2001 Ungsteiner Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett, Darting, Pfalz
True Kabinett-level sweetness, moderate intensity with good riesling character; moderately long taste. Closer to a Mosel than what I think of Pfalz. A good wine from a high-value producer.2004 Sancerre, La Porte du Caillou, Domaine des Trois Noyers, France
Regular price $11.
Rating: Good ++
Absolutely prototypical Sancerre, even at four years of age: bright acidity to go with pre-ripe honeydew flavors, medium-bodied with a long taste.2007 Dr. L Riesling, Loosen Bros, M-S-R
Close-out price $12; regular price $19.
Rating: Very Good
Very clean, with a lovely perfumed aroma, good acidity, and mild peach flavor. Relatively light-bodied, with a moderately long taste. Sweetness conforms to Kabinett-level. If we're not looking for depth, then this is a very enjoyable wine.2004 Hazyblur Shiraz, Baroota, Australia
Close-out price $8; regular price $12.
Rating: Good ++
The name presumably references the world one sees after drinking a substantial amount of this wine. Very dark with perhaps still a slight purplish edge, lots of extracted blackberry fruit, spice and vanillin in aroma and taste, lots of intensity and depth. There is some tannin and backbone along with 15% alcohol. Not quite a monster (which is a good thing) but it needs highly flavored food as a match.2007 Huia Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
Close-out price $19; regular price $40.
Rating: Very Good -
A bit disappointing only because I expected more of a Huia SB. This one seems constructed on a smaller scale - all the components are there, but the acidity isn't as vibrant, and the intensity and depth seem dialed back a notch. There is some typical grassines, maybe a trace of residual sugar, and the taste is moderately long.2003 Casa Lapostolle Syrah, Requinoa Vineyard, Cuvée Alexandre, Rapel Valley , Chile
Close-out price $12; regular price $18.
Rating: Good +
Deep dark color, substantial sediment, lots of blackberry fruit. What's missing is some acidity: there's a good deal of flavor that just needs a little jolt to give it more depth and length. There's some tannin and some oak.2001 Finca Antigua Reserva, Familia Martinez Bujanda, La Mancha, Spain
Close-out price $15; regular price $22.
Rating: Good ++
Wonderful aroma of dark red berries, realized again in the complexity that the time offers, based on good acidity, a bit of tannin and inubtrusive oak. Fairly long taste. There's some backbone to the wine, so it's very welcoming to food.2007 Morandé Pinot Noir, Terrarum - Reserva, Casablanca Valley, Chile
Close-out price $12; regular price $18.
Rating: Very Good
Varietal character in aroma and taste, but without much depth or length. Still, good for the price.2004 Gewurztraminer Tradition, Sipp-Mack, Alsace, France
Close-out price $10; regular price $15.
Rating: Good +
Intense varietal character, golden color, off-dry with somewhat low acidity gives it softness. Fairly long taste.2004 Clos LaChance Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains
Close-out price $12; regular price $18.
Rating: Good ++
In a California rather than French style, but very enjoyable. Deep golden color, very well balanced with varietal fruit, enough acidity and inobtrusive wood. More than medium-bodied with some depth and complexity, and a long taste. Complemented broiled arctic char.2004 Pinot Bianco, St. Michael-Eppan, Südtirol-Alto Adige
Close-out price $13; regular price $23.
Rating: Very Good
A well-aged pinot bianco that has acquired more body and some depth with age. Golden color, good varietal character and a fairly long taste. Probably fresher with a bit more acidity when young. This is one of those reliable producers in Alto Adige.2006 Paraiso Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
Close-out price $9; regular price $16.
Rating: Good ++
Surprisingly good, with very nice perfumed aroma and varietal PN taste. A bit lighter than medium-bodied, and a touch light in color, it is dry with some firmness but little noticeable tannin or wood, and with good acidity. The taste is quite long and enjoyable. The low close-out price came from a dual-label application error.2005 Château Roland la Garde, Premières Côtes de Blaye, France
Close-out price $11; regular price $23.
Rating: Very Good
A good wine from a minor region in Bordeaux. There's plenty of merlot-like flavor, but it could use more acidity as it comes across a bit flabby. The taste is moderately long.2005 Salmos, Torres, Priorat, Spain
Close-out price $7; regular price $11.
Rating: Good +
Another reason why Spanish wines, especially reds, are such a good buy. This wine is flavorful, medium-bodied, dry, with very good acidity and some firmness from moderate tannin and just enough wood. It could use a bit more complexity, but the taste is fairly long. It is not a fruit bomb, and so is well-suited as a dinner accompaniment.2004 Teliani Valley Teli, Kakheti, Georgia
Close-out price $12; regular price $18.
