2006 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva, Spain
Intense and vivid, with cool summer berries and warm American oak, this Rioja Reserva is a relative steal at the price. Acidic strawberries keep things lively, while deeper, darker elements of forest pine and damp mushrooms add depth and savor…. Read more
2006 Weingut Jakob Neumer – Wurtz-Weinmann ‘Geyerscheiss’ Riesling, Rheinhessen, Germany
My local wine shop was closing this bottle out at below cost and I couldn’t resist picking up a few to try. How would this wine hold up allegedly a year or so past its initial prime? The “Geyerscheiss” is indeed among the most unusual wines I’ve… Read more
2006 Collier Falls ‘Hillside Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley
This 100% Cab is nearly opaque dark ruby/purple in hue. The nose conjures cherry cough syrup, dark flowers, vanilla, a hint of licorice, nutmeg and dark cherry. Drying, medium-grained, ashy tannins in the back suggest the wine could use a few more… Read more
2006 Byron ‘Wente Clone’ Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley
Straw color. Classic aromas and flavors of pineapple upside-down cake. The flavors follow through to the finish, gaining some minerality. MSRP: $30 (August 2012) Wine Lines rating:… Read more
2006 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva, Logrono, Spain
Another year of aging enhances the aromatic characteristics of Campo Viejo’s “Crianza” bottling, opening up melting dark chocolate and leather notes. Plums are still somewhat unripe, but this greenness only comes through at the end, after several… Read more
2006 Pedroncelli Vintage Port ‘Four Grapes,’ Dry Creek Valley
Pedroncelli has a long and celebrated history of producing vintage Port using the traditional grapes of Portugal – Tinta Madeira, Souzao, Touriga, and Tinto Cao. The nose is a veritable spicebox of licorice, brown sugar, pie spices, and a note of… Read more
2006 Tenuta Carlina ‘Carillon’ Brunello di Montalcino, Italy
All of the wines in Tenuta Carlina’s portfolio displayed a degree of tightness upon opening, but each likewise responded well to decanting. The ‘Carillon’ Brunello is no exception, revealing savory roasted plums, toasted anise seed and unsweetened… Read more
2006 Tenuta Carlina ‘La Togata’ Brunello di Montalcino, Italy
100 percent Sangiovese grape, aged four years in Slavonian oak barrels and 12 months in bottle, pours a near perfectly clear garnet color. Upon opening, this wine was a bit tight, obscuring the layers of flavor that would emerge later. Decanted for… Read more
2006 Brogan Cellars Pinot Noir, Morning Dew Ranch, Anderson Valley
Translucent light garnet in color. There is sediment starting to settle out. The nose offers up ripe aromas of red raspberry, tart cherry, vanilla, and a hint of mushrooms. On the palate, some licorice root adds to the complexity. The wine shows a… Read more
2006 Kilikanoon ‘The Duke’ Grenache, Clare Valley
2006 Kilikanoon ‘The Duke’ Grenache, Clare Valley This red was a nearly transparent ruby color, with some lightening at the rim. Moderate notes of eucalyptus frame red raspberry and strawberry fruits. Sleek and light in the mouth, despite 15%… Read more
