Barolo, Vietti di Castiglione, 2004

Barolo with rich and strong tannins and crisp acidity. Moderate price but kind of inexpensive for a wine this nice.

Chateau du Tertre, 1996. Brief.

Chateau du Tertre is a blended wine from Margaux, in Bordeaux. It is made from Cabernet S., Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Fifth Groth. It's one of my favorite wines, with such a nice nose, spicy, long and smooth finish, plus the flavor from the best wines from Margaux.

http://www.chateaudutertre.fr/Default.aspx

Dolcetto D'Alba, Roagna, 2005. Brief.

Nice, alcoholic, entry level, kind of strong and inexpensive Dolcetto. Needs air before drinking.

Chateau Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande. 1996. Brief.

Blended wine from Pauillac, Bordeaux. Second Groth. Cabernet S., Merlot, Cabernet F., and Petit Verdot. Great wine. Dark. Full-bodied wine with rounded tannins. Needs air. Usually softer, easier to drink than his cousin Pichon Longueville Baron.

http://www.pichon-lalande.com/

Gattinara, Travaglini, 1995

Kind-of-affordable Nebbiolo. Intense flavors, very dark, long and smooth finish.

http://www.travaglinigattinara.it/eng/home.htm

Grange, Penfolds, 2002

Aromatic, dense, dark and spicy 100% Shiraz. Very long finish. Officially listed a "Heritage Icon" and for many is Australia's best wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cafaro, 2002

Little earthy yet nice Cabernet S., blended with some Petit Verdot from Napa Valley. Some sediments. Tannic, medium-bodied and flavory.

http://cafaro.myshopify.com/

Crognolo, Tenuta Sette Ponti, 2004

Blended wine made from Sangiovese and Merlot, from Tuscany. Dense, dark, with ripe flavors, concentrated and tannic.

Solengo, Argiano. 2002

Blended wine from Tuscany. Cabernet S., Merlot and Shiraz. Very dark wine. Sweet tannins. Concentrated and silky. I had this wine well before its maturity, even though was "out of this world".

Please see From my Log. 2

Borgo Scopeto, Tenuta Caparzo, 2001

100% Sangiovese, deep ruby red, intense bouquet, dry, well structured and long finish.

Please refer to Chianti Classico. Brief.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Justin, 2006

Dark, aromatic, kind of spicy with soft tannins. Very nice Cabernet S. from California.

Kumeu River Village, Pinot Noir, 2004

Fruity, crisp and inexpensive Pinot Noir from New Zealand. The vintage is 100% handharvested and then crushed.

Cabernet-Shiraz Bin 389, Penfolds, 2005

Very strong, aromatic and complex blend from Cabernet S. and Shiraz. Plush tannins. Dense and dark red. Worth the try.

Moet et Chandon, Dom Perignon, 1998

Satiny texture, light, smoky and crisp. Made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Grand Cru vineyards. Very expensive.

Saint-Esprit Cotes du Rhone, Delas, 2005

Shiraz and Grenache. Tannins are fairly heavy. Very nice flavor. Super inexpensive.

Les Forots Cotes du Rhone, Jean-Luc Colombo, 2004.

Very aromatic wine, 100% Shiraz from Northern Rhone. Nice wine, uncomplicated and inexpensive.

From my Log. 6

1.- Chateau Les Troix Croix. Fronsac, 1998. Very nice blended wine from Fronsac. Strong and tannic. Well structured.

2.- Marsannay, Louis Latour, 2000. Pinot Noir. Nice!

3.- Marsannay Les Vaudenelles, Bruno Clair, 2000. Pinot Noir.

4.- Chateau d'Armailhac, Pauillac, 2000. Very strong blended wine from Bordeaux. Could last for many years if well cellared.

Barbaresco Pio Cesare Il Bricco. 2003.

This Barbaresco is produced from a single vineyard and selected Nebbiolo in top-quality vintages. Deep ruby red color, sweet tannins and lush finish. Expensive.

Dolcetto D'Alba, La Zolla, 2005.

