Bodegas Can Blau

Priorat. It sounds like some sort of super secret society guarding the secrets of old Europe. It very well may be. Priorat, or Priorato, is a newer appellation of the Montsant region of Spain. Priorat, while a new region officially, has been producing robust wines for some time. Cellars Can Blau has a knack for utilizing the soils of the rather unforgiving Montsant hills. Carinena grapes from sandy clay, Syrah from chalky soil, and Garnacha on slate are blended together to make a medium bodied wine with a huge fruit presence. Blueberries and raspberries run the show here. Earthy accents take second billing.
The better Priorat wines will usually set you back at least half a weeks pay. Can Blau 2005 ($-$$) has been referred to as "poor man's Priorat", but having had quite a few of the higher end Montsants, I can assure you that this wine should cost quite a bit more. Wine Advocate gave this wine 90 points. It's on the wine list at Barcelona.
This wine starts out fruity, and ends up with a little bit of dryness. This is another wine that I would suggest to just about anyone, as it has qualities most people like. This wine is in the running for the ECW top ten of the year.
BUY THIS WINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More entry level Aussies

Yellowtail, Papio, Little Penguin, Alice White. To many, these brands are comfortable options. To others, they aren't worthy of using to stain the back porch.

Wine can be very intimidating, what with all those crazy French words and umlauts and such. Wine doesn't have to be this scary. Sometimes all it takes is one bottle to change your life, sometimes it's a work in progress.
To those of you just coming over from the low-end Aussies with cute, cuddly marsupials on the labels, I offer you an alternative.
While I have mentioned some others before (Penfolds, The Turk), I'd like to suggest an entire line of wines from one producer to help kickstart your wine appreciation.
Enter Rosemount. Rosemount offers a myriad of different varietals and blends, as well as various price points.
Wine Spectator's May issue reviews quite a few Rosemount wines, and I'd like to pass them along.

First, Rosemount's Diamond Label Southeastern Australia Shiraz 2005 ($) was one of 5 wines they picked as Best Value and received 87 points. This wine is a little lighter than your average Shiraz/Syrah, but still holds up well enough.

Other Rosemount wines rated...
-- Diamond Label Southeastern Australia Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 ($) - 86 points.
-- "Traditional" South Australia 2002 ($$) - 85 points. Blend of Cab. Sauv., Merlot, and Petit Verdot.
-- Diamond Label Southeastern Australia Cabernet-Merlot 2005 ($) - 82 points.
-- Diamond Label Southeastern Australia Chardonnay 2006 ($) - 86 points.
-- GSM McLaren Vale 2003 ($$) - 91 points. Blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvedre.
-- Diamond Label Southeastern Australia Shiraz-Cabernet 2005 ($) - 87 points.
-- Diamond Label Southeastern Australia Shiraz-Grenache 2005 ($) - 87 points.
-- Diamond Label Southeastern Australia Pinot Noir 2006 ($) - 84 points.
-- Diamond Label Southeastern Australia Shiraz Traminer-Riesling 2006 ($) - 89 points.
-- Diamond Label Southeastern Australia Pinot Grigio 2006 ($) - 86 points.
-- Diamond Label Southeastern Australia Riesling 2006 ($) - 86 points.

To be honest, I haven't tried all of these. I'm just forwarding some information from the magazine. Don't just take my word, go out and pick up the issue (Wine Spectator - May 31, 2007 $5). There will be tasting notes on each wine, as well as an explanation of the points-system, in the magazine.

I often shy away from certain wines grown out of their "usual" territories. For example, I probably wouldn't order a Pinot Grigio that didn't come from one of the better Italian estates. Then again, I probably wouldn't order a Pinot Grigio.
That said, I have had the Traminer-Riesling (not this vintage) at Nikita and liked it. It paired well with a variety of spicy appetizers, even sushi. I've also had their Diamond Label Shiraz quite a few times, and have had no problems with it.

Mind you, there are no furry animals on these bottles.
Cheers!

Breaking News!!! Clos de Los Siete by the glass.

Alright, maybe not breaking news, but one of ECW's wine-spies has informed us that Firehouse 12 is serving Clos de los Siete by the glass (or at least they were last Saturday). This is one of Carlos' You-Gotta-Ask-For-It items; it's not on any wine list. Tell 'em Elm City Wino sent ya!.

Firehouse 12's website and myspace.

