Covey Run 2006 Semillon Ice Wine and Ricardo Santos 2009 Semillon White Wine

Semillon as a dessert wine, an aperitif, or as a White wine for fish, oysters, shrimp, or other sea-food meals; I had this with cod and scallops.

Covey Run Semillon Ice Wine,
 $22.99-$25.99, 90 points, was surely an amazement: dessert itself without being too sweet or too cloying, having a rich flavor of sugared peach cobbler. Some would suggest drinking this with savory meats, and others with desserts, but this is one to taste; I enjoyed this with cashew-powered cookies, but I mostly enjoyed this by itself.
The color is harvest amber gold, the texture is light, but robust, and the aroma is citrus.

Ricardo Santos 2009 Semillon Mendoza, Argentina,
$13.49-$15.49, 87 points, has a very strong complex aroma, there is orange and lemon, but there is some nondescript odor which reminds me of sweat (Not altogether bad if you think in terms of your lover), and even a hint of fig.
The color is a pale yellow, and the texture is lush without being viscus.
The flavor is warm (Though the wine was 40-50 degrees) and approachable; it reminded me of a Sauvignon Blanc blended with a rich Chardonnay.
This is an interesting wine; I found myself going back and forth trying to decide just how I felt about it. Ambivalence is not the right word, because there's just too much here, too many layers of flavor and aroma to dismiss.
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Handel bequeathed us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11xABcKjux8

Pitule Neirano 2010 Moscato D'Asti Italian White Wine

Pitule Neirano 2010 Moscato D'Asti Italian White Wine, $14.07-$15.99, 90 points, was another fine wine suggested and bought at Paula's Wine boutique (now closed ) http://www.bellavinonh.com/.
This a light-sparkling White wine ( frizzante ) of the Asti area of Piedmont, Italy is simply delicious, having a lightly sweet flavor of peach, a light-body with a major refreshment factor. Often labeled as a dessert wine, this wine is great by itself or as an aperitif, some will like to pair this with milk chocolate desserts.
Having a very limited experience with dessert wines, and in the past I have not been pleased with this varietal, but now that I've been happily steered in the right direction, I'll be finding more of these to compare the Pitule Neirano to.
I've already given some of this as a  Christmas present, and doesn't the label just work so well with the season?

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2006 Conn Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Release compared to Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Conn Creek 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Release, $28.88-$39.98 (On the web for $17.99), 89 points,
Beringer Knights Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $14.99-$23.99, 90 points, are close twins when tasted together, but not the price; both have deep magenta hues, both are medium bodied, smooth, and have primary flavors of black fruit and licorice, but the differences are pronounced in the aroma and the finish:
Conn Creek's aroma is a basic grape with some cedar notes, the finish is a nice spicy currant.

Beringer Knights Valley's aroma is a complex bouquet of cooking spice, mocha, and boysenberry, while the finish is not quite the drama of the  Conn Creek's, it still has a presence that continues with its more hardy tannin. The Bordeaux style is accentuated with a small blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Since you can see that the Conn Creek's alcohol is 14.5% I should tell you that the Knights Valley's is 14.3%
Both Cabernets paired nicely with a Porterhouse Steak, but one wine taster said that the Knights Valley conspired to up the quality of flavor in remarkable ways.
So, once again, here's to Laurie Hook.


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Sarah Jane McMahon's beautiful voice brings Christmas nearer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ4ryq8JAcw&feature=related

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

Robert MondaviNapaValley 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, $15.56-$29.99, 91 points:
At this time of the year I often get involved with people who want to buy wine as a gift below $20.00, and my safe-bet is right here; I paid $15.56 for a bona fide gem of a Cabernet Sauvignon with just a hint of Syrah.
Core-black color gives-way to ruby and orange glitters at the rim.
This wine possesses a wonderful aroma of Black-currant and cherry with hints of plum and ground Coriander, all carried nicely on a nearly full body of silk with a bit of espresso-mocha on a fair spiced plum finish.
This is a quaffer, and at 15% alcohol you'll notice it.
I've reviewed the 2006 with similar results, and I'm hoping to get to the 2007 when a certain someone gets home for the Holidays. 
В холодні ночі це вино є теплим і гострий:-)

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Cheers with a glass of wine and a song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4Jg8t9g3MI&feature=related

Cartlidge & Browne Dancing Crow2009 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Cartlidge And Browne Dancing Crow 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, $9.00-$15.00, 88 points, is simply a very nice, crisp, refreshing, and fish friendly wine. 
As many of you know Sauvignon Blanc is the "Mother" of Cabernet Sauvignon, but I would never have guessed it.
This "Dancing Crow" is the most Lime-like Sauvignon Blanc I've tasted; with hints of lemon, the light yellow color, and proper acidity all lead to a satisfying and inexpensive wine for refreshment or with your meal. I had this wine with Conch and Scallops. 
Sorry I don't remember where I bought this; Todd, if you remember selling this, please let me know.

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Chalk Hill Estate 2007 Red Wine

Chalk Hill Estate 2007 Red Bordeaux Style Wine, $63.74-$74.99, 94+ points, was a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Malbec, 13% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, and 1% Carmenere.
This Red Wine had the deepest Ruby red without being opaque.
The nose belied its intense color with gentle airs of cinnamon, clove, and cedar, with just hints of bacon and tobacco.
The nearly full body carried beautiful flavors of smoky blackberries, licorice, and finished with a tremendous white pepper and tart cherry.
With this wine you get what you pay for; there is only the transformation of sun and fruit, water and stone, hands and toil, into a compelling wine of distinction, flavor, and complexity.
This is a wine for today and tomorrow. This is art, not only on the label, but in the bottle.

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Time to warm-up with a cheerful glass of wine and a Christmas song by Sarah Brightman.

Stag's Leap Cellars Napa Valley 2006 Merlot

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Napa Valley 2006 Merlot, $31.12-$43.99, 90 points, is as my son describes: "A Mercedes Benz, no matter the age and no matter the model, it is still a Mercedes Benz." A well built car is so much like a well built wine, and to not see wine as constructed, is to miss just how difficult it is to make a very good wine.


Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Napa Valley 2006 Merlot is a balance of a sexy perfume (I usually don't like), silky blend of black olive, plum, strawberry, allspice, truffle, and the kitchen-sink. 
The aroma begins strongly floral, but tones down, as it does on your palate, with some air. 
The color is deep-dark ruby-red with purple tones.
The texture is a silky smooth, medium to full bodied, and the finish has a bit of spice to add complexity.
As I've said, I don't usually like powerful floral flavors, but this wine somehow is able give those floral flavors meaning in the context of its Gestalt without over whelming the wine.
As for advocacy, this is an expensive and not an everyday wine, but lots of us know people who drink mostly Merlot, and you may want to give a special gift; this is a special gift.


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