Cose di Lusso

REDS

2007 Ventisquero Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, Colchagua, Chile 

$14 regular, $12 on sale a bottle, $10.80 in a case of 12

A Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon without the intense earthiness and green pepper nose, that some of us do not appreciate. Just straight forward Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, with some hints of the spices and depth of 15% Syrah. Red and dark fruit flavors mixed with nice vanilla and cocoa tones from barrel aging lead to a medium long finish with soft tannins.

2007 Laurel Glen Reds, Lodi, California, USA 

$11 a bottle, $9.90 in a case of 12

Laurel Glen is one of these small family-owned wineries that is never in the limelight, but has produced consistently great wine year in and year out. The blend of Zinfandel, Carignane and Petite Syrah is a large-scaled and graceful wine that matches beautifully with full flavored foods.

2005 Vigouroux Pigmentum Malbec, Cahors, France

$12 regular, $10 on sale a bottle, $9 in a case of 12

So, the French can sometimes overcome tradition and adjust to changing market interest. Before Argentina made Malbec so popular in the U.S., it was a grape that was almost forgotten. The region in France that was making pure Malbec wines was Cahors to the South of Bordeaux. The wines were called the Black Wines for their dark color and strong tannins. Cahors still makes these monster wines that need long aging, but this producer makes an approachable wine, that rewards the consumer with great dark fruit and soft tannins.

2008 Bodega Norton Malbec Lo Tengo, Mendoza, Argentina 

$15 regular, $12 on sale a bottle, $10.80 in a case of 12

And here is the wine that made the previous one possible. A typical easy drinking Argentinean Malbec. Intense ruby-red color with purple hues. Aromas of fresh fruit, cinnamon and cherries. Velvety on the palate, very attractive with a lengthy finish.

2005 Capcanes Mas Donis Barrica, Montsant, Spain

$15 regular, $11 on sale a bottle, $9.90 in a case of 12

This blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah has been a staple at the original price and has just been reduced. It offers dark berry on the palate with some cedar and spice box notes. A complex, yet easy drinking wine that would be great with any grilled meats or hearty cheeses.

2006 Sierra Cantabria Rioja, Spain 

$13 regular, $12 on sale a bottle, $10.80 in a case of 12

Well, risking to steal a little bit of the thunder of our upcoming Rioja regional tasting event in our "Terroir Tuesdays" series, this wine ended up in the top six with many much more expensive wines.

A typical youthful Rioja with dark cherries and strawberries on the palate as well as subtle spices and no obvious tannins.

WHITES

2008 Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc, Chile 

$13 regular, $10 on sale a bottle, $9 in a case of 12

It is great to see when newer wine regions come into their own and produce distinct representations of their respective terroirs and don't try to mimic another region. This wine delivers a champion's blast of green apple and citrus aromas. The palate is lively as can be, and it houses fine but also defined lemon and lime flavors.

NEXT WEEK ARRIVAL!!

2008 Babich Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 

$15 regular, $12 on sale a bottle, $10.80 in a case of 12

Again, this is no Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, but rather made in a typical New Zealand style. It is aromatic, crisp, dry and zingy, with strong, ripe limey, slightly minerally flavors, showing good vibrancy of tropical and citrus fruit.

2007 Burgans Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain 

$14 regular, $13 on sale a bottle, $11.70 in a case of 12

This entry-level Albariño has been a favorite of both Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc lovers alike, because it combines the lightness in flavors with a little more weight. This wine is a firm, juicy white wine with notes of pear, ripe lemon and melon. The palate is long and well balanced.

Excellent seafood wine.

2007 Corte alla Flora Giuggiolo Bianco, Toscana, Italy 

$15 regular, $12 on sale a bottle, $10.80 in a case of 12

One of our best selling white wines, this blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Incrocio Manzoni combines its grapes flavors in a great way. Fresh and fruity on the nose with notes of citrus, lemon and grapefruit. Aromatic, persistent with great balance.

NEXT WEEK ARRIVAL!!

2007 Nugan Estate Chardonnay, South Eastern Australia 

$15 regular, $12 on sale a bottle, $10.80 in a case of 12

Nugan Estate is still family-owned and operated, but also one of the larger wineries in Australia. This wine is your more or less typical New World oaked Chardonnay at a great price only possible with a larger operation like this. Rich, toasty aromas of canned peach and melon with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanillin spice nuances. On the palate, complex flavors of ripe peaches and cream, layered with allspice.

2007 Weingut Krayer Riesling Winkeler Gutenberg, Rheingau, Germany 

$13 a bottle, $11.70 in a case of 12

Well, you can say what you want, but there is nothing like a well made German Riesling with spicy and/or salty food like Thai. Weingut Krayer is a very small producer in the Rheingau region making an off-dry (halbtrocken) style that will appeal to both drier and sweeter style white wine lovers.

Some newer wine regions are starting to make good Rieslings, but at this price I'd go back home to Germany any time.