Coppola Rosso Shiraz

Back home, Francis Ford Coppola is known only as "Frank". Frank's wine has played a large part in our family gatherings ever since my father, not much of a drinker, put away quite a bit of Frank, and then proceeded to give an oral dissertation on the advantages of diversification in business. As Dad saw it, if Coppola had a bad vintage, he could just go out and make another movie, and if that movie bombed, he could just make more wine. It was quite entertaining, to the point of having Frank as a required part of every family meal.

Coppola's estate, Niebaum-Coppola, once belonged to a Finnish sea captain, Gustave Niebaum, who founded Inglenook Vineyards. Coppola and his wife bought the property in the 70's. In the 90's they purchased the surrounding vineyards, as well as the original Inglenook Winery. The estate is best regarded for it's Rubicon Series, a higher end, limited run wine. To "pay the bills", they put out various varietals under various different Coppola labels - Diamond Collection, Director's Cut, Rosso and Bianco, etc.

Coppola's Rosso Shiraz 2004 ($) was opened for this tasting, and while it won't blow your mind, it's a good drinker, especially at the price. It's soft and supple with a taste of berry jam with mild tannins. File this one under Art Opening Wines

Raiding the B-Day gifts for more stuff I can't afford.

yes, the picture's big, but so is the wine.

Caymus is one of the big names in the Napa Valley. Their brand has been synonymous with Cabernet Sauvignon for decades. Their 2003 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($$$$) is a blend of Cabernet grapes selected from 11 different vineyards within the Napa Valley. Four sub-appellations of Napa Valley are represented here -- Atlas Peak, Mount Veeder, Rutherford, and St. Helena. (As an aside, try Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon ($-$$) for a decent, entry level Cab. Sauv.)
Currants, Plums, and Blackberries start this wine off, eventually turning to black pepper, sage, and maybe a little A-1 Steak Sauce (apologies to wine snobs everywhere). The wine has a long -- make that looooooooong -- smooth aftertaste.
This wine is usually paired with meats (or tofurkey in our house), but will do great on its own.


Caymus Vineyards also put out some great Pinot Noirs, which is a fairly new venture for them.

Making Wine, But Not Money

Thanks to Dr. Brionics for the head-up for this story from NPR about vineyards that produce world class wines, but don't produce much profit.

If the link doesn't work, cut 'n paste --> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9647826

Spring Sprung. Picnic Pinots.

Now that Spring has finally arrived in New Haven, it's time to have yourself a little picnic.
New Haveners treat the picnic as an art form, or even a competitive sport. Everyone has "their" spot. There's lots of veggies, poetry reading, romance, and, hopefully, wine.
I find that the first picnic of spring, on a perfect day, goes great with a big Pinot Noir. This combination always trumps any food pairings, and the bigger, the better.

Here are some of my favorite Picnic Pinots...

Caymus Belle Glos Pinot Noir: Clark & Telephone Vineyard ($$$), Taylor Lane Vineyard ($$$), or Sonoma Coast ($$).
C&T and TL bottles have a wax top a la Maker's Mark; the extra effort is worth the wait. SC is a blend of grapes from the region, and Caymus grapes that didn't make the cut for the others. (It's still pretty good). I won't get into the differences in these wines, as they will be subtle to the beginner. Be sure to check out Alder Yarrow's Vinography blog for some neat tidbits about the Clark & Telephone (my personal fave of the lot).

Adelsheim Vineyard Williamette Valley Pinot Noir ($$-$$$)
The flavor starts out with wild berries and fades into cooking spices. The wine is big, yet subtle (if that's possible). The tannins have enough bite to please drinkers who normally go drier. The finish is as strong and powerful as the initial nose.

Campion Santa Lucia Highlands ($$$) - The wine smells of Cherry Coke and sage or pepper, and a taste of blackberries is balanced by something earthy. BIG!!!

Bethel Heights Estate ($$-$$$), Erath Prince Hill Vineyard ($$$), Williamette Valley Vineyards ($$-$$$) or W.V.V. Signature ($$$$-$$$$$), are also worth trying.
Orogeny ($$-$$$), also from Oregon, was already reviewed.

I haven't given you any vintages here, as almost any will do. Some things to keep in mind -- a. Pinot is usually best while somewhat young, and b. there was very little bad California or Oregon Pinot Noir in 2002.
I've also gone a bit over my usual price range. The first picnic of the season is worth that special bottle.

Edna Valley Pinot Noir

not necessarily the same label, but you get the idea.

