Rich and seductive
Cabernet Sauvignon swirls
in my glass. Velvet.

I wrote this haiku for Cabernet Sauvignon because I love it so much. What’s not to love? Cabernet Sauvignons (when they’re well-made) tend to be plush and velvety, with lovely black fruit, spice and mocha aromas and flavors. Cabernet Sauvignons are among the most age-worthy of all red-wines, even here in California, where most wines are produced with a drink-it-tomorrow mentality.

Here at Rancho Wine Wench, we enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon with grilled Rib-eye  and T-bone steaks with all the fixins, but it also pairs really well with a variety of hearty, lightly seasoned foods.

I recently tasted a BUNCH of California Cabernet Sauvignons – the following wines were my favorites:

Five Stars
Wine Wench Favorite!
Louis M. Martini
2008 Lot No. 1, Napa Valley  $120
This amazing wine really lives up to its price tag. It is simply one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons that I’ve ever tasted (and I’ve tasted hundreds, if not thousands). Enticing aromas of dark chocolate, black cherry, cassis and exotic spice continue as flavors in the decadently rich, seamless mouthfeel. It is Casanova in a glass – made my knees weak.

Five Stars
Corison
2008 Kronos Vineyard, Napa Valley $95
A worthy splurge  – this gorgeous wine is worth every penny of its $95 price tag!
Chocolate-covered-cherry (the expensive kind), spice incense, cigar box and mocha aromas and flavors abound, all wrapped up in a velvety-rich mouthfeel. Makes me want to have a naked chocolate-covered-cherry eating contest. Grin.

Five Stars
Draxton
2009 Dry Creek Valley $32
Can you say “bargain?” I knew ya could! This is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon with a bargain price tag! Alluring aromas of cherry compote, rose petal and cedar lead into a smooth mouthful of consistent flavors. Picture Salma Hayak, wearing only an apron and stiletto heels making cherry compote. A big bunch of heritage roses sit on the counter. She takes a sniff, then sighs with pleasure…

Five Stars
Louis M. Martini
2008 Alexander Valley $35
In my humble, wenchy opinion, this wine stands right up to LMM’s pricier offerings. Huge dark fruit (plum, black cherry, blackberry), cigar box and mocha aromas explode from the glass and continue as flavors in the plush, velvety mouth. Buy some! Buy some now!

Five Stars
Corison
2008 Napa Valley $85
OMG – talk about seductive! Irresistible aromas of ripe cherry, cassis, clove incense and cedar lure you in to a velvety mouthful of bliss. Picture Bradley Cooper, wearing  a black smoking jacket, feeding you ripe cherries as you lounge in his bed…

Five Stars
Kendall-Jackson
2008 Grand Reserve CA $28
This wine is a beautiful bargain, just like finding a brand-new designer dress in a thrift shop! It is Cabernet Sauvignon with a capital “C.” Classic aromas and flavors of ripe black cherries, mocha and spice box abound, all lovingly stitched together with a luscious, velvety mouthfeel.

Five Stars
Louis M. Martini
2008 Napa Valley $25
I seem to be in love with Louis Martini, or his wines, at least. I have LOVED every one I’ve tasted! This 2008 Napa Valley Cab is a fantastic deal! Green olive, savory herbs (mint, sage and anise) and dark chocolate aromas and flavors abound, from the first sniff, through the richly textured mouth and on through the finish. A steal for $25!

Four Stars
Tres Sabores
2007 Napa Valley $64
Complex, spicy, intense and flavorful, with abundant blackberry, cherry, chocolate and curry – this deliciously intense wine is an adventure to sniff and sip. Lovely!

Four Stars
Smith & Hook
2009 Central Coast $30
This is an in-your-face style Cab. It is intensely rich and loaded with black cherry, plum, anise and mint aromas and flavors. It should come with a warning label, because it is entirely too easy to drink.

Four Stars
Pech Merle
2008 Alexander Valley $37
Enticing aromas of cassis, black cherry, blackberry, cedar and vanilla delight the nose and lure the taster into a velvety mouthful of consistent flavors. Nice!

Ah, the life of a Wine Wench – living and working in paradise (Sonoma County), eating fabulous foods and drinking wonderful wines every day. It’s a tough life, but somebody’s gotta live it! It would cost a small fortune to keep my cellar stocked with my favorite wines if I wasn’t already working in the wine industry, but never fear – There is a boatload of great wines out there available at bargain prices just waiting for for me (and you, too!) to enjoy.

