Ridge Vineyards

Tried four wines with Eric Baugher, winemaker at Ridge Vineyards. First was their 2007 Santa Cruz Chardonnay. This wine has great balance and nice acidity. The grapes were grown in limestone and that really shows through on the finish. This wine needs time to mellow.

Next we had the 2006 East Bench Zinfandel. This wine is 100% Zinfandel, and you know it is right from the nose to the finish. This wine screams Zin without being over the the top; it is reserved and well-made in keeping with the Ridge style.

Then came the 2007 Lytton Springs. Fluctuating aromas lead to a structured wine that would be awesome with a grilled ribeye. Oh baby.

Finally we had the 2006 Monte Bello. Oak hits you in the face, good old American oak. The wine is a rich purple that almost reflects your desire to dive in. Cassis flavor is layered with dark fruits and toast - did I mention the oak , good old American oak, that comes back on the supple finish? I put a half glass off to the side and found it today. Wow, what great stuff. A Wine Guy Favorite.

Wines of Torii Mor

Today I tasted with Margie Olson, owner of Torii Mor. First, we tried a barrel sample of the 2009 Pinot Gris: pear and green apple flavors, with crisp acidity. A nice bottle of wine.

Then we had three pinot noirs. First up was the 2007 "Black Label." This wine is well-balanced with an abundance of cherries and a nice hint of spice on the finish. Next was the 2006 "Eola-Amity Hills." This had a ripe red color and swirls of red berry flavors - a wine that hints at more to come with time. Third was the 2006 "Deux Verres." I tasted dark cherries and other dark fruit. The wine was lush and rich. When I first tasted it, I thought, "Wow, where's the finish on a wine this rich and lush, not to mention with such a great color?" All the sudden, there it was - surprise, I'm back! A Wine Guy Favorite.

Argentian and Spanish delight

Had two great reds today. First was the Alfredo Roca Pinot Noir 2009. Deep Purple was a great band, but this had the deepest purple tones. This wine had really rich flavors, such as dark cherry and some plum, to match the color. The finish just lingers. A Wine Guy Favorite.

Next came the Bodegas Ondarre Reserva 2004 Rioja, a blend of tempranillo and mazuelo. Spicy notes on the nose, rich and harmonious, with many hidden layers. Needs to open so I would give it an hour. A Wine Guy Favorite.

Angelini wine selections

Today I tried some Italian wines. First there were two whites: the 2008 Gavi La Battistina, made from 100% cortese, was a pleasant little wine with peach and pear hints, a bit acidic on the finish. Next was the 2008 Vernaccia Palagetto, a soft wine, not much to it.

On to the reds. The Piazzo 2008 Barbera DOC was very classic in structure, medium in body, and firm in the end. The 2008 Valpolicella Classico Corte Rugolin: too many grapes to list, but the label distracts you from a good bottle of red. It was hard to stop looking at, like a bad reality show. Anyway, the berries intermix in a brilliant way. A Wine Guy Value.

The 2007 Chianti Colli Senesi Il Palgetto consisted of 90% sangiovese, 5% colorino, and 5% merlot. Lots of flavor here, with a long finish. A Wine Guy Best Buy. Last on the tasting menu was the 2005 Sottobosco: earthy , rustic , dark. A Wine Guy Eh - not my favorite.

Not a fan of the hills

Tried some of the Penfold's Koonunga Hills wines one more time. The last time I do that! First up was the 2007 Chardonnay. The citrus flavors fight with the oak, and the wine has no balance. Number two, and this would be an apt description of this wine, was the 2006 Cabernet/Merlot blend. This wine is bitter and thin. Last and I mean least was the 2006 Shiraz: light on the berries, with a surprisingly sharp finish. NEVER AGAIN!

Aussie treat for me

I gave myself a treat last night, Mitolo "Savitor" 2007 shiraz from McLaren Vale. This is a lot of wine. It's dark and sexy in color with toasty oak leading the way. Then rich blueberries and other dark fruits assembled to make for a lasting moment. Dense and thick, it really leaves a mark - on your tongue and on your mind.

Bolgheri Wines from Michele Satta

Tasted three of Michele Satta's wines today with him. The first was the Costa Di Giulia, 65% vermentino, 35% sauvignon blanc. Wow! Someone finally figured out that vermitino should be blended with sauvignon blanc (and tell people about it). This wine had great balance and the vermentino was immediately apparent. It started as a classic coastal Italian white, but then came the white flowers and a richness that masks the hint of sweetness, which pings you in the end. A Wine Guy Value.

Then we had the Bolgheri Rosso, 30% cabernet,30% sangiovese, 20% merlot, 10% syrah, 10% teroldego. This is a well-made wine that will accompany any pasta you might be having nicely. Medium in body, with light plum and some orange peel.

Last we tried the Piastraia Bolgheri Rosso. Merlot, cabernet, sangiovese, and syrah are equally represented in this wine. It is classic old world, leathery, earthy (smells and tastes like old shoes, but in that good, promising way), and it needs time before it will show its true colors. I have a glass waiting for me; it promises to show me more. Don't wait up.

A couple of Sardinians

Tasted two wines from Sardinia. The first was 2008 Pala Vermentino Crabilis di Sardegne DOC. This wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, where it rests before bottling. Should have taken it out sooner; the wine is flat and lacks inspiration. The second, the 2007 Pala Cannonau di Sardegne DOC, is more like it. This wine has depth and dimension. Dark fruits like plum lead to an earthy finish. This is a good example of cannonau, which is closely related to grenache.