Argyle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2006

I remember being turned on to the possibilities of Pinot Noir after watching Sideways (along with a bunch of other people) and tried every glass I came across. Most of them, however, were nice but not all that memorable. I'd heard that Oregon Pinots were unique and different, but the price tag discouraged me from everyday experimenting. Then I spent a few days in the Willamette Valley, and I learned first-hand the singular qualities of the Pinot Noir grape from this region.

Argyle is one of the major producers in the area, and while they turn out some expensive Pinots, they also produce some more budget-friendly ones (comparatively) that are nonetheless really tasty.

The 2006 Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley shows off a pale red color and fairly light body, with seductive scents of rich leather, spice and sweet rose. On the palate, roses and cola are followed by lush cherries and hints of red apple and cocoa.

At around $20 a bottle, this is a great way to introduce yourself to Oregon Pinot Noir.

de Tarczal Trentino Superiore Marzemino di Isera 2005

de Tarczal Azienda Agricola Marano d'Isera is a fine example of a small family vineyard producing beautiful wines at reasonable prices. Italy, of course, is packed with small family vineyards along with the rest of the wine-growing regions of the world. It's just tough to discover them from here.

This 100% Marzemino wine is produced in the family's vineyard in the Isera region of Italy (think inland, southwest of Venice). With scents of minerals, cherries, roses and earth, the wine features a delicate palate of tart raspberry, vanilla and floral that gives way to cherries, oak and minerals. The wine finishes medium-dry.

This is a pleasant, bright and versatile wine that should pair nicely with numerous appetizers or entrees.

Galil Mountain Yiron 2005

It should make sense that there's good wine to be had from Galilee (you know, the one in Israel). After all, they've been making it there since Biblical times. Lack of exposure in the U.S., however, makes this lovely wine unusual and a bit of a treat.

The 2005 Yiron blend from Galil Mountain Winery is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Merlot and a bit of Syrah and Petit Verdot. It features a mineral, fruity nose with scents of cherries, raspberries and earth. The silky, full body is bursting with berry and cherry flavors with tannic underpinnings, a velvety mouthfeel, and a warm, dry and floral finish.

It's a gorgeous wine that I will definitely buy again.

Torrione Petrolo Toscana 2003

Color: Blood to brick red with a full body
Nose: Fresh-tilled soil, deep earth, pine and cloves
Taste: Plum, roses, herbs, pepper and leather
Finish: Dry, with hints of cranberry

This is another example of a beautiful Tuscan red with perfume scents, a gorgeous body and lingering palate. Pairs great with steak or roasted meats.

Two Rivers Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Two Rivers has become one of my favorite Colorado wineries. They resist the temptation to make super-fruity wines that excite the tour-bus crowd, instead focusing on high-quality wines that make the most of what grows well in the Grand Junction area. If you're ever touring wineries on the Western Slope, make the extra 5-mile journey to this place (as if that's far). You won't be disappointed by the wine, the staff or the fabulous views.

With a deep, warm red hue, heady scents of forest floor, berries and worn leather, and an explosion of oak, plum and spices on the palate, this is a pleasing and food-friendly wine that should pair nicely with roast beef and similar dishes.

On a site note, give the wine an hour or two to breathe, which brings out more of the fruit and tones down the oak.

Kirkland Signature Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

This is the second Kirkland wine I've tried, and this time I'm much more inclined to drink it. Being a fan of full-bodied, drier reds, I'm naturally attracted to a Cab. But style is key, as the Cabernet Sauvignon grape can take on numerous characteristics depending on the terroir.

This Cab isn't the fattest one I've tried. Rather, the body style is middle-of-the-road with a deep garnet hue and scents of blackberry, spice and pepper. The wine offers light acidity and a fruit-forward style with a sensuous mouthfeel. It is nicely balanced with a long, dry, easy finish.

The wine is made for everyday consumption either on its own or paired with stews and roasted meat.

Kirkland Signature Alexander Valley Merlot 2007

I'm all about value - to me, that means a fine balance between price and quality. Wine can be tricky though, because the price is determined by multiple factors such as the quantity produced, the rating, how much a small vineyard needs to make on it that year - even how popular or highly rated it is will influence the bottle price.

