The Latest Wine Case

I've been getting requests from some friends regarding what wines I drink and what wines I would recommend. So, today I will be posting the wines that I just bought in the past two weeks.

Reds

Falesco Vitiano ($9.59) WS 90 pts
The '04 Falesco Vitiano is a wine with lovely balance and clean plum, berry and chocolate character; medium body and polished tannins; the perfect house wine if not for the Carchelo.

Fat Bastard Cabernet 2004 ($8.79)
Rigorous parcel selection from 20 year-old vines. Destemming and crushing on arrival at the winery. Maceration for 12 days to extract maximum flavours, followed by fermentation with temperature controlled at 25°C. The fermenting juice pumped over twice daily. Eight months spent on lees, with 4 to 6 months spent in French and American oak. A gorgeous dark red color with blackberry and red currant aromas. Smooth and rich in the glass; soft cedar, spice and vanilla bring this Cabernet to a dazzling finish. Come on people, they only make a cab in an exceptionally good cab year and this is the first one they've made in 7 years.

St. Francis Cabernet 2002 ($15.99)
All the grapes in this classic varietal come from five Sonoma County appellations: Sonoma Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, and Sonoma County. Hand-picked from mid- September through early November, the fully ripened clusters are then crushed into temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and fermented from eight to fifteen days. The wine is then aged in different lots for fourteen to sixteen months in American and French oak, and then blended. The result is a full-bodied Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon with rich mouthfeel, moderate tannins, and deep color accentuating the taste of black currant, plum, blueberry, and spicy oak. The long and short of this is St. Francis Cab drinks like a $50 cab at 1/3 that price.

Agapito Rico Carchello Monastrell 2005 ($8.79)
This is one of my favorite table reds because of price and because the nose has 15 stone fruits and then the wine explodes in your mouth titilating the palate with blackberry, raspberry, and the stone fruits.

The Gabrielle Collection of Wines Vertex, Just Red 2003 ($13.99)
This red is a proprietary blend of: Cabernet Sauvignon (Lake County), Syrah, Petite Syrah (Lodi), Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley), Merlot, Malbec (Sonoma County). The structure of Cabernet Sauvignon and the deep fruit of Syrah forms the foundation of this supple, lively wine that evolves in the glass. Its juicy aromas and flavors evoke chocolate covered cherries, cassis, and herbs. A fleshy texture delivers richness and presence on the palate. This wine drinks like a $30-40 red and at $13.99 per bottle a half case minimum purchase is required.

Whites

Hess Collection Chardonnay 2004 ($17.99)
Exhibits its signature of proprietary flavors and crisp acidity that originate from the vineyard plantings of a unique blend of seven rootstocks and nine hand selected types of musque chardonnay. This spice rack of chardonnay shows in the aromas of guava, pineapple and orange blossom. Rich and lush, the palate of flavors of pear and vanilla are balanced with nice acidity and evolve through the finish.

Hess Select Chardonnay 2005 ($8.79)
Classic tropical themes of ripe cut pineapple, guava, and lemon zest give the aroma a livley life toward a similiar fl avor profi le of ripe pear, peach, and pineapple on the palate.

Souverain Chardonnay 2005 ($13.99)
The Sonoma County Chardonnay is especially enticing with vibrant aromas of honeysuckle, pear, tropical fruit, citrus notes and toasted almonds. Luscious on the palate, the flavor profile boasts a creamy, round and rich mouthfeel surrounded by flavors of yellow stone fruit, kafir lime and succulent lychee. Flavors of crème brûlée and cinnamon spice on the mid-palate are accentuated by just a hint of smoke. The long, complex finish offers layers of honeycomb and spice as the lingering flavors of pear linger to the end.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc ($7.99)


Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay ($15.19) WS 90 pts
I love this wine, it's like a chardonnay lost in a fog cloud (my apologies for the gay description). The warmth of the Wahluke Slope consistently produces Chardonnays with an appealing tropical fruit character. The Indian Wells Chardonnay is no exception. The wine delivers pineapple and mango aromas with hints of vanilla, caramel and brown sugar spice. This is a luscious Chardonnay with a soft, supple finish.

Dry Dreek Chenin Blanc ($9.59)


Cline Viognier ($10.39)