First, I'm not going to give you a vintage for Edna Valley Pinot Noir ($). It's one of those wines that are blended to give a similar taste from vintage to vintage. (That may give you an idea of where we're going here).
Smoky, with medium body, and a decent aftertaste, this wine is "drinkable". I would not recommend this wine if you're looking to impress the in-laws, new ladyfriend, etc. I would, however, recommend this wine if you've just come over from Yellowtail and the like, and are looking for a simple, decent, drinkable wine. It's fairly smooth, somewhat "light and fluffy" for a Pinot Noir, and affordable. This is the kind of wine I'll drink at a club. Consider this another one of my "art-opening wines".
I'll definitely take heat from the oeno-snobs for this one. However, I think this is a decent deal in an inexpensive wine. It won't change your life, but it'll do the deed, and you won't look like an Aussie-swill-schlub.

p.s. if you're past the intro to wine stage, and you've taken a liking to Pinot Noir (with or without the help of Sideways), message me, and I'll send you a list of Pinots that'll send you right through to Snob level.

Luzon Verde -- it's Organic!!!

Luzon Verde Organic ($). Where do we start? It's another Jorge Ordonez selection, and remember, that name means "worth buying". 100% Monastrell. 89 rating from Wine Advocate. Luzon Verde is the organic version of Finca Luzon, which got a 90 from Wine Advocate. That's the closest an organic wine has gotten to its "regular" version ever.
Dark aroma, full flavor, and medium finish. For a time, this was my house-pour. It's worth buying based on the rating alone. The fact that it's organic makes it even better.
The tannins suggest keeping a bottle, if you have the space, for a horizontal tasting in a year or two (but not longer).
The wine itself brings out blueberry, lavender, and anise. It pairs well with many foods.
It's organic. It's quite drinkable. It's very similar to it's non-organic brethren. Buy it. No, really.
Hippies everywhere will love you.

Where to buy.

I've been receiving quite a bit of e-mail asking where to find the wines I've mentioned. While the majority of the wines I've recommended can be found at most self-respecting wine shops, some might be harder to find.
First of all, if you have a shop you like, have them special order you a bottle. Most shops are willing to do this. If they order a few, and they sell, they'll keep it in stock regularly. Give them a few days to get the wine in, and don't plan a weekend dinner around the bottle -- distributors regularly run out of a hot item.

If you don't have a regular shop, here's a few in the New Haven area to try...
<*>Grand Vin
28 East Grand Ave., New Haven (just across the bridge)
468-7494
<*>Wine Thief
378 Whitney Ave. or 181 Crown St., New Haven
865-4845
<*>Pond Point
15 Pond Point Ave., Milford
874-7111
<*>New England Beverage Co.
560 Boston Post Road (next to Trader Joe's), Orange
795-5050
<*>Amity Wine & Spirit
95 Amity Road, New Haven (next to Sam Ash)
397-WINE


...these are but a few, and by no means the only shops. If you have someone you use religiously, let us know -- MattUva@(nospam)gmail.com.


Cheers!

Septima Malbec

I warned you hipsters. I told you to put down the Yellowtail. I told you South American wines are hot right now. Now you've got no excuse.
Septima Malbec 2004 ($) is cheap and decent. It's a good "daily drinker" that has enough complexity to turn you on to better wines.
This wine requires some air time, but when it's ready, it offers a strong nose of plums. The taste is equally "plummy" (is that a word?), with notes of vanilla. The finish isn't memorable and the tannins are slightly grainy, but not disagreeable.
You wouldn't write to your mother about this wine, but you wouldn't mind serving it to her, either.
Try it out. At the price -- roughly 11 bucks -- you have no excuse not to.

Cheers!
-Matt

This Week in "Stuff I Can't Afford"

Since we opened that Altesino last week, I decided it was high time I opened another expensive bottle. It's raining ropes outside (il plait pleur), in typical spring Nor'easter style, and cabin fever is the best reason to open a bottle. Getting on all fours in the cellar, we dug out one of my birthday presents, Jeffrey O'Neill and Laurence Vosti's Xtant Napa Valley 2001 Red wine blend ($$$$).


This wine's fruit is ripe, maybe too ripe (use a decanter, unless you're drinking this in a year or two). This wine is reminiscent of wild berries, you know, the one's you shouldn't eat but you do, 'cuz they taste so good. There are hints of loam/dirt. This wine reminded me of gardening with my mother. The tannins are firm, but not grainy.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec from a small handful of Napa Valley vineyards. It is an homage to the Napa region, and according to the winemakers, is the "epitome of the traditional Napa Valley blend". Its price can be explained by its limited run -- 392 cases (4704 bottles)were made.