When Costco introduced its spirits line, I expected good value at a modest price. And that appears to be what they're aiming for, since this moderate contender weighs in at about $9 a bottle.

The Merlot is a warm burgundy color and smells of baked cherries, earth, and a bit of spice and smoke. Very fruit-forward, the wine bursts with vanilla, bright plum and cherry pie with smooth tannins and a jammy finish. While lacking in great depth of taste or character, it is nevertheless easy to enjoy.

Michael & David Phillips Petite Petit 2007

Nose: Vanilla, blackberry, resin (sweeter than oak) and roses.

Taste: Full-bodied and fruit-forward with jam, fig and cherry. Dry finish with extensions of jam and earth.

Assessment: If you like full-bodied, fruit-forward wines, by all means hurry up and drink some so they can make more! This 85% petite sirah / 15% petit verdot is luscious and goes well with a big glass by the fireplace.

Catena Chardonnay 2007

I admit it: When it comes to Chardonnay, I'm picky. I like the full-bodied flavor of Chardonnay but am sick to the teeth of butter and oak unless I'm drinking it with the right food, like lobster, which almost never happens. Some of them taste like I'm drinking fermented tree bark. So I look for unusual varietals, un-oaked bottles, anything that gets away from the same old song.

Botega Catena Zapata, the maker of Catena Chardonnay, grows its grapes in a high-altitude region of Argentina. High altitude brings out a different character in the Chardonnay grape, which can be seen in a number of regions around the world such as Austria, Argentina - even a few growers in Colorado. In this wine, it shows up in a friendly melon nose; brightly acidic fruit, mineral and oak on the palate; and a mellow, lingering finish. This wine strikes a pleasant balance of sweet, acid and oak in a structured body while remaining versatile enough to pair with a range of lighter fare such as white fish or crackers and cheese.

Toad Hollow Risqué Methode Ancestrale Sparkling Wine

Methode Ancestrale - an ancient way of making sparkling wine - involves fermentation in the bottle. This method has been gaining popularity in the last decade primarily in the southwest area of France.

The color is palest yellow with plenty of effervescence. Scents include ripe melon, vanilla and peach. The taste is a bit sweet with a burst of acidity, green apple, and lively melon and peach. This is a fun, tasty sparkler that is great for sharing before dinner, with appetizers and friends.

Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

The Martini family has been making wine at the Monte Rosso vineyard since 1938. At 1,000 feet above Sonoma Valley, this vineyard produces beautiful Cabernet grapes with depth, complexity and authenticity - and this wine is a great example of the fruits of the winery's labor.

With a color like black cherries, this Cab hits all the classic aroma notes: Leather, spice, roasted Autumn fruits and a bit of smoke. The full-bodied and sensual flavors follow the nose with added blackberries and black cherries, with surprisingly mild tannins that ease into a gentle and long finish. It reminds me of strong-brewed black tea.

This wine is great right out of the bottle now, or it could easily age for a few years while the alcohol mellows out a bit more. Pair it with, say, a pan-roasted filet mignon and Cabernet sauce (using this wine, of course) with roasted potatoes.

Event: "Tapas and Wines Around the World"

Inverness Hotel and Conference Center: http://www.invernesshotel.com/

Baca presents "Tapas and Wines Around the World"

When: 12/11/2009

Baca presents "December Tapas and Wines Around the World"
6:00 pm Reception
$85 per person / $75 per person for WineStyles Members (non-inclusive of tax and gratuity)
Reservations Required. Call (303) 397-6303 or ereynolds@destinationhotels.com.

Fattoria Rodano Poggialupi Toscana 2007

Let's pretend for a moment that wine is alive - a living, breathing female creature.

She's a dark red beauty: Full and round and showing off her ruby brick colorful self. As I swirl her around, she clings tightly to the glass only to yield slightly in showing off her legs. Her perfume is deep and sensual with fresh earth, forest floor, dried rose, plum and blackberry mingling with oak and cedar. She smells so sweet and earthy I stop here for a moment, indulging my senses. Pepper? Spice?

