2007 Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc, Sonoma County $14.99

Hints of a straw-like color. Has a nose of almost moscato-like with hints of lemon-grass or hay. Light acidity with hints of light fruit. Hollow in the middle, no finish but has a light white pepper on the end.

Tasted 3/28/09 via Wine Country

2006 Ferrari-Carano, Siena Red Wine, Sonoma County $23.99

Almost garnet in color. Light wet fur on the nose with hints of hair spray & light red fruit. On the palate, wine is soft with medium acidity. There are some pretty good spices with light tannins. Finish was fast and plain. Not really impressed.

Tasted 3/28/09 via Wine Country

2005 Ferrari-Carano Merlot, Sonoma County $23.99

Crayon red in color. Strong notes of blueberry on the nose with light mocha and hints of nutmeg. High acidity with firm tannins, dry on the finish with loads of black fruit on the finish.

Tasted 3/28/09 via Wine Country

2004 Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley $33.99

Light burgundy in color with notes of black fruit & spices on the nose. Light hints of wet pavement and dried moss as well. Palate was rich with berry fruit and medium acidity. Tannins are soft yet balanced with a nice helping of spices on the finish.

Tasted 3/28/09 Wine Country Tasting

2006 Alberice Schioppettino $31.99

Sorry no picture of the label. Almost purple in color with hints of red in the center. Light plums on the nose with a hint of licorice in the center. Pretty big on the palate with very high acidity. The alcohol comes out and shows you what is going on. Kind of hollow on the finish as the fruit disappears into thin air. I think they might be trying to get rid of their wines.

Company is small and only has about 17 wines in their portfolio. The rep was trying to tell me that the wines are more natural in their notes and that the taste I'm picking up was the natural side of Italy. The wines were actually not that great. I will not be picking up any wines from them.

Tasted 3/19/09 via Soilair Selection

2008 Casale Del Giglio Shiarz, Lazio $21.99

Deep red in color with a light red rim. Hints of black fruit with a light oak nose. Medium balanced with high acidity. Wine see 8 months in oak but still does not have the finish that one would expect. Hints of metal or light green plants on the side. Nah.

Tasted 3/19/09 via Soilair Selection

2007 Roccaperciata Nero d'Avola, Sicily $21.99

Medium red in color with bright red fruit and light licorice on the nose, light hay notes as well. Pretty big tannins and acidity cover up the fruit that should be there, but is not. Finish is less than stellar. After a second whiff, I picked up a bit of some light raisins.

Tasted 3/19/09 via Soilair Selection

2006 Oddero Barbera D'Alba $29.99

Rich red in color with a great nose. Sits in French oak for 12 months. Hints of light mint and rich red cherries. Great balance with medium acidity. Light brown sugar on the palate with a great smooth finish.

Tasted 3/19/09 via Soilair Selection

2006 Pine & Post Chardonnay $6.99

Clear with a hint of nuts on the nose. High acidity with soft tannins. Pretty nice Chardonnay, but I still prefer a nice Macon-Village.

Tasted 3/25/09 via Gallo

NV Pine & Post Riesling $6.99

Sorry but since this Riesling has no vintage and is not on the market yet, I could not get a picture of the label. I was actually the 2nd person in New Jersey to taste this wine from my home state of Washington.

This is a Non-Vintage blend of 85% Riesling and 15% Chenin Blanc. I'm not sure were the vineyards are since the person that was tasting me on the wines had no clue as well. I will assume that the grapes are sourced from a few different vineyards within the Columbia Valley. With a shelf tag of only $7 I can't imagine that the fruit is from Red Mountain or Walla Walla.

Almost clear in color with light honey notes and a slight spice of lychee nut. There was also a canned pear nose and the same on the palate. Nice green apple notes with great acidity and good balance. Finish was refreshing and clean. Lasted about 15 seconds. Hints of minerals and wet rock follow the finish.

Great little Riesling for the price. Alc. was around 11% with an RS of 2%.

