I have a thing for Australian wine in general, and the 2010 Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet blend from Penfold's is one that you could consider your daily drinker. Budget minded and full of tasty fruit, this wine is a blend of 75% Shiraz and 25% Cabernet with fruit from some very reputable vineyards in South Australia. Very dark red with cherry red near the edge, this juice is chocked full of mouth watering black fruits, baking spices and cinnamon stick. There is just enough oak to add to the appeal and hints of cocoa powder the background. Very smooth medium bodied wine that will please the senses!
ABV: 13.5%
Appellation: South Australia (Padthaway, Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully)
Retail Price: $12.00
Score: 87
www.penfolds.com
Many folks get skeptical about a mega winery's ability to make wine that appeals to the more sophisticated palate and some have received a bad rap over the years. But Kendall-Jackson stays true to their roots with the Vintner's Reserve series of wines, including this 2010 Merlot that is 100% estate grown. The composition of the wine is 99.5% Merlot with just small touches of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc that add some depth, contrast and color to the Merlot juice. Dark red in color, this wine promotes expressive aromas of plum, black cherry and baking spices. On the palate is much of the same, but at times I detected a hint of sweet ginger and chewy berries that brought out a nice strong finish in this well rounded wine. I have to tell you - I'm a fan! To me, good Merlot is often great Merlot and this is no exception. This 2010 Vintner's Reserve stands on it's own merit and it can be enjoyed with or without beef or bison.
ABV: 13.5%
Appellation: Sonoma County
Retail Price: $19.00
Score: 90
www.kj.com
Friends, listen closely. Before we get into the meat and potatoes of this wine, let me stress that there were only 80 cases of this bottled, so do yourself a favor and get some now. This 2008 Reserve from Stave 28 will take you to the small wine chateaus of France without leaving your home. I had the pleasure of tasting this both as a pre-bottle sample and now in bottle, and the wine is really amazing and I loved seeing the contrast between the two. This wine will be a good one to lay down for a few years and see what further develops, but the current indications are both promising and rewarding. Gorgeous red and purple blend in the glass with sexy legs and a nose of dark fruits, sweet but subdued smokiness and an earthly aroma that is subtle enough to be reminiscent of a French counter part. In the mouth is a very smooth and satisfying wine of depth, providing the palate with dark fruits, vanilla, black currant, cigar smoke, hints of leather and pine needle. According to wine maker Michael Weyna this juice spent over 3 years in French oak, which is an impressive feat and the long nap has been kind to this wine. This blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot is married beautifully and the finish is memorable with well integrated tannins. Again, this wine will only continue to bring more pleasure with age and you'll be glad you found it!
ABV: 14.3%
Appellation: California
Cases Produced: 80
Retail Price: $45.00
Score: 94
www.stave28.com
The 19 Crimes wines from Victoria, Australia features three different labels, all with the mugshot of a different criminal on them. You really need to check out their web site to find the stories behind the criminals. This wine is a blend of Shiraz and Durif that features lots of ripe fruits and vanilla on the nose. In the palate is a lighter bodied wine with ripe and sweet red and dark fruits and a softer touch by micro tannins that make this wine an easy drinker, even for someone who traditionally doesn't drink red. I think this is a good entry level red or 'crossover' wine from white to red. The finish is short but the wine is memorable and for this price point is a very good value.
ABV: 14%
Appellation: Victoria, Australia
Retail Price: $12.99
Score: 87
www.19crimes.com
The 2011 rainy season was very good for this Chardonnay. This 2011 vintage is a 100% varietal that was seven month sur lie and the result is wonderful. This medium yellow wine presents a cinnamon applesauce aroma with spring flowers and citrus fruits. In the mouth is a very lively and silky wine with apple, lemon zest and pear. When served at proper temperature (not too cold folks) more flavors of melon and lemon custard also show themselves. The finish is clearly refreshing and it dances in the mouth.
