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Benton Lane Oregon Pinot Noir 2001

Benton Lane is a partnership between Steve Girard (formerly of the Napa Valley Girard Winery) and Carl Doumani (former owner of Stags' Leap Winery who is credited with rebuilding that prestigious property and label). Girard patiently waited for the opportunity to purchase Sunnymount, an 1860-acre South-facing ranch ideally located between Eugene and Corvallis, above the valley fog line, yet below the windy ridge tops. They produce Pinot Noir (126 acres currently), as well as Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris.

Damian North is winemaker, and he uses gentle techniques to coax out the delicate flavors of the grapes. Vineyard management is eco-friendly (for example, they burn weeds rather than using chemicals). While the 2002 "Stamp" label estate-bottled Pinot Noir is currently in release, several cases of the 2001 recently arrived in Nashville. This is a bright berry-filled Pinot Noir, with earth, vanilla, and spice playing supporting roles to the cherry and raspberry flavors and aromas. The palate is nicely tart, well balanced with modest tannins.

The finish is silky smooth and clean, nearly flawless. This evening, I enjoyed this wine with grilled chicken and apple sausages.

The closure is a real cork.

At $17, this is an awesome buy, perfect for enjoying now.

Mount Palomar Temecula Rose 2002

This is a blend of Sangiovese and Syrah, very slightly off-dry (12.9% alcohol), estate-bottled from grapes grown in Temecula, California.

Temecula is between San Bernadino and San Diego, where there are quite warm days and cool nights. This is a refreshing and delicious rose, with aromas and flavors of vanilla and berries, as well as a hint of smokiness. The balance is nearly perfect, with zippy acidity, nice body, and fruit. The finish is clean with a lingering fruit reverb that makes you want another sip. We enjoyed it with a great sandwich: medium-rare marinated grilled flank steak and guacamole on sourdough. The closure is a real cork. A screw cap would be a plus.

At $8 (purchased at the winery), this is a real bargain on the real deal - not a mass produced version.

Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2004

Imported by Negociants USA, this New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from the Wairau and Awatere Valleys. This is a modest seller in the store, with its attractive shellfish-suggestive label. The aromas and flavors could be described as shrill (in a good way), telegraphed by the pale green straw color. In addition to the lime, grapefruit and gooseberry, there is a decidedly cool weather green side, expressing asparagus and fresh picked sweet peas. The finish is balanced and carries on well. The closure is a screw cap.

At $14, this is yet another good buy on a New Zealand white.  If you like unoaked white wines, include it in a mixed case.

Ferrari-Carano Sienna Red 2001

Siena is a "super-Tuscan" type blend, combining Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, plus a small amount of Merlot.

The wine was barrel aged for 14 months and bottle aged 12 months before release. In the glass, the color is transluscent deep crimson. The aromas and flavors are elegant and smooth expressions of ripe cherry fruit and moderate oak. The vanilla and spice complement the juicy red fruit on the palate, and are balanced with a tart acidity. The finish is not overly tannic, but rather smooth, and not overly complex. This is a well made wine that's more subtle than big, and ready to drink now. The closure is a real cork.

We picked up this bottle on sale for about $14 (Nashville), but you might normally pay up to $20. At $14, it represents a very nice value, while at $20, it would be nice but a bit pricey.

Earthquake Lodi Zinfandel 2003

Michael David Vineyards produces this Lodi Appellation Zin.

Lodi seems to be heating up, as serious vineyard management efforts are yielding fruit worthy of making into big new-world wines. Zin makes sense here, as do other warm field blend vines like Petite Sirah and Mourvedre. The color is semi-opaque cranberry. The aromas and flavors are all Zinfandel, all red, black and blue berry, jammy, with peppery spice, oak and sweet tobacco notes. The structure is moderate, ready-to-drink, and the finish is very smooth and fruity, with a slight suggestion of sweetness. The closure is a real cork.

At $25 (Nashville price), this is one to try. Sure, there are Zins which may be as good or better, for the same or lower price tag, but this is a very good example of serious Lodi Zin.

Villa Maria Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2004

Vineyard Brands imports Villa Maria, a wild white from New Zealand.  The color is pale straw.  Here is an excellent tropically styled New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, with steely cool grapefruit, gooseberry, lime, green apple, and green herb/sage flavors, all present but not overwhelming. The palate is vibrant, tart, and unsweet. The finish is cool and clean. We enjoyed it with smoked apple and chicken sausage. The closure is a screw cap. At $14 (Nashville), definitely include one or more bottles in a mixed case of Sauvignon Blanc.

Sincerely Sauvignon Blanc 2004

This was our third bottle of Sincerely, and all three have gone quickly. Vineyard Brands brings us this South African Sauvignon Blanc from the Coastal Region, produced by Neil Ellis Wines. The color is a light straw, and the aromas are lime, pear, gooseberry and sage. The mouthfeel has nice body, and there is plenty of acidity to keep the flavors and finish going. Vivid! The closure is a screw cap. At about $15, this is a good buy on a complex South African white.

Starvedog Lane No Oak Chardonnay 2004

Three Starvedog Lane wines arrived last week. These wines are from Adelaide Hills (South Australia). The Chardonnay 2004 is a pale green straw color. The aromas are restrained essences of pear, apple and nectarine, with a tropical slant. There is an additional citrus edge on the palate. The closure is a screw cap. For $15 (Nashville), this is a very clean refreshing Chardonnay, worthy of including in a mixed case of white wines.

The Black Chook Shiraz Viognier 2004

Epicurean imports this attractive looking and sounding bottle of Australian, which they describe as the "bigger sibling" of Woop Woop.

The blend is 94% Shiraz and 6% Viognier, from Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale. The color is a wow-bright grapey crimson. The wine opened up quickly to be complex, balanced, and layered with aromas of blueberry, vanilla, oak, chocolate, and a bit of smoke, black pepper, gravel, and honeysuckle (from the Viognier). The palate is tart, juicy, peppery/spicy, not sweet. The finish is vibrant, structured, but polished and lasting. The closure is a screw cap.  That's a lot of good to say about a $17 wine (Nashville), so include it in a mixed case of everyday reds.

Marc Kreydenweiss Andlau Riesling Alsace 2002

This wine was cultivated using strict biodynamic principles, and Estate bottled in Alsace, the cool appellation on the border of France and Germany.

Alsace is known for complex, dry, aromatic white wines. The color is pale gold, and the aromas and flavors include fresh apricot, honey, mineral, cold fruit blossoms, and orange peel. Dry, with nice body, tart acidity complements the aromatics. The finish reverberates. The closure is a genuine cork. A screw cap would be a plus. At $20 (Nashville), this is a very highly recommended French White to enjoy at least occasionally. If you haven't been to Alsace lately (I sure haven't), here is a good substitute.

Bruce Sanderson of Wine Spectator rated it 92 points in the 6-15-05 issue.