Fat bastard - 2008 Rosé

With summer here a couple of things come to mind, Yankee Baseball and drinking lots of Rosé. The two happen to go well together. There are several Rosés which have become standards for me year after year. The Rosato from Swanson Vineyards is one of these. However every summer I keep an eye out for selections I haven’t tried. Today I’ll look at the one from Fat bastard.

The Fat bastard 2008 Rosé is made from fruit sourced in Languedoc, This offering is an even split of Grenache and Shiraz. The wine most often sells for just under $10.

This 2008 Rosé has a lovely pink hue, perhaps a bit darker than the average French offering in the category. The nose offers an enticing mix of strawberries, cherries, white pepper and a hint of sugar. Watermelon is the most dominant component through the palate. While this wine isn’t really sweet it reminded me of Jolly Ranchers. Raspberries and dark cherries join the watermelon flavors in supporting roles. The finish is crisp and refreshing, beckoning you back for another sip. This Rosé has excellent acidity and will pair well with the casual foods associated with summer. I paired it with Hot Dogs slathered in onions and a side of Pasta Salad; an excellent and laid back summer match.

The refreshing and fruity nature of this Rosé is what stands out most. It’s noteworthy to add that while I often drink Rosés ice cold this one was better a couple of degrees warmer. That still chilled, but slightly warmer temperature allowed several additional layers of flavor to emerge.

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Michael David - Sixth Sense Syrah

Today I’ll look at the third wine in a row from Michael David. The majority of the wines they make are produced from Lodi fruit. They’re clearly proud of their Lodi heritage, brandishing their appellation on their front or back labels. And it seems like a mutually beneficial situation. The wide availability of their wines has likely made many more people aware of their region than would have known about it otherwise. By and large their offerings are also excellent examples of the bold and sumptuous wines that Lodi fruit often produces. Today I’ll look at one of their Syrahs. The 2006 Sixth Sense Syrah has small amounts of Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. The name of this wine comes from a nickname for the Phillips Grandpa Don. He’s known to have a knack for predicting certain things; This Syrah was aged in French oak for 18 months. The suggested retail price is $17.

Plum, blackberry and kirsch liqueur notes are prominent in the demonstrative nose of this wine. The palate is laden with rich, opulent ripe fruit flavors. While other berry notes are apparent, cherry is the star of the show. Imagine fresh cherry pie with a chocolate graham cracker crust, that’s what the middle of this wine reminds me of. Black pepper plays a role but doesn’t fully emerge until the finish which also shows earth and a touch of bramble.

What I like most about this wine is what strikes me about the Michael David Wines in general. That is, it’s an unabashed expression of big fruit and lavish flavors; still and all though these wines are not over the top. Not every big and boisterous wine is a good one. This Syrah from Michael David is an example of one that is.

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Wyndham Estate - 2006 Bin 505 Shiraz Rosé

With Spring here and summer coming down the tracks, my thoughts go to Rosé. There is something about drinking dry Rosé in the summer, that simply can't be replicated the rest of the year. At this time of year I tend to taste through quite a few examples so I can find the Rosé I plan to lean on that coming summer. Of course I have my standbys, but each passing year there is thankfully more and more Rosé on US shelves. I try to find one I haven't had before to enjoy going forward. Today I'll look at an example from down under. The 2006 Wyndham Estate Bin 505 Shiraz Rosé was sourced from several regions in the South Eastern part of Australia. This wine is all Shiraz. The suggested retail price for this wine is $10.

This Rosé has a gorgeous strawberry hue that shimmers beautifully in your glass. Raspberry, vanilla and wild strawberry notes emerge in the nose. Throughout the palate there is an abundance of bing and black cherry characteristics. The finish has continued cherry this time with a sour tinge. Terrific acidity keeps this wine well balanced and refreshing. This offering will pair well with lighter, warm weather foods. It also drinks nicely on its own and would be a good choice as a welcome wine at your first outdoor event this year.

What I like best about this Rosé is that it hits the characteristics I'm looking for, in a modestly priced package. It's refreshing, provides  terrific fruit flavors, will be a good match with food and reminds me of fun. At this price it won't break the bank either. Definitely a contender for my Summer 2009 Rosé of choice.