ABV: 13.5%
AVA: Napa Valley
Cases Produced: 74,000
Retail Price: $18.00
Score: 89
www.franciscan.com
The 2010 vintage Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Franciscan Estate is comprised of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Syrah and 1% Malbec. Lively aromas of plum, cherry pipe tobacco and rustic herbs present immediately in the glass. With some air time the fragrances become even more lovely and inviting. Plum and cherry follow through on the palate with some coffee bean and toasty oak. The finish is very silky and lingers for many moments on the mouth. Great value and lovely taste!
ABV: 13.5%
AVA: Napa Valley
Cases Produced: 117,000
Retail Price: $28.00
Score: 90
www.franciscan.com
Sometimes when people hear the term "daily drinker" it instantly turns them off, often believing that a particular wine might be perceived as run-of-the-mill or that there is nothing particularly special about the juice. I, however, use the term "daily drinker" to describe a wine that is great tasting, memorable, affordable and comfortable to you, both in drink and in how it makes you feel. And that is what we have with the 2009 Napa Valley Merlot from Robert Mondavi. This wine features an explosion of sweet black fruit, tobacco, dried herbs and espresso bean. The color is a gorgeous dark red and very fine grained tannins round out a very good drinking experience that is coated in plum, blueberry and herbs. The wine is composed of 93% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec and it is a sexy feeling, full bodied pleaser!
ABV: 14.9%
AVA: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $23.00
Score: 88
www.robertmondavi.com
Stay in touch with the Robert Mondavi Winery on their Facebook page!
Most people have tasted Robert Mondavi's Fume Blanc over the years, but to be able to sample the Fume Blanc Reserve from the famed To Kalon Vineyard is something quite special. Mondavi put Fume Blanc on the map and the To Kalon Vineyard produces some of the best grapes in Napa Valley. The 2009 vintage is absolutely delicious with incredibly fragrant floral notes that blend with lemon and mint. Reserved flavors of pink grapefruit, lemon candy and dried herbs are present and blend beautifully. The wine is bright with a definitive acid, but the finish is very creamy and smooth. This wine is a stunning blend of 98% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Semillon.
ABV: 14.2%
AVA: Napa Valley
Cases Produced: 1,867
Retail Price: $40.00
Score: 93
www.robertmondavi.com
The Robert Mondavi Winery is the July 2012 Winery of the Month at Midwest Wine Guy! Please check out the story on this site.
Ok, let me say this again. Wine does not have to cost a lot to be enjoyable. Many times people will ask my opinion on a wine and apologetically say, "It only costs X amount of dollars". Great! You found a wine that you enjoy and it isn't causing you to take out a second mortgage? You've done well. And that's what you're going to find in the 2011 Chardonnay from Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi. This wine has great Charonnay aromas that include apple, pear and flower petals. The wine is very smooth in the mouth and has a light to medium weight feel with a flavor that is primarily reminiscent of apple cobbler. Believe it or not, this wine pairs excellent with bacon of all things! This wine's varietal composition is 76% Chardonnay, 18% French Colombard, 3% Viognier and 3% proprietary blend of aromatic varietals. It is a very good choice and an incredible value.
ABV: 13.2%
Appellation: California
Retail Price: $7.99
Score: 87
www.robertmondavi.com/woodbridge/
Follow Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi on Twitter
What is there to say about this wine? You can find the Woodbridge collection of wines by Robert Mondavi at most retail outlets, including some big box stores and wholesale clubs. What I like about this wine is that it appeals to a wide variety of tastes, and even people who don't normally consider themselves to be wine drinkers per se will grab a glass of this wine. It's a great summer party wine when served well chilled and it adds to your enjoyment of salads, fish and chicken. The wine is crisp and refreshing and presents mild flavors of lime and pear. Lime was the dominant aroma upon swirling as well. Woodbridge lists the varietal composition of this wine as 76% Pinot Grigio and 24% aromatic white varieties.
ABV: 12.2%
Appellation: California
Retail Price: $7.99
Score: 85
www.robertmondavi.com/woodbridge/
Connect with Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi on their Facebook Page!
