Rod was in California and could not attend this tasting, but will be back in fine form for the next edition of winecurrent.com




Angels Gate Riesling Süssreserve 2003
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (913699)

The muted nose of citrus and red berries pleasantly leads one to an intensely grapey flavoured wine that would suit the patio or deck with light and spicy aperitifs. It's spritzy on the tongue and needs to be served quite chilled. The sweet/sour aftertaste is intriguingly subtle and keeps you coming back for more. (VH)



Angels Gate 'Old Vines' Chardonnay 2003
VQA Niagara Peninsula $23.95 (957399)

Toasty vanilla notes are underpinned by Granny Smith aromatics on the nose. This medium-bodied offering is crisp and clean on the palate with lemony apple pie filling and pear flavours that are nicely balanced and cleansed with a citrus, cinnamon finish. (VH)



Malivoire Gamay 2003
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (591313)

Cherries, white pepper and cloves whoosh from the glass of this medium-weight and well balanced red. Freshly crushed strawberries and cloves predominate on the palate with nice notes of sour cherries and rhubarb. Lots of acidity here to match up with spicy aperitifs such as salami, smoked meats, spiced olives and marinated goat's cheese. Serve chilled. (VH)



Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Sonoma County $19.95 (971754)

A lifted nose of wet hay, nettles and fresh cut grass greet the lucky taster. There is a cornucopia of flavours, including, kiwi fruit, lime zest and gooseberries. More Marlborough than California, this has great appeal as it finishes off with a clean and complex finish that lingers on and on. Try with seared scallops drizzled with lemon butter. (VH)



Two Tone Farm Chardonnay 2002
Napa Valley $19.95 (586271)

Mom's baked apple pie and tropical fruit aromas drift off this well priced beauty. Full-bodied and beautifully textured, the flavour profile is an explosion white peaches, ripe apples and zesty citrus notes. The creamy finish has pleasing acidity for balance and it would pair beautifully with grilled Tuna and scampi. Very good value. (VH)



Sokol Blosser 'Evolution' 8th Edition
Oregon $24.95 (906438)

This aromatic white has a bewildering number of grapes and a forgettable name, but somehow puts it together beautifully in the glass. Powerful rosewater and red licorice aromas simply burst forth. It is a medium-weight bonanza of exotic taste treats including papaya, passion fruit and pomegranate. The finish is 'off dry' and would be a great match with Tandoori chicken and garlic Nan. Pricey, but worth it. (VH)



Ironstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Sierra Foothills $16.95 (537597)

Ironstone seldom misses the sweet spot and this is no exception. Cassis, raspberry and cedar aromas lead one to a mélange of ripe, juicy black fruit flavours that are saved from being jammy by good concentration of ripe, but firm tannins and enough acidity to hold it together and balance it all off . Would be the perfect foil to spiced and herbed grilled red meats, rare to medium-rare, shared with special friends, now to 2009. This is very good value and a strong candidate for a multiple bottle purchase. (VH)



Jamieson Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Napa Valley $28.95 (597609)

A quintessential 'California Cab' that is aging gracefully. Showing a slight brick tinge in the glass, the aromatic profile alone is a worthy experience. Chocolate, mint, vanilla and tar are all present on the nose. The gorgeous creamy texture is complemented by mellow tannins and flavours of ripe, black cherries and black plums. As with all well made wine, the finish is lingering and memorable. Ready to drink now, on its own or paired with grilled strip loin on the barbie. (VH)



Ridge 'Three Valleys' 2002
Sonoma County $31.95 (652875)

Zin lovers will line up for this one. It has a huge nose of sweet black currants and raspberry jam with the palate exploding into a huge fruit gob of currants, black plums and ripe, black cherries. The ultra sweet fruit is somewhat balanced off with ripe tannins and good acidity. Not for the faint of heart. Drink it now. Good value, even at this price. (VH)



Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Continente Vineyard 2003
San Francisco Bay $34.95 (713453)

