Masciarelli - Montepulciano d' Abruzzo

My Italian rampage continues! This $8 wine comes from central Italy which apparently is home to regular, hard workin' folk - who make no-nonsense wine. This wine is a bit of a standard for us - and goes especially well with pizza - which we're having tonight. The oak is a bit strong on the nose, but still gives the wine a pleasant spice. I can't pick out any one fruit, when I taste it. Look for this one or just this grape varietal - but don't overpay.

Scharffenberger Brut Sparkling Wine (aka Champagne)

Here's a $15 California Brut Sparkling wine (aka champagne) that is as good as any $30+ bottle you'll find for your New Years celebration. 2/3rds Pinot Noir and 1/3rd Chardonnay. Bubbly, light, and not sweet. It has never failed my and Mrs Vino. Happy New Year!

Olivares - Altos de la Hoya 2007 Monastrell

I can't recall why I purchased 2 bottles of this $10 wine made from the "Monastrell" grape variety. A 'net search suggests this is an excellent "value" wine - selling at $10, but worth $20. Well, Julios wine store must have had a label to that effect, because you know that description would grab my attention! I smelled rubber and the tannins grabbed my toungue on the initial tasting. All the flavors quickly smoothed out as the wine must have needed some air. Mrs. Vino also noticed the tannins, but said, "it isn't like a sweater on my tounge." We polish it off in no time and we're clearly in mid-vaca week form. This smooth wine has subtle blackberry like flavors and nice acid for a red. The wine worked well with a chicken pasta dish. Look for this wine!

Monte Antico Toscana 2006

My brother gave me this wine (along with 4 other bottles!) for Christmas. We pulled it out for our Xmas dinner lamb chops and loved it. Another Italian wine for me. (Is he reading by blog?) 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 5% Cab. The oak was a bit strong on the nose, but nicely in the background on the toungue. A very smooth blend and I was certain my brother had splurged - as he often does. One 'net search tells me this is a $10 wine - showing his nose for value. I'll be looking for this wine and so should you.

Jermann Pinot Grigio

Picked up this Pinot Grigio when searching for a white for Mrs. Vino. Perfumy, fragant and a bit floral- similar to a Riesling. We pair it up with some scallops and the combo works. I'm starting to think I need to learn more about and start buying more Italian wines. And who knew I liked Pinot Grigio. Be warned however. For whatever reason white wines just aren't hangover free like reds. We didn't even finish the bottle and both had slight headaches this AM.

La Fortuna 2008 Pinot Noir

Not much flavor. Drinkable, but not enjoyable. No overriding negative flavors, but still all I really taste is the heat of the alcohol. Memo to self - when in Chile - stick with Cabs.

You can see from the photo the wine was "hand harvested". It was also organically grown. Too bad someone went through all that effort because the end product wasn't so good.

HEY LOOK - Seven posts in November. I've exceeded my goal of 4 per month.

Alma Rosa Chardonnay

"Buttery" chardonnay. What does that mean? I never smelled or tasted "butter" in my chardonnay. Until now! My wine smelled like the buttered popcorn at the movies. In my quest to find a chadonnay for Mrs. Vino I've become a fan myself. When I did the broad tasting in the store this one would have been second to Oatley (below), but now I'm not sure. The distributor informed me that the vineyard formally produced Sanford. Huh! My Dad and my wifes maid of honor must have drank 8 bottles of Sanford at our rehersal dinner. To this day, they both shudder whenever the rehersal dinner topic arises. I read that many chardonnays these days are junk and while I'm no expert this one seemed just fine to me and I would look for this one!

Pieropan - Soave

Picked up this Italian white on my quest to find a Chardonnay for Mrs. Vino. The guy representing this wine suggested we pair this up with pasta and clam sauce, so we do just that. Perfect. BTW - I also learned that Italy has 400 grape varieties. Gracious. There are just so many good things to say about this wine. Light - and I get a distinct pear flavor - not at all sweet. A substial white wine that I will definitely look for again. Do the same! I paid $13 becasue the distributor was there, but it regularly is $17. (I read today that most folks who rate wines from 1-100 miss their prior score by 4 points the next time they rate the same wine. I knew there was a reason I thought that scoring system was bull.

Robert Oatley Chardonnay 2007

Mrs. Vino requests some white wine - pinot grigio or chardonnay. A few day later a local wine store announces a special tasting with 6 distributors. I'm on my way. I'm not used to tasting whites - but am willing to learn! The second wine I taste stands out. The distributor overloads me with info as I taste. The slightest hint of alcohol entering my brain distracts from a long story about someone I don't know. Robert Parker Jr scored this one a 90, but who is he? The label suggests a melon flavor and I'm thinking honey dew or do list -which I think I'm working on. I digress. A slight hint of oak. I really liked this wine. A bit pricey at $14, but it generally retails higher (like $20 I think) so I feel good about the extra dough. I don't rate wines like some school test. My rating comes as a suggestion - Look for it!!