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Ravenswood - 3 Sonoma County Wines

Intent is something that I always consider when tasting wine. What was the producer looking to do when they created the offerings in question? All wines are certainly not created equally and they should be looked at through the lens of their purpose. With that said today I'm looking at three releases from Ravensood in Sonoma. They're best known for Zinfandel of course. The bevy of selections they offer in that category ranges from single vineyard offerings to selections made from fruit sourced state wide. The selections I'm covering today are part of their County series. First up is the 2006 Sonoma County Chardonnay. This wine is 97% Chardonnay and 3% Muscat. It was aged for 12 months in French oak, 40% of it was new. 25,000 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $15.

The nose of this Chardonnay is quite expressive, showing pineapple, vanilla, hazelnut and hints of spice.The palate is loaded with apple and pear notes along with an underlying touch of citrus peel. The finish features apple pie crust notes, lots of nutmeg, clove, allspice and a touch of creamy butter and toast. This is a clean, crisp wine with good acidity and nice balance. It shows fine varietal character and is well proportioned.

The 2006 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon is 95% varietal, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot. This offering spent 22 months in French oak, 30% of it new. 14,000 cases of this Cabernet were produced and the suggested retail price is $15.

A touch of eucalyptus and cassis underscore a nose filled with rich berry fruit aromas. The palate is filled with a solid core of many of those same berry fruit elements. Black and red cherry notes dominate and are accompanied by vanilla spice notes. Copious black tea, earth, bramble, allspice, and star anise emerge and star in the finish which is more than lengthy enough for the price range of this wine. This wine has firm but approachable tannins and good acidity.

The last wine today is the 2005 Sonoma County Syrah. This wine is 87% Syrah, 5% Grenache, 5% Carignane, and 3% Viognier. The wine spent between 20 and 24 months in French oak, 30% of it new. 11,000 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $15.

Plum and boysenberry notes dominate the nose of this Syrah along with lighter but present cedar and vanilla notes. Berry fruit is accompanied by black tea, white pepper  and dusty baker's chocolate throughout the palate. Bramble, continued berry fruit along with earth and spice notes make up a lingering finish. This wine has more in common style-wise with the of world Syrah than most new world Syrah.

What I like about these three wines from Ravenswood is that they each provide good varietal character as well as balance and proportion. They're well made wines that sell for a reasonable price. While the suggested retail price for each of these is $15, they are often available for closer to $11. For that price these are fine for everyday drinking. The Cabernet Sauvignon seems to have the legs for some aging. It should improve in the short term and drink well for at least 5 or 6 years after that. A pretty good achievement for an everyday, widely available wine.

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Lionheart Wines - 2005 Mendocino Syrah

The number of noteworthy wines emerging from or made from fruit sourced in Mendocino has been rising. The cooler climate there, relative to large portions of other parts of California really lends itself to certain varietals and styles. The second wine I'm looking at from Lionheart Wines is a Mendocino sourced Syrah. The Lionheart Wines 2005 Syrah was sourced at the Eaglepoint Ranch in Mendocino. This offering is 95% Syrah and the balance Grenache. A tiny 25 cases of this wine were produced and it sells for $35.

Candied plum and leather notes fill the nose of this Syrah. The palate is loaded with rich, dark berry fruit flavors. Alongside those, black pepper, licorice, anise and a touch of bacon fat make their presence known as the layers of this wine emerge. Chocolate covered cherry characteristics come out towards the back of the wine and lead to finish that is filled with earth, blackberry, vanilla, white pepper, allspice and residual bacon fat notes.

What I like best about this wine is that it reminds me more of an old world Rhone style Syrah than it does the average California Syrah. A large part of the reason for that is the excellent acidity and great balance this wine has. As with the White Rhone style blend I looked at from Lionheaert, this Syrah wants to be paired with food. I had it with Pot Roast and found that to be an excellent match. Other red meats would also pair nicely as would stinky and/or well aged cheeses. Another teriffic effort from Lionheart Wines.

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Renard - 2002 & 2003 Dry Creek Syrah

While the first wine I looked at from Renard was Grenache, their calling card is Syrah. They make some other Rhone varietals as well. They source their Syrah from several sources. The two wines I'm going to look at today are consecutive vintages they source at Unti Vineyard. In addition to being a grower, Unti is also a producer of fine Dry Creek Valley wines. The 2003 Renard, Unti Vineyard Syrah is their current release of this offering. 157 cases of this wine were produced in addition to 100 cases of ½ size bottles. The respective retail prices are $25 and $14.

