Wine Notes

2006 Fetzer Chardonnay - Fairly light, dry, easy with a slightly citrus finish. Fetzer has been making reliable wines for decades. Great for summer drinking or with fish and seafood at a reasonable price (about $6 at supermarkets)

2006 Panilonco Reserve Merlot/Malbec - My friend Tom brought me this Four Buck Chuck from Chile! Great fruit flavors in a light style. Perfect picnic wine (about $4 at Trade.

2006 Panilonico Reserve 2006 - Carmenere for Four Bucks? Yep! Another Trader Joe's find. Carmenere has become the hallmark wine of Chile. Here is another light styled fruity picnic wine. Lighter than the Merlot/ Malbec.

2006 Alexander & Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon - A different Tom gave me this Alexander Valley Cab. It is the genuine article. A full-blooded North Coast California Cab with loads of upfront fruit, medium body and good balance. An amazing value for around $7 at Trader Joe's.

2005 Escudo Rojo - This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc was made by Baron Phillipe De Rothschild in Maipo, Chile. This medium bodied beauty, totally HWP with great fruit, is another great value at about $10 at Costco.

2004 - Candado De Haza - This Tempranillo made by Alejandro Fernandez Pesquera de Duero is very serious wine full of gravidad. Made to age! I clearly committed infanticide here. This Ribera Del Duero red has a big, rich purplish color followed by lots of raspberry, cassis and truffle flavors, but it is definitely not jammy or in-your-face. Subdued like a great Bordeaux or a Spanish aristocrat, but not overwhelmed by the obvious tannins. This is truly one for cellar. It would be fun to see what this is like in ten years. I predict it will be at it's peak in 2024, but it is quite drinkable right know with steak, roasts and stew. Another phenomenal bargain at $15 from Costco.

2001 Chateau D'Escurac - This purplish red Medoc wine from Bordeaux is medium bodied with black fruit and some tannin and acid. A bit austere, it has good fruit and is reasonably priced for Bordeaux at about $15. Definitely a food wine.