I definitely enjoyed this wine, even if its opening was premature -- I'll have to ask for another one for Christmas. It was fun to drink, but I won't recommend it unless you have the money and/or cellar space to spare. At this price point, there are a great deal of wines that would be amazing now as opposed to 3-7 years from now.
Wine Spectator gave it a 92.

Murrieta Reserva

they sell it in single bottles, too.
My Spanish wine guy in Willimantic (not the same one who suggested Vinos Sin-ley) told me today that Marques de Murrieta Ygay Reserva 2001 ($$) was the best Rioja at this price point he'd ever had. He also told me it was "better than sliced bread". Most oenophiles stay away from sliced bread as a description of wine, so I just had to try this.
This was a gamble, as the red wines from the Murrieta estate have been inconsistent over the past few years. They brought in a new winemaker and sunk a ton of money into the estate, and it shows.
This wine is BIG, powerful, and impressive. Black Pepper, bold fruit, and vanilla come out in this Spanish gem.
This is another ecWino MUST BUY.

Attention Hipsters!

South American and Spanish wines are so hot right now. Grab a bottle of Rioja, drop in your Crystal Castles, and get your freak on.

Penfold's Koonunga Hill

For those of you who just came over from Yellowtail, Little Penguin, and the like -- or those of you who have yet to -- let me recommend the Penfold's Koonunga Hill Range ($).
I'm going to take a lot of heat from the uppity winos, but I think this is a decent suggestion to the beginner. Koonunga Hill wines are a buck or two more than Y/T, and taste like a million bucks when put up against the typical Aussie swill. There are quite a few varietals available, so whatever your taste, there's something to suit it.
Just to be sure, I opened a bottle of Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2002 ($). I found the wine to be enjoyable, but not overly complex. It was fruity and drinkable, with a dry aftertaste. This is a trick that many major wine mass-producers use to sell their wine. They blend grapes to make wines that are suitable to many tastes, as opposed to one style of drinker. This also comes into play with the vintage. I opened a bottle of 2002, and my tasting notes were quite similar to a bottle of 2004 of the same varietal I had had recently. Also, there wasn't much difference to a bottle of 2002 that was opened a couple of years back.
I would love to see these wines at local art openings instead of Papio, etc. It'd make all you artists look a little more refined, but it still suits your "starving" budget.
If the novice wino wants any more impetus to purchase this wine, I poured a glass of the Shiraz/Cab. for Mo along with a glass of the Sierra Cantabria and held a little blind taste test. Mo chose the Penfold's, saying it had more flavor and was less watery -- terms the Joe Regular in all of us can understand.

Sierra Cantabria

image for reference
Opened a bottle of Sierra Cantabria 1998 Cosecha Cuvee Especiale ($) tonight. This wine is grown on the sides of the Sierra Cantabria mountains in the Rioja Valley of Spain, protecting the vines from harsh Atlantic winds. Clay soil adds to the overall feeling of this wine.
My initial reaction when I stuck my nose in the glass was black pepper. Make that, BLACK PEPPER. I got a similar reaction when I tasted it. After letting it breathe, I found aromas of cherries. The tannins start out silky smooth and then produce a fine, grainy texture that you can actually feel.
I feel pretty good about recommending this wine, especially at the price point. If it were a boxer, it would be a middleweight.
The review on Cork'd says this wine didn't give a nasty headache, which is good since I haven't eaten yet.

Carrau Tannat update

I've raved about Bodegas Carrau Amat Tannat before, but now in stores is the lower priced Bodegas Tannat Reserva ($). If the Amat is BIG, then the Reserva is their medium.
This wine has moderate fruit aromas and a spicy zing. It has firm tannins and a pleasant, mellow finish. Think of this as Amat Lite.

Altesino 1999 Brunello di Montalcino

Oops.
We ate pasta tonight, and I just reached into the wine rack for any Italian wine. I grabbed a bottle and opened, not even realizing it was Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli 1999 ($$$$$). Usually, we reserve the $150+ bottles for special occasions. I'll have to figure one out for this evening.
Wine Spectator gave this wine a 95, while Wine Advocate gave it a 91. These numbers don't come easily. This wine was sweet, with smells of Italian cooking herbs and a little bit of licorice. The body wasn't as bold as one would expect at this price point. This could be the result of cellaring for a little under two years, as initial reviews of this wine referred to a "ripe" smell that I didn't find. The finish was dusty and dry, but not suck-the-moisture-out-of-your-mouth dry.
I would recommend this wine to any with the budget and a proper cellar. Make sure the bottle you find comes from the bottom of the rack, and therefore not subject to light pollution.