Very nice Dolcetto. Strong tannins. Outstanding flavor, dry and medium-bodied.

La Landonne, Cote-Rotie, Guigal. 2002. Brief.

"Out of this world" Cote-Rotie. The grape is Shiraz, but the Appellation allows up to 20% Viognier. Very spicy, very aromatic, lots of tannins, long finish, and very high price. Needs oxygen before serving. Medium term.

La Landonne is one of the most prestigious vineyards in the region.

http://www.guigal.com/

Barbera d'Asti Michele Chiarlo, 2000. Brief.

Very nice Barbera. Could be an everyday wine. Medium-bodied, ruby red and intense bouquet. Very affordable.

Some of the world's most expensive wines.

http://www.forbes.com/2003/11/19/cx_np_1119feat.html

Vosne-Romanee. Brief.

Commune in Cote de Nuits. Together with Chambolle-Musigny and Gevrey-Chambertin, produces the best reds in the region. The grape is Pinot Noir. The leader in the region is Romanee-Conti, one if not the most expensive wine in the world...

1.- Vosne-Romanee "Les Beaumonts" Vielles Vignes. Dominique Laurent, 2002.

2.- Vosne-Romanee "Malconsort". Nicolas Potel, 2000.

Wolf Blass Gold Label. Brief.

One of the best Australian Shiraz I've tasted. Long finish and very spicy. See Down Under 1 and 2.

Wolf Blass Gold Label, 2002, 2004

From my Log. 5

1.- Volnay, 1er. Cru En Chevret, 2000. Louis Latour.

Very nice wine. Pinot Noir. Ripe tannins, fruity and warm finish.

2.- Pinot Noir, 2005. Joseph Faiveley. Very fruity and light.

3.- Cote De Beaune Villages, 2001. Joseph Drouhin.

4.- Gattinara, 1995. Very nice Nebbiolo, dark, smooth finish.

Pommard, Bouchard Pere & Fils, 2000

Very fruity, woody and aromatic Pommard. Medium term. The grape is Pinot Noir.

Hermitage La Chapelle. Brief.

For me it is one of the very best wines from Hermitage. The grape is Shiraz. It is very aromatic, spicy, flavory and with a long finish. Long term also, if well cellared. Not to be confused with Crozes-Hermitage, the other great Appellation in the area.

Hermitage La Chapelle, 1997, Paul Jaboulet.

Chianti Classico. Brief.

It is a tuscan wine produced in Chianti Classico, Italy. The grape is mostly Sangiovese, but depending on the producer, Sangiovese could be blended with Canaiolo and even Merlot. The wine is very nice, rich, balanced, medium term, and it goes with almost everything.

1.- Ruffino Ducale Riserva Tan Label, 2000.

2.- Rocca delle Macie, 1998.

3.- Castello di Verrazzano, 2004.

4.- Fonterutoli, 1999, 2000.

5.- Borgo Scopeto, 2001.

Brunello di Montalcino Nardi. Brief.

Great Brunello. Ruby color. Very intense and rounded tannins.

Brunello di Montalcino Silvio Nardi, 1996.

Barbaresco. Brief.

While Barolo is considered the "King" of wines in Italy, Barbaresco is considered the "Queen". The wine is rich, thick, very aromatic and full-bodied. The grape is Nebbiolo. The price is very high.


1.- Barbaresco Gaja, 1996.
2.- Barbaresco Batasiolo, 1999.
3.- Barbaresco Marchesi di Barolo, 1999.
4.- Barbaresco Pio Cesare Il Bricco, 2001.
5.- Barbaresco Cereto Bricco Asili, 2001.
6.- Barbaresco Rio Sordo, 1997.

Dolcetto D'Alba.

Dolcetto is a black, italian grape from Piemonte. Dolcetto means "little sweet one" due to its sweetness at the haverst time. This grape from Alba produces fruity and tannic wines, typical odor, with a very distintive flavor and long aftertaste. Not to be confussed with Dolcetto from the region of Asti, which is milder.

