape that is grown in the northeastern u.s. and canada. the folks at benmarl do a nice job and have some very nice wines. the dechaunac has a nose of red fruit and lots of earth. i love a good earthy smell in a red wine. the palate had cherry and more of the earthy notes as well as a nice vanilla finish. this is a great red meat and pasta wine that sells for about $12.

Apothic Red 2009 Winemaker's Blend

if you are in search of a good red blend, look into this one from california. it sells for a good price, about $14, and is loaded with flavor. the blend is zinfandel, syrah and merlot. the nose is very big and compelling, with vanilla, black cherry, some spicy nutmeg and dark chocolate. the palate offers up loads of fruit flavor, with black cherry and plum, some vanilla and a little earthy flavor. not too overpowering in tannins and a full, juicy feel on the tongue. this one was enjoyed with beef wellington and pan seared asparagus and mushrooms.

Sandeman 10 Year Tawny Port

i love a good port and for some reason it is more enjoyable to me when the weather is cold. i love the way it warms me from the inside. sandeman makes a really nice port and you can spend a little or quite a bit, depending on how old a tawny port you are willing to buy. the 10 year is a good place to start as it sells for about $30. the nose has lots of ripe fruit and vanilla, candied fruit and raisins. the palate has more of the candied fruit and some nice butterscotch, vanilla and nutty flavors. excellent by itself, but try this with some blue cheese or chocolate!

Castillo de Molina Chardonnay 2009

chilean wines are on the rise and this chardonnay, although it is not on the same level as those from california, is worth a try. especially at the price of under $10 a bottle. nothing over the top about this one. nice nose of tropical fruit, some green apple, a little vanilla and some oak. the palate has lots of nice topical fruit notes, with more of the vanilla and apple from the nose, and a little mineral bite. there was a little oak on the palate, and it had a full, slightly creamy mouth feel. perfect for scallops, other seafood, or with a veggie pizza.

A by Acacia 2007 Red Blend

i tried this red blend from pinot noir maker acacia some time ago. i purchased a bottle and laid it down until this week. the price was nice at about $10, and the blend was interesting; 90% syrah, 5% grenache, 4% mourvedre, 1% viognier. worth a look see based on the blend alone. the nose has nice strawberry and cherry notes. some clove and vanilla also come through. the palate is a nice mix of plums, blackberries, vanilla, and spice followed by some mocha and earthy flavors. this is nice now but could also lay for a while. and at this price you could pick up a couple extra bottles and do just that. this wine begs for stews on cooler weather days.

Folonari Pinot Noir 2008 Delle Venezie

i am going to do a little bit of an unfair comparison. i am starting first with this italian pinot noir boxed wine which i recently purchased for about $17 for the box. that works out to a little over $4 a bottle in this 3 litre format. later tonight i am going to be at a wine tasting featuring styring vineyards pinot noir from oregon. and i am pretty sure the styring pinot will blow this italian out of the water. as for the italian? nice nose of black currants, spice and a little forest floor. the palate was somewhat dry with raspberry and black cherry notes. a little vanilla and some earth as well. not bad for the price. drinkable, but a bit thin. i don't think it is earthy enough to stand up to a salmon dish, but this would work with lighter summer fare, like salads and cheese. or just as a nice patio sipper. i am looking forward to comparing this to the oregon pinot tonight!

Erath Estate Selection Dundee Hills 2006 Pinot Noir

every once in a while i have to go above my budget and pick up something a little different, maybe a little nicer than the typical grocery store wine. i went to my local wine store and asked them to recommend a sexy pinot noir. something that would really knock me out and i gave them a max price point of about $30-35. erath from oregon was their choice. they said i wouldn't be disappointed. for that price you don't want to be wasting your money. the results? a nose of cherry, lavender and a smokey, earthy note. on the palate, a delicate, well balanced wine with flavors of plums, vanilla, some interesting meat notes and a little anise. very silky in the mouth. the comely brunette and i drank this without pairing with food, but a nice salmon dinner would be a welcome companion. and i was not disappointed.