This review is all about really good wines  (five stars on the Wine-Wench-Scale) that are all priced at $20 or less. I would (and do) happily drink any of these wines and proudly share them with some of my wine-geekier cork dork friends. Ready? Here we go…

Bargain Sparkling Wines

Five Stars
Barefoot
NV Brut Cuvée $10.99
This wine is Charlize Theron, biting into a ripe, juicy Pippin apple. The juice dribbles down the side of her face. You reach out a finger to wipe it off, then…
Anyway…this wine is delicious! It’s zippy, zesty and fruity and only $10.99!

Five Stars
Freixenet
Elyssia
Gran Cuvée Cava Spain $18
This refreshing Spanish sparkler is spicy, racy and complex. It’s loaded with aromas and flavors of cinnamon, allspice and green herbs. Picture Antonio Banderas, lounging in the herb garden, wearing nothing but a cinnamon-dusted matador’s cape and you’ll be with me on my happy little Wine Wench planet.

Five Stars
Segura Viudas
Brut Rosé, Spain $10
Wow! What a steal! This is the kind of bubbly you should always have around the house – it is absolutely delicious, inexpensive and waaay too easy to drink! It is a brilliant dark coral color, with a vibrant mousse (that means lots of bubbles). As you sniff, aromas of juicy cherry, rose petals, toasted almond and a touch of clean mineral delight the nose and continue as flavors in the zippy, zesty mouth.

Bargain White Wines

Five Stars
Hop Kiln
2010 Thousand Flowers CA $16
This refreshing white blend is a tropical vacation in a glass! It is super aromatic, with aromas and flavors of exotic fruits and flowers, with a juicy, bright mouthfeel. All that’s missing are the little umbrellas and a pool boy (OK, pool MAN) to rub suntan oil on my back…

Five Stars
 Incognito
2010 White Blend, Lodi $18
Perfumed aromas of ripe peach, nectarine, citrus and white flowers explode from the glass and continue as flavors in the zippy, juicy mouth. Can you say “quaff?” I knew ya could!

Five Stars
Gaga
2009 Blanc, CA $12.50
Who ARE these people? This is the second wine I’ve tasted from them and absolutely loved (the first was their Rosé). The wines are well made and well priced. And the labels are really chic, too! This white blend is gorgeous, with abundant aromas and flavors of citrus, honeysuckle and savory green herbs. I’d have a “Bad Romance” with this wine any time!

Five Stars
Kokomo
2010 Timbercrest Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley $18
Wow! Seductive aromas of sage, lemongrass, mint, grapefruit and white flowers delight the nose and continue on as flavors in the balanced, juicy mouth. Buy some. Buy some now!

Five Stars
Donna Fugata
2010 Anthilia $15
Dried flowers, grapefruit, peach and mineral aromas lure the taster into a bright, fresh mouthful of deliciousness. This Sicilian white wine is sassy and crisp, like Ellen DeGeneres wearing a freshly pressed white cotton button-down shirt and pinstriped slacks – she’s cracking jokes nonstop. This wine will make you smile.

Five Stars
Vionta
2010 Albariño, Rias Baxas, Spain $15
“When I saw her face, now I’m a believer. Not a trace – of doubt in my mind. I’m in love – oh, yeah, I’m a believer, couldn’t leave her if I tried…” This song by The Monkeys describes my torrid love affair with Albariño and this one is a beauty – chock full of aromas and flavors of ripe peach, citrus, tropical fruits, savory green herbs and clean mineral notes, all wrapped up in a balanced, juicy mouth. Buy some. Buy some now!

Bargain Red Wines

Five Stars
El Roy
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley $20
Can you say “bargain?” I knew you could! This is a delicious steal, and a classic Cab at that – loaded with aromas and flavors of black cherry, cocoa, cedar and exotic spice, lovingly presented in a velvety mouthfeel. Long finish.

Five Stars
Villa San Juliette
2008 Merlot, Paso Robles $18
Oooh! Pretty! Seductive scents of cherry, cinnamon and vanilla delight the nose and continue as flavors in the velvety mouth. This gorgeous wine is almost too easy to drink, and at only $18 per bottle, it’s a deliciously affordable indulgence.

