2005 Crauford Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside $20.99

I'm getting more and more concerned about the wine I taste from Newman. All the wines I tasted seem to be on sale and all of them are rated by J. Newman. The word that all his reps tell me is that he is the biggest buyer of American wines in the US. Why? Which wines?

Wine is deep red in color, almost black. Rich spices and herbs on the nose with good structure. Big tannins and acidity. Wine is full bodied with an OK amount of balance. Dry on the end with notes of nutmeg and cassis.

Tasted 6/24/09 via Newman Wine & Spirits

2008 Kingsford Manor Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley $11.99

Light in color like a fine Champagne. Nose like a nice New Zealand, but the palate is one of a wine from California wine. Light with huge acidity and a nice green apple crispness. Light green bell pepper on the finish with notes of light oak chips.

Tasted 6/24/09 via Newman Wine & Spirits

2007 Mockingbird Hill Chardonnay, Napa Valley $12.99

Lighter than hay in color with a pretty neutral noes. Light scotch-like on the palate with hints of tree fruit and light oak. Wine is light and high in acidity on the finish with nuances on hay and wheat on the end.

Tasted 6/24/09 via Newman Wine & Spirits

2007 Thumbprint Cellars Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $14.99

Wine is light hay in color with a nice citrus and tropical fruit nose. Pretty acidic with light hints of lemon peel on the palate. No oak on this one. The finish was odd though as it had a finish that tasted like yeast, but the wine was not fermented via malo?

Tasted 6/24/09 via Newman Wine & Spirits

2004 Trimbach Gewürztraminer, Alsace $24.99

Almost golden in color, this wine deserve your full attention. One thing you will notice is the nose. That amazing nose of Lichee! That is how you know you have a Gewürztraminer in hand. There might even be a few notes of dried meat hanging around, but that's just me being a dork. Great acidity and balance as this wine on the palate shows you there are a few hints of pepper and spice with just a small note of violets. If you are looking for something to go with your Asian food...this is the wine for you.

2006 Trimbach Riesling, Alsace $15.99

This has a traditional nose of French Riesling. Lots of lime on the nose with hints of peach and minerals that follow. On the palate there seems to be more going on than I thought was going to be. It was like tasting citrus soaked in chalk with a hint of sugar to follow. Soft on the palate with a nice light finish. This is NOT an American Riesling so please ask before trying. Although I love it, you might want to start off slow...or just step up and try a great wine!

2003 Trimbach Reserve Pinot Gris, Alsace $19.99

A bit darker in color as it tends to look like a beer that has sat out for a few days. Looks like it I said! Nice peach and ripe pears on the nose, there seems to be something else hanging around, but I can't nail it down yet. Spicy on the palate as there seems to be a hint of pepper and sea salt. Maybe even a hint of nuts as well. The finish was nice as it tended to leave very slowly and asking the question, "Please sir, may I have some more?"

2006 Trimbach Pinot Blanc, Alsace $14.99

Light in color this Pinot Blanc smells great. Although not a powerful white wine, Trimbach has made this very beautiful. With a not of light tropical fruit and hints on mineral, this is a great wine for the daily drink in all of us. Sea-salt on the palate, this wine will go great with some nice shell fish. On the palate the minerals come out more than the fruit which makes it perfect for some nice salt water fish on the grill. Good acidity and balance as the notes of white pepper linger for a few seconds. Textbook Pinot Blanc.

2006 Ex-Libris Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley $16.99

I tasted this wine back in mid-February. At that time I thought it was too much money for the times and the economy. This wine is from 2 different vineyards, Champoux and Millbrandt.

Classic Washington State Cabernet. Rich fruits and hints of cedar and spice. Pretty full bodied on the palate with some good Bordelaise structure.

Overall this is a great wine. Big and bold with actual fruit rather than just a bunch of tannins like in most California wines.

Tasted 2/09 via Polaner

2007 Rudolf Müller Riesling Auslese, Mosel $16.99

I'm sorry mister, did you park your semi-truck near my nose?!

Almost hay-like in color. The nose of this $17 beast is to die for! This is why I got into the wine world. The nose is full of petrol notes with very-light hints of tropical fruit, maybe even a bit of jasmine in there.

The sugar level jumps out of your mouth like a bad case of the Hershey squirts! Acidity and balance in the key here. Wet rock, light mandarin and very crisp green apple hit the palate.

The finish is pretty soft yet still carries a bit of spice as it makes you wanting to take another sip. Thirst quenching yet refreshing. I wish more Americans knew about what was in these bottles. I'll will be visiting this winery in the late fall!

2007 Rudolf Müller Riesling Spätlese, Mosel $14.99

A bit darker than the Kabinett, but not by much. Nose of more petrol and lighter on the tropical fruits, this wine is heading to the "true German" side of Rieslings.

More sugar on the palate and even leaves a bit of lemon zest. Great notes of lemon/lime peel and light orange blossom. We are now starting to taste less fruit and more petrol notes. Great little wine. Will do great in the summer time with that fruit salad.

I would call this the getting ready for the true German wines of the world.