Tasted 3/25/09 via Gallo

2007 Bloom Riesling $7.99

Great little bottle of Riesling from the Rheinhessen region of Germany. 100% Riesling with an RS of 2.9%, this bottle is a pure dream.

Almost gin clear in color with hints of citrus fruit and light cut grass. Granny Smith apple on the palate with a hint of wet rock. Wine is balanced and ready to rock and roll, and for the price, I'll be picking up a few cases before it is all gone!

Tasted 3/25/09 via Gallo

2008 Red Knot Chardonnay $11.99

Clear with a light sea salt nose. With a nose of hair spray, high acidity with not a lot of balance. Did not like it.

Tasted 3/25/09 via Gallo

2006 Pine & Post Merlot $7.99

Light brown on the rim with a nice solid red hue in the center. Notes of brown sugar and dried spices on the nose with hints of dark cherry and leather. Low tannins with good structure and acidity. Very nice finish and very smooth. Pretty nice wine and at the price, great value.

Blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Sangiovese, 5% Cab Franc
Alc. 13.5%

Tasted 3/25/09 via Gallo

2006 Red Knot Shiraz $11.99

Light burgundy in color. Soft red fruit with hints of light smoke. I think this might be aged in American oak. On the palate there are some nice cherry notes with light chocolate notes on the finish. Wine is medium bodied with a light fruit finish.

Tasted 3/25/09 via Gallo

2007 Red Knot Cabernet Sauvignon $11.99

Burgundy in color with a rich nose of red fruit. Fruit might be a bit over extracted for me. Pretty dry tannins with a medium body and medium acidity. Fruits are pretty soft on the finish with hints on mint that follow. Pretty nice little wine.

Tasted 3/25/09 via Gallo

2005 Shingleback Shiraz $21.99

Deep red in color with a nose of brown sugar and chocolate. Wine is truly balanced well with the acidity only creeping up a slightly. Hints of light cut ferns and mint is in the air. Great wine from McLaren Vale.

Tasted 3/25/09 via Gallo

2007 Fontezoppa Colli Maceratesi Rosso $14.99

With a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot. Dark red in color with rich red fruits on the nose. Good tannins with good structure and balance. Full belly sit down of a wine, but towards the end it seems to fall off a bit. Thought there might be more to the end but nope.

Tasted 3/19/09 via Soilair Selections

2007 Le Salare Trebbiano d'Abruzzo $13.99

Light-hay in color with a light tomato soup nose. Nose is strange for a white. The palate that is kinda hollow and plain. The finish was not much of one as it had nothing going on at the end. Tasted more like dirty water with some alc in it.

See's no oak and is from the appellation of Colline Teramane.

Tasted 3/19/09 via Soilair Selections

2007 Roccaperciata Grillo $13.99

A bit darker than hay in color with a light hint of crayon on the nose. Very clean on the palate, but the acidity creeps ups a bit. Light odd taste with a hint of metal or light wet rock on the finish. Wine is from Sicily and fermented in stainless steel.

Grillo is also know as Riddu and the primary grape for Marsala.

Tasted 3/19/09 via Soilair Selections

2008 Fontezoppa Verdicchio di Matelica $14.99

Wine is clear with a light hay or straw-like color. Light lemon grass notes with a hint of limes on the side. Metallic in taste with light white pepper and a medium body. Very very light sea salt on the finish.

Tasted 3/19/09 via Soilair Selection

2007 Louis Jadot Barrel Samples

The following five Jadot entries were from today when I had the pleasure of meeting and tasting some 2007 Louis Jadot wines with Jadot exporter Olivier Masmondet.

The wines they brought from France were all bottled back in November 2008, where they were sitting in the oak casks. Wines were poured from cute little 375ml bottles which I think I will have to place an order for the 2008 pre-release. They are the perfect size and get the job done.

Wines will not be released until September 2009.

2007 Savigny-lès-Beaune, Clos des Guettes, Domaine André Gagey, Louis Jadot (Barrel Sample) $38.99

Rich red in color with a nose of rich red fruit and spices. Great balance and acidity with very soft tannins. There was some great earth tones with a hint of wet fur on the end. Love it.