Another blockbuster (15.3% alc.) from Rosenblum, one of the best Zin producers around. With a nose that is all sweet, black berry fruit and spice, the palate is surprisingly complex and not at all jammy. The mid-palate offers cedary and chocolate flavours that are underpinned by a perceptible tannin structure before the glorious finish of another blast of those sweet, black fruit flavours. Drink until 2008. Pricey, compared to U.S. retail. (VH)



Two Tone Farm Merlot 2001
Napa Valley $19.95 (586206)

A lovely orange hue beginning to show on the edges of this well priced red. An alluring nose of plums, spice and vanilla wafts from the glass. The medium-weight palate is luxuriously creamy and offers firm tannins, full fruit flavours of cherries and currants plus a lovely core of ripe, black plums. The acidity keeps it balanced and clean. Try with Carpaccio accompanied by Cipriani sauce. Drink now until 2008. (VH)



Wattle Creek Shiraz 1999
Alexander Valley $32.95 (655977)

A perfumed nose of black currants, vanilla, spice and tar is a beguiling entry to the complex range of flavours found on the palate. This rich and complex red certainly blasts away with all the usual suspects (cherries, pepper, spice and black currants) then it layers on chocolate, mint and tobacco. The firm tannin structure will allow short term cellaring. Drink now to 2010. (VH)



Paso de Luz Reserva Chardonnay 2004
Casablanca Valley $13.95 (590810)

A toasty tropical fruit salad of honeydew melon, pineapple and papaya gushes from the glass of this outstanding Chilean white. Difficult to imagine a wine at this price point as elegant and complex, but it approaches both. Even though it is only lightly oaked, it manages to provide a creamy full-bodied texture that is pleasing and refreshing. Lots of peaches and apples on the palate and a lovely spine of acidity to provide balance. A winecurrent.com exceptional value pick. (VH)



D'Arenberg 'Footbolt' Shiraz 2002
McLaren Vale, South Australia $19.95 (984021)

An alluring, if muted nose of strawberries, black pepper and spice does not prepare the taster for the gorgeous array of ripe fruit flavours. The flavours are not overblown, but offer black licorice, sour cherries and hints of tar on this silky smooth and mellow medium-weight red. Not as powerful as the 2001, but a lovely wine that will appeal to those who appreciate subtlety in a well made wine. Drink now with Osso Bucco. (VH)



Vieux Château des Jouans 2000
AC Saint-Emilion $23.95 (650598)

Saint-Emilion is planted primarily with Merlot and some Cab Franc, so we will go with that for this well-priced offering. 2000 was a very good vintage and this obscure chateau produced a lovely red that offers cassis and currants on the nose and full ripe fruit flavours of cranberries and cherries. It is well structured and held together with firm, but ripe, tannins and good acidity. You won't find much better at this price from any appellation within Bordeaux. Drink now to 2010 with a rich stew.



Château de la Riviére 2000
AC Fronsac $39.95 (653147)

An oaky smoky nose that offers red currants as well as hints of plums. This one is very creamy and textured in the mouth with gorgeous flavours of cherries, plums and currants. The silky finish is very pleasant with copious amounts of lingering ripe, black fruit balanced off with good acidity. This is exceptionally well priced for a wine of this pedigree and caliber. Drink until 2010 (VH)



Château Cesseras 2001
AC Minervois la Liviniàre $18.95 (590570)

The lifted nose commands attention with its prominent floral, cinnamon and strawberry aromatics. This medium-bodied red gets into full gear on the palate with a full flavour profile of red licorice, tar and spiced cherries. There are grippy tannins and bracing acidity on the finish that demand tomato-based sauces and would reward a couple of years in the cellar. Drink now to 2010. Good value. (VH)



Cantina del Taburno 'Fidelis' Aglianico del Taburno 2001
DOC $18.95 (651299)

A very soft nose of blueberries and strawberries screens flavours that are a bombshell of ripe black fruit oozing sweetness, with a core of leather, chocolate and tar. This full-bodied monster has grippy tannins and well balanced acidity to match the fruit. All this portends a cellar dweller that will be drinking from 2008 to 2012. Pair with a delicious mess of spiced bar b qued ribs. (VH)