Then I take my first sip and enjoy a Tuscan sunset in late Autumn surrounded by rolling hills and olive trees.  I taste smoke, spice, rich oak on a full dry palate that finishes long with roasted cherry, fig, cocoa and a bit of ripe raspberry. It leaves my mouth watering ever so slightly. And so I sip again.

A blend of Sangiovese and Merlot from the Chianti region, this gorgeous wine is a bargain at under $20. Pair it with roasted meats if you must, but it's perfectly enjoyable on its own.

(not so) Weird Wine Question: What's in a nose?

Ever notice how wine reviews expound on the "nose" of a wine - and for that matter, any alcoholic beverage that costs more than a few bucks? Why go to such lengths to describe this?

Well it's just not enough to say that wine smells like wine. What does wine smell like? Does a Cabernet smell just like a Sauvignon Blanc, and if not why?

First, our olfactory senses are intricately woven with our other senses such as taste and sight. Beyond that, scents tie in to our experiences like Grandma's apple pie on Christmas Day.

Second, like everything we eat and drink, we smell a thing before we taste it. Often, a wine will smell much the same as it will taste. Sometimes not.

It's all part of the experience of tasting and enjoying wine.

Prunotto Fiulot Barbera d'Asti 2006

I'll be flat-out honest. There are some days that wine just smells and tastes like wine. I struggle to find complexity, work to pull out scent profiles, and wonder when red isn't just red. When that happens, I ask a trusted friend who spent a couple years working with wine and the rest absorbing an encyclopedia of facts about it. We have yet to figure out how to make money off his brain, but until then his descriptions of wine are pretty darn useful. But I digress.

Barbera is an Italian grape variety. D'Asti refers to the hilly areas of the provinces of Asti and Alexandria (as you can imagine, Barbera is grown in several different regions with their own provincial designation). Prunotto Fiulot is - you guessed it - the producer and name of the wine respectively.

Why should you care about this lesson in Wine Label Reading 101? Oh I dunno... just in case you want to find it again someday and you want to know what you're asking for and who makes it.

But anyway, back to the wine. The color is a deep, clear garnet. The scent reminds me of a mixture of juniper berries, sage and leather with a bit of plum just for fun. With a bright wash of acidity, this medium-bodied red tastes of woods and eucalyptus with dried blackberries and a bit of smoke and spice.

All in all, a quaffable (read: drinkable) everyday red that should nicely accompany a weeknight pasta dish with a red sauce.

Roshambo Syrah 2002

I think this wine is wearing a clever disguise.

The nose, for instance, reminds me of an Oregon Pinot Noir - round aromas of plum and spice with a hint of strawberry - but the taste is far different. A full-bodied mouthful of smoke, oak, leather and slate eases into plum and blackberry flavors and finishes quicker than a horse race. An hour or two in the decanter mellows it out a bit. With some mild lingering tannins on the back end, I call it an enjoyable if unexpected wine.

Chateau Pesquie Terrasses Ventoux 2007

Terrasses is a 70/30 blend of Grenache and Syrah from the Rhone region in France. But nevermind all that. The wine is ruby red and smells of a heady mixture of red plum, baked cherries, oak and earth. Taste follows the nose bright, clean and full with a lovely blend of spices.

At around $10, this is a great everyday wine that goes well with a couch and a movie. Especially if you have a grilled portobello mushroom sandwich on hand.

Aglianico Del Vulture Vultui 2003

Dark. Earthy. Old-world. Somewhere between brick and blood. That's the look of this 100% Aglianico, an ancient grape (over 2,600 years old) born on the old vines that grow on the slopes of Mount Vulture in southern Italy.

A complex whirl of oak, tobacco, chocolate, plum and fig race through my nose and open me to its mystery. What, you don't think a wine can smell or taste mysterious? Swirl it around in the glass to give it plenty of air, then try closing your eyes... that's it.

