Santa Ema Cabernet Sauvignon

Another Chillean Cab! While I've liked this in the past, this one just isn't quite as good as the Montes or my new best friend, EL GATO NEGRO - at $4.99. (I did pick up a case of the Cat BTW!) Don't shy away from S Ema, but if you see the Montes or EL GATO, then go with that instead. Allow me to digress: I hear that the FTC is thinking of trying to enforce bloggers to disclose when their being paid by the company/product they are reviewing. Good luck to them! There are now 30 million blogs on the net! But, I'm a law abiding and highliy ethical CPA, so here's the full disclosure from me: The Chillean Cabernet Sav Society is paying me mucho dinero to talk up their great wines.

Montes Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Three years ago I read a WSJ article that raved about a great Chillean wine - Montes Cabernet Sauvignon 2004. The wine was $10 and rated "delicious". My local merchant (Julios) had the wine. I now know that never happens so it was a eureka moment. The boredom of beer was soon left behind. I can't believe I haven't blogged on this wine yet. Thank God Mrs. Vino had it opened after I arrived home at 7:30 tonight after a long day. Tons of intense fruit flavor, with very light oak. If you find this wine, buy a case and drink one bottle every 6 months. In 6 years, when you're drinking the last bottle, you won't believe you paid $10 for the bottle. Actually, with the case discount, you'll pay less than that. Definitely, look for it!

Gato Negro Cabernet Sauvignon

Another Chilean bargain. Me gusta el Gato Negro! Cuanta questa? $4.99 per bottle! I'll be force feeding this one onto Mrs. Vino M, T, W, Thursday! On the nose I get a stale cigar. Mrs Vino gets gasoline. We're both impressed with the taste however and can't believe the price. Much better than 2 - errr 3 buck Chuck! This shows that price can be irrelevant and don't be afraid to venture out - especially if the wine is from South America. At $4.99, look for it! Muy bien el gato negro! Vamanos!

Stephen Vincent 2006 Pinot Noir

Classy label - don't you think? I've had Steve's Cab and "Crimson" before. I found Stephen after I asked my local merchant to give me a wine from a small winery. I had been reading that small vinters were more reliable and wanted to give one a try. I was not disappointed, so why not try the Pinot on a Saturday night with my grilled halibut. My 23 year old neice is here at the house and gave it high marks. (Sorry to turn your daugher into a wino R&K) Mrs. Vino says it smells like nail polish, but tastes smooth and is enjoyable. I also liked it but a little boring & Mrs Vino agrees.

Trapiche Broquel Malbec 2006

"Zippy", says Mrs. Vino. This is true of all 3 Malbecs I've blogged on. This one seems to leave the zippiest impression however! We decant it to smooth it out, which seemed to work a bit. After opening, I read the back label which says

we should open after 4-6 years of aging. Ooops. It must be 2010 somewhere. The everlasting spice has me thinking about food pairings. It does seem that this would go well with any spicey meal or even barbequed rips. I'll keep that in mind the next time I grab a Malbec. Meanwhile, I recommend you splurge on Pascal Toso's Special Reserve (in the $16 range) if you want to try a Malbec. While this Trapiche is fine, it doesn't make a great first impression the way Pascal does.

Campo Viejo Rioja Crianza 2006

Another yellow label - this one brighter than the last. This one fits my cheap accountant image. Priced at $10, I paid $7.50 because it was 26.25% off day at Julios. I stocked up. Riojas are hard to find in this price range. I'll confess there aren't many wines from the tempranillo grape variety that I don't like. Crianza means it aged 2 years - and had at least 6 months on oak. Like the Chianti Classico from the last post, the oak worked on this one - while the oak crowds out some of the fruit flavor - the wine has a good balance and is smooth. Remember - look for the yellow label in the Spanish aisle!

Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico 2003

Look for the yellow label! Grabbed this one for date nite w Mrs Vino at a BYOB Italian restaurant - Il Forno Westboro. Mrs Vino wasn't impressed on the first sip. I said, "just wait." Sure enough this one got better with every sip and went perfectly with our pasta/red sauce dishes. A little steep at$18, but worth it. Another wine with good, but not overpowering oak. Perfect.

The Wine Of the Summer

Clos de Los Siete. I bought this one in Eastham on the Cape. The local mercant recommended it explaining that it was called "7" because 7 French wine makers from the Bordeuax region of France decided to make a Bordeaux style blend in Argentina - Cab, Merlot, Malbec & Shyrah. I paid about $18 - but see it on the web for $16. Robust and smooth. I suggest you find this wine.

Seven Deadly Zins

Suiz (upside down) or Z/7ins (rightside up). Mrs. Vino's favorite....."Like butta....smooth". I agree. Not quite as peppery as many Zins, which I like. You'll find this everywhere. $13 at BJ's. $16 or so at Julios in Westboro - a bit steep for the accountant in me!

Montecillo Crianza 2003 Rioja

Oak drowns out the nose - but this wine drinks fine and I enjoyed it chilled on a summer night. Could stand up and go fine with any red meat, but at $13 I won't seek it out again. Mrs. Vino says it is a bit heavy - maybe that is the oak monster or maybe I should have saved it for the colder weather months.