Cambria Syrah 05

Tepusquet Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley (Santa Barbara) $18 BevMo

Some black pepper and cinnamon on the nose. Not overly fragrant for a syrah, but certainly present. Very smooth-refined actually. I'm surprised it's a 2005 with the relaxing aromas and medium body. I drank it with a baguette, goat cheese, and capicola and it paired perfectly. I will certainly repurchase.

Montes Alpha Syrah 06

DO Colchagua Valley (Apalta Vineyard), Chile. ~16 (but I think I paid much less)

I bought a highly rated wine (WS 3/08), Cambria Syrah 05, and I wanted a cheaper wine to compare it to. I thought the Montes Alpha was a cheap purchase from TJs, but maybe I'm wrong. Anyway, when put next to the Cambria (blind) - and it certainly held its own. The nose has a gamy, beef jerky quality with a certain brown spice-definite beef jerky though. It is certainly tight and has been opening up over the last half hour - but could probably use some time. The wine, overall, is fantastic. I'm very impressed and will certainly repurchase.

UPDATE: 3/2: This bottle has now been open for 4 days. It is even better now - spectacular even. I will certainly repurchase

Tierra Salvaje Carménère

05; Maule Valley, Chile

Dark, ruby color. Some pepper and a little heat on the nose. Med-full body. Carménère can often taste like a mixture of merlot and CS. This was certainly more on the CS side. Very fruity, jammy, and tannic. Not much complexity.

It was pretty nice, not great. It was a TJs wine, so I think I'll scan for some other bargains before I pick this up again.

Xplorador CS

Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley, Chile, 07 [Concha y Toro]

Nothing special at all. Certainly milk chocolatey on the nose. Follows with cherry and a bit of vanilla - some sweetness. Definitely has some muscle, but not overly powerful. Obvious tannic backbone. If it is under $10 - decent buy. Under $5 is a more logical price though.

Qupé Syrah

Central Coast, CA, $17

Absolutely fantastic. Very subtle, earthy nose - some black pepper also. Medium body, and a looooong smooth finish. In fact, I would say this is the best syrah I have had for under $20. It is not very powerful. It's more of a sleek sensuous winner.

Renwood Amador Zinfandel

2005
Shenandoah California
Ice Wine

Again with a creme brulee, this was probally my favorite out of the three ice wines I tried for the night. Light on the nose with nothing distict coming out. Very smooth with a low body and a vanilla and fruit flavor which compliment my creme brulle to perfection!

5/5 fleur dis lis a rebuy with my favorite dessert

Selak Marlborough

Riesling
New Zealand
2005

Again with a creme brulee, light on the nose with a hint of something sweet. Very flavorful with a yes I admit it Tim a distictive lychee flavor. Smooth finish light on body.

5/5 fleur dis lis a rebuy

Bonny Doon Vin de Glaciere Muscat

2001 Ice wine

I had this with dessert, and dessert was a fantastic creme brulee. This type of wine is shaping up to be my favorite kind of wine. Light on the nose with a possible hint of a citrus fruit. Light and smooth in the mouth. A citrus flavor. Low after taste. Great wine

5/5 fleur dis lis a definate rebuy

Rioja, Cortijo III

Tinto 2006
Tempranillo 80%, Garnacha 20%

I had admittedly drank this wine when it was a little to cold, so on the nose it was very light, but poured a deep cherry red color. At first possible due the cold it was light on flavor. It was extremly smooth and medium in body. Hints of a fruit, but with a dusty flavor that was intriguing. All in all an average wine.
2/5 fleur dis lis