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Wine Sales in the Twin Cities
Hennepin Lake
Phil Colich Owner
1200 West Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55416
612-825-4411
No credit cards!
Sampled in the Fall
2007 Chateau Bonnet Entre-Deux-Mers (Bordeaux) $11.59
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Mineral, peach, floral
Taste: Crisp acidity with floral, minerals, peach, limes
Finish: Short with an intense up front component
Evaluation: Solid intro to dry White Bordeaux 86 points
2007 Dr. Loosen "Dr. L" Mosel Riesling $10.99
Color: Light gold
Nose: Apple, pear, mineral
Taste: Apple, pear, slate, honey
Finish: Great acidity with peach, pear, slate, honey
Evaluation: Wonderful wine! 90 points
Sampled in the Summer
2005 Las Rocas de San Alejandro Vinas Viejas Garnacha $15.95
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Intense with spice, oak, vanilla, and blueberries
Taste: Spice, oak, vanilla, raspberries, blueberries, and coffee
Finish: LONG and intense. A balanced wine!
Evaluation: Incredible value for under $20. 93 points
2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling $
Color: Light gold
Nose: Mineral, apple, pear
Taste: Pear, apple, lemon, with a touch of sweet
Finish: Balanced wine
Evaluation: Great summer sipper 87 points
2000 Marziano & Enrico Abbona Pressenda Barolo (Piedmont) $52.95
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Mushrooms, vanilla
Taste: Truffles, oak, vanilla, floral, good acidity
Finish: Long and very smooth tannins with floral, truffles, oak, vanilla. A complex wine!
Evaluation: A great example of a Barolo with age. This will cellar well for another 10 years. 93 points
2002 Bodegas San Valero Manyana Crianza Tempranillo/Carinena $7.99
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Spice, little musty
Taste: Spice, oak, leather
Finish: Uneven
Evaluation: Simple wine but not bad for the price. 83 points
2004 Hess Allomi Napa Valley Cabernet $19.99
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Spice, cranberry
Taste: Same
Finish: Medium but out of balance
Evaluation: Not quality for the price. 84 points
2004 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon $24.95
Color: Dark purple
Nose; Spice, cherry, plum
Taste: Cherry and oak
Finish: Medium but simple
Evaluation: Not worth the tarrif 85 points
2004 Stone Street Fift Ridge Cabernet $32.95
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Cherry, spice, oak, vanilla
Taste: Cherry, oak, spices
Finish: Medium with mineral, cherry, oak, vanilla
Evaluation: Solid overall 89 points
2005 Artadi Vinas de Gain Rioja $24.95
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Smoke, oak, vanilla, crushed rock
Taste: Dirty, plum, crushed rock, little sour
Finish: Medium with dirt, violets, and really sour
Evaluation: This wine is not a 94 point wine from a reviewer and has not received good praise. It is falling apart 85 points
2005 Avalon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $10.79
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Spice, cherry, oak
Taste: Spice, cherry, oak, vanilla
Finish: Medium
Evaluation: Really good cab for the money 88 points
2005 Chappellet Signature Napa Valley $37.95
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Chery, plum, oak, vanilla
Taste: Cherry, plum, oak, spice, vanilla
Finish: Intense and concentrated
Evaluation: 04 was great and this is even better. 93 points
2005 Bodegas Terrazas de los Andes Mendoza Reserva Malbec $16.99
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, fruit, earth
Taste: Spice, firm tannins, plum, and black currants
Finish: Medium with firm tannins
Evaluation: Cellar or enjoy with red meat. 90 points
2005 Trimbach Alsace Gewurztraminer $14.95
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Floral, mineral
Taste: Sweet, floral, mineral
Finish: Medium
Evaluation: Gewurtz most will like 88 points
2005 Santa Rita Medalla Real Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Plum, oak, vanilla, spice
Taste: Oak, vanilla, spice, and a hint of fruit
Finish: Medium with earth qualities dominating
Evaluation: Earth Forward. 86 points
2006 Argyle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $20.95
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Intense spice, cinnamon, floral
Taste: Matches the nose
Finish: Medium and balanced
Evaluation: Great example of Oregon Pinot for under $25 89 points
2006 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay $7.99
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Floral, mineral, oak
Taste: Mineral, oak, vanilla, buttery notes
Finish: Medium and consistent
Evaluation: Once again Columbia Crest proves to be the best winery under $10. 88 points
2006 Clos du Bois Russian River Valley Chardonnay $12.99
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Lemon, mineral
Taste: Mild oak with lemon and mineral
Finish: Medium
Evaluation: Good for the price 85 points
2006 El Burro Kickass Carinena Garnacha $
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Cherry, violets,