Tasted 3/18/09 via Kobrand

2007 Puligny-Montrachet, Close de la Garenne, Domaine du Duc de Magenta, Louis Jadot (Barrel Sample) $84.99

Light hay in color with a hint of lemon grass on the nose and palate. Light hazelnuts and pears follow the nose and the palate. There is actually a lot going on in this wine. Its funny how it is only a Premier Cru, when it has the structure and balance of a Gran Cru. Wine really has a lot to offer.

Tasted 3/18/09 via Kobrand

2007 Corton-Charlemagne, Domaine des Héritiers, Louis Jadot (Barrel Sample) $154.99

OMG! Talk about a great way to start the morning. Light lemon and soft pears with a light crayon yellow color. Wine is pretty full-bodied with hints of fig on the palate with light minerals and just a tad bit of vanilla. Overall this wine was great. Wine is worth every peso.

Tasted 3/18/09 via Kobrand

2007 Chateau des Jaques, Grand Carquelin, Moulin-à-Vent, Louis Jadot (Barrel Sample) $42.99

Deep garnet in color, the nose of this thing blew me away. Rich red fruit, herbs and dried flowers. Wine is I believe 100% Gamay. Pretty powerful on the palate, but still holding back its true colors. This wine will sit for a good decade before showing what its really about or you can open her up and let her breathe and drink it now. Great wine.

Tasted 3/18/09 via Kobrand

2007 Beaune, Boucherottes, Domaine des Héritiers, Louis Jadot (Barrel Sample) $41.99

Not only was this wine beautiful but it had the stink to go with it. Has a nice rich ruby color with notes of plum and light cherry. Palate does not smell like the wine! Rich tannins but very smooth and well balanced! This will be a great wine once they bottle it and let it sit. Just a great wine from a great producer. Had this little hint of smoke and wet fur on the nose. God I love it!

Tasted 3/18/09 via Kobrand

2007 Dacu $9.99

Dark red, almost blackberry juice in color. Light fruit notes with a hint of carbonic maceration. On the palate the wine has some serious laundry notes and tannins that won't quit. High acidity and loads of oak. Wine kind of fell apart at the end.

Wine is 100% Tempranillo

Tasted on 1/20/09 via Martin Scott Wines

2006 Mockingbird Hill. Petite Syrah, Napa $24.99

Black in color with a laundry soap nose, hints of saw dust as well. Wine has huge tannins with a helping of dried leaves and dirt. Tannins really over took the fruit on the wine. Finish was medium bodied with pretty high acidity. Not really that balanced.

Tasted on 1/29/09 via Jonathan Newman

2005 Thirsty Fish Shiraz $7.99

Always on the look out for cheap wines that taste great, I tasted this little treat and was pretty happy with it. Rich red in color with a soft nose of red fruit. Light fruits on the palate, then all of a sudden there was an explosion of rich juice and light pepper. Light hints of mint follow the the smooth finish. This little bottle of red delight has a lot going for it, and the price makes it even better than most.

Tasted on 1/29/09 via Jonathan Newman

2006 Kelley Creek Merlot Reserve, Dry Creek Valley $10.99

Deep red in color with soft spices and rich earth tones on the nose. Good spice and tannins with loads of black fruit and juice on the end. There was a hint of sea salt or minerals that stood out. Not a bad wine.

Tasted on 1/29/09 via Jonathan Newman

2007 Kelley Creek Pinot Noir, Russian River $17.99

Wine was deep red with a ruby rim. Floral on the nose with hints of spices, and dried herbs. Big spice on the palate with lots of pepper, and luscious juice. Finish was 20 seconds long with a nice soft finish. Not a bad wine, I would have like to see more fruit rather than oak masking up fruit.

Tasted on 1/29/09 via Jonathan Newman

Valenzano Winery, Shamong Red $9.99

Being that I'm kinda new to the wine world in New Jersey, I have yet to really go out and try many of the wines made in this state. Valenzano is one of the largest wineries in the state and uses their own estate fruit. They make the normal red and white wines, and also produce a handful of specialty and fruit wines.

