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Adelaida
Pinot Noir 1997
Region:
San Luis Obispo
Varietal:
Pinot Noir
Cost:
$14
Cherry
and stone fruit nose, musky and of medium body on the palate. Not a
heavy hitter of a Pinot but very enjoyable and delicate. This would be
lovely with some Duck Carpaccio or portobello
sandwiches.
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Chateau
St Jean Fume Blanc Etoile 1998
Region:
Sonoma, California
Varietal:
Sauvignon Blanc
Cost:
about $13
Fume
Blanc is a California invention (namewise at least). Basically, a wine
with this name is meant to echo the Loire style of Sauvignon Blanc made
in Pouilly Fumé. This wine is true to it's name, it's very full bodied,
lush even. There's a good concentration of lemon balm, a little nutmeg
and some cream. I'm thinking... roasted tomato
cobbler with a parmesan crust. Oh yeah.
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Firesteed
Pinot Noir 1998
Region:
Oregon, USA
Varietal:
Pinot Noir
Cost:
about $9
I
remember previous vintages of Firesteed being fairly light; this one's got a
little more ooopfm to it. Definitely. A chewier Pinot with a nose filled with
cherry and a little mushroom. Lively with a little earthiness on the finish.
This was the perfect wine for the Ostrich, yes ostrich
filet I had with it. Ostrich being only slightly
gamy works beautifully with this.
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Bookwalter
2000 Jocat
Region:
Columbia Valley, Washington
Varietal:
30% Johanisberg Riesling and 70% Muscat
Cost:
$9
A
breath of fresh air, with a hint of sweetness. This is a quaffing wine
that would be great with Thai green or red
curry chicken or Chinese Spicy Orange Beef with extra chili. Anything
sweet, sour and spicy will sing with this bottle.
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San
Vincente Chiantti Classico 1997
Region:
Chiantti, Tuscany, Italy
Varietal:
Sangiovese
Cost:
about $18
Like
Big wine? Here's a bottle for you. White pepper, ripe berries and a bit of
oregano on the nose. Rich luxurious operetta of taste and texture on the
tongue. Who says love doesn't come in liquid form? One of the more
exciting Italian wines I've tasted in a while! Definitely
game, osso bucco, prime rib or why not do as the Tuscans and grill some
boar!
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Rodney
Strong Sauvignon Blanc 1999 Charlotte's Home
Region:
Sonoma, California
Varietal:
Sauvignon Blanc
Price:
$12
Pretty
wine with interesting complexity. Peaches, melons, meyer lemons and some country
grass.
Crab
cakes with and avocado vinaigrette would work great.
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Cousinõ-Macul
1997 Antiguas Reservas Cabernet-Sauvignon
Region:
Maipo, Chile
Varietal:
Cabernet Sauvignon Cost:
$12
Charming
weather today, isn't it? Makes me long for pot
roast or Shepherd's pie. This wine would do honor to
both. Full juicy cherry and blackberry nose and some cedar and rosemary.
Lighter in body than most Chilean Cab's it's
perfect for a variety of foods. Salut!
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Regaleali
1999 Bianco
Region:
Sicily, Italy
Varietal:
Sauvignon Blanc, with some Inzolia and Cataratto (local grapes)
Cost:
$10
Rich,
sunny, wine with notes of dried fruit and ripe melon and lemons. Good
acidity and balance. Charming wine that would
be great with preserved lemon and goat cheese crostini.
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Carneros
Creek 1998 Pinot Noir Côte de Carneros
Region:
Carneros, California
Varietal:
Pinot Noir
Cost:
$14
Mushroom,
berries and black cherry open up on the nose. A medium bodied wine that
would be great with tiny lamb chops served with
a mushroom sauce.
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Rivetti
2000 Moscato D'Asti
Region:
Piedmont, Italy
Varietal:
Moscato
Cost:
$13
A
few roses, chocolates, some Cole Porter on the sound box and a
glass of this will the end of your Valentine's day just perfect. Aromas of
honey, peach with a little bit of orange zest Amore, la dolce vita awaits!
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Chanrion
1999 Cote de Brouilly
Region:
Burgundy, France
Varietal:
Gamay
Cost:
$13
Côte
de Brouilly is located at a higher elevation than Brouilly, therefore
imparting more character and depth to the wines. This is pure fruit with
a hint of musk and good balance. A selection of
cheese, some saucisson (or good cold cuts), hearty bread and you've got
a stellar winter meal.
