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Oddly enough, at a wine dinner I attended in Monterey — hosted by the Estancia Director of Winemaking, Scott Kelly — I found their reserve chardonnay too oaky, too sweet and too, well, manipulated. But this simple little gem paired better with more food than most of the carefully chosen wines at the dinner. Shockingly great quality, especially from a Read more: Estancia 2008 Chardonnay Pinnacles Ranch Monterey Family-owned Talbott Vineyards has been growing superior chardonnay and pinot noir grapes for 25 years. Read more: Wine review: Talbott 2007 Logan Chardonnay Monterey Did you know 95 percent of Chilean wine is exported to places like the U.S. and the U.K.? Sucks to be Chilean because this smacks of quality California chardonnay, but half the price. Smooth and juicy with creamy, buttery peaches, melon and vanilla. 4.5 stars out of 5. Sweetness=2 out of 10 (dry to sweet). $8 This is a project that Randall Grahm consults on and the quality reflects his hand. The label says “dry” but it’s not really dry. That doesn’t mean it’s not super yummy. Pineapple, red apple and a slight whiff of “petrol” or diesel. Give into your inner sweet cravings with this affordable little gem. Sweetness: 4 out of 10 Rating: Read more: Wine review: Pacific Rim Dry Riesling This winery makes so many different kinds of wines, it’s like they’re manic. But they do make a tasty riesling. Soft and elegant with ripe white peaches, pineapple, caramel, diesel fuel and a tiny bit of effervescence that makes it interesting. 3.5 stars out of 5. Sweetness=3 out of 10 (dry to sweet). $12 Highly acclaimed winery. This malbec tastes so plush and fruity, you’d think you’re biting into a sweet cherry. Friendly tannins, gushing raspberry, blueberry, blackberry and a cigar box-scented finish. Generous and intense with some tart acidity but everything flows really well together. 4.5 out of 5. Sweetness=2 out of 10 (dry to sweet). $22 Made from 40-year-old vines planted in the warm coastal region of South Africa. It’s a mildly sweet style, heavy on peach, tangerine, and ripe pineapple. While the ripe fruit coats your tongue, it finishes dry with a lingering citrus aftertaste. Deliciously lush. 4 out of 5 stars. Sweetness=3 out of 10 (dry to sweet). $12 Fun label from Michael-David winery that features gigantic circus elephants. These are the same guys that delivered other whimsical wines like 7 Deadly Zins and 6th Sense Syrah. The irony of petite sirah is that it’s far from petite. This intense behemoth is blended with 15 percent petit verdot, a French Bordeaux grape variety that lends some rustic-ness to Read more: Petite Petit 2006 Petite Sirah Lodi Made from grapes grown on the estate in Santa Barbara County. Oaky, buttery fans, unite around this little gem. Not so overwhelming with the creaminess but just enough to satisfy that fan club. It’s loaded with lemon, pineapple, honeydew melon and butterscotch. 3 stars out of 5 Sweetness=3 out of 10 (dry to sweet). $18 From Blackstone’s high-end line of wines, Rubric is a scrumptious red blend of six grapes, predominantly cabernet sauvignon. Has soft, easy going black cherry and plum with a big dose of oaky vanilla. Mild tannins make it deceptively easy to drink. 3.5 stars out of 5 Sweetness=1 out of 10 (dry to sweet) $20 |
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