I was tasting the Shamong Red in the store today, just to see what people thought about it. Turned out pretty good as people were buying it up like hot cakes.

Wine is clear with nice red or burgundy hue. Oops, can't use the word "burgundy" anymore, french might get mad. Has a great nose of sweet fruit and juicy berries. Gave it a slight chill, the wine had a hint of RS. OK it has a helping of RS. Sweet on the finish. Lots of fruit on this wine.

Tasted on 3/14/09 via me

2003 Perdriel by Bodega Norton $59.99

I had the chance to taste wines with the account manager for North America, Edelweys Barzola from Bodega Norton. Edelweys, a beautiful young lady with more knowledge and passion for her countries wines than anyone I have met.

She poured the 2003 Perdriel which is a single vineyard blend from Norton, is deep red in color with rich black fruit noes with hints of nutmeg and clove. Pretty big tannins and high acidity, this wine will last for at least 7 more years. A great finish with brown sugar and light metallic flakes. Stuck around on the palate for a good 30 seconds.

This is not a daily drink as the price of the wine is around $60 and that's if I buy the 2 case option. This is a 6 pack case.

Blend of 70% Malbec, 18% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in new french oak barrels for 14 months and sits in the bottle for 1 year.

Tasted 3/11/09 via Bodega Norton.

2005 Norton Privada $21.99

Tasted the 2005 Privada from Norton of Argentina with some amazing thoughts. The blend of this red wine is 40% Malbec, 30% Merlot, and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine sees 12 months in French oak and 10 months in the bottle.

The 2005 Privada is a big boy! Clear with a deep red center, with some pretty nice notes of rich red and black fruit. Light hints of cassis and cedar. Big tannins, high acidity and full bodied. On the finish it was big and loud, and lasted for a good 15 seconds.

This is a great Bordeaux styled wine made from a great Argentina producer. I believe that Parker gave this 90 points.

Tasted 3/11/09 via Bodega Norton

2007 The Flying Winemaker, Zinfandel $12.99

Deep red in color. Nose has a good stink to it. Light jammy notes with a hint mineral notes. Bing cherry notes on the palate with some pretty tight tannins and acidity. I like the Tempranillo more.

Tasted 3/5/09 via Gallo

2007 The Flying Winemaker, Tempranillo $12.99

Light ruby on the eyes. Nice spice on the nose with some jammy notes. Some metal notes with a light pepper and spice on the side. Wine was a nice but I think they are trying to hard. Should just let the grapes do the work. Other than that it was decent for the price.

Tasted 3/5/09 via Gallo

Calypso Organic Selections Tasting

The following 13 wines I tasted were imported from Calypso Organic Selections. COS is an importer that imports wines into the US that are either Organic, Ecologically-Grown, Biodynamic, Vegan, and Vegetarian.

2007 Vinedos de La Posada Organic Shiraz $11.99

This is another organic wine from Argentina. This Shiraz is organic and fair-trade vegan. Deep red in color with a soft yet less fruity nose. Then you taste the wine! Wine is very juicy on the palate! Wine does not show the fruit on the nose but sure does on the palate. Great balance and acidity. Wine is a great little daily drinker. Soft on the finish.

Tasted 3/4/09 via Calypso Organic Selections

2007 Vinedos de La Posada Organic Torrontes $11.99

Not only is this Torrontes organic but it is also fair-trade vegan meaning that are fined with bentonite not egg whites or isinglass.

This wine from Argentina has a paste-like nose. Now when I say paste, I mean the paste that everyone used to eat while they were in grade school. This is the paste that come with the built in stick and is kind of clumpy. Color is clear with a light hay tint. Lacks fruit and is high in acidity. Not really what I look for in a Torrontes.