Geyser Peak 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

good budget wines are always a nice find, and this red is no exception. i tried the suav blanc a while back and it was not bad. the cab is better, with a little more character. the nose is full of fruit with blueberries leading the way. i got some nice plum and leather notes as well as tobacco. on the palate, black cherry, blackberry and vanilla. spice notes and a little dark chocolate as well. not a lot of tannins which was okay with me. this wine didn't need them. sells for about $10-12 and will go with most beef dishes and some good, hearty cheese also.

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.

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.

Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

root:1 wine part two is the cabernet sauvignon. i actually tried this a couple years ago and liked it a great deal so i was excited to try a more recent vintage. i am not sure what has happened since the 05 vintage but this wine has lost some its luster. the nose was blackberry and some tar notes. i remembered the 05 vintage having a whole lot bigger, earthier nose. the 07 vintage was more fruit forward. on the palate, flavors of cherry, plum, a little leather and vanilla and very soft tannins made for a nice drinkable wine. it lacked some of the excitement and earthy complexity that the 05 had displayed. sells for $11-12 and pairs with italian dishes, steak, ribs or my favorite, chocolate.

Celler de Capcanes "Mas Donis" Barrica 2005

another nice red from the wine dinner we attended last week. i am referring to this wine as a grenache even though it is technically a blend with 15% syrah in it as well. once again this was pared with the protein/meat portion of the meal and it worked very well. the nose was very nice, with many aromas coming through. i got licorice, violets, black cherry and some mineral notes as well. the palate was a bit tight and i wished they had decanted the wine ahead of time, but in a large format dinner such as this, that may not have been possible. the flavors were blackberry, black cherry, some hints of vanilla and a little spice as well. the wine opened up nicely as it sat in the glass so i would expect a one hour or more decanting would benefit this one. sells for about $11 and i will be getting a bottle to lay for a bit and try again.

Bota Box 2006 Merlot

sorry for the long delay between posts but the baldwinegeek has been under the weather, and when the nose is gone, you just can't taste anything. i'm not sure i will be doing this boxed wine offering justice, but here goes. the nose was plums and black cherries. the palate was black cherries with medium tannins and a long finish with hints of vanilla. a pretty good wine for the price of $15.99 a box from what i could taste. i will revisit this as i get my nose back and may add to this review. so far, the bota box varietals i have tried have been pretty good, and you get four bottles for the price.

Sterling Vintner's Collection 2006 Chardonnay

food wine. that would best describe this chardonnay. i actually had this with a steak, corn on the cob, and grilled veggies, and it worked very well. nose of honey, vanilla and toast. taste were typical chardonnay. floral fruit, buttery but not too much, with some oak and vanilla. nice creamy mouth feel that went well with the food, especially the corn. all for the nice price of about $11. and well worth it. i'm not a huge fan of chardonnay's, but this one was very nice.

Trapiche 2005 Syrah

into the nice price wine. this syrah goes for around $11. not in the crabby grapes "cheap" territory, but close. nose of spice and red currants. on the palate, red plums and some tobacco, licorice and black pepper notes. very drinkable. not one you would want to lay for a while, it is ready now. well worth the price.

One more from the weekend…

Dow's 10 Year Aged Tawny Port is a blend of older wines, which offer more complexity than younger wines, and which bring fresh fruit flavors and vibrancy. paler reddish amber color. on the nose, full, nutty bouquet. on the palate citrus, toffee and vanilla and a soft lingering finish. nice way to end a rainy sunday night with a good book. $35

opened a bottle of fess parker 2003 santa barbara county syrah. a wine festival acquisition. full bodied. spicey with undertones of vanilla and cocoa. beautiful finish. drank this with out any food, but this would work really well with a nice steak and some garlic mashed potatoes. an excellent wine. rated 93 points by wine enthusiast, this wine is typical of a really good california syrah. well worth the the $$ that you lay down for it.

the quest for the penfolds port will continue. my favorite wine source didn't and couldn't get it, so i will search elsewhere.