Recent tastings, and highly personal opinions:
Veramonte ‘06 Reserve Pinot Noir (approx. $15): This is one of the great wine values, a superb, well-balance, rich Chilean wine from the Casablanca Valley. Fine color, light berry aroma and strong flavors of cherry and strawberry. There’s a long, delicate finish, and all in all, this is a superior wine at an very fine price.
Veramonte ‘07 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (approx. $11): Another Chilean entry, also from the Casablanca Valley and very well priced. Good mineral overtones, citrus flavors, pleasing balance. Not quite up to the Pinot Noir, but a fine first-course wine with oysters on the half-shell.
Joseph Phelps ‘06 Sauvignon Blanc (approx. $32): Winemaker Craig Williams continues to make dazzling wines in the Napa Valley, and although they’re expensive, they’re outstanding. The Sauvignon Blanc has complex mineral notes in a rich, citrus-y flavor and a lovely finish.
Franciscan ‘04 Cabernet Sauvignon (approx. $28): A fine, rich, full-bodied Napa Valley wine that will complement a steak or roast in ideal fashion. Dark fruit, hints of oak, long finish, superior wine.
Martin Ray ‘04 Cabernet Sauvignon (approx $40): A little more delicate than the Franciscan, but just exploding with fruit aromas and flavors. From the Stag’s Leap region of the Napa Valley; a delightful wine.
Joe Blow ‘05 California Red Wine ($8): A bargain, with surprisingly good flavor for a gimmicky label. Made by the Delicato wine family, a long-time California producer. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petit Sirah, Syrah and Merlot, with rich qualities and a pleasing accompaniment to pasta or hamburgers.
-Joe