Tasted 3/4/09 via Calypso Organic Selections

2005 Pure Vision Organic Shiraz $21.99

Organic Shiraz from Australia. Wine is deep purple in color with a light ruby rim. Dry leaves, light tar and a hint of menthol and nutmeg on the nose. Rich raspberry on the palate with a hint of earth. Tannins and acidity are pretty big. Wine is not for the weak of heart as this is well structured and massive. Finish is pretty big and full.

Tasted 3/4/09 via Calypso Organic Selections

2007 Alempue Pro Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $9.99

This is a biodynamic from Chile. Rich red in color with some bright red fruit on the nose. There is also a light hint of dried herbs like clove. Some pretty good cherry notes on the palate with a hint of vanilla. Tannins are pretty smooth and acidity is pretty decent. I actually found this wine nice. Its cheap, biodynamic, and taste great. I have seen this wine on the shelf in another state for $14 so for $10 on the shelf it should fly like a kite.

Tasted 3/4/09 via Calypso Organic Selections

2007 Alempue Pro Sauvignon Blanc $8.99

Wine is made with ecologically-grown grapes. Wine is from Chile and is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Wine is clear with some nice citrus notes and a strange sweet note. Now I know you can not smell sugar, but there is something I can smell and it is sweet. Great acidity and balance with some hazelnuts, and lemon grass on the finish.

Tasted 3/4/09 via Calypso Organic Selections

2005 Conserva Beatrice Annachiara Red Wine $19.99

Wine is a red blend of 40% Merlot, 20% Aglianico, 20% Sangiovese, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Brown in color on the rim and center shows that this wine is heading downhill and starting to shed its color. Medium body and acidity, the wine has some green plant notes with a light brown sugar palate. Not bad but it should be drunk in the next 2 years before it starts to head downhill really fast.

Wine is made with organic grapes and is Tarantino IGT.

Tasted 3/4/09 via Calypso Organic Selections

2005 Conserva Beatrice Aglianico $15.99

Sorry that the image is so small, this is all I could find. Wine is Vegan and made with organic grapes. Wine is 100% Aglianico, has a brown center with a ruby rim. Notes of light coffee and milk chocolate on the nose. Soft on the palate with firm tannins. Has a light brown sugar on the finish with good acidity and balance. Damn fine little organic from Italy. Not as full bodied as they say. More medium bodied than anything.

Tasted 3/4/09 via Calypso Organic Selections

2007 Conserva Beatrice Chardonnay "Vegan" $15.99

Wine is a 100% Chardonnay blend. Clear with a light hay color. Light melon on the nose with a hint of soft pear. Nice exotic fruits on the palate, but the wine was nothing that I had not already seen in a Chardonnay. Wine is made with Organic Grapes and is Vegan.

Tasted 3/4/09 via Calypso Organic Selections

2006 Domaine de la Grande Palliere "Vegan" Rose $17.99

Like the other Grande Palliere, this wine is made with Ecologically-Grown grapes and is Vegan. Wine is a blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, and 15% Syrah. Very light pink in color, almost a light orange glaze from a clay pot in color. Light nose of cherry. On the palate there was a helping of sea salt with a green finish. Not bad, but for the price there are better wines out there.

Tasted 3/4/09 via Calypso Organic Selections

2007 Domaine de la Grande Palliere "Vegan" White $17.99

Sorry, no label picture on this one as well. With a blend of 80% Rolle and 20% Ugni Blanc (Really fast...Rolle is another name for Vermentino and Ugni Blanc is another name for Trebbiano.)

This little Côtes de Provence is clear with a light hay tinit. On the nose there is a scent of crushed dandelions with a hint of malolactic fermentation. Wine sees no oak, soft on the palate with creamy butter notes. Finish is soft and light.
**Wine is made with Ecologically-Grown grapes and is Vegan.

Tasted 3/4/09 via Calypso Organic Selections

2004 Château Moulin de L'Abbaye $21.99

Sorry I could not find a good picture of the label and seeing that I'm still getting used to my new Blackberry plus I was short on time, taking a picture of the label was not an option.