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Bollinger
Grande Annee 90
Region:
Champagne, France
Varietal:
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Cost:
$80
If
you are pulling out all the stops for your sweetie, don't miss this one.
Structured, vigorous bubbles and character bursting with toast, creamy
hay, almonds and a bit of honey in the finish. 1990 was a great vintage
and this is a great bottle. Serve all on it's
own, in beautiful crystal flutes. Liquid love.
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Diamond
Bay Pinotage 1998
Region:
South Africa
Varietal:
Blend of Pinot Noir and Cinsault
Cost:
$10
Rich,
robust and gamy. Tannic but very approachable. Drink
with buffalo burgers or braised beef short ribs.
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Lorinon
1997 Rioja Crianza
Region:
Rioja, Spain
Varietal:Tempranillo
Cost:
$10
Big,
beautiful, gutsy wine. Bursting red fruit up front, some smoke and a
little spice far away. A little garlic rubbed
grilled chicken and this, Olé!
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Boccadigabbia
1999 Garbi
Region:
Marches, Adriatic Coast,Italy
Varietal:Chardonnay
and Trebbiano
Cost:
$9
Not
oak tea, furthest thing from it. No oak just clean, bright, dry fruit.
Perfect for seared scallops with almond oil
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Babcock
1998 Syrah
Region:
California
Varietal:Syrah
and Cab Franc
Cost:
$22
Earthy,
smoky fruit. Soft and accessible but bursting with prune and some
cranberry (?). Big meat for this, seared leg of
lamb rubbed with rosemary and black pepper.
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Cape
Indaba 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon
Region:
South Africa
Varietal:Cabernet
Sauvignon
Cost:
$8
A
great bottle for the price. Spicy, rich very forward fruit, firm grip on
your taste buds so hold on for a fruity ride!!! Burgers
with blue cheese, nothing else seems as perfect a fit.
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Covey
Run 1998 Fumé Blanc
Region:
Yakima Valley, Washington
Varietal:Sauvignon
Blanc
Cost:
$9
Green
melon, some melon and starfruit. Light, easy sipping. Great
with mixed field greens with some lightly herbed goat cheese.
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Calera
El Ninâ Pinot Noir
Region:
San Benito, California
Varietal:
Pinot Noir
Cost:
$14
Wow,
supple and slightly smoky fruit. Hints of cherry and mushrooms with a
bit of heather in there too. Yummy wine. Portobello
burgers, lamb chops. Something with substance.
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Seaview
Sparkling Brut NV
Region:
Southern Australia
Varietal:
Chardonnay
Cost:
$9
Creamy
toasty wine, with really fine bubbles. Wait, this is only $9? Seriously,
some notes of hay, a little peach. Great party bubbles, and absolutely perfect
with spicy tuna roll or any other sushi you may fancy.
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Blaufrankisch
Glatzer 1999
Region:
Austria
Varietal:
Blaufrankisch
Cost:
$12
What
a wine! This is one of the neatest things I've tasted in a wine. Imagine
rosemary, olive oil and fruit, very bright fruit. Crying
out for rosemary lamb chops seared with a filet of extra virgin olive
oil.
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Domaine
des Aubuissieres Sparkling Vouvray Brut NV
Region:
Loire, France
Varietal:
Chenin Blanc
Cost:
about $12
Sparkling
Vouvray (when it's well made such as this one) can give many a mediocre
Champagne a good run for it's money. Vouvray is not neccesarily
cerebral, just good. With strong nuances of green fruits and lemons that
fill the palate with creamy bubbles this wine can be enjoyed with
many a brunch or light lunch dish
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Chateau
Pitray 1997
Region:
Côtes de Castillion
Varietal:
Primarily Merlot with some Cab Franc
Cost:
about $14
You
see, French can be affordable and very drinkable. This is a good example
of very supple approachable wine. Its color is ruby red and when I taste
it I think of berries, a little allspice and prunes. Since this is young I
would recommend pairing it with some cheese, Brie or Coulommiers. Add a
good crusty French bread and you've got a balanced meal!
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Lane
Tanner 1998 Syrah
Region:
Santa Barbara, California
Varietal:
Syrah
Cost:
about $25
Pure
gorgeous, spicy with a hint of smoky fruit. Big, beautiful. Seductive. Perfect
winter wine to cozy up to, difficult to find but worth the trouble.
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