I found that an hour in the decanter was the right amount of time for the 2003 Syrah to really open up and express itself. Once it was open aromas of blueberry, leather, tobacco and light anise filled the nose. A solid core of rich berry fruit is persistent throughout the palate along with nutmeg and white pepper spice notes. Sour black cherry, notes lead the finish followed by earth, bramble, black pepper and classic elements of Dry Creek dust.

The 2002 Renard Syrah I tasted was from half bottles. Just something to note as wine tends to age a bit differently depending on the bottle size. I found the 2002 was pretty much ready to go out of the bottle. It opened up a bit more over time but not as dramatically as the 2003. Candied plum, cedar, violets and anise were present in the nose. The palate was loaded with crushed cherry and to a lesser degree leather characteristics. The nose of the 2002 speaks a bit more of new world Syrah than the 2003, however the palate is definitely old world. Blueberries and licorice notes are present in the mid-palate leading to a finish of prominent earth, mineral and black pepper. The 2002 is perfectly ready to drink now.

What I like best about the Renard Syrahs is that they are both well balanced offering featuring fine acidity and a solid core of rich fruit. As with the Grenache they're perfectly suited for a wide array of foods. While Renard is a smaller producer you won't necessarily find on your local shelf, they are well worth seeking out if you like well crafted Rhone varietals. These 2 consecutive vintages are a good example of the consistency of their offerings.

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Valentin Bianchi - 2007 Elsa Syrah

I've looked at quite a few wines from Valentin Bianchi over the last year. This Argentine Winery makes offerings in many price categories. Today I'll look at their Syrah. The 2007 Valentin Bianchi Elsa Syrah is 100% varietal. There was some minimal oak aging, however the goal was to keep fresh fruit at the forefront. 3,000 cases of this wine were imported and the suggested retain price is $8.99.

Cherry pie notes underscored by vanilla and light nutmeg burst from the nose of this Syrah. Throughout the palate cherry continues to dominate along with some darker fruit notes in the form of plum. The finish adds a subtle layer of earth and a good amount of black pepper. This wine has good acidity and a light tannic structure. Hearty meats, mushroom based dishes and strong cheeses will be fine matches for this wine.

For less than $9 this wine offers good varietal character, nice balance and enough elements to keep things interesting. An offering to open on one of the nights you don't want to break the bank, but you do want a decent glass of wine. Another solid and affordable offering from Valentin Bianchi.

Imported by Quintessential Wines

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Volteo - 2006 Tempranillo/Shiraz

When it comes to Spanish wines, Tempranillo is naturally the first grape varietal I think of. In addition to being the primary grape used in Rioja, perhaps Spain's best known region, it's used all over the country in a variety of different wines. Often times other varietals typical to Spain are blended in. Today I'm looking at a wine from the La Mancha region with more than a dollop of another varietal. The 2006 Volteo Tempranillo/Shiraz from Bodegas Rozam is 60% Tempranillo and the balance Shiraz. This wine has a modest alcohol level of 13.5, typical of European wines. This offering is finished with a synthetic cork closure and the suggested retail price is under $15.

Cherry jam along with vanilla fills the nose of this wine. The palate is medium bodied with both back and sour cherry notes intermingling throughout. Some bright raspberry notes emerge in the mid-palate. The finish brings out mocha, clove, mineral and earth notes. This wine has good acidity and nice balance. It'll match paella, roast chicken or a dish of pasta quite well.

The combination of Tempranillo and Shiraz in this wine works very well in my opinion. Each varietal brings distinct elements to the party. For the approximately $10 this wine can commonly be found for it's a nice everyday selection.

Imported by Quintessential Wines

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Lang Wines - 2005 Amador County Syrah

A couple of months back I looked at a Zinfandel from Lang Wines. It impressed me and was a standout during the 12 Days of Zin. With that in mind I was looking forward to tasting some of their other selections. Barbera, Syrah & Sauvignon Blanc are the other offerings they make. All together their production is around 1,500 cases. They're more of a grower and actually started producing wine as a way to show potential clients, the quality that could be produced using their grapes. Today I'm going to look at their current Syrah release. The Lang Wines 2005 Syrah is made from Amador County fruit. Purchases through their website are setup by the case. At $198 per case it works out to $16.50 per bottle.