Taste: Floral, cherry, cranberry, toasted oak
Finish: Shorter with some nice qualities
Evaluation: Good value despite the funny name. 86 points
2006 Chappellet Napa Valley Chardonnay $23.95
Color: Dark gold
Nose: Lemon, mineral, apple
Taste: Mild oak, lemon, mineral, apple
Finish: Well balance and medium
Evalution: Great Chardonnay 91 points
2006 Cycles Gladiator Central Coast Pinot Noir $8.99
Color: Light purple
Nose: Not much
Taste: Spice and off
Finish: Bitter
Evaluation: Not a good wine 78 points
2006 Conundrum California (Blend of White Grapes) $18.95
Color: Light gold
Nose: Floral, spice, mineral
Taste: Floral, honey suckles, mineral, really bitter
Finish: Medium but is not balanced
Evaluation: A very popular white for people but over priced in my opinion 85 points
2006 Dr. Loosen "Dr. L" Estate Riesling $10.95
Color: Light gold
Nose: Slate, honey
Taste: Crisp, acidic, honey suckles, apple
Finish: Medium with a nice balance to the wine.
Evaluation: Buy a six pack for your next party. 88 points
2006 Marco Felluga Pinot Grigio $13.95
Color: Light gold
Nose: Mineral, lemon
Taste: Lemon, mineral, orange
Finish: Light and somewhat short
Evaluation: Good for Pinot Grigio 88 points
2006 Fontanafredda Briccotondo Piemonte Barbera $9.99
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Floral, cherry, spice, on a very impressive nose
Taste: Cherry, spice, floral, oak, vanilla, a little tannic
Finish: Medium and complex wine
Evaluation: Very tasty introduction to Piemonte wines. 90 points
A rare rating occasion as I rated this the same score as Wine Spectator. Some of my reviews are higher and some lower so this is a a great value to serve at your next party.
2006 Inama Soave Classico $14.99
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Mineral and peach
Taste: Refreshing with good balance
Finish: Nice and solid
Evaluation: Summertime wine! 87 points
2006 Francois Montard Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine $8.99
Color: Light gold
Nose: Mineral, pear
Taste: Refreshing with mineral, pear, dough
Finish: Crisp
Evaluation: Good Sparkling wine for the money 87 points
2005 Marietta Sonoma County Zinfandel $14.45
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, floral
Taste: Floral, spice, some oak
Finish: Medium
Evaluation: 85 points
2006 Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz $45.95
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, floral, blackberry
Taste: Blackberry, floral, spice, smooth tannins
Finish: Solid wine but at almost $50 a pass
Evaluation: 92 points
2006 Bodegas Monte Aman Tempranillo $6.99
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Spice, floral
Taste: Spice, floral, not complex
Finish: Short
Evaluation: Worth about $7 83 points
2006 Marquis Philips Sarah's Blend Shiraz $13.95
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Black pepper, black fruit
Taste: Pepper, black berry, spice
Finish: Medium and some what intense
Evaluation: A good buy 89 points
2006 Sebastiani Sonoma Chardonnay $8.88
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Pear, spice
Taste: Pear, spice, citrus, mineral
Finish: Medium and refreshing
Evaluation: Good summer wine. 87 points
2006 Chateau Souverian Alexander Valley Chardonnay $11.95
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Pear, mineral, some oak
Taste: Wow! Pear, mineral, mild oak, vanilla, floral
Finish: Medium and complex for $12 Chard
Evaluation: A must buy! 89 points
2007 Yalumba Y Series South Australia Viognier $8.95
Color: Light gold
Nose: Mineral and tropical fruit
Taste: Little acidic but features mineral, lemon, and orange
Finish: Medium but a little acidic
Evaluation: 84 points
2007 Murphy Goode Alexander Valley Fume Blanc $8.95
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Floral and tropical
Taste: Sweet with floral, orange, mineral
Finish: Medium
Evaluation: 84 points
2007 Tommasi Vermantino $13.95
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Peach, honey, floral
Taste: Peach, floral, mineral, honey, pinneapple
Finish: Medium and balanced
Evaluation: Excellent Italian white! 89 points
Schink Haus Eiswein 375 ml $27
Color: Medium yellow
Nose: Sweet
Taste: Sweet and unbalanced
Finish: Short
Evaluation: Cheap wine except for the price 80 points
NV Gloria Brut Sparkling Wine $$
Color: Light gold
Nose: Lemon, mineral, dough, very subtle overall
Taste: Lemon pie, mineral,
Finish: Medium with chalky soil, dough, mineral
Evaluation: Solid Sparkling wine from the US 88 points
Sampled in May
2003 Massena 11th hour Barossa Valley Shiraz $40
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, black pepper, floral
Taste: Spice, black pepper, some fruit
Finish: Long and well balanced
Evaluation: A solid wine but a little high for the price. 92 points
2006 Marquis Philips Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Blackberry, plum, spice, black pepper, crushed rock
Taste: Blackberry, plum, spice, black pepper, crushed rock, flavor, tannins smooth
Finish: Long and impressive. Totally balanced wine with all of the above.