Wine is made with Ecologically-Grown grapes. Wine is a blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ruby red in color with a light brown rim. Light brown sugar on the nose with some light dried herbs lingering around. Medium acidity and tannins on the palate with a nice soft finish. There are some light olive notes that seem to follow the finish. Not a bad little Medoc.

Tasted 3/4/09 via Calypso Organic Selection

2003 Château La Graverie Biodynamic/Vegan $18.99

Made with Ecologically-Grown Grapes,wine is Biodynamic and Vegan. This is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Unfiltered with a rich red center. Big red fruit with some dried spices on the nose. Medium bodied with light brown sugar on the palate with a hint of bacon. Tannins and acidity in the medium area and the finish is pretty soft. I'd say that this wine is ready to drink now and could use a few minutes in the decanter in order to bring more of the fruit out. Nice wine.

Tasted 3/4/09 via Calypso Organic Selections

2006 Château Chavrignac Organic White $11.99

Made with organic grapes, this Bordeaux is a blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon. Wine is clear with a light mint or green tint to it. The nose has some light minerals with some subtle fig notes. On the palate there is more wet rock, very very light notes of sea salt with med+ acidity. Pretty easy drinker, but I wouldn't chill it to much. This is more of a traditional French white. I love it.

Tasted 3/4/09 via Calypso Organic Selections

2007 Fado White $9.99

Not a bad white wine from Portugal. Clear with a hint of light green in color. Light mineral notes with a soft cream on the nose. Sea salt on the palate with light dried herbs, hay, and a zesty finish. Pretty decent cheap wine.

Tasted 2/09 via Tri-Vin Imports

2008 Fado Rose $9.99

Almost light pink in color. There is a spritz of yeast with a sugar overlay. Wine is light, but has a dull metal flavor on the end. Just is not that good.

Tasted 2/09 via Tri-Vin Imports

2007 Fado Red $9.99

Not a bad little table wine from Portugal. With notes of red fruit and light dirt, there is some pretty nice red fruit on the palate. Soft tannins and a nice finish. Good stuff.

Tasted 2/09 via Tri-Vin Imports

2007 Alamos Selecction Malbec $17.99

Black in color with a rich currant nose. Full bodied with a soft raisin palate. Light smoke with hints of cigar box. Finish is slightly, but fades to a smooth piece of goodness. Wine Spectator gave it 88 points and a drink date till 2009. I think they have a screwed up head since there is enough acidity and balance to hold up for at least a few more years after.

Tasted 2/09 via Gallo

2007 Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon $9.99

Clear with a rich red middle. Has a strange cake batter nose. Rich red red fruit with a juicy middle on the palate. Soft on the finish. I really like this wine. Something just different about it.

Tasted 2/09 via Gallo

2007Alamos Malbec $9.99

Brick red in color with a spicy nose. Full bodied with a nice plush middle. Rich currants, smooth on the finish.

Tasted 2/09 via Gallo

2007 Alamos Chardonnay $9.99

Light hay in color with a neutral nose. Light dried herbs on the palate with a medium body and finish. Kind of a bland Chardonnay.

Tasted 2/09 via Gallo

2007 Alamos Torrantes $9.99

You are looking at one fine Torrantes! Clear with a hint of green apple on the nose. Soft pear on the palate with a smooth finish. Great balance and acidity. A wine for the summer and spring months.

Tasted 2/09 via Gallo

2006 Il Conte Montepulciano d' Abruzo $9.99

Another great wine from Il Conte! Deep red in color with maybe a hint purple. Great nose of dehydrated red fruits and a hint of dried flowers. Rich cherry on the palate with a helping mouthful of silky tannins. Wine is just that good!

Tasted 2/09 via Polaner Selections

2007 Wyatt Cabernet Sauvignon $10.99

I always like to try wines that are normally just a daily drinker. This one from Wyatt was another "bang for the buck." This cab is pretty dark in color with good spices and red fruit on the nose. On the palate the wine is pretty rich and full-bodied. Good acidity and smooth tannins. Would love to get a few cases of this for the cellar and let it sit for a year or two. You could even impress a client with this bottle.

Tasted 2/09 via Polaner Selections