Thursday, July 31, 2008

A lot of drinking left to do...

Okay, I apologize. Work and life have taken me away from doing one of the things I enjoy most: talking about what I drank. No, for real. See, maybe some consider it fluff. Everyone's a writer, no one's an author. But I do love this experience.


So with that said, I've got quite a few wines to report back on.


I must also divulge the fact that I do in fact work for the company that sells all of these wines.


None of these were truly poor wines, which I think is indicative of the industry. You won't find a great deal of undrinkable abominations (unless you take a trip down to North Carolina and accidentally try some Scuppernong) standing on the shelves. You will find some below average, most average, and some shining over everything else. That's generally how it works.


The excitement always comes in those spurts. It's what wine lovers strive for (or hope for)...


I wish I had time to take notes on the wines. Due to time constraints and sheer quantity, that would've been an impossible task.


My favorites have the "***" added to them. If you have any questions on the wines, please leave a comment.


On with it!


Reds:
Aalto Ribera del Duero, Spain, 2004 - 9.2 ($55-65)
Robert Craig Affinity, California, 2005 - 8.9 ($41-45)
Crescendo Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 2004 - 8.9 ($36-40)
Bodegas Materredonda Juan Rojo, Spain, 2004 - 8.8 ($19-23)***
Lafond Pinot Noir, California, 2005 - 8.7 ($21-25)***
Chateau de la Chaize Brouilly, Beaujolais, 2005 - 8.6 ($16-20)***
Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 2005 - 8.6 ($34-38)
Marquis Philips Shiraz, Australia, 2006 - 8.5 ($16-20)
Paul Jaboulet Crozes-Hermitage "Les Jalets", Rhone, 2004 - 8.4 ($21-25)
Prevail West Face, California, 2003 - 8.4 ($55-60)
Bethel Heights Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2006 - 8.4 ($31-35)
Zaca Mesa Z Cuvee, California, 2004 - 8.4 ($15-19)
Santa Ema Reserve Merlot, Chile, 2005 - 8.3 ($11-15)***
Las Rocas Garnacha, Spain, 2005 - 8.3 ($15-19)
Artesa Pinot Noir, California, 2006 - 8.3 ($23-27)
Andretti Zinfandel, California, 2005 - 8.3 ($27-31)
Pietra Santa Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 2002 - 8.2 ($14-18)
Sonoma Creek Pinot Noir, California, 2006 - 8.2 ($12-15)
Cono Sur Vision Pinot Noir, Chile, 2007 - 8.2 ($13-16)
Spelletich Bodog Red, California, 2002 - 8.2 ($25-29)
Parson's Flat Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia, 2004 - 8.1 ($36-42)
Petra Zingari Sangiovese, Italy, 2005 - 8.1 ($16-20)
Kunde Cabernet Sauvignon, California - 8.0 ($17-21)
Omaka Springs Pinot Noir, New Zealand, 2006 - 8.0 ($20-24)
Buena Vista Pinot Noir, California, 2005 - 8.0 ($23-27)
Renwood Zinfandel Old Vine, California, 2004 - 8.0 ($18-22)
Waterstone Pinot Noir, California, 2004 - 7.7
Georges Duboeuf Julienas Chat. des Capitans, Beaujolais, 2006 - 7.5 ($15-19)
Torlasco Pinot Noir, Italy, 2005 - 7.4 ($13-16)


Whites:
Trevor Jones Virgin Chardonnay, Australia, 2006 - 8.6 ($17-19)***
Oak Knoll Pinot Gris, Oregon, 2005 - 8.5 ($14-16)
Tablas Creek Cotes du Tablas Blanc, California, 2006 - 8.4 ($22-25)
Domaine de Pouy, Gascogne, 2006 - 8.3 ($10-12)
Burgans Albarino, Spain, 2006 - 8.2 ($11-14)
Hope Estate Verdelho, 2006 - 8.2 ($11-14)***
Omaka Springs Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, 2007 - 8.1 ($15-18)
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier, California, 2006 - 8.1 ($14-16)
Les Charmes Macon-Lugny, Burgundy, 2006 - 8.0 ($12-14)***
Kunde Sauvignon Blanc, California, 2006 - 8.0 ($14-16)
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, 2006 - 7.8 ($12-15)
Novellum Chardonnay, France, 2006 - 7.7($11-14)
Bodegas Villar Ipsum Rueda, Spain, 2006 - 7.7 ($9-12)
Villa Pozzi Pinot Grigio, Italy, 2006 - 7.5 ($8-10)
Marques de Riscal Rueda, Spain, 2005 - 7.4 ($9-11)
Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc, Chile, 2007 - 7.1 ($12-15)