Five Stars
Gaga
2007 Red Wine, CA 12.50
OK, I’m gaga for Gaga! This is the third wine I’ve tried in their lineup (the first two were a white blend and a Rosé) and they have all been fabulous! They make me want to strap big tall high heels on my feet, put on the ol’ meat dress and belt out “Poker Face.”  Anyway, this red blend is loaded with aromas and flavors of blackberry, cherry and mocha, all dressed up in a deliciously rich mouthfeel.

Five Stars
Red Rock
2008 Merlot, CA $13.99
If Elmer Fudd ever tasted this wine he’d say “I just WUV Wed Wock Merwow! Fwavors of wipe bwackbewwy, bwack chewwy and mocha dewight my mouth!”Sorry – I was having too much fun with Fudd alliteration – this is a seriously good, classic Merlot at a bargain basement price. Just buy some, OK?

Five Stars
Dancing Bull
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, CA $12
This classic Cab is dark, rich and delicious, with abundant aromas and flavors of blackberry, plum, black cherry and dark chocolate. Reminds me of a dark-chocolate- dipped Johnny Depp – hold the sprinkles, please!

Five Stars
Napa Station
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $20
This classic Cab for $20? You’re kidding, right? Wrong – it really is only $20 and a total steal at that! Mouthwatering aromas of black cherry, cassis, spice box and chocolate delight the nose and lure the taster into a luscious mouthful of consistent flavors. Made my knees weak.

Five Stars
Redwood Creek
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, CA $8
Jam bomb! This wine is so sassy and fruity it should be spanked! Blackberry, cherry and plum jam aromas are complimented by mocha and spice notes, all wrapped up in a velvety mouthfeel. And it’s only $8!

“I’m drinking stars!”
Dom Perignon on drinking Champagne, waaay back in the day… 

I LOVE bubbly. I am partial to expensive French bubbly, but there are some really good and affordable non-French sparkling wines that can light up my taste buds (and yours, too!). The sparkling wines listed below are perfect for your holiday celebrations and many are surprisingly affordable!

Try serving sparkling wines with any seafood dish (caviar  and Sushi are two of my personal faves!), salads, brunch fare or, just enjoy it on its own! Cheers!

Five Stars
Panel Favorite!
Iron Horse
2006 Russian Cuvée Russian River Valley $38
OMG! What a fantastic sparkling wine! Spicy aromas of cinnamon toast, clove, allspice, toasted almond, citrus peel and a dab of butter delight the nose and continue as flavors in the luscious, effervescent mouth.

Five Stars
Barefoot
NV Brut Cuvée $10.99
This wine is Charlize Theron, biting into a ripe, juicy Pippin apple. The juice dribbles down the side of her face. You reach out a finger to wipe it off, then…
Anyway…this wine is delicious! It’s zippy, zesty and fruity and only $10.99!

Five Stars
Iron Horse
2006 Brut X Russian River Valley $50
Aloha! Aromas of tropical fruits and flowers are enhanced by yeasty, toasty notes. The mouth is crisp and clean, yet rich. This is the perfect bubbly to drink on a beach with your favorite pool boy.

Five Stars
Freixenet
Elyssia Gran Cuvée Cava Spain $18
This refreshing Spanish sparkler is spicy, racy and complex. It’s loaded with aromas and flavors of cinnamon, allspice and green herbs. Picture Antonio Banderas, lounging in the herb garden, wearing nothing but a cinnamon-dusted matador’s cape and you’ll be with me on my happy little Wine Wench planet.

Five Stars
Iron Horse
2003 Brut LD, Russian River Valley $68
Sassy, zesty and totally enjoyable! Aromas and flavors of lime peel, savory green herbs, green apple and buttered bread abound, all lovingly presented in an effervescent mouthfeel. This wine is Katy Perry, wearing a skin-tight green satin gown, belting out “I Kissed A Girl and I Liked It.”

Four Stars
Segura Viudas
Brut Reserva Cava Spain $10
Sassy Spanish sparkler! Try saying that one five times, fast. Grin.
This wine is crisp, complex and well balanced, loaded with aromas and flavors of green apple, tropical fruit and tropical fruit, all wrapped up in a vibrant, juicy mouth.