Evaluation: Number one wine under $15 of all time. 93 points
2006 Thorn Clarke Shotfire Ridge Barossa Valley Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Blackberry, cedar, mineral
Taste: Mineral, Violets, crushed rock, Medium tannins
Finish: Medium with violets, mineral, wood
Evaluation: A good value for $17 87 points
2004 Buehler Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Plum, oak, vanilla, earth
Taste: Big wine with dark fruit, plum, oak, vanilla
Finish: Medium to long with spice, dark fruits, and well integrated tannins
Evaluation: A great buy at $30. 91 points
2006 Capiax Sonoma Pinot Noir $$$
Color: Light pruple
Nose: Spice, floral
Taste: Simple with some spice and floral
Finish: Medium
Evaluation: Not bad but better out there for the price. 87 points
1998 Massolino Vigna Rionda Riserva Barolo $70
Color: Dark Purple
Nose: Spice, oak, vanilla
Taste: Sice, truffles, vanilla, oak, red pepper and well integrated tannins
Finish: Long and really big wine
Evaluation: Drinking really well now. 94 points
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Some might be sold out!
Must buy:
2006 Bodegas Borsao Campo de Borja Tres Picos Garnacha $11.95
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Raspberry, cherry, oak
Taste: Fruit forward with cherry, raspberry, blackberries, little bit of oak and vanilla and very soft tannins
Finish: Medium with fruits dominating
Evaluation: A great intro to Grenache that does not require long term aging. 87 points
2006 Dr. Loosen "Dr. L" Estate Riesling $10.95
Color: Light gold
Nose: Slate, honey
Taste: Crisp, acidic, honey suckles, apple
Finish: Medium with a nice balance to the wine.
Evaluation: Buy a six pack for your next party. 88 points
2002 Argyle Brut Sparkline Wine $21
Color: Light gold
Nose: Pear, mineral, apple
Taste: Pear, apple, dough, mineral, floral
Finish: Medium with pear, mineral, floral, dough
Evaluation: America's best Sparkling Producer! 90 points
Great Gift:
2002 Shafer Relentless Napa Valley Syrah $55
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Big with pepper, spice, plum, cherry, oak
Taste: Wow. Best US Syrah to date with pepper, spice, plum, cherry, oak, vanilla
Finish: Long and satisfying. Complexity is amazing.
Evaluation: This wine will improve with age and is a great value at $55. 95 points
Take advantage of the wonderful wines to sample on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoon. Phil has about 10 or more wines to sample so you can try before you buy.
Australia Offerings
2002 Wolf Blass Gold Label Cabernet $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Earth and plum
Taste: Earth and plum
Finish: Medium with earth tones
Evaluation: One dimensional wine but still worth drinking. 85 points
2003 Torbreck Struie South Australia $$$$
Color: Dark Purple
Nose: Spice, floral, pepper
Taste: Spice, floral, pepper, and earth
Finish: Full flavor of spice, pepper, floral, earth on this long finish
Evaluation: The best of the Torbreck wines I have had for the money. 92 points
2004 Marquis Philips S2 Cabernet $$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Earth, pepper
Taste: Smooth tannins, earth, black and red pepper
Finish: Medium with earth, pepper and well integrated tannins
Evaluation: A nice offering from Australia in the cab category. Earth dominated wine. 90 points
2004 Marquis Philips Shiraz 9 $$$
Color: Extremely dark purple
Nose: High alcohol content evident, spice box,
Taste: Thick wine with plum, pepper, hints of cherry, nice fruits but not a fruit bomb. Floral notes evident.
