JOHANNESHOF REINISCH ST LAURENT - 2004

The St Laurent grape varietal is a unique one that originated in France. It is believed to be releated to Pinot Noir. This Austrian bottle has 13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark color with aromas and flavors of plum, blackberry, black pepper, leather and charred oak on the finish. Medium-bodied with good fruit and a solid mouthfeel.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

This is a really impressive little wine that retails at around $14 a bottle. A great new experience from a unique varietal that absolutely delivers. I don't sense any "Pinot Noir-esque" characteristics in this varietal. In fact, it reminded me of a good Chateauneuf-du-Pape instead with enough grace and elegance to hang with a $25 - $30 bottle. This is complete steal of wine if you like Rhone-style wines.

ORIN SWIFT THE PRISONER - 2005

48% Zinfandel, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah, 2% Charbono. From Napa Valley with 15.2% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Red-purple color with grape bubble gum, vanilla, strawberry and hints of pine on the nose. Lots of black currant, blackberry, sweet strawberry, fig, spice and plum on finish. Big wine with lots of polish but alcohol is slightly out of check. Silky with toasty oak.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

This wine is clearly not up to its lineage. I think previous vintages are far superior to the 2005. Wine Spectator gave this $32 wine 93 points, but it comes up shy of that for me. I really love this The Prisoner wines but I'd recommend some of the vintages that precede this one.

RYAN PATRICK VINEYARDS ROCK ISLAND RED - 2005

Columbia Valley, Washington State red blend of 57% Merlot, 37% Cabernet and 6% Cabernet Franc. 14.3% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Ruby red color with black cherry and vanilla on the nose. Creamy, charred oak with black fruit, mocha, black cherry soda and plum on the finish. Fairly smooth but there is a lot of backend heat still present.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

My expectations were high. What was in the bottle did not meet them. Don't get me wrong, this is a good wine but I was a tad disappointed. Wine Spectator gave this one 90 points and it just doesn't get close to that score. Retails for around $15 a bottle making it a solid weeknight wine.

D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB - 2006

McLauren Vale, Australia Viognier (58%) and Marsanne (42%) blend with 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Green-gold color with lots of citrus on the nose. Sparkling wine-esque in the mouth with zippy acidity. Mild oak with buttery melon, tropical notes and lemon-lime. Some minerality on the tart sour finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

A nice white blend and a good escape from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Not a ton of complexity and balance here but definitely drinkable. Retails for around $13 a bottle which is fair. I wouldn't suggest you run out to grab a bottle of this, but it is probably a great wine by the glass in restaurant.

MARIMAR ESTATE DONA MARGARITA VINEYARD PINOT NOIR - 2005

From Sonoma Coast with 14.2% alcohol. Unfiltered from Torres Family Vineyards.

TASTING NOTES:

Transparent red color with a nose of damp, earthy strawberries and smoke. Smooth with charred oak, vanilla, dark berries, and dark sour plum on finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

The fruit here is too subdued for my taste and there is too much oak present. A well put together wine but one that isn't completely balanced.

MEINHARD FORSTREITER TABOR GRUNER VELTLINER - 2006

Dry white Gruner from Austria with 14% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Light straw color with aromas and flavors of vibrant citrus, apple, pear, burnt oak with smoke underneath, tropical fruits and honey on the finish. Great sharp acidity, rich and concentrated.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

Retails for around $30 making this an expensive white wine. Very solid and well-made but lacked a little excitement for price. Tastes like a great dish that is missing a key seasoning. Cost aside, this is a very enjoyable wine.

SEAN H. THACKREY ORION - 2001

Medieval man Sean Thackrey's premiere Syrah from Rossi Vineyard, St. Helena, California. 14.7% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark purple black void in color. Eucalyptus and mint bomb that is syrupy with gobs of red and black fruit. Smooth with explosive fruit.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89+ PTS

I felt like this wine really lacked depth. At times in comes off as very one-note with so much eucalyptus upfront. On day three, the wine still tasted very good and seemed to come together more. Perhaps this wine needs more time in the bottle to sort things out. Originally released at around $75 a bottle but retails for significantly more if you can find it making it a pass.

CHATEAU BARON DE PICHON-LONGUEVILLE - 2004

Pauillac, Bordeaux with 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Vivid purple color with pencil shavings, charcoal and chocolate on the nose. Tremendous fruit that is very ripe and concentrated. Smooth yet powerful with a great tannic grip on the palate. Sour cherries, black currants, and a huge plum finish that goes on and on.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

93 PTS
An absolutely beautiful wine that will only get better with more time in the bottle. Retails for about $60 a bottle which is expensive but a bargain in comparison to 2005 and beyond pricing. Highly recommended!

LAIL VINEYARDS BLUEPRINT - 2001

From Napa Valley with 14.1% alcohol. 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with charred oak on the nose and lots of creamy oak and dark cherry on the palate with hints of herbs. Fairly soft but there is too much alcohol present on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

Lacks complexity and is overly simple. Pairs much better with food than on its own but comes off as one-dimensional and plain. Somewhat out of balance alcohol. An overpriced effort.

EPPALOCK RIDGE SHIRAZ - 2002

Aged 14 months in French and American oak. From Heathcote, Australia with 14.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark purple-red color with heavy eucalyptus aromas. On the second day more charcoal scents emerge. Chalk dust upfront with a medicinal mid-palate. Black currant and black fruit. Charred oak and some heat on the back-end. There's a distinct WD-40 oil-chemical taste mixed in.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

I loved the eucalyptus aroma and flavor initially. Reminded me of good Thackrey Pleiadas. I just couldn't get past the medicinal and chemical flavors that are somewhat unpleasant and completely out of whack with the rest of the fruit. Not a great wine although it softens some on the second day. For $20 a bottle, this is a major pass.