85 + Good Wine

Dec 212011
 
2009 The Crossings Pinot Noir Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand, $19 (S) – Rating 87

A light-bodied fun and easy drinking Pinot Noir at a good price. A real crowd pleaser at your next party. Soft well integrated flavors of red cherry, blueberry, cranberries with a touch of spice lead to a satisfy medium finish.

 

Dec 212011
 
2009 Francis Ford Coppola Votre Sante Pinot Noir, CA, $14(S) _ Rating 88

An easy drinking and excellent value Pinot Noir. The big nose of cherry and spice gives way to a lighter bodied style of Pinot. Flavors of red cherry, spicebox, tea leaves, raspberries with a hint of blackberry and cinnamon are well balanced with a touch of tannin.

Dec 022011
 
2008 Bogle Vineyards Phantom A Proprietary Red Wine, CA, $16 – Rating 89

A blend of predominately Petite Sirah and Old Vine Zinfandel with a touch of Old Vine Mourvedre, this is a yummy go-to nicely priced big red. Plenty of rich and jammy red fruit flavors, cherry, blackberry, raspberry, tobacco leaf, leather, dark spice and black pepper, married with supple tannins. Think cold night by the fireplace…could be the perfect wine.

Dec 022011
 
Robert Mondavi Winery Chardonnay 2009, Napa Valley, CA, $20 (S) – Rating 88

Sourced from both Napa and Sonoma fruit, an elegantly rich Chardonnay boasting round flavors of red apple, pear, tropicals, spice with hints of oaky vanilla and crème brûlée. Just enough without being over the top.

Dec 022011
 
2009 Trinchero Zinfandel Zinfatuation, Amador County, CA, $9 – Rating 89

A wonderful value Zinfandel with rich easy drinking flavors of blackberry, black cherry, black fruit, vanilla and spice are gracefully integrated with soft tannins. A superb go-to wine for that backyard BBQ or chilly night by the fire. No one will guess you only paid $9.