Roasted plum. Baked cherries. Dried roses. Leather. Dry earth. A rich, smooth, sensuous wine with just enough tannins to make you thirsty for another sip, the Vultui is nicely structured with great depth. Drink now or save for a dark night with herb-encrusted beef tenderloin.

Achaia Clauss Nemea 2003

This would be the first Greek wine I've tried, having never been to Greece nor properly introduced to its wine in the U.S. I'm not sure what I expected, since I think of things like Grappa, lamb and ancient ruins instead of finely crafted wines. Then again, Greece and wine go way back. Way, way back.

Nemea is the region, and the wine is 100% Agiorgitiko - a grape that is indigenous to the Greek islands and one of their top producing wines.

This wine is solid brick in color, and smells of dry earth, plum and minerals. The medium-to-full body is fresh and lively, with a quick burst of bright acidity on the palate that mellows into plum, cherries and wet stone. This is a fun, easy-drinking wine that retails for around $13.

ευθυμίες! (cheers)

Domaine des Escaravailles Cotes du Rhone 2007

Looks like: Deep, cool red.

Smells like: roasted asparagus, dark plum, tilled earth, wet stone

Tastes like: Reading a suspense novel in a cozy corner of an old mansion with the fireplace going while snow falls outside. What the heck does that mean? Well, this is a full-bodied red that is easy on the palette – no knock-your-socks-off-flavors that might otherwise distract. With a tannic backbone, this wine boasts deep yet subtle plum and berry flavors and a hint of eucalyptus. It finishes smooth and clean with a bit of leather and spice on the end. The earthy, chocolate-y mouthfeel makes it thoroughly enjoyable.

What's more, the $15 retail price makes it an excellent bargain.

The Infinite Monkey Theorem Grand Valley Cabernet Franc 2008

Cabernet Franc isn't one of those grapes that gets much attention, instead relegated to blending with richer reds. But once in a while you find a winery that gets adventurous, and once in a while it comes out well.

Typical of a Cab Franc, this medium-bodied wine is deep magenta in color. Mellow scents of ripe blueberry, fig and a hint of raspberry are anchored by oak and a bit of leather. The berries continue through on the palate with hints of vanilla, a tannic structure and oak finish.

This is tasty stuff, and far better than a lot of Cab Francs I've tried. Retail is about $21, and in case you need another excuse to buy it, the winery donates $1 from the sale of every bottle to the University of Colorado Cancer Centre.

Housed in an old brick building in an arts district south of downtown Denver, The Infinite Monkey Theorem is a newcomer on the Colorado wine scene that goes for adventurous, unpretentious wines. The grapes may come from Colorado, California or other parts of the nation, but the results are modern, distinctive and interesting.

Flora Springs Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

On the suggestion of my friends at Primo Vino, I decided to try this wine. They told me it wasn't a high seller, but that it had nothing to do with the quality of the wine. For some reason people seem to have preconceptions about it based on the label. My impression of the label is that it looks like all the energy went into producing a beautiful label. So I'm prepared to be wrong.

This big red has a deep brick hue, and the scents remind me of a dark Autumn evening: Earth, fresh raked leaves, mineral, tobacco, fig and a hint of blackberry; assertive with a spicy backbone. Classic Cab. On the tongue I get a rush of deep, roasted plums, coffee and spice with beautiful smoke and oak. The tannins are somewhat assertive but calm down quickly to leave a fairly dry finish. This wine is well-structured and has great flavor, though it is a little tight. I recommend letting it breath for a few hours before enjoying - this smooths out the character of the wine which may seem a little harsh straight out of the bottle.

The Flora Springs Cab is unlike the typical California Cabernet, however. The flavor profile is focused on smoke, leather and spice. The body is more narrow as well, all but ignoring the big round berry flavors you'll find in most others. Reminiscent of old-world style, it doesn't bother trying to compete with the fat Cabs next door: Its purpose is singular, and Flora Springs accomplishes this pretty well.

Tonight I'm enjoying it with coffee-braised roast beef with caramelized onion gravy and roasted root veggies. A great match!

Two Rivers Riesling 2007

I've heard a lot about Colorado wines:
- Ew, they're unsophisticated!
- Ugh, they're just not on par with the major world wine regions!
- Waah, why don't they make 'em for $10 so I can drink more?

