Tag Archives: $20-$30

White Wine: Conundrum, 2009, California.

88 Points – $25

This very popular and well liked white is produced from the Caymus wine group. Clear crisp yellow in color with a floral nose of apricot, melon, green apple and honeysuckle. A mouth of melon,honeydew, pear and vanilla. A great wine for those that like melon. (Melon is not my cup of tea) But, well liked by many.

 

White Wine

Name: Conundrum

Grape: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurtraminer, Chardonnay

Region: California, USA

Maker: Conundrum Wines

Price: $25

Alcohol: 13.5%

 

 

Red Wine: Arele Parziale Appassimento Vino Roso, 2010, Italy.

90 Points – $22

Named after the trays used for drying the grapes before pressing, this easy drinking red wine with a fruity, berry nose and sweet flavors of berry and fresh fruit is an easy favorite with pasta on hot summer days. Very good.

 

Red Wine

Name: Arele Parziale Appassimento Vino Roso

Grape: Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, Oseleta, Merlot

Region: Italy

Maker: Tommasi Viticoltori

Price: $22

Alcohol: 13%

 

 

White Wine: Bourgogne, Cote D’Or, France.

91 Points – $29

Clear golden yellow in color with a full nose of grapefruit and citrus fruits. A soft mouthful of citrus, apple and white fruits with a well rounded finish. A good French style chardonnay, best served chilled.

White Wine

Name: Bourgogne

Grape: Chardonnay

Region: Cote D’Or, Bourgogne, France

Maker: Philipe Bouchard

Price: $29

Alcohol: 12.5%

 

 

Red Wine: The Laughing Magpie, 2004, Australia.

88 Points – $28

Dark black in color with a nose of plum, oak  and the floral notes fom the viognier. A full mouth of cherry, plum, violets and spice. Good finish. Another good wine from D’Arenberg.

 

Red Wine

Name: The Laughing Magpie

Grape: Shiraz 93%, Viognier 7%

Region: McLaren Vale, Australia

Maker: D’Arenberg

Price: $28

Alcohol: 14.5%

 

 

Red Wine: Jester Vintage Shiraz, 2009, Australia

94 Points – $23

One of the best finds of the year! Named after Richard Tarlton who was a court jester to Queen Elizabeth1. Dark black in color with a nose of mocha, fruit, euculyptis and leather. A great mouthful of dark fruit, jam, mocha and licorice with a solid peppery spice finish. A great wine at any price and at this price an outstanding buy!

 

Red Wine

Year: 2009

Name: Jester 2009 Vintage Shiraz

Grape: Shiraz

Region: McLaren Vale, Australia

Maker: Mitolo

Price: $23

Alcohol: 14.59%

 

Red Wine: Old River Road Ponderosa Vineyard, 2005, California.

86 Points – $27

Medium in color and body, this wine has a tannic smell with notes of oak and currants. Acidic in taste with fruit and mocha overtones. Plush furry finish. Needs to mellow with decanting.

Red Wine

Year: 2005

Name: Old River Road Ponderosa Vineyard 

Grape: Pinot Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: California, U.S.A.

Maker: Old River Road Cellars

Price: $27

Alcohol: 13.6% 

Red Wine: Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009, California, U.S.A.

92 Points – $26

This wine is one of Jayson Woodbridge’s finest. Dark red with a pipe tobacco and mocha nose. Rich taste of chocolate, fruit and spice with a full long spicey finish. Excellent stuff, drinking very nicely now with potential for some aging.

Red Wine

Year: 2009

Name: Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region:  California, U.S.A.

Maker: Layer Cake

Price: $26

Alcohol: 14.1%