Monday, October 5, 2009

Best Wine Values: Third Quarter of 2009

What are the best wine values - and thus best bargains for the THIRD quarter of 2009? See how we select best value wines in this earlier article. We can't predict the type of wine you'll enjoy most. But choose one from one of these and you'll know you're getting great value. Number of stars represents quality level; number of dollar signs represents price level.

Click here to see the best wine values from the FIRST quarter of 2009, and here for the SECOND quarter of 2009. Many of these wines remain available at retailers too.

Cheers!

***+ $ Barefoot Zinfandel, NV, Lodi, CA - Wine Review and Rating

Find Barefoot Zinfandel at WineZap.

*** $ Kaiken Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007, Mendoza, Argentina - Wine Review and Rating

Find Kaiken Cabernet Sauvignon at WineZap.

***+ $ Patrick Lesec Bouquet Cotes du Rhone, 2005, France - Wine Review and Rating

Find Lesec Bouquet Cotes du Rhone at WineZap.

***+ $ Mazzone Immensus Malvasia, 2007, Puglia, Italy - Wine Review and Rating

Find Immensus at WineZap.

*** $ Anura Legato Private Cellar, 2005, Simonsberg Paarl, South Africa - Wine Review and Rating

Find Anura Legato at WineZap.

*** $ The Yellow Cellar Pinotage, 2007, Coastal Region, South Africa - Wine Review and Rating

Find Yellow Cellar Pinotage at WineZap.

*** $ The Yellow Cellar Shiraz, 2006, Coastal Region, South Africa - Wine Review and Rating

Find The Yellow Cellar Shiraz at WineZap.

*** $ Finca La Linda Tempranillo, 2007, Mendoza, Argentina - Wine Review and Rating

Find La Linda Tempranillo at WineZap.

*** $ Clos du Bois Shiraz, 2002, Sonoma County, CA - Wine Review and Rating

Find Clos du Bois Shiraz at WineZap.

***+ $ Castillo Real Monastrell, 2006, Bullas, Spain - Wine Review and Rating

Find Castillo Real Monastrell at WineZap.

***+ $ Dr. Loosen Bros. Riesling, 2008, Mosel, Germany

Find Dr. Loosen Riesling at WineZap.

**** $ Dr. Loosen Bros. Riesling, 2007, Mosel, Germany - Wine Review and Rating

Find Dr. Loosen Riesling at WineZap.

***+ $ Fritz Windisch Niersteiner Kirchplatte Kerner Auslese Riesling, 2006, Rheinhessen, Germany - Review and Rating

Find Fritz Windisch Niersteiner at WineZap.

***+ $ Quinta dos Aciprestes Red Wine (Tino), 2005, Douro, Portugal - Review and Rating

Find Quinta dos Aciprestes at WineZap.

*** $ Chateau Perron Madiran, 2004, Madiran, France - Review and Rating

Find Chateau Perron Madiran at WineZap.

***+ $ Domaine de la Chesnay Cotes du Rhone, 2007, France - Review and Rating

Find Domaine de la Chesnay at WineZap.

**** $ Cerejeiras Tinto (Red Wine), 2007, Vinho Regional Estremadura, Portugal - Review and Rating

Find Cerejeiras at WineZap.


Sunday, October 4, 2009

**** $$ Cameron Hughes Lot 94 Oak Knoll Merlot, 2006, Napa Valley, CA - Wine Review and Rating

By way of background: Cameron Hughes Lot 94 is 100% merlot hailing from the 40-year-old vines in the new Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, just south of Yountville. It is the coolest climate in Napa next to Carneros. Aged in about 1/3 new French oak, CH Lot 94 sports 14.6% alcohol.

In the glass: This is deep, dusty red, even through the middle of the glass

On the nose: This Oak Knoll merlot shows a bold, red, solid aroma, carrying very ripe red berries, helium and a specific note of strawberry aloft.

On the palate: A perfumed, mid-mouth sense of playful, balanced fruit is the first note. Very intriguing and memorable. It is followed by luscious, even fruit that spreads across your tongue and palate, and slowly, very slowly, creeps into the upper reaches of your jaw. It may be raspberry, or strawberry, but without the acids and with a concentrated gentle sweetness. Awesome balance.

And the finish: Goes and goes and goes. The flavors continue to creep and creep. Tannins are gentle, but noticeable; with the acids they leave the rosy red flavors to linger for the longest time.

In summary: Unique, pleasant, balanced, gently intense experience. Four stars on the Spirit of Wine scale, and a full-fledged best value.

Find Cameron Hughes lots at WineZap.