Finish: Medium multi layered finish with spices and fruits intermixed (30 plus seconds)
Evaluation: An excellent wine for the money at $30 locally. It is said that these grapes are from the Integrity which was not made in 04 with the split of Marquis/ Philips partnership. This is a buy wine and the best aussie wine since our clubs tasting in April that I have had. 94 points
2005 Marquis Philips Cabernet $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Earth
Taste: Oak, vanilla, and earth
Finish: Earth, some currants, and oak
Evaluation: 85 points
2005 Marquis Philips Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Intense with pepper, spice, and oak
Taste: Rich with pepper, fruit and spice
Finish: Medium with fruit mixing with earth tones
Evaluation: For the price it is hard to beat this Aussie Shiraz. 89 points
2005 Oliverhill "Jimmy Section" Shiraz $$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Crushed rock, earth, violets, spice, pepper
Taste: Thick with crushed rock, floral, spice, pepper, sweet fruits
Finish: Multi layered with ripe fruit, crushed rock, floral, spice, pepper and a buttery finish kicking in at one minute. Extremely long finish.
Evaluation: One of the best wines from Australia for the money! 95 points
Chile
2004 Santa Rita Medalla Real Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Floral, plum, earth, spice,
Taste: Huge spice and crushed rock, floral, oak, vanilla, cinnamon
Finish: Powerful with spice, floral, oak, vanilla, and cinnamon
Evaluation: For $16.99 at Hennepin Lake a steal! This needs to be decanted 4 hours and is better the next day. I would also cellar for 5 years as you will be rewarded. 89 points
France
Duval Leroy NV Brut Champagne (07) $29.99
Color: Pale yellow
Nose: Dough, musty, grass
Taste: A bit tart, spice, dough
Finish: Medium with spice, balanced acidity, dough
Evaluation: Well made. Not a fruit forward style. 88 points
2000 Moulin de La Lagune Grand Vin Bordeaux Blend $$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Earth and Red Currant Fruit
Taste: Fine tannins, plum, earth, spice, and a hint of black pepper
Finish: Medium and multi layered with plum, earth, spice and black pepper
Evaluation: 2000 was a great year from Bordeaux and this inexpensive offering would go well with a steak off the grill. 91 points
2003 Chateau d'Argandens Bordeaux Superior $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Ripe fruit especially plum along with spice and earth
Taste: Plum, spice, and earth
Finish: Fruit forward and very pleasant
Evaluation: The best under $20 Bordeaux Blend I have had from 03. 88 points
2004 Louis Jadot Macon-Lugny Chardonnay $9.95
Color: Light yellow
Nose: Musty, mineral
Taste: Mineral and crisp acidity
Finish: Medium with mineral and a hint of citrus
Evaluation: A simple Chardonnay that will work with appetizers prior to dinner. 84 points
2005 Hippolyte Reverdy Sancerre $18.95
Color: Light
Nose: Fruity
Taste: Tropical, mineral, mild sweetness
Finish: Medium with nice fruits on the finish
Evaluation: Not all mineral but nice fruit components. 86 points
2005 Trimbach Alsace Riesling $14.95
Color: Light gold
Nose: Mineral and pear
Taste: Mineral more specifically quartz
Finish: Medium with a mineral note dominating
Evalution: So simple but really good. Again why tasting notes don't always do a wine justice. 84 points
2005 Paul Jaboulet Aine Parallele 45 Cote du Rhone $8.69
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Earth and spice
Taste: Acidic, fruit forward wine with plum and cherry
Finish: Fruit forward with spice, cherry and plum
Evaluation: Nice every day drinker. 85 points
Piper-Heidsieck NV Brut Champagne(07) $19.95
Color: Light yellow
Nose: Dough, apricots, lemon peal, mineral
Taste: Apple, pear, dough, acidic in a positive way, mineral
Finish: A burst of mineral mellowing into pear, apple and dough
Evaluation: The best Champagne I have had in a while and an incredible QPR Champagne. 91 points
Available at Hennepin Lake on sale for around $20
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label NV Brut (07) $39.95
Color: Light yellow
Nose: Mineral, dough, grapefruit, pear
Taste: Crisp with Dough, mineral, lemon, grapefruit
Finish: Medium to long and balanced. Dough, mineral, grapefruit.