Four Stars
Segura Viudas
Reserva Heredad Cava Spain $25
¡Que delicioso! In other words, yum! Another stellar Spanish sparkler from Segura Viudas! This wine abounds with aromas and flavors of citrus peel, green herbs, green apple and mineral notes. And the bottle is really cool, too.

OK, so I blew it – took off to Southern California without my Thanksgiving Wines tasting notes. D’oh! I had planned on writing up this piece while visiting family down there, as I was enjoying the luxury of a few days off before T-Day to sit down and write. That was my plan, but as often happens on Planet Wine Wench, plans go awry. Sooo…I’m doing the Thanksgiving Wines piece today – it’s a few days late, but delicious anyway.

The following array of wines (warning – there are a LOT of them!) are just plain good and they would be good with turkey and all the sides or just about any comestibles you could come up with, including leftover turkey. Better late than never!

Here are the sparklers and white wines – the red wines are farther down the page.

Five Stars
Segura Viudas
Brut Rosé, Spain $10
Wow! What a steal! This is the kind of bubbly you should always have around the house – it is absolutely delicious, inexpensive and waaay too easy to drink! It is a brilliant dark coral color, with a vibrant mousse (that means lots of bubbles). As you sniff, aromas of juicy cherry, rose petals, toasted almond and a touch of clean mineral delight the nose and continue as flavors in the zippy, zesty mouth.

Five Stars
Iron Horse
2006 Brut Rosé, Russian River Valley $50
This gorgeous pink sparkler will steal your heart (and a few bucks too, but, hey – it’s a worthy splurge!). Aromas of strawberry, cranberry, citrus peel and savory herb notes abound and are carried through in the finely textured mouth. Yum!

Five Stars
Vionta
2010 Albariño, Rias Baxas, Spain $15
“When I saw her face, now I’m a believer. Not a trace – of doubt in my mind. I’m in love – oh, yeah, I’m a believer, couldn’t leave her if I tried…” This song by The Monkeys describes my torrid love affair with Albariño and this one is a beauty – chock full of aromas and flavors of ripe peach, citrus, tropical fruits, savory green herbs and clean mineral notes, all wrapped up in a balanced, juicy mouth. Buy some. Buy some now!

Five Stars
Carol Shelton
2009 Coquille Blanc, Paso Robles $30
Oh Cabaña Boy – please bring me another Piña Colada, and then put more suntan oil on my back…uh, sorry, daydreaming here. This wine is a tropical paradise in a glass! It’s got banana boatloads of tropical fruit, exotic spice and herbs, all wrapped up in a creamy, dreamy mouthfeel. It’ll take you to a happy place.

Five Stars
Iron Horse
2009 Un-oaked Chardonnay, Green Valley $26
This is a “comfort wine” – aromas of baking spices, ripe red apple and herbs waft from the glass, reminding me of cooking good, warm things in my kitchen. These aromas continue as flavors in the bright and juicy mouth.

Four Stars
Freixenet
NV Cordon Rosado, Spain $12
Pink. Bubbly. Juicy. Sparkly. Delicious. A total bargain!
Aromas and flavors of strawberry, cranberry, dried flowers and green herbs abound, all served forth in a sassy, sparkly mouthfeel. Great!

Four Stars
HKG
2009 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $28
This pretty Chardonnay is all about balance – a touch of apple here, a dab of cream there, and to top it all off, a squeeze of citrus and a dab of butter. Delicious!

OK – here are the red wines. I had to break this tasting up into two segments, because there were just so many great wines!

Five Stars
Carol Shelton
2007 “Wild Thing” Zinfandel, Cox Vineyard, Mendocino County $24
This wine is spicier than Lady Gaga in a jalapeño dress! Aromas of pepper, brown spices, blackberry, raspberry and brambles delight the nose and continue as flavors in the richly textured mouth. Yum!

Five Stars
Furthermore
2008 Pinot Noir, Amber Ridge Vineyard, Russian River Valley $40
This gorgeous Pinot made my knees weak! Mouthwatering scents of cherry, strawberry, vanilla and cinnamon toast will lure the taster into a perfectly balanced, luscious mouthful of consistent flavors. Long, delicious finish. Maybe it’ll make your knees weak too!

Five Stars
El Roy
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley $20
Can you say “bargain?” I knew you could! This is a delicious steal, and a classic Cab at that – loaded with aromas and flavors of black cherry, cocoa, cedar and exotic spice, lovingly presented in a velvety mouthfeel. Long finish.

