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Fess Parker Frontier Red Lot No. 1 California Red Wine – A big red composed of Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and
Carignane. A picture of Fess as Daniel Boone is on the label. Big, rich,
high-alcohol red. Grilled meats, burgers, whatever.
Serve slightly chilled, at least in the summer. $10
Michael and David Petite Petit (Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot) Lodi 2007 – Very deep purple beauty with violets and plums. Big, well-made wine. I’m going for a cheeseburger! $18
Blackstone Rubric Sonoma Reserve 2007 – Made by talented new winemaker Gary Sitton, this wine ushers in a new era for
Blackstone. Vibrant blend of 55 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 percent Malbec,
8 percent Cabernet Franc, 8 percent Petit Verdot, 7 percent Tannat, 5 percent
Merlot and 3 percent Petite Sirah
—WOW! Great buy! A six ounce filet sounds about right. $22
Starmont (Merryvale) Merlot Napa Valley 2006 – Black cherry and cocoa/ coffee flavors with rich texture in the mouth. Great
buy. $24
Peppoli Chianti Classico Antinori 2006 – From the 600-year-old company headed by Piero Antinori. This one is a big
winner. Ninety percent Sangiovese with a little Merlot and Syrah. Charming red
fruits with hints of vanilla. Went down so fast for my wife and me, it was
almost all gone before we started on the Italian dinner we planned for it! Not
a hint of the harshness associated with some Chiantis.
$27
MacRostie Syrah Wildcat Mountain 2005 – From two great vineyards on Wildcat Mountain in Sonoma County. Pepper, spice and
game from the older vineyard and rich raspberry/blueberry flavors from the
newer. Bring out the Prime Rib!
$34
Rancho Arroyo Grande Mourvedre Dry Farmed 2007 – A minute one-fourth ton per acre with only 125 cases produced.
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Purple-black color. Although 15.75 percent alcohol, it is perfectly integrated into the unbelievably rich fruit flavors. My favorite
new discovery! Available at the winery only. Serve with your favorite beef stew
or Hungarian Goulash.
$45
Lynmar Estate Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Quail Hill Vineyard 2006 – A relatively new winery for me, but a fascinating place to visit. Among the very
finest accommodations in the wine country for visiting tasters/buyers. Bonus
points to this wine for gorgeous aroma of red fruits with intriguing, spicy
notes and well-integrated toasty oak. Bacon wrapped quail or roasted chicken
with mushroom sauce would be a great way to compliment this wine. $60
Other Great Values
Perfecta Merlot Napa Valley 2005 – Best buy at $11.50
Blackstone Zinfandel Winemakers Select 2007. $12
Marilyn Remark Grenache Monterey County Wild Horse Road Vineyard 2006. $25
Saintsbury Pinot Noir Carneros 2007. $33
Tandem Pinot Noir Sonoma Mountain Van Deer Kamp Vineyard 2006. $42
Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005. $45
Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Chenowith Vineyard 2006. $53
Michael and David Rapture Lodi 2004. $55
Favorite New Wineries
Two of my favorite new wineries are Small Vines and C. Donatiello. Both produce
outstanding Russian River Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, mostly with tiny
allocations, but worth a try at their Web sites.
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