Pelligrini "Olivet Lane Estate Pinot Noir (Russian River, Sonoma) 2009

Appearance: Bright, transparent with a medium cherry color core moving to a medium dark pink rim. There are broad, slow moving tears/legs indicating that this wine might be 13.5%ABV or higher.

Nose: While the wine is at rest there is a light intensity of cherry lifesaver candy (it is indistinct and elusive). After a swirl, there is a medium intensity of red fruit along with a hint of a "brambly" black cherry fruit with a hints of a green herb (clove?). There also is an elusive hint of fresh cut wood at a lumberyard.

Palate: Upon initial entry there is a sweet attack (like ripe cherry) that quickly dissipates. The is a dry, medium(+) bodied wine with a high level of mouth-watering acidity. There is a low(+) level of fine-grained tannins. The fruit flavors are medium(-) intensity of elusive black fruit (maybe ripe??). The flavor could be that "brambly" blackberry. There also seems to be a slight hint of red cranberry. There is a very slight alcohol burn on the back palate that is not offensive. After a third sip there was no indication of alcohol burn (14.4%ABV).

Finish/Length: The wine has a clean finish with a medium length of indistinct red fruit (cranberry??) along with continued mouth-watering acidity. It continued to hold my attention.

Conclusion: This is a good quality wine that has the typical characteristics from a warm climate Russian River Valley of ripe fruit and a fuller body (probably due to the high alcohol level and the ripe fruit). Except for the very slight, insignificant alcohol burn (that dissipated) the wine is in balance with ripe fruit, fine grained tannins and high acidity. The retail price is about US$27.00.

Producer Notes: None available at this time.

Zenato San Benedetto Lugana DOC 2009 (100% Trebbiano di Lugana)

Appearance: Bright pale yellow

Nose: Light intensity of indistinct aromas -- maybe a very slight hint of peach

Palate: Dry, medium(-) body with medium(+) mouth-watering acidity. There is a light(-) intensity of fruit flavor similar to the core of the pineapple or unripe pineapple. There is no indication of alcohol burn (13.0%ABV).

Finish/Length: The wine has a clean and refreshing finish with a medium length of unripe pineapple.

Conclusion: This is a good quality Trebbiano wine -- simple, refreshing and balanced. The retail price is about US$13.00 representing decent quality for the money. It would serve as an alternative to a Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio.

Producer Notes: Pale straw in color with emerald highlights, this wine offers a delicately pleasing bouquet filled with elegant and appealing aromas of peach, citrus, banana and herbs, beautifully sustained by a crisp and supple body. The balanced acidity, along with a slight and pleasantly bitter finish allows for a wide choice of food pairings, but hors d'oeuvres and fish are recommended.

Giacomo Borgogno 2008 Barbera d'Alba DOC Superiore (Piedmont, Italy)

Appearance: Deep cherry (almost opaque) core moving to a dark pink rim. There might be a slight hint of a bluish highlights/reflections off the the core color.

Nose: Slight hint of earthiness. The earthiness might be described as a pleasant barnyard earthiness making for a pleasant complexity on the nose. I continued to seek out other aromas but if they are present the intensity is so light they were not perceptible.

Palate: The wine is dry, light(+) bodied with medium to medium(-) level of fine grained tannins. The acidity is a mouth-watering medium(++). The fruit flavors were of light intensity displaying green herbs (clove, oregano) and, what is reminiscent of cigarette tobacco. Both flavors have a pleasant and refreshing hint of bitterness. There was a very slight, but recognizable alcohol burn on the top back palate. (13.5%ABV)

Finish/Length: The finish is clean and refreshing although the length is short(+) with a slight lingering flavor of green herbs.

Conclusion: This is what I expected from a Barbera d'Alba of fairly good quality. Light bodied with with a good level of refreshing acidity. Although experiencing a slight alcohol burn (which is a fault), I do not believe the low level hinders enjoyment. This is a wine to drink now or within the next 6 to 9 months. Certainly not for cellaring. At a retail price of about US$18.00 it deserves attention although one must be prepared -- it is NOT a big, bold, muscular fruit bomb. It is simply a "condiment" to your food!!

Producer Notes: Aromatic, sweet forest berry notes. Plush, soft, deep, touch of tobacco, medium tannins, very nice finish. Great mineral nose aspect to it too. This is wonderful and full of character. Shows superb balance and intensity, with a long finish.

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (Marlborough, Wairau and Awatere Valley,New Zealand)

Appearance: Transparent, bright pale wheat/hay color that is consistent to the rim.

Nose: Pronounced herbaceousness (green herbs--tarragon, rosemary, oregano) with hints of citrus/tropical fruit (grapefruit).

Palate: Dry(-) because there seems to be a very slight sweetness upon entry which could be alcohol or fruit. Not sure but certainly not enough to describe a off-dry. The wine has a medium(+) body along with mouth-watering medium(+) acidity. The fruit characteristics are of medium intensity - a melange of tropical fruit, especially pinapple and grapefruit. There is no indication of alcohol burn. (13.0%ABV).

Finish/Length: The finish is clean with a lingering medium(++) length, keeping my interest with the tropical fruit flavors (pineapple and grapefruit.

