Varietal:  85% Chenin Blanc; 15% Viognier Region:  Clarksburg, California – USA Cost:  $16 (SRP) Winemaker’s Notes:  This wine exhibits a complex bouquet of tropical fruit and floral notes. Initial impressions of melon, apricot, and mango evolve into kaffir lime and mandarin. The fruit is framed by intriguing wisps of ginger and angelica. On the palate, [...]

Varietal:  85% Cabernet Sauvignon; 11% Merlot; 3% Syrah; 1% Malbec Region:  Napa Valley, California – USA Cost:  $28 (SRP) Winemaker’s Notes:  Deep garnet in color with complex and vibrant aromas of red plum, anise, cherry, violets, and tobacco accentuated by notes of black currant, dried herbs, toasted oak, and cocoa. The wine has an elegant and supple [...]

Varietal:  70% Nebbiolo; 20% Barbera; 10% Merlot Region:  Piedmon, Italy Cost:  $13 (SRP) Winemaker’s Notes:  The Nebbiolo is DOCG Barolo coming from the best land in the Barolo region and is blended with the Barbera and Merlot for richness and color. This wine was created so that everybody could have a taste from one of [...]

Varietal:  100% Calatayud Garnacha Region:  Calatyud, Spain Cost: $13 (SRP) Winemaker’s Notes:  The Show Garnacha is an extravagant Spanish beauty with tempting aromas of spice, intense black cherries, and mocha. It has relatively high alcohol content yet is soft on the palate, with layered flavors of black raspberry, liquorice, and black pepper with hints of earth [...]

Varietal:  Malbec Region:  Argentina Cost:  $10 (for 1L) Winemaker’s Notes:  An enticing Malbec with aromas of violet and plum, alongside secondary notes of blackberry jam and dark fruits. A burst of rich, fresh fruit on the palate, vibrant acidity, and a touch of oak, followed by a long, lingering finish. My Review:  During a trip [...]

Varietal:  89% Zinfandel; Remainder a blend of Alicante Bouschet, Mourvedre, Carignane, Syrah, and Petite Sirah Region:  Sonoma County, California – USA Cost:  $24 (SRP) Winemaker’s Notes:  A classic old vine Zinfandel that pays tribute to its heritage, this wine offers aromas of cigar box, raspberry, pepper and spice. Flavors of ripe black cherry and vanilla [...]