Five Stars
Napa Station
2008 Merlot, Napa Valley $22
Now, THIS is a Merlot! Picture Halle Barre painted into her latex Catwoman outfit, breaking into your bedroom window and you’ll be with me on my happy little wine-drenched planet. This Merlot is elegant and balanced, with black cherry, spice potpourri, cocoa and rose petal with a sassy pinch of green herbs. The mouthfeel is silky, sexy and rich and the finish lingers on and on…

Five Stars
Villa San Juliette
2008 Merlot, Paso Robles $18
Oooh! Pretty! Seductive scents of cherry, cinnamon and vanilla delight the nose and continue as flavors in the velvety mouth. This gorgeous wine is almost too easy to drink, and at only $18 per bottle, it’s a deliciously affordable indulgence.

Four Stars
Philo Ridge
2007 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley $28
This is a bright, juicy, sassy little Pinot with attitude. The nose is redolent with juicy strawberry, cranberry and cherry cola, with a grind of pepper and pinch of green herbs. These aromas continue as flavors in the silky, sexy mouth.

Four Stars
Red Rock
2010 Winemaker’s Blend, CA $13.99
Fruit bomb! This quaffable blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah is crammed full with more fruit than a farmer’s market. Aromas of ripe blackberry, plum and cherry are enhanced by mocha and cinnamon. It is big and rich in the mouth, with loads of fruit and spice. Delicious!

Syrah (also called Shiraz in Australia) is originally from the Rhône Valley in France, but it is grown in many parts of the United States and is becoming one of Australia’s top wines. Syrah (and Shiraz) tends to be a big, full-bodied wine with flavors of blackberry, cherry, green herbs, leather and smoked meat.

Try pairing Syrah with hearty dishes, such as roasted lamb, eggplant parmesan, grilled and smoked meats, stew, chili and robust cheeses.

I tasted a goodly handful of Syrahs from all over California and the following four wines were my favorites:

Five Stars
Perry Creek
2008 Syrah, El Dorado County $28
What a sexy wine! It is big, intense and packed with aromas and flavors of ripe plum, blackberry, cherry pipe tobacco and dark chocolate, all wrapped up in a richly textured mouthfeel. This wine is Lenny Kravitz, wearing a velvet smoking jacket (and nothing underneath it), smoking a pipe. A mocha steams on his bedside table next to a plate of ripe plums and blackberries…

Five Stars
Longboard
2008 Syrah, Russian River Valley $45   
Oooh – spicy! Alluring aromas of potpourri spice, plum, blackberry and black pepper continue as flavors in the juicy, balanced mouth. This wine is late-night TV host Craig Ferguson, dusted with pepper and baking spices, lounging on a velvet couch, cussing a blue streak. You’d be cussing a blue streak too, if you were dusted with pepper and baking spices, but Craig is extra-spicy…

Four Stars
Eberle
2007 Côtes-du-Rhône, Paso Robles $24
Picture Penelope Cruz running naked through a field of wildflowers while eating a slab of cherry pie and you’ve got this wine in a nutshell, er, wine glass. It is medium bodied, spicy and a little racy, with abundant aromas and flavors of cherry, pepper and floral notes.

Three Stars
6^th Sense
2009 Syrah, Lodi $16
This wine is done in an over-the-top style – it has huge fruit, huge spice and tons of sweet, smoky aromas and flavors, all wrapped up in a huge mouthfeel. It’s Shaq, BBQing ribs with a sweet, smoky sauce in the backyard. Ripe blackberries hang in the background.

Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favorite aromatic white wines. The aromas and flavors range from green (cut grass, green herbs, green olives, bell peppers and hay) to citrus (grapefruit, lemon, lime) to full-blown ripe fruit (melon, tropical fruit and stone fruit). Oh and don’t forget the cat pee. Not that I’ve ever tasted cat pee, mind you, but I’ve smelled it in plenty of Sauvignon Blancs. A little cat pee isn’t necessarily a bad thing in Sauvignon Blanc – lots of New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs and quite a few from California have a goodly bit ‘o tabby to them. Mrrow!

I like to serve it slightly chilled with light seafood dishes, smoked salmon and salads. It is wonderful with a bowl of green olives, sharp goats’ milk cheese and crusty French bread.