Observing it in the glass, the Lang Syrah is a gorgeous cherry red hue. Strawberries and cream notes burst out of this wines nose. The palate is loaded with sweet berry fruit and accompanying spice notes. The finish features sour cherry, leather, tobacco, mineral, spice and earth in addition to substantial bakers chocolate notes. This is a great wine to drink on its own. It offers plenty of complexity and intensity to make a very interesting wine to simply sit and contemplate. That said it'll match well with a variety of foods, grilled meats in particular.

What I like best about the 2005 Lang Syrah is the stylistic line it straddles. The nose is big, bold and somewhat jammy bringing to mind Aussie Shiraz. Throughout the palate though, it more closely resembles a Syrah from the Rhone. A terrific wine and one of the more memorable examples of Syrah I've tried of late.

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Sonoma Vineyards - 2007 Sonoma County Syrah

Sonoma Vineyards is owned by Tom Klein, who along with his family also owns Rodney Strong Vineyards. The wines under this label are Sonoma designated and aimed at the folks who are starting to discover their passion for wine to the point that their palate has graduated to varietal wines. In addition to the Syrah I'm looking at today, they produce Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and an un-oaked Chardonnay. The 2007 fruit for the Sonoma Vineyards Syrah was primarily sourced from Russian River Valley and Alexander Valley. It was barrel aged in a combination of French and American oak for 8 months. The suggested retail price for this selection is $15 and it's finished with a screw top.

Dark plum is the most prominent characteristic of this wines nose. The palate is loaded with dark berry, plum and currant notes. Black cherry emerges on the mid-palate and lingers throughout. Spice, mocha, tobacco and leather notes emerge on the finish followed by a touch of sour cherry that provides the very last note. This wine is solidly built with good balance. It drinks nicely on it's own and will pair with an array of foods.

There's a sea of mediocre wine out there in the $15 and under price range. Finding the bargains is always fun. The Sonoma Vineyards Syrah is a solid little wine that provides good varietal character, a fair amount of complexity and a good finish in its price point. This wine is built to drink now. It seems the intent of this offering is to provide solid everyday drinking for a reasonable price. Sonoma Vineyards has achieved that goal.

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Xumek - 2007 Syrah

Readers of this blog will note that I have an affinity for South American Wines. I'm particularly fascinated by those coming out of Argentina. The good ones find a crossroads between quality and value that rivals just about any wine region in the world. I'm going to look at two releases from Xumek.  Their focus is on estate grown, single vineyard wines with limited production. The first offering I'll examine is their Syrah. Famed winemaker Michael Rolland is involved with Xumek as an external consultant. The 2007 Xumek Syrah is 100% varietal and all Estate grown fruit. Production is limited to 2,500 cases and the suggested retail price is $18. Looking at wine-searcher though it can be found for $15.

The nose of the Xumek Syrah abounds in blackberry, vanilla and cedar notes. The first sip reveals rich, decadent chocolate covered blackberry flavors. White pepper, nutmeg, cloves and the like fill the mid-palate of this wine along with deep dark berry fruit. The finish brings out earthiness and smoke in abundance along with additional mocha notes.

Decanting this wine for an hour is recommended. The time allows this Syrah to open up wide and achieve an additional level of expression. The Xumek Syrah has a good tannic structure and well integrated oak. This wine should evolve for 3 to 5 years and drink well for a couple more after that. A teriffic expression of Syrah well worth it's price.

Imported by H & S Specialty Imports.

Up Next: Xumek Malbec.

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Thornton Winery - 2005 Temecula Valley Syrah

Temecula has officially been a designated viticultural area since 1984. For most of those years Thornton Winery has been producing wine there. In addition to the 20 acres Thornton Winery itself sits on they also source some grapes from other specific parcels throughout California. The second wine from Thornton I'm looking at is a Syrah. The Thornton Winery Temecula Valley Syrah has a suggested retail price of $24.  As with the Merlot, the alcohol level is under 14%, modest for California.

