2005 XYZin 10

2005 XYZin 10

XYZin SUX...

not a helpful tasting note but that's my assessment.

2005 Whitmore Wine Co Social Commentary Syrah

2005 Whitmore Wine Co Social Commentary Syrah

decent value wine with added value of giving back to community. sort of a Newman's Own for wine. New world style, very fruit filled and not overly tannic or acidic. Drink this one young. Not too many layers, easy to get and very quaffable. Revelatory? No. Enjoyable? Yes.

Tasting Tags: forward fruit jammy new world

2005 Domaines Ott Les Domaines Rose

2005 Domaines Ott Les Domaines Rose

Is actually "Les Domaniers", an "Ott Selection" rather than a Domaine Ott actually produced wine. But it's just as good as the $40 Ott in my estimation, whether or not it's bottled from grapes on their property or slapped with their name on the label. A true bargain. We sell it at our store, domaine547.com -- hopefully Gary will still let us post here! It's a light peach color with some floral aromatics that are enhanced when this is consumed with food. Gary said it was a bit closed on the nose and I would agree, but when you have it with the right entree it's totally a different beast.

Tasting Tags: floral peach rose

2003 Alto Moncayo Veraton

2003 Alto Moncayo Veraton

Incredible value. Full-bodied and smooth with long, pleasant finish. Intense fruit.

2003 celler del roure maduresa

2003 celler del roure maduresa

Crowd pleasing wine with beautiful modern label but older world style. Less spicy than many Tempranillos, probably because there is a high percentage of Merlot to soften the blend, as well as Cab to give it structure. At first the wine was a little too restrained but with some air it really opened up into something quite lovely. Great with American comfort food like short ribs.

2004 Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz

2004 Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz

This is an excellent shiraz, much more restrained than the points giant 'Bella's Garden' and therefore maybe a little less known. So smooth and elegant, with a long finish, a deep almost opaque garnet color, nose is a combo of ripe red and black fruits (especially cherry). But it is not burnt or overcooked, or excessively jammy.

Tasting Tags: berry red-fruit smooth

2003 Caparzo Rosso di Montalcino

2003 Caparzo Rosso di Montalcino

Affordable even by Rosso di Montalcino standards, this is a refined, not overly alcoholic and very old world style Sangiovese. Has an earthy quality and almost Pinot-like on the palate as it's more restrained than a lot of wines from this area which are Parkerizing to a large extent. Excellent value/price ratio, as many Rossos are over $30 and Brunellos start in the $40s, if you're lucky. But don't get this if you want a fruit bomb since this is not that.

Tasting Tags: earthy pinot-like