1.- Dolcetto D'Alba. Prunotto, 2001.

2.- Dolcetto D'Alba. Rossana, 1999.

3.- Marchersi di Barolo Dolcetto D'Alba, 1999.

Marsannay Les Favieres 1999. Olivier Guyol. Brief.

Long finish. Ruby color. Pinot Noir. Aromatic. Very affordable. Nice wine that goes with everything.

Chateau Angelus. Brief.

Outstanding wine from St. Emilion. Merlot, Cabernet F. and 2% Cabernet S. The second wine is Carillon d'Angelus.

http://www.chateau-angelus.com/

Chateau Belair. Brief.

One of the best wines of St. Emilion. Merlot and Cabernet F. Intense aromas and tannins. Expensive. There is no second wine.

http://www.chateaubelair.com/

Napa's Trio. Brief.

Three of the most renowed wines in California are Far Niente, Cabernet S., Chateau Montelena, Cabernet S., and Opus One.

Far Niente and Chateau Montelena are Cabernet S., and Opus One is a Cabernet S., Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec blend.

There is no comparison among the three wines, but there's one element they all share: a great winemaking process resulting in exceptional wines.

http://www.farniente.com/

http://www.montelena.com/

http://www.opusonewinery.com/

Chateau Palmer. Brief.

Chateau Palmer is a great wine from Margaux, in Bordeaux. It is a Third Growth's blended wine made from Cabernet S., Merlot and Petit Verdot. It is strong, concentrated, and robust with rounded tannins. Long term. There is a second label from the same winery named Alter Ego.

News from Chateau Palmer's 2007 Harvest.

http://www.chateau-palmer.com/en38

Artesa. Pinot Noir 2005. Brief.

Very small production. This is an aromatic and fruity wine from Napa Valley. They also produce wines from other grapes. Not blended Pinot Noir.

http://www.artesawinery.com/index1.html

Franciscan Magnificat. Brief.

It is a hand-selected (Meritage) blend from more than 70% Cabernet S., 20-25% Merlot, and Malbec/Petit Verdot, from Napa. The wine is very aromatic, soft and has a long finish. It is expensive but worth the try.

Crozes-Hermitage. Brief.

It is an Appellation in the Rhone region, in France. The grape is Shiraz and little quantities of Marsanne and Rousanne. The wines are less concentrated than Hermitage. Nevertheless, they are very aromatic and fruity. Can be drunk young.

Crozes-Hermitage Rousset, 2004.

Chateau du Chatelard. Moulin A Vent. Brief.

Very fruity Beaujolais Cru. Crisp and light. Gamay. 3-5 years.

From Louis Latour 1.

1.- Beaune 1er. Cru "Vignes Franches" 2001.
2.- Beaujolais-Villages, 2002.
3.- Bonnes Mares, Grand Cru, 1997.
4.- Chambolle-Musigny 1er. Cru "Les Charmes", 1997, 1998.
5.- Chassagne-Montrachet "Morgeot", 1998, 2000.
6.- Nuits-Saint-Georges "Aux Chaignots", 1996.
7.- Clos Vougeot, 2000.

Pouilly-Fuisse. Brief.

It is an Appellation in the Maconnais region, in Bourgogne. It's also the name of the two districts in the same region, Pouilly and Fuisse. The grape is Chardonnay. The wine is rich, fresh, fruity and dry.

1.- Pouilly-Fuisse, 2002, Louis Latour.

2.- Pouilly-Fuisse 2000, Louis Jadot.

3.- Chateau des Rontets, 2002.

http://www.louislatour.com/pages/index.php?id_page=41&id_vin=98

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Montepulciano is a type of grape, and is also the wine made of those grapes in the region of Abruzzo. The blend admits up to 10% Sangiovese. D.O.C., since 1968. Not to be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is a tuscan wine, made of a different grape. This a nice wine, affordable and soft.

1.- Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Zaccagnini, 2003.

2.- Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Caldora, 2004, 2005.

3.- Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Masciarelli, 2003.