Evaluation: The best Champagne I have had in a long time and at $39.95 at Hennepin Lake a steal!!! 93 points
Germany
2004 Dr. F. Weins Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett Riesling $17.95
Color: Light gold
Nose: Pear, apple, mineral
Taste: A touch of sweetness with sour apple, pear, mineral, and citrus fruit
Finish: Medium with a hint of sweetness along with apple, pear, mineral, and citrus fruit
Evaluation: Very well made and a balanced wine from a pretty solid vintage. 88 points
2006 Dr. Loosen Wehlner Sonnenuhr Spatlese Riesling $25
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Mineral, honey, apple
Taste: Slate, honey, nice acidity, crisp
Finish: Medium with slate, honey, sour apples
Evaluation: Slate as in Terroir here. A great before dinner sipper or try with some fresh fish. 92 points
2006 Dr. Loosen "Dr. L" Estate Riesling $11
Color: Light gold
Nose: Slate, honey
Taste: Crisp, acidic, honey suckles, apple
Finish: Medium with a nice balance to the wine.
Evaluation: Buy a six pack for your next party. 88 points
Italy
2005 Cecchi Chianti Classico $$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Spice, mineral, oak
Taste: Smooth overall with plum, mineral, oak, vanilla
Finish: Medium with spice, plum, mineral, cherry
Evaluation: A great value Chianti. 88 points
New Zealand
2006 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc $12.99
Color: Medium yellow
Nose: Grass, floral, citrus
Taste: Citrus, floral, grass
Finish: Multi layered and medium with floral, grass, and citrus
Evaluation: The best Sauvignon Blanc I have ever had! 91 points
2006 Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc $17.85
Color: Medium yellow
Nose: Mineral, grapefruit
Taste: Huge mouthful of mineral, grapefruit, orange
Finish: Multi layered long finish with mineral, grapefruit, and lime
Evaluation: The new best S.B. I have ever had! 92 points
Spain
2005 Bodegas y Vinedos Blanco Rueda $7.95
Color: Light
Nose: Mineral
Taste: Crisp, acidic, refreshing
Finish: Short with acidic qualities
Evaluation: A fair wine for the price. 82 points
2005 Can Feixes Penedes Seleccio Blanc $
Color: Clear
Nose: Mineral
Taste: Citrus, mineral and crisp
Finish: Crisp and refreshing
Evaluation: A simple white that can be enjoyed on a hot day or with a light dish. 84 points
2005 Finca Luzon Jumilla Altos de Luzon $$
Color: Dark red
Nose: Earth, spice
Taste: Big fruit, spice, pepper, cola
Finish: Explosive with spice, pepper, integrated tannins on a medium finish
Evaluation: In 03 Wine Spectator gave this a 93 and this one is a tremendous value. 90 points
US
2002 J Brut Sparkling Wine $29.95
Color: Light yellow
Nose: Apple, pear, fruit forward
Taste: Crisp acidity, dough, pear, sour apple, mineral
Finish: Medium with mineral, sour apple, nice acidity, dough
Evaluation: Very complex for a $30 Sparkling wine. 90 points
2002 Ladera Lone Canyon Napa Valley Cabernet $54.99
Color: Dark Purple
Nose: Tobacco, dark cherry, earth
Taste: Thick mouthful with cherry, spice, medium tannins
Finish: Spice, medium tannins, oak, earth
Evaluation: Cellar should help this improve. 90 to 92 points currently
2002 Markham Napa Valley Zinfandel $17.45
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, black berries
Taste: Spice and rich berries
Finish: Medium with the classic zin spice along with mineral and earth
Evaluation: Well made and represents a typical zin. 86 points
2003 Montevina Sierra Foothills Amador County Zinfandel $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, earth
Taste: Spice, mineral, cola
Finish: Little off balance on this wine with spice dominating the medium finish.
Evaluation: Standard Zinfandel. 84 points
2004 Arygle Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $$$
Color: Light purple
Nose: Spice, floral
Taste: A very smooth wine overall. Hints of spice, floral, and earth
Finish: Medium with spice, floral, and earth
Evaluation: A wine more suited to someone not into over the top tastes. 87 points
2004 Avalon Cabernet $10.99
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice
Taste: Spice, oak
Finish: Medium with spice and earth character
Evaluation: Solid everyday drinker. 86 points
2004 Bogle Merlot $7.88
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Cherry, earth
Taste: A bit tannic and spice
Finish: Short with such a bitter taste that it is hard to determine much else.