This Syrah opens with a big nose of bright berry fruit. Rhubarb, black cherry, assorted dark berry fruits and black pepper emerge immediately upon tasting this wine and carry well through the mid-palate. Well integrated oak presents itself in the form of cedar and vanilla notes throughout the palate of the wine. The finish features mocha, earth, white pepper, nutmeg and a light chicory note. The Thornton Syrah will be an excellent match for grilled meats.

What stood out to me about this wine is that it features upfront fruit that references an Australian Shiraz but also maintains the balance, earthiness and finesse of some fine Rhone offerings.

While this release is drinking tremendously well now, it's likely to at least hold where it is for several years. This is an excellent Syrah that offers good value in its price category.

Up Next: An Amador County Zinfandel from Thornton Winery.

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Sebeka - 2006 Shiraz-Pinotage "Cape Blend"

Sebeka Wines is a South African brand, launched with the 2006 vintage. Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay are amongst their varietal offerings. Today I'm going to look at one of their blends, the 2007 Shiraz/Pinotage "Cape Blend." More and more wines from South Africa are popping up on American shelves. For people like me, who love to taste something new and different whenever I have the chance, this is a great development. The 2006 Sebeka Cape Blend is 60% Shiraz and 40% Pinotage. Each varietal underwent malolactic fermentation separately before being blended. This suggested retail price for this wine is $8.99.

Aromas of dark berry, cherry, vanilla and subtle mocha are all featured in the nose along with a light underpinning of smoke. The first sip reveals some tartness. Decanting for about 30 minutes is recommended as it really allows this offering to blossom. Once it has opened up there is plenty of cherry and jammy berry fruit throughout. Earthiness, spice and a touch more mocha come out in the mid-palate and linger through a nice finish.

Even though this wine is only 40% Pinotage, the grape makes it's presence felt with characteristic spice, smoke, earth and cherry flavors starring in this budget priced offering. At its more than reasonable price tag this wine over delivers in it's category, making it a solid contender for an everyday red. This is the kind of red wine you'll want to bring to BBQ's all summer long. It's complex enough to satisfy red wine drinkers and approachable enough to please and perhaps convert the white wine crowd. Their wide availability also helps make them a go to choice.

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Sawtooth Winery - 2005 Syrah

After spending the last few weeks looking at all California Wines, from Petite Sirah to Charbono it's time to take some time away from California. Sawooth Winery will be my focus for the next few days as I take a look at a handful of their releases. Sawtooth is an Idaho Winery that opened their doors 20 year ago as Pintler Cellars. The lands their vines are planted on now were in winemaker Brad Pintler's family previously as pastures farmed by his father. The Idaho wine industry is growing at a rapid rate, close to 20% each year. As the 2^nd largest producer in the state, Sawtooth is helping to lead the charge. Just over a year ago "Snake River Valley" became Idaho's first AVA, an important designation that an area needs to be on equal footing with established and better-known regions of the world.

The first wine from Sawtooth WineryI'm looking at is a 2005 Syrah. 84% of the wine is varietal withCinsault (7%), Mouvedre (7%) and Grenache (1%) making up the balance. The wine spent approximately 15 months in small oak barrels. 1,600 cases of this Syrah were produced. It's finished with a screw top closure and the suggested retail price is $12.99.

Light and dark plum notes as well as underlying vanilla characteristics make up the inviting nose of this wine. Loads of spice character, including both black and white pepper dominate the palate of this wine along with raspberry notes aplenty. The mid-palate is rich with firm tannins. Cherry and earth notes come out in the finish. This wine is fruit forward with good acidity and a nice balance. It drinks easily on it's own but will pair well with many foods. Just about anything grilled will work very terrifically.

What impressed me most about this wine is how smooth it is out of the bottle. With some time to breathe more complexity emerge to be sure. But from the outset this wine goes down easily with no rough edges to speak of. That said it's structured and complex enough to be interesting. It's closer in style to an old world Syrah. My best is it has at least 5 years of positive evolution ahead of it. For $12.99 though, you're not going to hesitate to crack this one open, whether it's to accompany a burger or to sip on your porch all by itself. Definitely recommended.

Coming Up: A Limited Production Chardonnay From Sawtooth Winery.