I tasted a bunch of Sauvignon Blancs from all over California. The following wines were my favorites (all priced under $20, by the way):

Five Stars
Kokomo
2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Timbercrest Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley $18
Wow! Seductive aromas of sage, lemongrass, mint, grapefruit and white flowers delight the nose and continue on as flavors in the balanced, juicy mouth. Buy some. Buy some now!

Five Stars
Draxton
2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley $18
This Sauvignon Blanc is a bright, zippy wine – from the first sniff, through the crisp mouthfeel and on through the finish. Aromas and flavors of jalapeño peppers, hay, green herbs and citrus abound.

Five Stars
Michael David
2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County $14
Perfumed aromas of orange blossom, honeysuckle, grapefruit and melon continue as flavors in the big, rich mouthfeel. This wine is what we would call a “patio pounder,” meaning that its almost too easy to drink.

Five Stars
Rodney Strong
2010 Fumé Blanc, Charlotte’s Home Vineyard, Northern Sonoma $13.50
This is one delicious wine! Spicy scents of jalapeño peppers, green bell peppers, green herbs and grapefruit lead into a crisp mouthful of consistent flavors. Totally refreshing!

Four Stars
El Roy
2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Nelson Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley $15
Can you say “meow?” I knew you could! Along with savory green herbs, bell peppers, cut grass, hay and white flowers, this sassy Sauvignon Blanc has a spray of cat pee. This is not a bad thing for cat lovers and lovers of this sometimes catty varietal. It’s tasty.

Four Stars
Huntington
2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley $14
Oooh! Pretty! Perfumed aromas of dried flowers, lemongrass and grapefruit continue as flavors in the crisp, juicy mouth. Long, delicious finish.

Four Stars
Longboard
2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley $20 
This delicious Sauvignon Blanc is done in a ripe, fruity style. Aromas and flavors of melon and peach abound, balanced by citrus and floral notes. Total quaff!

Four Stars
Dancing Bull
2009 CA $12
Grapefruit, green herbs and white flowers play together nicely from the first sniff, through the full-bodied, juicy mouth and on through the finish. Patio pounder!

Winemaking is a lot like cooking – add a pinch of this, a dab of that and a drop or two of something else and voila! You have created something delicious!

In winemaking, the ingredients are very limited – grapes, oak barrels and yeast. That’s all, folks, but (and this is a BIG but) each type of wine grape has its own inherent aromas, flavors and textures, as do different types of oak barrels and strains of yeast. This variety of available ingredients gives the winemaker a whole toy box of things to play with in her/his winemaking.

With this philosophy in mind, blends are really fun to make. I can say from personal experience, because I actually help with the blending at J. Rickards Winery (my day job). It’s one of my favorite things to do, and I actually get paid for it. Grin.

OK – on to the wines. I tasted a bunch of red blends from all over California (and some imports, too, but that’ll be in a separate review). The following wines were my favorites:

Five Stars
Porque No
2008 Red Wine, CA $25
Wow! This delicious red wine blend is exotic, complex and sexy – like an underground Anime heroine come to life. Aromas of sandalwood, roses, raspberry, orange peel and spice lure you into a lush mouthful of consistent flavors.

Five Stars
Red Rock Winery
2009 Winemaker’s Blend, CA $13.99
Come to mama! Big, rich and loaded with aromas and flavors of black cherry, mocha, dark chocolate and cigar box, this wine will fulfill some cravings. And – it’s a total steal at only $13.99!

Four Stars
El Roy
2006 Proprietor’s Red Wine, Alexander Valley $20
This wine is so sassy and juicy, it deserves a good spanking, but a few delicious sips will certainly suffice. Mouthwatering aromas of plum, red cherry, citrus peel and spice box lure the taster into a zesty, spicy mouthful of pure pleasure. Buy some. Buy some now!

Four Stars
Viña Robles
2009 Red4, Paso Robles $16
Blackberry, peppery spice, leather and smoke aromas and flavors abound in this masculine wine, all wrapped up in a decadently rich mouthfeel. Picture Lenny Kravitz, lounging in his bedroom, wearing black leather pants and eating ripe blackberries. Berry juice dots the corners of his generous mouth. Smoke from a clove cigarette wafts across the room…

Four Stars
Apothic Red
2009 Winemaker’s Blend CA $14
(Sung to the tune of “These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things”) Red fruits and roses and spices and berries, citrus and green herbs and bouncing red cherries, big juicy mouthfeel that makes me sing – these are a few of my favorite things! This wine is all that and more! A bargain at $14!