Evaluation: Not a must buy. 77 points
2004 David Bruce Central Coast Petite Sirah $17.99
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Fruit, floral and earth
Taste: Mouthful of berries, floral and crushed rock
Finish: Medium floral, spice, pepper and crushed rock
Evaluation: Buy! This is a great Petite Sirah for the money. Very complex. 90 points
2004 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot $
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Smoke, earth, cherry, plum
Taste: Smooth tannins, smoke, earth, cherry, plum, oak
Finish: Long with a beautiful combination of smoke, oak, earth, and fruit. In perfect balance.
Evaluation: The best Merlot in the world for the money. 90 points
2004 DUMOL Ryan Green Valley Sonoma Pinot Noir $$$$+
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Large nose on this one with floral, spice, and earth
Taste: Wow! Big full flavored wine with spice, floral and mineral
Finish: LONG, with multi layers of spice, floral, and mineral
Evaluation: Again this is why I give wines a score as the components are not endless but the experience is. 94 points
2004 Hartford Court Stone Cote Sonoma Chardonnay $48.95
Color: Light yellow
Nose: Mineral, melon
Taste: Very rich and complex with floral, mineral and melon elements
Finish: Long with floral, mineral and everything in balance
Evaluation: A well made wine that lacks the extreme finish from my favorite Chardonnay's of all time. A little better there and it would be in my top 3 as the nose and taste was excellent. 91 points
2004 Larca Monterey Pinot Gris $12.99
Color: Pale yellow
Nose: Tropical fruit
Taste: Crisp with some acidity. Tropical fruit, melon, and grapefruit
Finish: Spicy, tropical fruit with a noticeable grapefruit taste
Evaluation: Nice overall for the price. 87 points
2004 Marietta Cellars Sonoma Zinfandel $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice and you could sense the high alcohol
Taste: Spice and earth
Finish: Spice and earth
Evaluation: Not inspiring but traditional zin qualities. 85 points
2004 Newton Chardonnay $18.95
Color: Medium yellow
Nose: Fruit
Taste: Mineral and crisp fruit featuring apple
Finish: Medium with a fruit forward approach. Apple is present again
Evaluation: A good, basic Chardonnay that should please. 87 points
2004 Newton Napa Valley Unfiltered Chardonnay $46.99
Color: Darker gold
Nose: Rich with oak, spice, pear, apple, mineral
Taste: Wow. A mouthful of flavor with spice, oak, vanilla, apple, mineral
Finish: Balanced wine with a persistent intensity. oak, vanilla, mineral, apple, all leading into a buttery finish.
Evaluation: An amazing wine that should be cellared for three to five years. 93 points
2004 Patz & Hall Napa Valley Chardonnay $29.99
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Rich and Intense. Oak, vanilla, pear, spice
Taste: Thick, spice, oak, floral
Finish: Really long! spice, oak, floral that weaves into a buttery finish. 92 points
2004 Sebastiani Sonoma Chardonnay $9.99
Color: Light yellow
Nose: Oak, fresh fruit
Taste: Crisp, oak, and pear
Finish: Medium with mineral and oak
Evaluation: Great everyday Chardonnay. 87 points
2004 Ferrari-Carona Siena $$
Color: Dark Purple
Nose: Earth
Taste: Spicy with cinnamon and earth
Finish: Medium with spice and earth
Evaluation: Nice everyday wine. 86 points
2005 Argyle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $20.95
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Spice and earth
Taste: Spice, pepper and earth
Finish: Medium with cranberry, pepper, and spice
Evaluation: Solid for $20 in the world of Pinot. 87 points
2005 Bernardus Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc $12.95
Color: Light
Nose: Grapefruit and mineral
Taste: Nice acidity, clean and crisp with grapefruit and mineral
Finish: Medium with grapefruit and mineral
Evaluation: Nice every day drinker. 86 points
2005 Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay $24.95
Color: Medium Gold
Nose: Explosive with Mineral, pear, oak, vanilla, spice
Taste: Spice, oak, vanilla, mineral, apple, fig
Finish: Medium with spice, mineral, oak, vanilla, fig, apple
Evaluation: The best Chardonnay I have ever had under $30. 93 points