Edit:
OK, so I felt bad that I reviewed a wine way out of anyone's price range (including mine), so I ran out and grabbed a '99 Brunello di Montalcino Vendemmia ($$). The wine was very similar, although the fruit was a little more strawberry and the tannins were somewhat grainy, to the point of actually feeling them along the tongue. The fine Italian cooking herbs were downgraded from "Nika's" to "Orange Street Market" (those of you from New Haven will get that).
I would recommend this wine to anyone who thinks I was crazy to open the first bottle.

Cheers!

Cline Ancient Vines Zin. and Bianchi Malbec

label used for reference. wine sampled was 2004, california.

Tonight we opened a bottle of 2004 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel ($). I am not usually one for Zins, and this one was no different. I found the taste to be too sharp and difficult to distinguish. Mo found it to be "sweet" and said it, "goes down easy". Wine Spectator gave it an 89, so you might want to listen to Mo on this one, as my opinions tend to be very biased. The Wine Cask (another blog) calls this wine, "big in every way" and describes the tannins as "plush". They also refer to a "unexpected blast of mint" after some 'air' time.
I had hoped for a better impression of this bottle, as these grapes come from vines that are 80-100 years old. That in itself is damn cool from a California wine.
I'm willing to admit this bottle may have seen better days, as it came from the stained rack.

Lacking the patience to completely dissect this wine, I opened a bottle of Elsa Bianchi Malbec 2004 ($) from Valentin Bianchi in Mendoza, quickly returning to the Argentina kick I've been on. Plum and raspberry in a medium bodied wine with ripe fruit and good balance from a South American producer with Italian heritage. This Malbec leaves you with a butterscotch finish that lingers, but not for too long.
This wine is cheap and good, 'nuff said.

Cuvelier Los Andes Coleccion

"So a man walks into a fortune teller. He tells the woman he has a bottle of Cuvelier Los Andes Coleccion 2005 ($$-$$$) and doesn't know what it tastes like. 'I want to know if I should open it,' he asks. The fortune teller tells him the wine is fruit heavy and oak influenced. 'You're a fake!' he exclaims."

Get it? Get it?? Okay, maybe not. Cuvelier Los Andes is another wine produced with the help of Michel Rolland, and all his wines are fruit-forward and oak-influenced. (Awful joke, I know.)
Earlier in the week, I told you about Clos de los Siete, another Michel Rolland creation, and it's seven producers from seven vineyards. This wine is another one, this time specifically from Bertrand and Jean-Guy Cuvelier's Mendoza vineyard. These boys are known for otherwise radical ideas, for example using grapes from vines only 3 years old.
This wine is a super dark ruby color. The nose is bold, with scents of blueberries and dried plums. The mouthfeel is smooth, with grainy tannins you can almost feel. The taste is more blueberries and black cherries and wood. If this wine were a tad more complex, it could change your life, but it is still an amazing wine that you must try.
Buy two bottles, because you'll want to open both of them.

Tannat Amat

2002 Bodegas Carrau Tannat Amat ($$) is a soft tannin, limited run wine from Uruguay. The Tannat grape is generally fruit heavy and leathery, and it's wines are usually ripened on wood for a long time or require microoxygenation to speed up its "taming process". The Carrau family hand picks the best of their grapes for the "Amat", which is named for Don Francisco Carrau Amat -- a master of red varietals from the early 1700's.
This wine is juicy and fruit heavy (plums) with a vanilla finish. The wine is aged in French and American oak which adds a coconut feel to the vanilla.
This translates to a wine that will satisfy both fruit-lovers and fruit-avoiders.
This wine will accompany many foods, but enjoys being in the presence of spicy Latin food.

The wine gets hard to find at times, but is almost always on the wine list at Barcelona.