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Spier - 2005 Vintage Selection Shiraz

Shiraz is one of the red varietals that seems to emerge a lot from South Africa. After Pinotage it's the next red I tend to think of. The 2005 Spier  Vintage Selection Shiraz is 91% varietal. Smaller lots of Mouvedre (6%) and Viognier (3%) are blended in. The suggested retail price is $20 but this wine can be found commonly for closer to $15.

The wines nose opens with tobacco, dark berry and a hint of tar. Decanting this wine is definitely recommended as it takes about an hour or so to really open up.  The first sips reveal more berry fruit that become more prominent as the wine opens. Once it does it shows a lot pepper, clove and nutmeg in the mid-palate through the lengthy finish. The 2005 Shiraz from Spier has good acidity. This wine drinks well on it's own but will also match up with a wide array of foods.

While this wine has a lot of fruit this isn't what I would call a "big" Shiraz. In fact it's fair to say this wine is closer to the old word Rhones than it is to it's new world counterparts.

What stood out to me about this wine is that it over delivers in flavor and complexity for it's price point. Decanting this wine really allows it to shine and show it's subtle layers more effectively.  This wine has medium tannins and is appropriate for short to mid term aging.

This wine is a good value in the $15 price range.

Up Next: A fourth and final wine from Spier.

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Boggy Creek Vineyards - 2004 Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon

The last wine I'm looking at from Boggy Creek Vineayrds this week is also the only blend. The 2004 Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon is 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. It's worth noting that blending these two varietals is as traditional to Australia as the blending of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is to Bordeaux. This wine was aged in a combination of American and French Oak. The suggested retail price is $26. As with the other Boggy Creek Wines it's finished in screw top.

Dark plum and raspberry jam notes emerge immediately in the nose. From the first taste a tremendous sense of spice character is revealed. It's as strong and impressive as the fruit throughout the palate of this wine. One of the spices that comes out of the gate and stays with the wine is white pepper. The finish which is long and lingering reveals a significant undertone of earthiness which is the last thing from this one that stays with you. This wine drinks very well on it's own due in part to it's inherent silkiness. That said it'll pair with a broad range of foods.

The 2004 Boggy Creek Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon is the most elegant of the Boggy Creek wines I tasted. The combination of the two varietals presents a very smooth wine that at first blush seems mellower than the stand alone Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon. In reality this wine is more subtle and complex than the stand alone varietals. Certainly a case of the whole being greater than the sum of it's parts.

For $26 this wine offers a good value due to it's combination of complexity and easy drink ability. It'll last in the cellar for a few years, at least, but it's ready to drink now. Boggy Creek Vineyards is making some fairly priced, well balanced wines. This is a producer to seek out for something outside the average from Australia.

Up Next: The wines of South Africa's Spier.

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Boggy Creek Vineyards - 2004 Shiraz

Although their first vines were planted in 1978 and they produced wine ever since, the Boggy Creek Vineyards Label was not actually launched until 2000. With Shiraz being the benchmark grape of Australia and Boggy Creek being in a cool climate area I was very curious to see what they did with this wine. The 2004 Boggy Creek Vineyards Shiraz is made of 100% Estate Grown fruit. It was aged in a combination of French and American Oak Barrels. The suggested retail price is $22.

This wine opens with a nose of black cherry, vanilla and spice notes. A ton of raspberry, blueberry and strawberry feature prominently throughout the palate along with a nice undercurrent of spices such as white pepper and nutmeg. The finish has touches of leather and earthiness along with subtler but present chicory notes that linger for a good long while. This wine will pair with a wide variety of foods. Pork chops, sausage and peppers, and grilled shish kabobs are just a couple of the choices that pop into my head when considering this wine.

The Boggy Creek Vineyards 2004 Shiraz has plenty of fruitiness to please those who like a wine that has pleasing bright fruit character. But this is a well balanced wine with good acidity. It has shows restraint and should also be of interest to those who prefer old world wines. In short this wine tows the line, lots of fruit, but in a classy manner. As with the other Boggy Creek Wines I've had the Shiraz is elegant and refined.

For $22 this probably isn't a Wednesday night with leftovers wine for a lot of people. However It is a fairly priced wine for the quality. It has at least a few years of evolution ahead of it in the bottle. With that in mind it's a good choice to stash a few of in the cellar for future enjoyment. Whether the future is Sunday Dinner in a month or Easter in 2010.