2007 Rudolf Müller Riesling Kabinett, Mosel $12.99

The first think you will notice is that it has the color of a Brut Champagne. The nose is to die for. Light mineral notes with a hint of petrol, with the background lingering some nice tropical fruit.

Very juicy on the palate with notes of wet rock and light fruit. At first I thought there was a lack of acidity but then came to the conclusion that this wine has enough acidity to balance out the sugar level.

On the finish there is a light spritz of carbonation as is slowly disappears from the mouth. Medium body, this wine will do great for that summer white. Love it.

3 Alarm Cellars Red, California $9.99

Black in color with a nose of spices and tea. Light tannins and OK acidity and balance. Wine reminds me of a wine that someone is making s they can make a quick buck. Not really impressed.

Tasted 6/18/09 via Gallo

2007 Avery Lane Merlot, Washington State $7.99

Clear with lots of red and black fruit on the nose. On the palate there is some luscious red fruit with hints of brown sugar and cola. Light tannins with a medium plus body. Great little wine for the price. great for a quick dinner fix or something to keep the heart red.

Tasted 6/18/09 via Gallo

2008 Avery Lane Riesling, Clumbia Valley $7.99

Clear with a light wet swifter nose. Rich tropical notes with soft white peach notes. Pretty good acidity with a nice crisp finish. Wines was not all the way chilled. Wine was decent for the price and I'm sure it will move because of the price.

Tasted 6/18/09 via Gallo

3 Alarm Cellars White, California $9.99

Clear with nice mineral notes. Light fresh fruit on the palate but nothing I would stand up and scream about. just another wine made with OK grapes.

Tasted 6/18/09 via Gallo

2008 Starborough Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand $14.99

Light green in color with light hay notes on the rim. Cat pee on the nose with a decent amount of shrubs on the nose. Crisp green apple on the palate with good acidity and balance. I like it but feel that New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs have had their time in the area and are loosing the battle on the shelf.

Tasted 6/18/09 via Gallo

2007 Finca el Origen Reserva Torrantes, Uco Valley $10.99

Clear with a tropical fruit nose. high acidity with great balance. WOW, very nice but I hope it does not compete with the other Torrantes in the shop.

Tasted 6/16/09 via winemaker Andrés Caballero

2008 Santa Carolina Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, Chile $11.99

Wine was clear with a great New Zealand nose. All that cat pee that one wants was hitting the right spots. High acidity and great balance was to follow. Nice notes of green ferns on the palate.
Nice wine.

Tasted 6/16/09 via winemaker Andrés Caballero

2007 Finca el Origen Gran Reserva Malbec, Uco Valley $21.99

This Malbec is rich and luxuriant with generous amounts of nutmeg, allspice, blackberry, and Yemeni coffee. I'm not sure it is worth the price as I feel there are other Malbec's at lower prices that are better.

Tasted 6/16/09 with winemaker Andrés Caballero

2007 Finca el Origen Malbec Reserva, Uco Valley $11.99

Deep red hues with a great nose of stone fruit and blueberries. Notes of spices like cinnamon and thyme are hanging around. On the palate the wine is very well balanced with a lot of the nose coming into play. Tannins become pretty soft as the wine turns into liquid silk on the end. I like it.

Tasted 6/16/09 with winemaker Andrés Caballero

2007 Santa Carolina Pinot Noir Reserva, Chile $11.99

This was one of those rare times where you get $27 worth of Pinot Noir for only $12. Clear with a light brown rim. Rich notes of cherry and light brown sugar. Soft tannins with some good fruit notes, very silky on the finish. Wine was balanced very well. I can see this becoming a wine that people will be buying by the case. I'm willing to bet that it will hit at least 89 points by some people. Good stuff!

Tasted 6/16/09 with the winemaker Andrés Caballero

2006 Ancient Peaks Merlot, Margarita Vineyard, Paso Robles $14.99

I'm always kind of staying away from wines from California just for the fact that I'm getting tired of tasting the same of oak-bomb shit. Then my rep from North East Wine comes in a tasted me on this little jewel.

All the grapes for this Merlot come from the Margarita Vineyard in Paso Robles. The Merlot is a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Malbec. The color of the wine is pretty much black or purple. Don't open this with a white shirt on! On the nose there are some great notes of black fruit and a hint of what reminded me od smoking cola sheesha. On the palate the wine was pretty decent in that it was balanced correctly and the tannins were pretty smooth. Light notes of spices and more black fruit finished off this Merlot. Really nice for the price!

Tasted 6/15/09 via North East Wine

2006 Sierra Cantabria Rioja $13.99

I was actually thinking this would have been an oak-bomb, but I was wrong. Wine was dark as night when it came to color. On the nose there were some serious notes of tar and cooked plums. The palate offered more of the rich fruit from the tree and a light layer of inky tar. Finish was a bit rough, but I'll chalk that up to not letting the wine breathe as it should have. I only gave it a few minutes in the glass.