Truth is, there are plenty of overlook-ables in the bunch and there are others that make you go "hm!" Two Rivers is one such vineyard that manages to turn out decent, drinkable wines that don't just go with dessert or only please the sweet-loving-white-zinfandel-sipping crowd.

Case in point: Two Rivers Riesling.

Straw-yellow in color, this wine has a medium body that clings to the glass as I swirl it around. It smells like fresh pear, green apple and melon with a bit of citrus. The scents follow the taste buds as it flows across my tongue, going down just fast enough to warrant another taste. Smooth yet steely, warm but not buttery, and bright with acidity, this approachable wine is a great pairing for Asian food and similar lighter fare. Not to mention it goes good with just a glass.

If you're unfortunate enough to reside outside Colorado, Primo Vino would be happy to hook you up.

Petaluma Coonawarra 2002

The Coonawarra shows warm, brick-red hues with an opacity that hints at its unfiltered texture. On the nose, it immediately beckons my taste buds with layers of fig, tobacco, dried roses and minerals. The Cabernet shines through, yet is restrained by the fruitier elements of the Merlot.

This medium-bodied wine has an almost chewy texture, and here that's a good thing. Just after opening the bottle, the taste is very earthy, with mineral notes as well as some dried cranberry, blackberry and fig. The wine also entices with a taste that reminds me of late-harvest hay. It is an interesting mix of dry and rich, yet finishes clean with very light tannins and a hint of cherries.

Overall: super delicious and totally buyable! An easy-drinking wine that goes well on its own or with light barbecue and similar foods. Retail $25-30.

Camille Cayran Secret de Campane

The color of this wine reminds me of strawberries with a bit of mixed earth: A pinkish-red hue just this side of brown. Medium bodied and bright in the glass, this playful red flirts with scents of earth, mineral and a hint of perfume. Dried berries and pepper? Maybe, but more subtle.

On the first sip, my reaction was "mm!" A surprising brightness, giving way to light plum, spices and minerals. There are also strawberries and cherries - not too heavy, certainly not too sweet. Mellow tannins leave me reaching for the next sip. And the next.

At once racy and smooth, this darling is a perfect complement to the end of a workday. Just right on its own, it also goes well with casual lighter fare such as pasta with fresh tomatoes or even a sleeve of olive oil crackers. At this price, why wait for a perfect meal?

Murrieta's Well Vendimia Zarzuela 2007

The color of this wine shows deep cranberry. Not too much alcohol, as the legs run thin and sparse. This medium-to-full-bodied wine smells of freshly tilled earth and a bit of raked leaves with hints of smoke, plum and dried rose petals.

On the first sip, the tannins hit me first - coating my mouth with earthy chalk and subdued stone fruit with a bit of saddle leather on the back end. On the second sip, its mellow minerality comes through and reinforces plum, blueberry and blackberry flavors along with a bit of fig and tobacco.

This wine is smooth and a little rich, yet simple and straightforward - like a brush of a woman's hand across her admirer's face. Retail is around $19.

Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2007

I remember the day I discovered Carmenere wine. It was dinner at Cafe Brazil in northwest Denver a few years back (when they ran a tiny, crowded restaurant on Navajo Street). I can't remember if it was by suggestion or just curiosity, but man did this wine go great with South American flavors!

Today it's one of my go-to favorites for everyday imbibing. The Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2007 (Concha Y Toro) is deep burgundy in color. Compared to powerhouse reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, the body is a bit lighter in texture which belies a delightful complexity in scent and taste.

The nose is deep earth and minerals with scents of roasted plum, fig and crushed roses. The first rush across the tongue is smooth with a quick burst of blackberry, fig and plum. The tannins are somewhat assertive but are balanced by a nice acidity and a little spice to keep things interesting.

At about $12 a bottle, the Casillero del Diablo Carmenere is a great example of everyday wines from South America that offer taste and value. In addition to South American food, I highly recommend this wine for drinking on its own with a good book when its cold outside.