Four Stars
Eberle
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah, Paso Robles $29
This delicious wine is all about black cherry, plum, peppery spice and smoked meat, with a balanced, juicy mouthfeel. Picture Anthony Bourdain, working his magic at the BBQ, wearing nothing but his apron and a devilish smile and you’ll be with me on my happy planet.

Four Stars
Incognito
2009 Red Wine, Lodi $16
Plum, blackberry, wintergreen and lots of spice set the stage for this easy-drinking red wine. The mouthfeel is richly textured and well balanced. It’s big on the “yum factor” and a great deal at $16!

A mad scientist’s workshop, a place where sights, scents and flavors abound, a place of ideas, dreams and history. I’m talking about wineries, people. Wineries are all of these things and much, much more.

One of my favorite jobs at J. Rickards Winery (I’m the Director of Sales & Marketing – a big poobah title for “she who does many things”) is blending wines with the winemakers. We’ll take a little of this, a little of that, taste it and decide what we all like the best and voila! We have a new blend! It’s kinda like cooking, but you can catch a buzz in the process. I get paid to do this. Grin.

I don’t include the wines of J. Rickards Winery in my reviews because I feel that it wouldn’t be fair or ethical, but I can tell you that the wines are really good.

OK – on to the white blends I recently tried. The following wines were my favorites:

Five Stars
Gaga
2009 Blanc, CA $12.50
Who ARE these people? This is the second wine I’ve tasted from them and absolutely loved (the first was their Rosé). The wines are well made and well priced. And the labels are really chic, too! This white blend is gorgeous, with abundant aromas and flavors of citrus, honeysuckle and savory green herbs.

Five Stars
Donna Fugata
2010 Anthilia $15
Dried flowers, grapefruit, peach and mineral aromas lure the taster into a bright, fresh mouthful of deliciousness. This Sicilian white wine is sassy and crisp, like Ellen DeGeneres wearing a freshly pressed white cotton button-down shirt and pinstriped slacks – she’s cracking jokes nonstop. This wine will make you smile.

Five Stars
Kendall-Jackson
2009 Summation $14
Oooh! Pretty! Seductive scents of ripe peach, nectarine, mandarin orange, savory green herbs and toasted hazelnuts continue as flavors in the bright, juicy mouth. You’re going to want another sip, and another…

Four Stars
Viña Robles
2010 White4 $16
Lemon, jasmine, honeysuckle, lemon blossoms and toasted almonds set the stage here, from the first sniff, through the zesty mouth and on through the long, juicy finish. Delicious!

Four Stars
Incognito
2010 White Blend, Lodi $16
Can you say “fruit basket?” I knew you could! Aromas and flavors of ripe peach, pear, tropical fruit (pineapple, mango & papaya) abound, all wrapped up in a balanced, zippy mouthfeel. Katy Perry could wear this wine as a costume onstage! “I drank this wine and I liked it…”

OK, I’ll admit it – pink is not one of my favorite colors. You won’t find any pink clothing in my closet, much to the chagrin of my more girly-girlfriends (I’m more of a black leather and lace, jeans and high heels kinda gal). You will, however, find lots of pink in my cellar. I LOVE dry Rosé, particularly when the weather is warm. Oh yeah!

Rosé is also incredibly versatile – it pairs wonderfully well with many different foods, including salmon, turkey, pork, cheeses and fruit. In my humble opinion, dry Rosé is the ultimate picnic wine (well, I also LOVE Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer for picnics, but I’ll take a good dry Rosé any time).

I tasted a handful of Rosé wines from all over CA. The following wines were my favorites:

Five Stars
Gaga
2009 Rosé Wine $12.50
Now, THIS is what I’m talking about, people! This gorgeous Rosé is dry, crisp and refreshing, with abundant aromas and flavors of cherry, strawberry and green herbs. And it’s a total steal at $12.50! I’ll have a “Bad Romance” with this wine any time!

Four Stars
Allure
NV Pink Mosato, CA $12.99
This is a sparkling, slightly sweet, super aromatic wine. It’s easy to enjoy, especially if you like sparkly, sweet pink things. Perfumed aromas of orange blossom, gardenia, peach and strawberry lure the taster into a vibrant mouthful of consistent flavors. Think Britney Spears rolled in cotton candy and you’ll get the picture.

