2009 Nicolas Perrin Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone Valley, France
A whiff of alcohol blows off maybe a minute after opening, and this wine’s brawny Shiraz juice starts to strut its stuff. Still young and fruit-forward, there’s also a liveliness and acidity which brings balance to a wine that frequently can seem… Read more
2009 Penley Estate ‘Chertsey,’ Coonawarra, Australia
This Bordeaux-style blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc) is translucent ruby in hue, lightening at the edges. When first uncorked, the wine is super tight, with eucalyptus, tar and earth notes dominating the aroma. Sampled again one… Read more
2009 Leeuwin Estate ‘Siblings’ Shiraz, Margaret River, Australia
Translucent dusty ruby color, lightening at the edges. Polished leather, floral eucalyptus, briary dark berries, beeswax and vanilla interplay in the forward nose. The dark berry fruit follows through in the mouth, picking up earthy black olive,… Read more
2009 San Antonio Winery ‘Limited Reserve Red,’ Paso Robles
This limited, 95th anniversary bottling is a proprietary mix of Bordeaux and Rhone varietals, selected from highly acclaimed Paso Robles vineyards by Maddalena Brands. And it’s a big mouthful of red — lots of dark berry fruits, with notes of… Read more
2009 Windstream Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
Pretty aromas of sweet dark cherry and raspberry mix with light notes of vanilla and woodspice in this delightful wine from Maddalena Brands. The forward fruit is quintessensial California Pinot — in other words, yummy! MSRP: $30 (April… Read more
2009 Jefferson Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve, Virginia
It feels silly in a way, always prefacing a positive review about Virginia wine with a kind of pseudo-apology, the same kind that frequently adorns wines from Greece. Fact is, there are SOME wines being produced right now in the state that can… Read more
2009 Sebastien Riffault ‘Raudonas,’ Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
Riffault’s wines are made in the most natural of styles, without fining, chemicals or added sulfur. As a result, they’re always interesting — and even more interesting with age (one might say, an experiment). Three-four years later, this wine is… Read more
2009 Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley
Opaque purple/plum color, lightening toward the edge. Dollops of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot add complexity and balance. A mocha note frames dusty berry fruit, along with hints of dried herbs and dark flowers. Typical of the Dry… Read more
2009 Dry Creek Vineyard ‘The Mariner,’ Dry Creek Valley
Nearly opaque dark ruby/crimson color. The nose of this Bordeaux-styled red blend (43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc) is immediately engaging, with woodspice notes of cinnamon, toast, vanilla and… Read more
2009 Roanoke Vineyards ‘Prime Number,’ North Fork of Long Island
This Bordeaux-style red blend consists of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. With its complex flavor spectrum ranging from cherry to vanilla and from blackberry to cola, this wine could easily be mistaken for a Napa Valley… Read more