2005 David Bruce Central Coast Pinot Noir $24.95
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Spice, earth
Taste: Spice, cinnamon and earth
Finish: Medium with spice and cinnamon
Evaluation: Solid everyday Pinot. 88 points
2005 Chapellet Napa Valley Chardonnay $25.49
Color: Light yellow
Nose: Light citrus, mineral
Taste: A mouthful of citrus fruit with mineral, floral notes and a medium amount of acidity
Finish: Medium with citrus fruit and mineral
Evaluation: A refreshing wine that possesses no oak. 89 points
2005 Erath Pinot Noir Oregon $15.95
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Spice and earth
Taste: Spice, floral, earth
Finish: Medium with spice and floral notes
EValuation: A good value Pinot Noir. 87 points
2005 Ferrari-Carano Alexander Valley Chardonnay $19.95
Color: Medium yellow
Nose: Oak, vanilla, apple, pear
Taste: Rich and lively. Pear, oak, apple, and spice
Finish: Medium and powerful with oak, apple, spice and pear
Evaluation: An excellent value from a great vintage. 90 points
2005 Harlow Ridge Coastal Vines Pinot Noir $7.55
Color: Light purple
Nose: Smoke and earth
Taste: Smoke, buttery notes, floral, and spice
Finish: Big with smoke, floral, buttery on this multi layered finish
Evaluation: Slam dunk wine for $7.55. I don't think you can get a better Pinot for under $10. 87 points
2005 Hess California Select Chardonnay $8.88
Color: Light yellow
Nose: Fruit
Taste: Acidic, sweet fruit
Finish: Out of sorts
Evaluation: Not well made. 80 points
2005 J Lohr Baymist Riesling $6.95
Color: Light yellow
Nose: Apple, apricot, mineral
Taste: Tropical fruit, mineral, tangy, apple
Finish: Strong crisp note that mellows into a medium mineral and tropical fruit finish
Evaluation: This is a consistent producer and this is a wonderful value. 87 points
2005 Mason Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc $12.95
Color: Light
Nose: Grapefruit and mineral
Taste: Citrus featuring grapefruit and mineral
Finish: Medium with mineral and grapefruit and nice balance in the acidity component
Evaluation: Well made and classic Sauvignon Blanc 87 points
2005 Mer Soleil Central Coast Chardonnay $29.95
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Oak, mineral, apple, pear
Taste: Rich and buttery with oak, mineral, apple, pear
Finish: Mineral, buttery notes, apple on this medium finish
Evaluation: Solid Cali Chard 90 points
2005 Talley Arroyo Grande Valley Chardonnay $22.95
Color: Medium yellow
Nose: Mineral and fruit
Taste: Multi layered with fruit, mineral, and a mild sweetness
Finish: Medium with fruit and mineral
Evaluation: Nothing distinct but well made overall. 87 points
2005 Wente Riva Ranch Arroyo Seco Chardonnay $12.99
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Mineral, pear, apple
Taste: Buttery, mineral, pear, apple
Finish: Buttery, oak, vanilla
Evaluation: As good as it gets for Chardonnay for under $15. 90 points
2006 Castle Rock Mendocino County Pinot Noir $7.99
Color: Light purple
Nose: Earth and spice
Taste: Spice, earth and cinnamon
Finish: Medium with earth and spice
Evaluation: A great wine for $7.99. 86 points
2006 Cliff Lede Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc $17.95
Color: Medium gold (lot's of legs)
Nose: Fresh cut grass, mineral, grapefruit, lemon
Taste: Powerful. Mineral, grass, spice, grapefruit, orange peel
Finish: Medium with mineral, grapefruit, spice, lemon
Evaluation: This is one of the best Sauvignon Blanc's I have ever tried and is sure to please. 92 points
2006 Columbia Crest Two Vines Columbia Valley Riesling $5.49
Color: Gold
Nose: Mineral, pear
Taste: Crisp with a nice sweetness featuring mineral, pear, and apple
Finish: Medium with mineral and fruit
Evaluation: Try this one on a hot day. 84 points
2006 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Columbia Valley Sauvingon Blanc $
Color: Medium gold
Nose: Tropical fruit and mineral
Taste: Nice acidity with orange, tropical fruit and mineral
Finish: Shorter but with a satisfying result
Evaluation: Another winner from the best producer under $10 in the world. 85 points
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