Clos de los Siete

Clos de los Siete ($$) is a blend from seven different vineyards in the Mendoza region of Argentina. This wine is a venture of Michel Rolland, a Bordeaux based oenologist (super-duper grape guy) who has set himself apart from his countrymen by branching out into different parts of the world. His wines tend to be fruit-heavy and oak-induced, and Clos de los Siete is no different.
Tannic and slightly acidic, this wine should age well, and as a result, older vintages tend to cost more. The 2005 is on shelves now, while the 2004 ($$) and the 2003 ($$-$$$) may be harder to find. I was smart enough to get my hands on a few cases (six-packs) of the '04 a while back, so butter me up enough and we'll open one. 2003 is generally considered to be the best vintage of the lot, but don't let that scare you away. This wine, including the '05, is a MUST buy.
It is a dark velvet color, with a slightly heavy, but not overpowering body. Even to the uninitiated, this wine will be silky smooth, and may be the wine that converts you to the dark side. Wine Spectator gave this wine an 89.
The wine itself is 50% malbec, 30% merlot, 10% cabernet sauvignon, and 10% syrah, all of which can be tasted in the wine. Each grape lends its particular qualities to the overall effect of the wine, making it more interesting with each sip.
This wine will also go over well with your hippie friends, as it is made with gravity power, eliminating the need for electric pumps and is run by seven friends on a shared piece of land.

Faretti Biscotti

Faretti Biscotti Famosi liqueur ($$) is a new arrival in Connecticut. This makes a nice after dinner drink on it's own or goes great with coffee. We could talk about aromas of nuts and fennel, but to be put simply, Faretti Biscotti tastes like a blend of 80% Anisette and 20% Frangelico. It truly is reminiscent of biscotti. I'm sure the mixologists out there will come up with some interesting uses for this liqueur.
Being so new to CT, it may be hard to find, but the guys over at Pond Point in Milford have it in stock. I got mine from Lea at Chatham Spirits in East Hampton (they also run the CT arm of Wine.com).

Mephistopheles

Wow. Mephistopheles Stout ($) from Avery Brewing clocks in at a whopping 16.03% alcohol. If that's not reason enough to try it, how about a stout with characteristics of a fine port or a scotch whiskey. There is a big, bitter mouthfeel, with a tastes of maple sugar and coffee. It's very malty with obvious alcohol.
This beer has all the qualities of a good lay-down, and I look forward to trying it again in a few years.
Serve in a brandy snifter at room temperature.

Orogeny

Elm City Wino has a soft spot for Pinot Noir, a soft spot that was around before Sideways. After hearing rumblings about Orogeny 2005 ($$-$$$), I thought we'd give it a go. The term "orogeny" refers to the collisions in the earth's crust that create mountains. This is no misnomer for the wine.
The last "orogeny" to occur in Sonoma Valley created the Green Valley, which has recently been named it's own AVA (American Viticultural Area). The Green Valley is a sub-section of the Russian River Valley, and has a unique fog that cools the grapes and allows them to ripen slowly and evenly.
This all translates to aromas of black cherries and pomegranate, with light tannins and a bright acidity, in a medium-bodied wine that still tastes BIG.
This is a wine for a special occasion (invent one), with a special friend (invite one), when you've got splurge-money. It will pair well with a light, earthy dish.
This wine displays potential for short-term aging (3-4 years).

For a little more body, try Belle Glos Clark & Telephone 2004 ($$$) from Caymus.

Bodegas Juan Gil

Another 90 rating from Wine Advocate, another Jorge Ordonez selection. Bodegas Juan Gil ($-$$) 2004 is the color of your old "oxblood" Doc Martens. Aromas of blueberries/blackberries and tobacco, a rich, velvety mouthfeel, a perfect balance of fruit and alcohol, and price point make this one of my favorite wines this year.
What does all this translate to? This is an inexpensive wine that features many of the qualities of a wine that costs much, much more.
Mo said this wine lacked much aftertaste, which she felt was its downfall. I enjoyed this aspect, however.
Buy this wine!!!

The Turk

I'm always trying to get people who are new to wine to try something other than Yellowtail, Papio, or Little Penguin. Problem is, those wine are cheap, ($) and to the uninitiated, seem to taste fine. Great care is taken by the producers of these wines to mask certain flavors -- unripened grapes, for example.
This might be the wine to help convert the masses. Turkey Flat's "The Turk" is still from Australia (Barossa Valley), and it's still cheap ($). Wine Spectator gave the 2004 vintage (on shelves now) a 90. The wine is mostly shiraz and mouvedre, with a little grenache and cabernet thrown in. Dark red fruits, strawberries, and licorice are the initial impressions, but the wine is still "dry" enough to keep Y/T shiraz drinkers happy.