2006 Corinto Carmenere $6.99

I'll admit that when I first cracked this wine open it had a stink that reminded me of a new Rhone. Once I let the stink blow off, it was all good. Rich, deep red in color with a light brown rim. Dried herbs and spices on the nose with a hint of fresh cut ferns. Very green on the palate! Tannins are pretty big, but then sharply went away and the brown sugar and light brown fruit followed. Had a slight bite at the end but was pretty decent for the price.

2007 Estancia Pinot Noir, Pinnacles Ranches $19.99

The 2007 Estancia Pinot Noir has a nice burgundy colored hue. With a nose of bright red fruit and notes of cinnamon. On the palate spices are pretty big, notes of light ripe cherries and wet leather finish it off. The tannins are there but not as much as other California Pinot Noirs. Good acidity and balance, and for a sale price of $15.97...good wine for the price.

2006 Betz Family Winery, Syrah, La Serenne $59.99

Oh My God! First let me say that I know Bob Betz, MW and what his wines are all about. I first made contact with Bob when I was working at Chateau Ste. Michelle back in the later 90s. From there I dove head first into wine. I took classes that Bob was teaching at the winery and took advantage of tasting every wine that the winery had to offer. By the time I had left CSM and moved on to a wine shop in the area, I was introduced to Bob's wines. His wines set the standard for what I wanted in a good Syrah. A bunch of us asked him one time if it was profitable to be a winemaker. He replied with, "when I turn a profit, I'll let you know." Right then I knew it was not about the cash in his pocket. It was his purple stained fingers and overall outcome of his wines.

The 2006 La Serenne is something of a dream. Deep deep red in color. A nose of milk chocolate and fresh Foldgers coffee. With black cherry and peppers onthe palate with silky soft tannins. A finish that last over thirty seconds and the memory of what I want all my Syrah's to taste like. Parker rated this 94 points and I would go a few higher. I tasted this back in late December 2008 at my friend wine shop in Seattle. I later had to find a way to pick up a six-pack and sneak it into the cellar so my wife would not yell at me.

2006 Feudo di Santa Teresa, Nero D'Avola $11.99

No picture on this one sorry. But the wine was almost blood red in color. Rich notes of spices and soft wood. Light cherries, hints of tar and earth. Wine has great structure and balance. Soft finish with hints of light oak. Not bad.

2005 Villalta Valpolicella Ripasso $11.99

Clean with bright red fruit on the nose. Medium bodied with medium tannins and acidity. After a few minutes the tannins left and what was left was dried fruit with a hint of prunes. Of the tannins that were left, turned into soft, elegant red wine. Dark red fruit and a long aftertaste. I like it.

2006 Lamura Nero D'Avola $5.99

I was amazed when I tried this little gem from Sicily. Where has it been all my life, OK where has it been for the last year? Bright red with a light brick rim. Maybe showing some age but was still great looking. Nose of light rose pedals with ripe red cherries. Nice tobacco and red fruit on the palate, then a soft cedar box came into play. Soft finish and a delicate finish. Wine is should be drank within the next few years. Great with pizza or a spicy hot dog.

Tasted 2/09 Vintage Imports

2005 Olaia $11.99

This is a great blend of Tempranillo, Prieto Picudo, and Merlot. Deep purple with a blood red rim. Huge amounts of smoke with little metal flakes on the nose. Soft or over-ripe red fruit with hints of bacon fat on the side. Black fruit and bold spices are loaded in this Spanish beauty. I believe Parker gave it 89 points which is pretty damn good for a $12 bottle of grape juice. Good vino!

2006 Miquel Laurent Syrah Grenache $8.99

Clear with a nice light red brick hue. Smokey on the nose with lots of dried herbs. Good dirt notes with a hint of minerals added, even added some nice cherry notes to follow. Nice. Light steel with some Spam-like smoke on the palate. Finish was dry and big, nice truffles and earth was the closer. Pretty decent wine for the cash.

2007 Colombelle Gascogne Red $8.99

Pretty decent color with a lighter red rim. Almost a purple hue in the center. A bit jammy on the nose with light floral and dried fruit action going on. Palate was medium+ dry with pretty decent tannins. There was a hint of Bing cherries floating around the mouth as well. There was also a nice finish of soft garden spices and light earth. My kind of pizza or stew wine.

2007 Colombelle Gascogne Blanc $8.99

Straw-like yellow with a nose right out of New Zealand. Green veggies with a light asparagus hint in the old nose hairs. Light fresh cream on the palate with hints of white pepper and yeast. On the palate the wine is smooth with a finish that seems to just go away with out even knowing it. Nice light minerals rap up this cheap little beast. Not a bad little VDP.

2006 Heartland Cabernet Sauvignon $15.99

This is the big brother of the Stickleback Red. Parker gave it 91 point. Dark purple in color with a lighter red rim. Rich nose of cinnamon, nutmeg and cigar box. On the palate it is a full belly of a wine but as the Stickleback Red, this wine is well made and balanced perfectly. Even though it is only a few dollars more, I still prefer the Stickleback Red more. This would be great with a nice steak and some garlic mashed potatoes.

2007 Heartland Stickleback Red $12.99

For $12.99 on the shelf, this is one hell of a wine. I normally do not get so jumpy when I taste Aussie wines but this one was one of the best I've had in a long time. Being that this wine is made by winemaker Ben Gletzer (Amon-Ra) you should expect a little more than the Yellow Tail most New Jersey wine shops carry. POW! The 2006 vintage got a 90 from Tanzer which is like getting a 95 from Parker and Speculator. Warning, do not open this wine around a white counter.

Color of the wine is deep purple or opaque. The nose blew me away as it reminded me of Gril Scout thin mints. I had two other people around me confirm that I was smelling thin mints. I was! Very rich red fruit on the palate with a hint of ink. The finish was medium to full bodied but not enough to knock you down. Wine was very well balanced and well made. Going to try to get this in the shop for sure.

2007 Castle Rock Sonoma County Pinot Noir $15.99

Light ruby in color. Nose of light red fruits with a hint of cooking herbs. Ripe red fruit on the palate with slight bing cherry calling. The finish has a light nail polish with more light cherries. Not a bad Pinot Noir, but I do prefer something from Oregon or Burgundy. Good juice though.

2007 Strub Soil to Soul Riesling Kabinett $16.99

Being that this Riesling changes from year to year; sometimes it's a Qba, but the 2007 is a Kabinett. Clear with very tiny bubbles. Light peppermint, sweet candy, and lime peel on the nose. On the palate this treasure took control. Mineral notes of wet rockand light petrol plus with some bite to it. The finish was smooth yet rich with minerals and sugar. This Riesling could even pass for a Spatlese, it is just that sweet. I love it and would buy a 6 pack just to have around the house.

2007 Barraud Macon-Villages $15.99

With only 2000 cases made and having never seen an oak barrel in its life, this little Macon-Village is a tasty treat. Light to med+ on the nose, clear with a medium body. The nose has hints of green apples and light citrus. On the palate, light minerals and soft tree fruit. Great steel-like finish with just a hint of lime at the end. Great little wine.

The First of Many Notes

Welcome to my wine journal. I've created this journal so I can keep better track of my wine tasting notes. By trade I am a wine specialist so I spend a lot of time tasting wines that I would like to purchase for my store. Please feel free to look over my notes and use them for your own personal purchases. The best thing about tasting wine is that there is no correct answer. Everyone has their own nose and palate. Please feel free to comment on any of my notes. Enjoy.

Santo