Up Next: Boggy Creek Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Clos La Chance - 2005 -Black-Chinned Syrah

Today's selection from Clos La Chance, a Syrah, is part of their Hummingbird series. This 2005 wine is 77% Syrah with the remainder being made up of Grenache, Mouvedre, Carignane and Petite Sirah. 24% of the wine spent 16 months in a combination of new, French and American oak. The total production on this wine was 4,700 cases and it's suggested retail price is $18. The Black-Chinned Syrah has a nose of mulled spices and berries. The first sip out of the glass reveals a host of blueberry notes.  the mid-palate has some earthiness and a hint of bacon fat that carries through to the finish which also features some pepper and vanilla notes. This wine will go well with grilled meats but also drinks nicely on it's own.

This is a medium bodied wine with good acidity that's also fairly smooth and easy drinking. It brings to mind wines of the Northern Rhone more than the average California Syrah. Part of that is likely due to the 12% Grenache which lends a nice balance to this wine.

Much like their numerous wine tiers, Clos La Chance's wine club is full of options to those interested. If you happen to lean towards one of their wine tiers more than another, there's likely a club option for you. I'm told that they take the wants and needs of their members very seriously and do whatever they can to accommodate them. Much more detailed information including specific discounts and benefits afforded for each level are available on the Wine Club portion of their website.

Coming Tomorrow: Clos La Chance 2004 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Edna Valley Vineyard - 2006 Syrah

The 2006 Syrah is the last release from Edna Valley Vineyard I'll be looking at this week. But look for them to be featured again at the end of April during Petite Sirah Week.  Before getting to the Syrah though, The Edna Valley Vineyard Wine Club is worth mentioning. Their wine club features quarterly shipments of 3 bottles available only at the winery. The cost for each shipment is $60. Edna Valley Vineyard has recently formed an alliance with Ocean Conservancy. They donate $5 from each members quarterly shipment directly to the Ocean Conservancy. Further information on their wine club is availabe on their website or by calling them at 1-888-391-WINE.

The Syrah's nose is full of candied plum, spice, casis and dark berry fruit. The first sip reveals a touch of tartness that blows off once the wine has had a chance to breathe a little bit. Hints of smoke, blackberry and mulled cider spice emerge and carry on through the mid palate which also features some chocolaty notes. Both white pepper and a subtle but persistent earthiness present themselves early on and carry themselves through the finish. The 2006 Edna Valley Vineyard Syrah is medium bodied and well balanced with good acidity. It should match up well with a wide array of foods, though a burger might be the perfect match for this one.

As with the other two Edna Valley Vineyard wines I looked at this week, this is a well made wine exhibiting true varietal character. Suggested retail price is $20 but it can be found pretty widely for closer to $17.

Coming Next Week: A look at the wines of Clos La Chance.

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Mollydooker - Blue Eyed Boy - 2006 Shiraz

Mollydooker makes wines in several different series. The Boxer which I covered yesterday is part of the Lefty Series. As with The Boxer, the rest of the Lefty Series retails for $20. Next up from there is The Party Series. Today's wine, Blue Eyed Boy, is from that series. The three wines in the Mollydooker Party Series retail for $50. Blue Eyed Boy opens up with a nose full of candied plum and and mulled spices. White pepper notes hit you from the very first sip and are accompanied by loads of dark berry fruit. Lots of blueberry character emerges on the mid palate along with mocha and additional spice which carries through to a long and outstanding finish that goes on and on.

The flavor profile is reminiscent of The Boxer. However Blue Eyed Boy is bigger, bolder and richer than The Boxer with better acidity and balance. This wine is drinking very well right now but I'd expect it to improve and drink well for at least 10 years.

An interesting packaging note on the Mollydooker Wines is a tear-off tab on the back part of the label. Approximately the size of a postage stamp it's a convenient and fail-safe way to remember that terrific bottle of wine you had at a restaurant or a friends house.

In addition to the free ground shipping and overnight shipping deal they offer on their website, Mollydooker also offers some combinations of wines as well as a party pack sampler case. Additionally they make wines outside of the two series I've covered.

If you like Australian wine, particularly Shiraz, Mollydooker is a producer to check out.

Starting tomorrow: A look at Edna Valley Vineyards.

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