Conclusion: This is a very good quality wine because all the components seem to be in balance and it did not have the pronounced tropical citrus flavors (especially grapefruit) that seems typical of Marlborough New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. I mention this because some of the NZ Sauvignon Blanc wine seem like you are drinking grapefruit juice. NOT THIS ONE FROM Oyster Bay. The flavors here were more subtle, more integrated and refreshing. At a retail price of about US$15.00 this is a wonderful value to be enjoyed now and during the next 6 months.

Producer Notes: The philosophy of Oyster Bay is to produce fine, distinctly regional wines that are elegant and assertive with glorious fruit flavors. It all starts in the vineyard. We treat each vineyard block and parcel of wine as individual. The fruit is crushed, gently pressed and the juice is cold settled.Pale straw green in color with brilliant clarity, Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is zesty and aromatic with lots of lively, penetrating fruit characters. A concentration of tropical and gooseberry flavors with an abundant bouquet, it is a wine that is always crisp, elegant and refreshing.

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2009 (Marlborough, Wairau and Awatere Valley,New Zealand)

Appearance: Bright, transparent dark salmon core moving to a broad light salmon rim. Some viscosity appearing on the sides of the glass.

Nose: Medium (++) intensity of smoke with a rich medium(+) intensity of ripe red fruit that is elusive in character (not sure which fruit).

Palate: Dry, full-bodied with medium(+) acidity and a low level of fine grained tannins. The fruit flavor characteristics are medium(-) intensity displaying smokiness and ripe red fruit. There is some perception of There is no indication of alcohol burn. (!3.5%ABV)

Finish/Length: Clean finish with a medium(++) length of lingering elusive ripe red fruit.

Conclusion: The wine is of good quality due to the nice balance of all the components. The ripe red fruit gave a slight sweetness to the palate and the finish that gave a nice juxtaposition to the smokiness. Drink now or during the next 9 months. Not sure that it has the potential to mature much beyond that period. Retail price is about US$18.99 and is a good value for those looking for a well-balanced affordable Pinot Noir. I would chill to 55ºF in order to highlight the wines crisp acidity and fruit.

Producer Notes: The philosophy of Oyster Bay is to produce fine, distinctly regional wines that are elegant and assertive with glorious fruit flavors.

With every vintage we are working with more established vines from a steadily growing number of small vineyard blocks, each site chosen specifically for its uniform soils of moderate fertility providing for slow ripening and enhanced flavor development. With Pinot Noir the fruit is always the primary focus, but of course we have many opportunities to influence it with traditional winemaking techniques to add subtlety and complexity. We use both barrel and tank fermentation and we also mature with a mix of new and older French oak. Oyster Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir is elegant cool climate Pinot Noir at its best. Fragrant, soft and flavorful with aromas of ripe cherries, plums and gentle sweet fruit tannins to provide serious structure and length.

Polkura Syrah 2008 (Marchigue, Colchagua Valley, Chille)

Appearance: Bright, deep, opaque cherry red core consistent to a narrow dark pick rim. The depth of color seemed to display bluish/violet/purple highlights. There tears/legs were thick and slow moving indicating a relative high level of alcohol.

Nose: Light intensity of indistinct red or black fruit (difficult to tell due to the weakness of the intensity). After a swirl the intensity seemed to be light(+) with a continuation of the indistinct aromas characteristics. Later, after the glass was empty and the wine integrated with more oxygen there was a medium intensity of black fruit and maybe a hint of cooked plums or prunes.

Palate: The wine is dry, medium(+) bodied with medium(+) tannins having a "dusty" texture. The acidity level is medium(+). The fruit flavors were light(+) intensity of indistinct medium-ripe black fruit with hints of green herbs. There was a very slight alcohol sensation of an alcohol burn on the back sides of the tongue and back palate. (14.6%ABV.

Finish/Length: Clean finish with a short length (not lingering fruit flavors). It was the fine grained tannins that lingered longer.

Conclusion: This is a poor quality. It has weak, almost empty aromas and flavors. It does offer the alcohol burn. Not what I expected from a warm climate Syrah. This wine did not meet my expectations. Expectations were to have a deep colored wine (which it is) with aromatics of black fruit (which actually were indistinct and light in intensity), rich, soft and more intensity of fruit flavor on the palate (which the wine did not possess). I wonder about the neutrality of the flavors and aromas (vineyard or winemaking). This wine needs to be drunk now because the components are not at a level to allow this wine to mature beyond maybe one year. I believe the Wine Spectator and Robert Parker gave this wine 91 Points sp maybe I am missing something or they tasted a different wine. The retail price is about US$21.00 which is beyond what I beleive it is worth. I would have estimated its retail price as US$8 to US$10.

Research: According to the Wines of Chille website the 2008 vintage the Sysrah shows intense colors, good but rather tougher tannins than the previous year. This made for careful handling in winemaking. The website also describes the Sysrah from the Cohchagua to be richly pigmented red grape yields inky purplish-red wines that vary greatly in style, depending on where it is grown. In warmer climates, such as Colchagua, the wines are often big, lusty, juicy delights that take center stage wherever they appear.

Producer Notes: Deep purple color. Typical spicy nose is combined with black fruit although the fruity character dominates the 2008. This is a full-bodied wine with very intense tannins. It has depth and extremely velvety. The acidity is in good balance with the sweetness of the alcohol. The wine is still young but very complex with mny layers and has a very long finish.