Terra Vega Syrah 2012 (about $11)

About the Wine:  One way to make wine Kosher, regardless of source is to cook it, making it "Mevushal."  Unfortunately, this has a sever negative effect on the taste of the wine.  However, Kosher winemakers have begun to use flash pasteurization to minimize the damage while retaining the ritual qualities necessary to satisfy your annoying uncle.

About THIS Wine:  In the glass this wine is an opaque purple with a very dark purple rim.  The nose is extremely jammy, as I would expect from such a young Syrah. I also do get some smoky notes.  The palate is a little tight and more tannic than I would have expected, though it is not entirely surprising given how young the wine is.  Fruit comes through nicely in the finish.  This is somewhat reminiscent of the more classic Bordeauxs, which were processed in such a way as to bring the tannins to the front of the palate and that is why those wines needed so much time to age.  Why a new world wine maker would do this with something they were releasing young I cannot say.

Drinking This Wine:  This is definitely a food wine and one that benefits from decanting.  Enjoy with lighter red meat dishes like shepherd's pie or beef and noodles.

Overall Impression:  This is a full and robust wine with some real depth.  At eleven dollars a bottle it is a good value.

Bosco Dei Ricci Barbera d'Alba 2009 (about $15)

About the Wine:  I asked the manager of a posh wine shop for something affordable that does not taste like my own death.  This is what he gave me.

About THIS Wine:  This wine is opaque in the glass and has a purple rim.  Dark fruit and hints of spice make a juicy nose.  The palate is slightly sour with a lot of fruit and hints of spice.  Sour dark fruit lingers in the finish.  It bears mentioning that this is not the kind of sour that I associate with spoiled wine, rather it is the kind of sour I would associate with sour cherry. 

Drinking This Wine:  I had it with spaghetti and marinara sauce because that's always safe bet with an Italian red.  It went very well.  This is definitely better with food, preferably something a bit sweet to offset the sour.

Overall Impression:  This is an unusual and fairly pleasant wine.  At fifteen dollars a bottle it is good for the price.

Stringtown Pinot Noir 2011 (about $16)

About the Wine:  I have written fairly extensively about Oregon Pinot Noir before, so there is not much to add.  This one was recommended to me to go with baked salmon.

About THIS Wine:  It is ruby red in the glass with a pink rim.  The nose is earthy and herbaceous, reminiscent of Red Burgundy more than anything I have had from Oregon.  The sour cherry often associated with West Coast Pinot Noir is present on the palate in a big way but is tempered with earthy notes and firm tannins in the finish.

Drinking This Wine: It is not bad by itself but better with food.  Pork or turkey are good pairings.  The wine has a spiciness too it so it is best to have with something sweet or at least not spicy.  The aforementioned salmon pairing was really nice.

Overall Impression:  This is a little more than I normally like to spend it is a very good wine.  This one is fair for the price.

Chateau de la Terriere Beaujolais-Villges 2009 (about $14)

About the Wine:  The Beaujolais region of France is best known for Gamay, a grape traditionally viewed as the inferior of Pinot Noir.  The area's reputation has not been helped by the popularity of Beaujolais Nouveau, an inexpensive version of Beaujolais wine that one wine critic labeled vin du merde (shit wine.)  Despite everything working against it, the wine and the region do have a devoted following and a rich history.  What remains to be seen is how merdey this particular wine is.  (I know that merdey is not a word.  Deal with it, France.)

About THIS Wine:  It is a very deep, dark purple with a violet rim in the glass.  After a little time to breath this wine presented notes of underbrush, cherry, with hints of oak on the nose.  Black cherry dominates a palate that really lingers.  There are vegetable notes in the background, but the cherry is the defining element, lingering after all else is gone.

Drinking This Wine:  This one is fine by itself but it would also go well with heavier white meats such as pork or roast duck.

Overall Impression:  Though not especially complex or otherwise mind blowing the wine is pleasant and it does not hurt the pocket book too much.  This one is good for the price.

Lights Out Grenache 2009 (about $15)

About the Wine:  Grenache is one of the grapes that goes into red Cotes Du Rhone blends.  This effort comes from Australia, which is known for Shiraz, a close relative of Syrah, the other varietal that is crucial to Cotes Du Rhone. It will be interesting to see if this Rhone grape transfers as well.

About THIS Wine:  In the glass it is deep red with a light pink rim.  The nose has a vegetable quality with strong mineral and graphite notes.  The palate is heavy and tannic with a dry, sour cherry finish.

Drinking this Wine:  This wine is not big or bold enough to stand up to steak but beef and rice or beef and noodle dishes are a good match.  It is definitely not a sipping wine.

Overall Impression:  The wine is nice and the price is right.  This one is good for the price.

Ugav Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (about $14)

About the Wine:  I am not optimistic about the prospect of 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon.  Some Cabs age for years, even decades before they reach maturity.  Then again, some Cabs are meant to be drunk young.  It all depends on the terroir, the strain of the grape, and the skill of the wine master. 

About THIS Wine:  It is ruby red in the glass with a pink rim.  Jammy red fruit defines the nose, though notes of green herbs are also present.  The fruit delivers on the palate but gives way to a vegetable quality that lingers in a finish that is dry but not overly so.

Drinking This Wine:  This is fine for a sipping wine.  It is not big or bold enough for really heavy red meat dishes but would do well with beef and rice or a stew.

Overall Impression:  You can definitely pay more and do worse.  This wine is good for the price.

Peirano Estate Chardonnay 2011 (about $10)

About the Wine:  Lodi, California is a wine growing region best known for its accessible, fruit forward reds.  I have never had a white from there so this will be a learning experience.

About THIS Wine:  The wine is golden yellow in the glass with no distinct rim.  Oak, peach, and apricot blend on the nose.Citrus and oak are strong on the palate.  The finish is fairly acidic, so much so that I don't think this wine went through the malolactic fermentation that gives most California Chards their buttercream taste.

Drinking This Wine:  This is acidic enough that it needs food.  Grilled chicken, light vegetarian dishes, or cheddar cheese would all go well.

Overall Impression:  This is not a wine you bring to impress anyone but it is very pleasant and perfectly drinkable.  This one is good for the price.