Wine: Apothic Red Blend 2008 California
Retail: $11.99
Rating: 90 points
The bouquet has a light edge of tar and graphite at first, and then it turns earthy, with herb and ripe black fruit aromas. Medium full and soft on the palate, it gains a lot of ripe red fruit flavors and plenty of richness, but never seems overdone. Really nice.
Wine: Montes Alpha Chardonnay 2008 Casablanca Valley, Chile
Retail: $21.99
Rating: 90 points
The bouquet is smooth and supple, a tad reticent at first, but with time a complex arrangement of leafy greens, citrus rind and melon aromas emerge, along with a very light spice note. Full and round, it has a wonderful, caressing mouthfeel, then pinpoint acidity arrives to firm up the grip and give rise to an array of fresh melon flavors. A rich wine, but it stays decidedly dry.
Wine: Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir 2009 Willamette Valley, Whole Cluster Fermented
Retail: $17.99
Rating: 88+ points
Pale purple with a pinkish tinge, this wine has a light but lively bouquet with aromas of candied cherries, cranberry and light spice. Medium bodied on the palate, it has a tasty balance between sweet red fruit flavors and firm acidity, making the palate buoyant and lively. Moderate finish. With food it gains depth and its character becomes even more defined.
