Three reds...

The other night we had neighbors over for a glass, or two (or three) of wine. I took some brief note that I thought I would share with you...

We started of with the Alexander Valley Vineyards 2003 Alexander Valley Syrah. A slightly cloudy and dark red/purple wine. On the nose bright black cherry, blueberry and vanilla. The palate showed raspberry, blueberry, ripe cherry and oak. We all thought this medium to full bodied wine was enjoyable on its own, with integrated firm tannins and long fruity finish.

Find it from $14.99 at Wine-Searcher.com

Next up a bottle that our friends brought, Summers Winery 2004 Villa Andriana Vineyard Napa Valley Charbono. It is not very often you see a 100% Charbono and I was very excited to try this wine. The color in the glass was extremely dense purple/black color. On the nose first perfume with violet and rose. Then dark cherry, blackberry and a touch of creme brulee at the end of the nose.

Palate was lively with ripe, dense fruit and soft tannins with a slight edge. A very interesting and quite nice wine.

Find it from $24.99 at Wine-Searcher.com.

Third out was the Fratelli Ponte 2004 Barbera D'Asti Superiore. I was recommended this bottle in our local grocery store for $10.99. At that price I had nothing to lose and grabbed a bottle.

This was a medium bodied wine characterised by fresh yeasty bread, dark cherry, and a slight touch of plum and raisin. For the price I guess it was not to shabby, but I would personally not buy this wine again.

This was a night with a wide variety of flavors and impressions. Isn't that what makes wine tasting (and drinking) so much fun? You never know what's next and what surprises it might bring...

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Wine Spectator Great Wine Values

Last issue if Wine Spectator had a big report on 100 wine for under $25 that scored 88-94 points. I decided to check out the local "Beverages and More" to see if I could find any of the top scoring wines there. Said and done, I headed of with my W.S. magazine in hand. After about 30 minutes of looking through the shelves (politely declining all offers of help from the staff) I came up with 5 bottles. Tonight I tasted two of them (can't do all 5 during one night considering it is a work day tomorrow...) And following are my thoughts on them.
Let's start with the 2004 Antinori, Chianti Classico Peppoli. It get 90 points from Wine Spectator and is one of five Sangiovese to get that score (the highest score given to a Sangiovese in this report). I got red currant and earthy notes on the palate. W.S. says powerful. Powerful to begin with sure, but a little flat and week after the mid palate (at least more so than I expected). They recommend to put this bottle down until 2007 and I agree, and I suspect it will come to it's right with age and earn that 90 point score. I payed $23.99 at BevMo but you can find it online at http://www.winex.com/ for $18.99.
The next bottle made me more excited. Elk Cove 2005 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon has succulent floral and pear on the nose. It is light and delicate on the palate with slight sweetness and a full, creamy finish. Well worth its 90 points from Wine Spectator. Checking it out online it also gets 91 from Wine Enthusiast and 92 from Wine and Spirit. This is a wine I will buy again. BevMo $12.99.
Keep your eyes open for the remaining three wine reviews. We're talking Argentina, Australia and Washington...