Tasted 6/9/09

2003 Borsao Crianza Selección, Campo de Borja $14.99

The 2005 picked up 91 points by Parker or Spectator. I can't really remember and don't case since I think they are both bullshit. For those who care the 2006 only picked up 89 by Parker. Poor wine, could not even hit 90. Anyway...

The color of the wine was almost black in color. Rich black fruit with loads of spice and tobacco. I like it so far! On the palate was another layer of fun. Rich and full bodied! This wine could sit for another 10 years and still hold its own. On the finish this was a ball buster. Big and firm and ready to let you know that it was going be done when it wanted to be done. I love it. It was not that California tannin oak-bomb crap, but more of an old-world style of wine making. Great.

Tasted 6/9/09

2003 Bodegas Ishmael Arroyo Val Sotillo Crianza, Ribera del Duero $24.99

I've tried this Crianza in the past, but never really gave it its full due. Since I was trying wines from Spain I decided to toss it into the bunch and see how it came out.

There was a nice garnet color with light hints of brown on the rim. On the nose there were a huge amount of spices and some pleasant wood and tobacco notes. The palate was a lot different than what my nose was picking up. More red fruit than anything with light hints of spices and more herbs. Overall it was a really nice Crianza, but I feel that it might be starting to fall apart. The finish was kind of light and it seemed to fade away faster than I wanted. That could be the nerd in me talking though.

Tasted 6/9/09

2004 Savanna Sogno Uno, Montalcino $23.99

Rich red in color with large notes of spice and black cherry. On the palate this wine is showing some nice acidity and balance but the heat seemed to take center stage for a few seconds. The heat does go away and leave some nice fruit but I think the wine was getting more hype because of who is on the label.

Tasted 6/9/09

1998 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley $23.99

Almost brick red in color, the nose still has some nice red fruit on it. Notes of pepper and spice with a light cedar hankering. There are also some nice light floral notes that linger as well.

On the palate the wine seems to have lost some of its youth. Yes, I know the wine is 11 years old now but the nose leads you to think otherwise. Soft fruit with light hints of oak. Finish is quick and leaves nothing to desire. I believe that this wine is 100% Cabernet while aged in oak for about 24 months.

Tasted 6/9/09

2004 Allegrini La Grola, Veronese $25.99

Deep red in color to almost a hair past brick red. On the palate there is some nice rich dried red fruit, but there is something missing. On the palate the missing item was shown. There is a quick spice, but then it kinda just fades away. There is almost a nail polish kind of note to it with some odd earth notes. Tannins are kinda lacking as the wine seems hollow on the end. This is one case where the cheaper of the two is the better one.

2005 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre, Vernese $19.99

With a color of ripe prunes and a nose of black currents and earth, this wine shows great depth and is medium to full bodied. On the palate there is some good pepper and nice rich yet sweet tannins. The finish is pretty long as I think it lasted around 20 seconds. The ripe fruit comes out on the end.

2006 Roc de Lussac, Lussac-St. Emilion $17.99

Wine is deep red in color with hints of light red on the rim. On the nose this wine is HUGE!!! Notes of black ink and lead pencil. Almost too much wine for the price. I would imagine that is see's around 6 months of oak. On the palate it is high in acidity with pretty good balance. Tannins are pretty big as they need to calm down in the bottle. Wine will age for a few more years until its ready to pop.

2005 Mission St. Vincent $14.99

This is one hell of a full bodied wine. Wine see six months in oak barrels, and is mostly a blend of Merlot. Very rich black fruit on the nose with a nice finish of pencil shavings. Only around 13% alcohol.

2006 Saint-Vincent Baron $12.99

Great nose of red berries with a light green bell pepper. On the palate the wine tends to be a full bodied with notes of blackberries and tar. Tannins were actually pretty smooth for being such a young wine. Nice to see a producer making a wine that is under 13% alcohol.

2007 Les Trois Couronnes Chateauneuf-du-Pape $37.99

With a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and a pinch of Cinsault, you know this is going to be a good wine. As for the color, the wine is pretty dark, maybe a bit garnet. Pretty big nose of ripe red fruits, spices and light tobacco Wine is very well balanced wine as if this was a better known producer it would be around $60 per bottle. Very soft tannins with a nice full finish.

2007 Les Trois Couronnes Gigondas $23.99

With a blend of Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Mourvedre, this beauty has a deep almost blackish color to it. Lots of black fruit with some nice earth tones. There are some great dried herbs and hints of vanilla as well. On the finish this wine is long and filling. Wine should be set aside for a few years, but can be opened now only if you give it some time to breathe.

2007 Les Trois Cournnes Vacqueyras $19.99

Talk about a blend of grapes. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault. Wine is ruby red in color with notes of ripe red fruit and light hints of anise or fennel. Pretty full bodied yet soft on the tannins. The finish is kind of spicy with light notes of red fruit on the end. I like it.

2007 Les Trois Couronnes Cotes-du-Rhone $12.99

Wine is clear with a great nose of pepper, spice and black vine fruit. Has some serious body, but not enough to push you away. Wine is a blend of Syrah ad Grenache that see's a little oak that makes the tannins pretty soft and elegant. Palate taste like the nose smells. Great little wine.