Great balance. Offers baked cherry pie, with rhubarb and blueberry, showing a wonderful fruit profile that is spicy, elegant and easy to drink. $32
Archive for July, 2011
Oyster Bay, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2010
Ripe, focused and light, with dark currant, licorice and cream flavors mingling effectively on a polished frame. The finish persists harmoniously. $34
Benton Lane, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2008
Light and spicy with cinnamon and nutmeg overtones to the red berry and floral flavors. Lingers gently on the finish. $50
Columbia Crest, Grand Estates, Columbia Valley, WA, 2005
Smooth in texture, generous in flavor, a medium scale red with pretty raspberry, leather and tar notes mingling on the round finish. $30
Charles Smith “Chateau Smith”, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2007
Elegant and supple showing off vibrant cherry and raspberry fruit. Smooth tannins and a lively finish. $40
Neyers, Neyers Ranch-Conn Valley, Napa Valley, California, 2007
A structured wine with brilliant ripe dark berry and date-nut fruit flavors that are intense, compact and concentrated, yet layered and expansive. Berry, cherry and plum notes slowly unfold but are very impressive. $98
Château Rigaud, Pierre Taix, Puisseguin-St.-Emilion, France, 2005
Crushed currants, with an essence of flowers and fresh herbs. Medium-bodied, round and silky, with a fresh, medium finish. Finely knit. $46
Château Leydet-Valentin, Grand Cru, Saint Emilion, France, 2005
Berry and toasted oak, with hints of fresh herbs on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied wine, with good concentration of fruit and a medium finish. $62
The Magnificent Wine Company, House Wine Red, WA, 2007
On the lighter side, showing lovely red berry and sweet red pepper flavors that settle gently onto a bed of silky tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. $26
A by Acacia, Red Blend, Sonoma, California, 2007
Medium bodied Rhône style blend. Plum and black cherry flavor with a hint of vanilla, framed by velvety tannins and a nice finish. 92% Syrah, some Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Viognier. $30


