Featured Wines - December 2010

The 2006 Grand Tinel Cuvée Alexis Establet is a remarkable offering from a unique sector of Châteauneuf-du-Pape called Gardiole. Gardiole is known for its special terroir from which powerful wines of sophistication and great hedonistic appeal flow. Consequently, the 2006 Domaine du Grand Tinel Cuvée Alexis Establet is predictably deep in color and highly aromatic.

While many boutique California Chardonnays seem built to shock and awe rather than ingratiate, such is not the case with Anaba. The 2008 Anaba begs for a second and even a third seductive glass – with or without food.

The deeply colored, well-bred 2006 Guelbenzu Evo displays a wealth of aromatic fireworks along with a lingering array of flavors. Reminiscent of classified Bordeaux, the aroma of rich ripe Cabernet Sauvignon is the first scent to dazzle the nose, but hardly the last.

The 2008 Hope Estate Chardonnay provides an invigorating, balanced wine with excellent fruit, a creamy texture, and delicate complex tones. In both aroma and flavor, this Chardonnay remains distinctive and totally natural, right down to its refreshingly dry finish.

Deeply colored, clean, flavorful, and surprisingly well-structured, the 2007 Terra d’Oro Zinfandel offers a beguiling bouquet and a palate pleasing portfolio of lush berry fruit, black pepper, bramble, and sandalwood. Long and lovely in the mid palate, too, the Terra d’Oro Zinfandel provides more flavor and subtlety than one is accustomed to finding from most other producers.

Soft, savory scents of wildflowers and dried honey emanate from the sun kissed 2009 Palazzone Terre Vineate. Soft and seductive it carries the intoxicating scents of spring in every draught of its delightful bouquet.

Casa Silva’s 2008 Reserva Carmenère is just one more feather in the cap of master winemaker Mario Geise, who has been rightly dubbed the “King of Carmenère.” A deep purple with ruby highlights, this latest release from Casa Silva is a feast for the nose as well as the palate.