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Tangley Oaks Napa Lot 7 Merlot 2003

Forgive me, but if Jesus turned water into wine, I'm thinking he may have produced a really good second label like Tangley Oaks Lot 7 Merlot (2003) from Rutherford Hill. After all, Jesus was making wine for a large group (a marriage), he didn't have a lot of cash in hand, and who did he need to impress with a fancy first label? And as everyone down south knows, Jesus saves. Seriously, here is a great example of how to get a gorgeous quaffable for minutiae of crowns.

Tangley Oaks is the name of the gracious English manor home originally built for the meat packing Armour family 90 years ago. The Terlato family owns it now and it is the centerpiece of the family's Rutherford Hill Wine Estate. The same name appears on this Merlot that costs some $10 less than the winery's first label juice of very similar quality.

Outstanding value ($15). Closure: Real cork. Alcohol content: 14.2%.

Style: Fruit forward, moderate oak spice, some complexity, polished tannins.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Deep ruby. Aromas: Nice sweet oak spice overlays cherry berry lushness and hints of expresso and tea. The ripe fruit is round and bountiful, well balanced with the oak and tartness, and the tannins are smooth and polished. The finish begs another sip.

Comment: Think of it as an awesome glass of Napa rather than a glass of Merlot and you'll see the true value inherent in the bottle. "Lord Jesus this is good!".

Wishing Tree Western Australia Shiraz 2005

In the spirit of the Wishing Tree, I wish I had more time this Summer to share wine experiences here on Winewaves. To say I've been in a time crunch is an understatement. Because I've had to cut back, the wines that I do mention are the real deal, the ones that stand out. Expect lots of bang for the buck with Wishing Tree Shiraz 2005. It's tailor made for a real hickory grilled burger and a slab of homegrown Cherokee Purple tomato.

Outstanding value ($10). Closure: Screw cap. Alcohol content: 14.5%.

Style: Lush, fruit forward, with some oak spice.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Deep purple eggplant, translucent. Aromas: The full spectrum of berry from red to black is there, and that definitely includes blueberry. There's also some rustic cassia spice, like a cross between cinnamon and aromatic bark. Some pepper displays on the tongue along with moderate tannic structure. The result is satisfying, smooth, dry, and the lush fruit carries from start to finish.

As you can see, I've been busy growing some fine looking heirloom tomatoes. The vines are literally out of control and the Brandywines are sensational, not to mention the Cherokee Purple and Amish Paste.

Hook & Ladder Tillerman Russian River White 2005

Some of you will be trying to guess the blend; others will just relish in the discovery of such a great affordable alternative white wine with a delicious personality. It's not sweet at all but neither does it turn your mouth inside out on the way to its refreshing finish.

Cecil DeLoach made 2400 cases of Hook & Ladder Tillerman White 2005, which I'm guessing includes Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc. The processing definitely didn't include any oak.

Excellent value ($14). Closure: Real cork. Alcohol content: 13.8%.

Style: Unoaked, crisp, dry, somewhat tropical and very refreshing.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Light golden straw. Aromas: Apricot, peach, grass and hints of pineapple. On the tongue, the feeling is tart, dry and light-to-medium bodied. The fruit forward palate carries through the aromas with nice acidity leading to a refreshing finish.

Comment: A great wine for a wine aficionado and his mother on vacation at her house in Holden Beach, North Carolina (view pictured above). I can say it was great with some very fresh grouper and field fresh vegetables.

Winewaves reviewed Hook & Ladder Gewurztraminer in April, 2007.