Rating: Good ++
Somewhat over the hill, with a deep golden color and a bit maderization in the taste. Reminds somewhat of a mild pinot blanc - medium-bodied but without much intensity or depth; moderate length.2004 Mount Nelson Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
Close-out price $10; regular price $14.
Rating: Good
New name to me, but quite a good wine. Very well balanced, with acidity and grassiness evident but not dominant. Medium-bodied, with some depth and good intensity, and a fairly long taste.2002 Acacia Pinot Noir, Napa Valley - Carneros
Close-out price $14; regular price $18.
Rating: Very Good
Reliable producer with a lovely California-style PN: nice aroma, medium body with a bit of firmness, balancing acidity without noticeable oak or tannin, fairly long taste.2006 Galil Mountain Pinot Noir, Galilee, Israel
Discount price $20.
Rating: Very Good -
Surprisingly good: varietal aroma and taste in a full-flavored, high-alcohol (15%) package; some, but not excessive tannin, and good acidity. Fairly long taste.2004 Pinot Bianco, Cantina Terlan, Alto Adige, Italy
Close-out price $13; regular price $22.
Rating: Very Good -
Good varietal character with some intensity and depth; fairly long taste. Golden color, good acidity; has held up well with age. Always a reliable producer.2006 El Ganador Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
Close-out price $12; regular price $24.
Rating: Good ++
Typical dark color, good blueberry fruit with moderate depth, good acidity and mild tannin, moderate length. Not massively extracted like so many malbecs, so it's a good food wine.2000 Château Mondot, Grand Cru Saint-Émilion, France
Sale price $10.
Rating: Good +
Deep dark color, mild aroma, lots of dark fruit with noticeable tannin, as well as a bit of softness from only moderate acidity. Oak is well in balance. Good flavors without any particular complexity.2004 Gloria Ferrer Pinot Noir, Carneros
Price unknown; probably about $35.
Rating: Good ++
On the lighter, aromatic side, with good acidity and varietal character, cherry flavors, and a touch of firmness. Moderate intensity and length.2001 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese, Erben Stephan Ehlen, M-S-R
Close-out price $10; regular price $15.
Rating: Good +
There is Spätlese sweetness, some nice riesling aroma and flavors, and good acidity, but the intensity is none too great and the taste is fairly short.
Close-out price $12; regular price $22.
Rating: Good +
Red-tag close-out sales this month:Whites:
2005 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine du Père Caboche, Jean Pierre Boisson, France ($21, orig. $30) 2004 Mount Nelson Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($14, orig. $18) 2008 Babich Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($10, orig. $15) 2007 Huia Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($12, orig. $18) 2007 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($16, orig. $23) 2008 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($20, orig. $30) 2004 Teliani Valley Teli, Kakheti, Georgia ($10, orig. $14) 2004 Clos LaChance Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains ($13, orig. $23) 2007 Münsterer Rheinberg Riesling Kabinett, Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe ($16, orig. $23) 2007 Binger Scharlachberg Riesling Spätlese, Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe ($18, orig. $30) 2007 Dr. L Riesling, Loosen Bros., M-S-R ($8, orig. $12) 2004 Gewurztraminer Tradition, Sipp-Mack, Alsace, France ($12, orig. $18)
Reds:
2006 Galil Mountain Pinot Noir, Galilee, Israel ($13, orig. $22) 2005 Clos LaChance Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains ($17, orig. $25) 2007 King Estate Pinot Noir, Oregon ($21, orig. $30) 2007 Montinore Estate Pinot Noir, Estate Reserve, Willamette Valley ($19, orig. $29) 2006 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir, Yamhill Cuvée, Willamette Valley ($26, orig. $37) 2007 Morandé Pinot Noir, Terrarum - Reserva, Casablanca Valley, Chile ($10, orig. $15) 2005 Chateau Roland La Garde, Premières Côtes de Blaye, France ($7, orig. $11) 2001 Finca Antugua Reserva, Familia Martinez Bujanda, La Mancha, Spain ($21, orig. $18) 2005 Malbec Reserva, Luigi Bosca, Mendoza, Argentina ($10, orig. $15) 2006 Malbec Reserva, Altos los Hormigas, Mendoza, Argentina ($15, orig. $23) 2006 Tavel "La Dame Rousse", Domaine de la Mordorée, France ($15, orig. $30)
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