Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - Marlborough New Zealand

With the spring upon us and the summer fast approaching my thoughts are turning to refreshing white wines. The quality of this New Zealand white is consistently high and is a perennial Wine Spectator favorite. The 2009 edition is light and crisp with citrus overtones. Lemon and lime flavors fill the mouth. This wine is perfect with sushi, grilled seafood and simply prepared roast chicken. I prefer to savor this outstanding white on it's own. For me, Cloudy Bay is the quintessential New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Price: $19 to $21

2007 Robert Mondavi Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

This Napa Cab is one of better values out there. It is potent and full bodied with flavors of dark fruit. Blackberry and currant flavors meld nicely with soft tannins. One would expect a wine with such richness, concentration and suppleness to be far more expensive. Fire up the grill and enjoy this one with a big burger or nice Filet. Price range: $19 to $24

2006 Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero

This super Ribera del Duero has a 91 rating by the Wine Spectator.  Aged in French and American oak, this red exhibits lots and lots fruit.  Strong flavors of Blackberry, currant, spice and oak combine with soft tannins to make this a delightful wine. This Emilio Mora is a knockout and is a great value at 19.99.

Cuvelier Los Andes Collection 2007

Cuvelier Los Andes
Collection 2007
Mendoza,  Argentina

This outstanding red is 60 pct Malbec, 26 pct Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 pct Merlot and 4 pct Petit Verdot.  It exhibits a perfect balance of dark fruit and French oak.  This wine is super concentrated with aromas and flavors of blackberry, currant and dark chocolate.  This rich Bordeaux blend is priced between $20 and $24:  an amazing value for a wine of this quality.

Langhe Nebbiolo 2008

Produttori del Barbaresco
Langhe Nebbiolo 2008

Here we have an everyday Nebbiolo.  Yes, an everyday Nebbiolo. 
The wine exhibits all the the best qualities of a good Barbaresco.  The Cherry and spice flavors are prominent.  Let's face it.  Barbarescos and Barolos are superb but pricey in good vintages.  This second growth Nebbiolo is delicious and approaches the quality of a first growth Barbaresco but at $19.00 it's a great value.  So wave in the veal parm, pizza and linguini pomodoro with a bottle of Langhe.

2008 Ritual Pinot Noir

2008 Ritual Pinot Noir
Casablanca Valley
Veramonte Chile

As some of you may know the red wines of Burgundy are my first love.  Unfortunately, a nice Chambolle Musigny , Nuit St George, or Gevrey Chambertin can be challenging to the wallet.   Somewhere down the line I will talk about a few of my favorite Burgundys but for now I will stick to this stellar Pinot from Chile.  This elegant and graceful wine replicates the  flavor of some of the best Chambolles that I have tasted.  This full bodied Pinot fills the mouth with Cherry and berry flavors with a hint of chocolate.  At $25 this Burgundy style wine is a steal. This Pinot is truly outstanding.

Sage advice from Sam #2 - Do vacuum pumps work?

Vacuum pumps are ok. I have a Vacuvin. It's good for one maybe 2 days max regardless of what they say.
It not expensive so the answer is yes they are worth it.

Additional note: For some reason it seems to work best with whites but it is cool with reds too.

Sage advice from Sam #1 - Should you use an Aerator

Aerators are not super effective. It is weird air is both the best friend and enemy of wine.  Breathing for 10 to 20 minutes is good. An hour is bad. No need for an the Aerator.

A decanter is cool. That will provide more than enough air.  If you have left over wine store it in a small container. The smaller the container the less air can get in. The better the wine will be day 2.

2007 Chateau Ksara

2007 Chateau Ksara 

Reserve du Couvent

Bekaa Valley

This Bordeaux style Lebanese Red is 40  pct Syrah 30 pct Cabernet Franc and 30 pct Cabernet Sauvignon. Berry fruit aromas and flavors are front and center here with hints of strawberry, mint and coffee.  Needless to say this wine is perfect with Lebanese food.  I paired this with a mezza platter of Hummus, Falafel with Tahini, Baba Ganoush and Taboule salad. The main dish was chargrilled lamb chops.  I have also paired this wine with a simple roast chicken and orzo seasoned with olive oil and onion. I must confess that I have enjoyed this delicious wine on its own as well. At $14 this all purpose red is an excellent value.

Chianti Classico Riserva Viticcio 2006

Viticcio has been a consistent producer of high quality Chianti.  It  has produced my favorite Chianti Classico Riserva for the past 15 years. The 2006 vintage carries on the tradition of excellence and is truly outstanding.  It is full-bodied with flavors of dark fruit and chocolate.  It is super rich but soft on the palate. Try this one with a nice Lasagna, mushroom risotto or a New York Strip drizzled with Gorgonzola.

2008 Domaine Sigalas Santorini Assyrtiko

This white is my wine of choice when I dine at Avra; one NYC's best Greek seafood restaurants.  This delicious wine is 100 pct Assyrtiko and offers a perfect balance of citrus flavors and minerality. It works perfectly with grilled or pan seared seafood.  We recently paired this wine with giant Nigerian Shrimp and chargrilled Branzino.  If you have not been exposed to the wines of Santorini, this is a great place to start. Price range should be $15 to $20.

Terrabianca Campaccio 2006

This wine  is a consistent winner. I have been a fan of this wine and its previous vintages for years.  Tonight  I brought a bottle to a dinner party.  It was gone in literally 5 minutes.  This Tuscan gem is a delicious blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The aroma and flavor remind me of blackberry, currant  and blueberry.  This a super cool wine.  I love to pair it with a hunk of Crotonese or Parmigiano-Reggiano  and some crusty Italian bread.  Not bad with a Veal Chop topped with mushrooms and cherry peppers as well.  The 2006 vintage is a 90 plus wine priced in the mid 20 buck range.

2007 Alto Moncayo Veraton (Campo de Borja) Garnacha

2007 Alto Moncayo Veraton (Campo de Borja) Garnacha

OK.  It's cold out there.  Time for a  nice rich wine to go with your Lamb Shank,  Osso Buco, Big Steak or the over sized burger.  This is one of my favorite Spanish wines. 

The Veraton is a truly potent wine.  A perfect balance of oak and dark fruit. It's surprisingly smooth for such a rich concentrated wine.  A wine of this quality is a steal in the $23 to $28 price range.

2008 Tenuta di Castiglioni

OK I am having lunch at Batali and Bastinich's pizza and pasta place in Port Chester The  Tarry Lodge.  Had an amazing Toscano.   2008 Tenuta di Castiglioni  by Frescobaldi.  You  have to try this.  Exquisite! Nice way to wash down a Margherita pizza. Might as well make the best of the day.

Pine Ridge Forefront

Drinking some Pine Ridge Forefront tonight.  The affordable Pine ridge wine.   95 pct Cab with a touch of Syrah

2007 Volver

You have to try this Tempranillo. 2007 Volver from La Mancha in Spain.  One if the benefits of the fiscal crisis in Europe is great values in Spanish wines.  They need the cash. Try this wine.  It's 13.00 bucks but scores a 90 with Parker.  Super cool wine. Very rich with supple tannins.