
Golden Kaan 2006 Chardonnay (Western Cape); $10
I love a clean, ripe nose of tropical fruit; The palate pops with pineapple, pear and granny smith apples. This Chard is uncomplicated and easy drinking that's fresh and lively. With a finish that brings out more tropical fruit that's long and lingering.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
2006 Golden Kaan Chardonnay 88 points
Posted by rich board at 10:55 AM 0 comments
Labels: $10 or less, 88 points, best buy 2009, chardonnay
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sterling Chardonnay 89 points

2007 Chardonnay Central Coast Vintner's Collection $10
Another big production of a fruit forward easy drinking Chard; With a broad palate of pineapple, lime, melon and jasmine flowers. With a medium-body and ripe fruit that's not over oaked and easy to drink. This Chard has a clean, refreshing finish with notes of honey and vanilla.
Posted by rich board at 1:53 PM 0 comments
Labels: $10 or less, 89 points, best buy 2009, chardonnay
Sunday, March 1, 2009
2006 Crinella Sauvignon Blanc 92 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, $22
With a nose that's spicy, creamy and refreshingly clean; The palate explodes with passion fruit, lime, lemon and gooseberry. This is a perfect food pairing wine with interesting layers of flavor. Dry, crisp and clean with a finish that pops long past you swallow.
Posted by rich board at 1:48 PM 0 comments
Labels: $25 or less, 92 points, sauvignon blanc, top 100 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
2006 Yellow Tail The Reserve 88 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, South Eastern Australia, $11
The nose of this Cab is ripe black fruit and vanilla; With a concentrated palate of blackberry, black cherry raspberry and new french oak. For $11 bucks you get a great value with velvety tannins and cassis and spicy oak coming through on a long smooth finish.
Posted by rich board at 9:25 AM 0 comments
Labels: $15 or less, 88 points, best buy 2009, cabernet sauvignon
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
De Bortoli Shiraz 88 points

2007 Shiraz South Eastern Australia dB Selection $9
Nice Shiraz for a great price; With a spicy palate of blackberry, black raspberry, plum and spicy. Easy drinking and smooth that's uncomplicated and bright. The finish is light but lingering.
Posted by rich board at 2:32 PM 0 comments
Labels: $10 or less, 88 points, shiraz
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
2007 Sterling Made with Organic Grapes 92 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino, $13
Another fabulous Sauv Blanc with a beautiful nose of mouth-watering tropical fruit; The palate explodes with pink grapefruit, lime, lemon and fresh cut grass. With a bone dry palate and crisp acids that dance from start to finish. Clean and refreshing with a tart finish that last long and is smooth.
Posted by rich board at 1:08 PM 0 comments
Labels: $15 or less, 92 points, best buy 2009, sauvignon blanc, top 100 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
2006 Villa Pillo 93 points

Toscana Borgoforte 2006 $12
A beautiful red blend with heady aromatics; The palate is lush blend of black cherry, currant, blackberry and anise. Full-bodied with restrained tannins and a silky mouth-feel. With a long and beautiful finish with hints of leather and vanilla.
Posted by rich board at 1:08 PM 0 comments
Labels: $15 or less, 93 points, best buy 2009, red blend, red wine, top 100 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
2007 Indaba Shiraz 89 points

Shiraz, Western Cape, $8
With a juicy and spicy nose that's well rounded; The lush palate of blueberry, plum, black cherry and spicy oak is broad and complex. On balance a nice Shiraz at a great price. This red is lush and ripe with a finish that denotes caramel and cedar.
Posted by rich board at 12:30 PM 0 comments
Labels: $10 or less, 89 points, best buy 2009, shiraz
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
2007 Frog's Leap Chardonnay 91 points

Frog's Leap 2007 Chardonnay $22
This is a rich, focused Chardonnay with lots of pizazz; The palate is full of pineapple, melon, pear and toasty vanilla. Full-bodied with restrained acids and a ton of tropical flavors. The finish is rich and clean with beautiful vanilla and burnished oak lingering throughout.
Posted by rich board at 12:46 PM 0 comments
Labels: $25 or less, 91 points, chardonnay
Monday, February 16, 2009
2007 Bonterra Viognier 91 points

Viognier, Mendocino-Lake, $18
With a beautiful nose of exotic fruits leads to a spicy, fruit forward palate of guava, pineapple, apricot and spicy honey. Clean, crisp and refreshing that's expertly balanced. Wildflowers and vanilla bean come out on a smooth, ripe finish.
Posted by rich board at 11:27 AM 0 comments
Labels: $20 or less, 91 points, best buy 2009, viognier
Saturday, February 14, 2009
2007 Chehalem Reserve Dry 92 points

Riesling, Willamette Valley, $21
I love this Riesling; With a zippy palate of melon, pink grapefruit, lime and green apple. This white is bone dry and a yummy lip-smacker that packs a concentrated core of tropical fruit. The finish is intense and long lasting.
Posted by rich board at 11:09 AM 0 comments
Labels: $25 or less, 92 points, best buy 2009, riesling, top 100 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
2007 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 88 points

Kendall-Jackson 2007 Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay Jackson Estate $16
With the aromas of a tropical summer night leading to a palate of guava, pineapple, nectarine and creamy vanilla bean. Full bodied and crisp acidity with a fruit forward profile. This Chard has a nice balance of flavors with a spicy edge coming through on a long finish.
Posted by rich board at 1:03 PM 0 comments
Labels: $20 or less, 88 points, chardonnay
Thursday, February 12, 2009
2004 Bernardus Marinus 92 points

Bernardus 2004 Marinus Bordeaux Blend; Carmel Valley $16
This red blend will get better with age; The palate is full of blackberry, currant, cocoa powder and cigar box flavors. It's a broad and defined flavor profile with a tannic edge that will benefit from a couple of years in the cellar. The finish is dense with hints of toasty oak and blueberry pie, drink in 2011.
Posted by rich board at 1:11 PM 0 comments
Labels: $20 or less, 92 points, best buy 2009, bordeaux blend, top 100 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
2007 Arcane Cellars Estate Pinot Gris 91 points

Arcane Cellars 2007 Estate Pinot Gris $16
Clean, crisp and a clearly defined Pinot Gris; The palate explodes with pear, melon, orange blossom and passion fruit. With sharp acids and beautiful citrus flavors layered perfectly. Clean, ripe and refreshing for a late winter white. The finish is bright and long lasting with crisp grapefruit and lime, drink now.
Posted by rich board at 11:33 AM 0 comments
Labels: $20 or less, 91 points, best buy 2009, pinot gris, top 100 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
2007 Bodegas Ateca 90 points

Garnacha Calatayud de Fuego Old Vines 2007 $8
With a spicy and fruit forward nose that's lush and ripe; The palate is broad with strawberry, raspberry, anise and new oak. The creamy texture adds structure and balance. Lively flavors of vanilla bean and licorice come through on a long smooth finish.
Posted by rich board at 8:25 AM 0 comments
Labels: $10 or less, 90 points, best buy 2009, garnacha, top 100 2009