Campaccio Terrabianca. Brief.

This is one of my favorite wines from Tuscany. Sangiovese and Cabernet S. Not too much of Cabernet, 30%, so the wine is very soft and medium concentrated. It needs time for maturity.

Campaccio, Terrabianca. 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002

Tinto Valbuena No. 5. Brief.

Ribera del Duero. Better, softer and more flavory than Tinto Pesquera. Medium-bodied. Less concentrated, younger and less expensive than Unico. Long term. Tempranillo, Cabernet S. and Merlot. Some vintages are blended with Malbec also.

http://www.vega-sicilia.com/v2/home.asp

Barolo Gaja. Brief.

Barolo, no matter the producer, is one if not the best, wine from Piemonte. The wine is very intense, the finish is very long, and the price is very high. Gaja is a great Barolo, and the price is not as high as others. The wine is rich and full-bodied. The grape is Nebbiolo.

Gevrey-Chambertin.

It is a french Commune situated in Bourgogne.

There are 9 Grand Cru vineyards within or near the boundaries of Gevrey-Chambertin:
1.- Chambertin-Clos de Beze
2.-Charmes-Chambertin
3.-Chapelle-Chambertin
4.-Griotte-Chambertin
5.-Latricieres-Chambertin
6.-Le Chambertin
7.-Mazis-Chambertin
8.-Ruchottes-Chambertin
9.- Mazoyeres-Chambertin
The grape is Pinot Noir.

Here is a list of some Gevrey-Chambertin.
1.- Gevrey-Chambertin A.C Faiveley, 2000
2.- Gevrey-Chambertin A.C Jean-Michel Guillon, 2001
3.-Gevrey-Chambertin A.C Nicolas Potel, 2001
4.- Gevrey-Chambertin Domaine Moillard, 2003

Chateau Monbousquet. Brief.

This is a blended wine from St. Emilion. Mostly Merlot, and less Cabernet F., and Cabernet S. Very savory, intense, ruby-red color, and very aromatic. One of the best wines I've tasted.

Please see From my Log. 1

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Guigal. Brief.

One of the best blended wines from the Rhone area. Moderately priced. The grapes are Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre. Strong tannins, spicy and aromatic wine.

From my Log. 4

1.- Chambolle-Musigny, 2003, Louis Jadot.

2.- Clos Vougeot, 2002, 2003, Louis Jadot.

3.- Cecile Tremblay Vosne Romanee Les Beaumonts, 2002.

4.- Confuron Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Fleurieres, 2002.
5.- Desperriere Moulin A Vent Greneriers, 2003.

6.- Gevrey-Chambertin, Domaine Moillard, 2003.

http://www.moillard.com/

7.- Fleurie, 2003, 2004, 2005, Louis Jadot.

8.-Beaujolais. Domaine de la Grange Menard, Cuvee "Vielles Vignes", 2005.

9.- Beaujolais-Villages. Domaine de la Grange Menard, Cuvee d'Eve, 2005.

10.- Chateau du Chatelard, 2002, 2003, 2004. Fleurie.

11.- Domaine de la Madone, 2002. Fleurie.

http://www.domaine-de-la-madone.com/domaine-niagara_eng.php

12.- Mireille et Daniel Rampon, 2002. Fleurie.

13.- Volnay 1er. Cru En Chevret, 2000.

14.- Moulin-A-Vent, 2005. Joseph Drouhin.

http://www.drouhin.com/accueil/index1.php?lg=en

15.- Louis Latour Chassagne-Montrachet "Morgeots", 2000.

16.- Clos de la Chapelle duc de Magenta, "Morgeot", Louis Jadot, 2001.

17.- Marsannay "Les Favieres", Olivier Guyot, 1999.

18.- Cecile Tremblay Vosne Romanee "Vielles Vignes", 2005.

19.- Opus One, 1999.

20.- Marchesi di Barolo Dolcetto D'Alba, 1999.

21.- Dolcetto D'Alba, Prunotto, 1999, 2001.