Spinach Stuffed Shells With Vodka Sauce(nothing like the catered mess you are used to) – Episode 117

• 2005 Bodegas Diaz Bayo Ribera del Duero Nuestro - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero (8/15/2010)
  very dark in color was a little shocked for some reason - nose attacked with some big blackberry jam and whiff of the 14.5% comes through with a touch of vanilla- The fruit attacks up front and would make you think this is a much younger wine. Great dark fruit - feel to thrown anyone in the description cause they are there. what seperates this from just being a fruit bomb is that it has secondary flavors baking spice and shaved pencil and the oak while present is not overbearing.

  There is a bit of a bitterness on the finish and agree this is not a great wine to pair with food in general but I think some smoky bbq or chipotle pork dish at $18 I would re-buy this (90 pts.)

• 2007 Mockingbird Hill Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/12/2010)
  very nice cabernet for under $15 - what makes this nice is that the fruit shines through - the nose is a big blueberry pie with a hint of alcohol followed by a beautiful up front fruit attack of cherry with a little pomegranite the mid range of this wine lacks depth and character and the finish rounds out with some tart cassis- what is surprising is that the finish with its in check oak actually lasts a while-going to save some and see if the mid pal rounds out later- nice wine that I would rebuy (87 pts.)

N.V. Ca' Furlan Cuvée Béatrice - Italy, Veneto (7/25/2010)
Really enjoyed this prosecco - color was a light straw color and the nose had some refreshing floral notes and almost a pineapple hint on the nose- I would call the a champagne drinkers prosecco in that is very low on the sweetness scale. This wines starts to change a lot as it warms up and you almost get some of the tropical flavors you would find in a Sauvignon Blanc -nice acidity on the finish- Have had 3 bottles so far and will be getting more for $10 this is a no brainer- Oh and it has a champagne type closure so you do not need a corkscrew like other prosecco's (89 pts.)


2009 Bodegas Ateca / Zabrin Calatayud Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines - Spain, Aragón, Calatayud (7/25/2010)
Another Jorge Ordonez wine that delivers in the sub $10 range- forget sub $10 paid $6.39 for it- I mean come on that is an outright steal - this wine checks in with somenice cherry/rasberry and a hint of the alcohol comes through - there is a pleasant easy drinking nature to this wine that we really enjoyed- the brightness of the fruit was met with a little backbone and its youth is clear on the finish which can show a touch of the 14.5% alcohol. This is a go to wine when you are looking at a Dolcetto or a beaujolais heck if you are a California bright fruit pinot noir drinker and can not find something under $20 to fit you needs for a daily - give this a whirl it may do well for you (86 pts.)


2008 X Winery White X - USA, California, North Coast (7/3/2010)
was very discouraged about the light color of this wine but this really came through with much more flavor than I thought- seems like the extra 4 months in bottle since others have reviewed it have allowed this wine to come together more- I honestly can not see anyone not enjoying this wine- from a wine geek to a novice- I will post my detailed notes a little later but this is a perfect summer party wine for $12 (88 pts.)








2008 Alexander Valley Vineyards Zinfandel Redemption - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/3/2010)
only had one glass of this and it was very nice - some blueberry/plumb on the nose with a touch of spice- dark berry carried through on the taste and this is some nice cracked pepper notes- a little thin before the finish but that may have rounded out as it breathed a little more- very characteristic of Alexander Valley Vineyards with very vineyard driven wines- light touch by the winemaker- for $16-$17 will try another- (88 pts.)


2003 Toad Hollow Pinot Noir Eye of the Toad - USA, California, Sonoma County (7/20/2010)
Toad Hollow is a great spot to stop in at their tasting room in Healdsburg - fun wines and very easy going staff. Sadly this wine was past its prime - was not aweful but just not very interesting- nose was a little bit of floral and the taste was some muted strawberry- current score is not reflective of what this wine once was- Had a few bottles of this over the years and it was an easy drinking, food friendly wine which checked in at 11.5% alcohol - a once fine Rose' (84 pts.)


2007 Buehler Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/3/2010)
dark fruits on the nose backed by a Hi-C brightness felt like I got a whiff of the alcohol on the nose also- but very vibrant nose- FYI this was in decanter fo 1 hour- taste carried through with the dark cherry, pipe tobacco and a little caramel- oak is clearly present but in balance - the only thing is the alcohol on this wine is way to noticeable on the finish at this point- and that rarely bothers me- the finish is the only thing keeping this from a 90 point wine for me as the fruit is very nice-I think this wine would pair very well with some gorgonzole or blue cheeses - At $20-$22 I would try this again for sure- (88 pts.)




2006 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (6/17/2010)
a 375 enjoyed with the wife so only could review based on 1 glass - went very will with grilled pizza-prosciutto topped- really an ideal wine in 375 format some nice cherry on the nose and a little with a hint of cocoa - carried a little earthyness and cherry with a touch of pencil shaving- enjoyed this an was really at 88 but the last few sips it seemed to be opening up a little more-have more bottles and will give some more air time- great food wine (89 pts.)


2006 Marietta Cellars Petite Sirah Alexander Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (7/9/2010)
very dark wine - over ripe plum and blue berry on the nose- enjoyed the fruit of this wine though at times it felt a bit to the Hi-C side had a solid midpallet with a little baking spice mixed- solid tanin - For the price I would try another bottle of this I just felt this bottle was a little to "jammy" to me. This was in the decantor for 45 minutes- If the fruit mellowed this really could become a stellar bottle- next botle will tell if I buy a few to put away-I think many who enjoy big fruit wines will like this a lot- (88 pts.)