Nera Sassella Riserva 1999
DOC Valtellina Superiore $19.95 (707208)

Leather, tar and berry aromas float from this well-priced Lombardy red. It is medium-bodied and reminiscent of cranberries and sour cherries on the palate. Balanced and well structured, the finish is luxuriously lengthy. Already 6 years old, it will hold until 2010. Braciola beef and pasta would set this off nicely. (VH)


'Tenute Marchese Antinori' Chianti Classico Riserva 2000
DOCG $37.95 (512384)

From the black ripe fruit and leather nose, this Chianti delivers as one would expect from Antinori. Tannins are ripe and the acidity is laser-like while elegantly balancing off the medium-bodied wine. A nuanced and clean finish of cherries and plums portend lots of life, until 2010, for this food-friendly red. Try with penne pasta in a Vokad sauce. (VH)



Quinta da Cortezia Tinta Roriz 2001
Vinhos Regional Estremadura $19.95 (586768)

Crushed almonds, smoke and currants provide the aromatic profile for this full-bodied beauty. Not for the faint of heart, the palate almost recoils from the intensity of the grippy tannins, full bore fruit flavours and bracing acidity. However, this will all knit into a beautiful wine after 3 years in the cellar. Drink until 2012.



Castillo de Almansa 'Seleccion' 2000
DO Almansa $19.95 (586719)

Vinified from the traditional Garnacha Tintorera, this red has lot of Wow! factor on the nose (tar, mint and leather) and palate (black plums, black ripe cherries and vanilla). Beautifully balanced and already 5 years of age, the finish is mellow and memorable. If you like Grenache, this will not disappoint. Would be divine paired with a black pepper-encrusted rack of lamb. (VH)


Castillo Perelada Tinto Reserva 2001
DO Empordà-Costa Brava $22.95 (985093)

With only 150 ha in the NE corner of Spain, this group is fast making a reputation for producing fruit forward wines of some consequence. They also planted 50 ha in Priorato in 2000, so watch for that soon. This 14.5% behemoth grabs your attention quickly with a huge nose of cedar and crushed fresh berries as well as a gorgeous fruit bomb on the palate. Lots of fruit, ripe tannins and a beguiling finish of 20 or so seconds make this a 'must purchase' for Spanish wine lovers. (VH)




Pedroncelli Zinfandel Rosé 2004
Sonoma County $11.95 (655191)

Off dry, fun and fruity, this has some lovely aromatics of strawberries and spice and a flavour profile that includes spicy strawberries and red currants. The tangy 'off dry' component allows it to pair with spicy Szechwan chicken or hot curry dishes. (VH)



Château la Tour de l'Évêque Rosé 2004
AC Côtes de Provence $13.95 (319392)

A lovely copper tone greets the tasters eye and the nose is quite complex (strawberries, cranberries and spice) and lifted. There is nice berry fruit on the palate and the finish. is surprisingly lengthy and extremely pleasant. Would pair well with grilled salmon or serve as a lovely summer sipper on the patio. (VH)


Mas des Bressades 'Cuvée Tradition' Rosé 2004
AC Costières de Nîmes $12.95 (950576)

Clearly, the best rosé of this release. This medium-bodied beauty has aromas of red licorice and sour cherries and is simply mouth watering and delicious. The flavours are nuanced and varied (red plums, cherries and cranberries) and the finish is the best of all, lengthy, tangy and just the right amount of acidity to clean it all up. Pair this with confidence to Chicken Kiev or Veal Cordon Bleu. (VH)



Zeni Bardolino Chiaretto 2004
DOC, Classico $10.95 (654996)

This wine should not be ignored at this price. It is tangy, spritzy, fun and unpretentious. Enough fruit to make it a pleasing drink and more than enough structure and complexity. It is medium-bodied with cherries and licorice on the palate and a lovely finish, allowing you to serve it to friends when they arrive for a warm summer visit on the deck or around the pool. (VH)

Cheers, Vic and Rod