Barbera D'Alba Poderi Elia 2004

If you've been keeping up with my posts, you know that it is time to check out the oaked Barbera. This one is an 04 and the prior Barb (we're comfortable with each other) was an 08. Surprise, surprise, surprise. (Jim Nabors - dead or alive?) - I like this one better. "Smoother" says Mrs. Vino. Yup, and the oak is hardly noticable, but the wine just has more flavor and better "length" - the pleasant flavor lingers for a while. Our neice Rachel, picks up on some cherry flavors and Mrs. Vino get's black licorice. (I agree - now that it is suggested.) Look for it! It is also in the $10 range. (Alive!)

Briccotonido - Barbera - Fontanafredda 2008

I asked my local wine merchant for something different and he pointed me to an un-oaked (this wine) and an oaked (next review) Barbera from Italia. This wine was very nice. Yeah, I know, "nice" isn't really a descriptive word for wine - but that is what it was. Nothing complex. Fruit forward, but certainly not sweet. More flavors came through toward the end. Given my oak-phobia, I'm guessing this wine will beat out the oaked one - but we'll see. Oh - geez I almost forgot -this one was in the $10 range - you weren't expecting anything else.

Vina Rufina Tempranillo Crianza 2004

I apologize for the weak effort in October. I kept drinking wines I had already reviewed and was therefore left with nothing to write about. I've vowed to write-up 4 wines a month. That will force me to keep trying new wines and it will also keep my many readers happy. We have a disagreement on the first wine of November. I like the balance and spice of this inexpensive Tempranillo - a grape variety I generally like. Mrs. Vino is surprised by the zippiness and asks me how many bottles of it I bought. Not a good sign. ;) Give it a try and let me know what you think!

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.

Red Bicyclette French Rose

This is why you read a wine blog written by an accountant. A $7 bottle of wine that is perfect for the summer BBQ. Light, dry and refreshing. Chill it, drink it and be sure lots of friends and family are around to have some fun with!

Connecticut wine trail

Me and Mrs. Vino hit 3 Connecticut wineries over the weekend. Stop 1 was the Heritage where we did the sampling for 2. Cost was $25 which included 5 wine tastings and lots of cheezes. All of the wines were fragrant and interesting. Mrs. Vino even detected a "hair permanent" odor that you smell at the hair dresser - and as soon as she said it I got it too. Fortunately the wine didn't taste like that. We then went to Jonathan Edwards winery, which was a large operations. They mix their CT grapes with their CA grapes to make some great wines. Beautiful sunny deck, great rural CT setting and lots of young people (like us - ahem.). Lastly we visited Stonington which also was a beautiful setting and good wines at more affordable prices than the prior wineries. I recommend a visit to any of these vineyards to ALL my readers. Don't forget a GPS, because it isn't easy finding these wineries!

Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod - Triumph Meridtage Blend

Bordeaux style - 60% Cab Sav, 30% Merlot & 5% Cab Franc. What a pleasant surprise. I'm always leery of the wines I buy at wineries because I get so wrapped up in the winery itself. This Truro Mass winery is a beautiful property and a fun take on a vacation afternoon. The wine sat in my basement for a couple of years, but why not open it on a Monday when the cellar is becoming bare? Darker fruit flavors on the nose. Very smooth and dry. Now that I've tried it I wouldn't hesitate to open it even on a Saturday with some steaks. No comment from Mrs Vino who is out tonight

Pascual Toso Reserve Malbec 2007

I've only been drinking wines for a few years. I've started to recognize oak aging and generally I haven't liked it as it seems to drown out the fruit. This wine's label boasts of oak aging and I agree - great spice and like many Malbecs it has a real backbone. Me and Mrs. Vino both loved it from the get go. I didn't pull out any specifc flavors, but who cares. Still smooth as can be. think I paid about $15. I've liked other wines from my Argintinian buddy Pascual, so look for him.

Sat Night BBQ Party with neighbors

here's a photo for my friend Sandi who wanted a better photo. When you only have 1 or 2 readers they carry lots of clout. wish I could figure out how to get red of that dark photo below.

Drank all of these at a Sat night BBQ with the neighbors. Beautiful June evening and I overdid it. OOOPS They all tasted great! Francis Ford Merlot, Stephen Vincent Pinot and a french Rose. I can say no more.

Cossintino Nero D'Avola Sicilia

Take it from the wino accountant - look to the lesser known varietals for value. Nero D'Avola always reminds me of a cabernet. This one is very dry with earthy aromas. That means it smells a bit like manure - but trust me it works. I think this one was under $9 for the bottle. Mrs. Vino will be walking thru the door after 4 days in DC with the 8th grade class. I'll just hook her up intervenously to the bottle and send her to bed.

35 South Cabernet Sav - 2006

Had to try another Cab from Chile. Or NOT. Nothing special here - even at $10. Drinkable and fine for a Tuesday night, but my advice is just keep going if you walk past this one in the wine store aisle. Although if you're in the South America aisle, pick up a Montes or a Saint Ema! I score 35 South at 79. Mrs. Vino is traveling. I know you miss her:)

Chateau de La Chaize - Brouilly 2006

I believe this translates as the town of the lounge chair. I really have to visit this town. 100% Beaujolais. A favorite that I pulled out for my birthday. Me and Mrs. Vino both definitely tasted cranberry - so a little darker than the '04 vintage which had a distinctive/lighter rasberry flavor. Beaujolais is generally great value and I think I paid $16 at Julios in Westboro MA

Rose - Domaine Massamier La Mignardie

A sideways photo to reveal an empty bottle of rose - NOT an incompetent PC photo teckie! :) It also is a tribute to the movie! A nice summer sipper that even Mrs. Vino liked. She's not always a rose fan. Dry with strawberry flavors. 80%Cinsault, 10% Syrah, 10% Grenache. I score it a 88. Not bad for an $11 French wine I just bought on a whim.

Edna Valley 2007 Sauvignon Blanc

$11 wine recommended by the folks at Julios in Westboro. I tasted some pineapple juice flavor that my mom also tasted once I suggested. (My Mommy is in town and likes whites.) Lacked a bit of the acid and tartness that I generally like in SB's. Still a nice wine scored at 87 by SB. (Photo from cell phone! Seems better than the webcam photo)

Penfolds Rawson's Retreat - Shiraz Cab

I got nothin' special on the nose or taste. Hey - I'm honest. Mrs. Vino says it doesn't have a lot of flavor, but it is good/smooth. The bottle says it is well rounded and I agree. I score it an 85. There will be more exciting posts to come - promise!

- ohh look in the background. The Sox were the 2007 WS champs. Who knew?

Rose Beaujolais - Chateau du Basty 2007

Sorry - can't get a good photo of the label. I love this one. My brother gave me a case of Beaujolais as an x-mas gift and I'll clear 'em out soon now that the warmer weather is here. While not exciting, this wine has that nice acid that I taste in the back of my mouth. There is a distinct strawberry flavor. I'll score it 88 point. Mrs. Vino is away with her book club ladies so she can't comment, but she's generally not a big fan of pink. I love pink. It is a great color and pink wines are cool once the summer weather arrives.

Norton Malbec 2008

Malbecs are always solid. The label says fresh and fruity. I get structure. Mrs. Vino smells motor oil. I got that at first too. I don't think of it as fruity, but it smells like raisins or dried apricots to me. The flavor is very minerally - not sure if that is a word - but you get what I mean. Like sucking on a bunch of rocks. Not a bad thing though. Nothing wrong with this wine but nothing great either.... maybe a little boring. At $10 it works fine on this Thursday night.

Taste and expand the palate

A few years ago I put down the Sam Adams and picked up the vino. As my fellow middle aged neighbor says, "Wine gets me to where I need to be without punishing me in the morning." It started with a $10 Cabernet from Chile that the WSJ wine writers rated delicious. I found the suggested wine (Montes Reserve 2004) at my local wine store and have not stopped exploring the wine world since. I had no idea how lucky I was to actually find the suggested wine right down the street. I've since learned that you seldom find the wines you read about - to say nothing of a $10 wine that is rated delicious!

Anyway, me and Mrs. Vino tried to rate our evening wines by using a spreadsheet. I'm a CPA afterall. But the spreadsheet was as lifeless as my profession and I was never motivated to update it. Well how about a blog? We drink about 4 bottles a week (maybe more:) and I figure it will be fun to see what we can come up with for comments. My comments will be nuanced and diplomatic. Mrs. Vino will get right to the point.....Bing, Bang, Boom....and let us all know what this wine tastes like. (Those of you who know us get this - and who else would read this anyway!)

I'm into trying to pick out the various smells and tastes in the wine. (Like those guys in the Mikes Twisted Lemonade commercial who are making fun of guys like me!) With each wine I'll comment on what I get. If I can keep this going, we'll see if my palette can indeed expand. At 46, I'm not sure how much potential I have, but we'll see. I won't lie. If I don't detect any particular fruits or aromas then I won't comment on them. Hey no one is paying me to drink these wines.