Four Stars
Barefoot
Rosé Cuvée, CA $10.99
This pink bubbly is really nice, with aromas of strawberry, cherry and green apple, which continue as flavors in the zippy, zesty mouth. Strawberries in a Jacuzzi come to mind – in fact, this tasty wine would be the perfect wine to enjoy, while relaxing in a Jacuzzi. Just sayin’…

Four Stars
Isabel Mondavi
2010 Deep Rose, Napa $15
They weren’t kidding when they named this wine “Deep Rose.” It is one of the darkest Rosé wines I’ve ever seen. It is a very interesting, rather serious wine, with intense aromas of cherry compote, strawberry/rhubarb pie, vanilla and spice. These aromas continue as flavors in the richly textured mouth.

Go ahead, lift your wine glass and take a big sniff – perfumed aromas of gardenia, rose petal, orange blossom, citrus, fresh cut hay, exotic spices and other delightful scents will thrill your nose and later, your mouth. Oh yeah, life is indeed good.

Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and others are all among this family of aromatic white wines. One sniff of these should make you say “wow!” because of the intensity of the aromas. OK, I admit it – these are my favorite white wines. I enjoy a good Chardonnay, but aromatic whites always make my tail wag.

These showy white wines are perfect for summer sipping. They pair well with all kinds of foods, including an array of Asian foods, smoked salmon, chicken, and salads.

I had the pleasure of tasting a bunch of aromatic white wines – most were from California, but one was from Spain (and it was GREAT!). You may notice that there are quite a few five star wines in this tasting – they were all really good! Ready? Start your sniffers…

Five Stars – Personal Fave
De La Montanya
2010 Gewürztraminer, Russian River Valley $30
I wanted to splash some of this super-aromatic, mouthwatering wine behind my ears, then shuck my clothes and do a happy dance. It’s that good! Exotic spices, rose petal, peach and nectarine aromas and flavors play nicely together from the first sniff, through the zippy, zesty mouth and on through the finish. Oh, yeah!

Five Stars
Cycles Gladiator
2009 Pinot Grigio, CA $12
This wine is what we would call a “patio pounder,” because it is very, very easy to enjoy. Aromas and flavors of green apple, peach and citrus abound. The mouthfeel is crisp and juicy. Refreshing!

Five Stars
Philo Ridge
2009 Pinot Gris, Marguerite Vineyard, Anderson Valley $19
Sexy, smooth and exotic, like Sade, wearing a champagne satin gown, crooning “Your Love Is King.” Tropical fruits and exotic spices set the stage in the nose and continue as flavors in the mouth. Gorgeous!

Five Stars
Paco y Lola
2009 Albariño $20
I am standing on a balcony in Barcelona, wearing a diaphanous white muslin dress that flutters in the warm breeze. My Spanish paramour, Timoteo, brings me a plate of olives, some Manchego cheese and smoked anchovies. I take another sip of my chilled Paco Y Lola Albariño and smile my thanks. Uh, sorry…daydreaming! This wine is crisp, refreshing and delicious and would pair really well with those foods I was just daydreaming about.

Five Stars
Cass
2010 Roussanne, Paso Robles $26
Ooh! Spicy! Alluring aromas of sandalwood, green apple, toasted almonds and citrus delight the nose and continue as flavors in the perfectly balanced mouth. Visualize a young, leather-clad Robert Plant on stage with Led Zeppelin, whipping that lion-like mane of his and belting out “Whole Lotta Love,” and you’ll be with me on this one. Yum.

Five Stars
Thomas George Estates
2009 Viognier, Dry Creek Valley $28
Pretty, balanced and consistent. That’s this gorgeous Viognier in a nutshell, er, wineglass.
Aromas and flavors of tropical fruit, peach, apple, pear and mineral notes are present and accounted for from the first mouthwatering sip, through the richly textured mouth and on through the finish.

Five Stars
Eberle
2010 Viognier, Mill Road Vineyard, Paso Robles $21
This wine reminds me of happy times as a kid, laying on the floor in front of the TV, watching Saturday cartoons with my sister while eating Froot Loops© cereal right out of the box. Super fruity aromas and flavors of citrus, apple, pear and a hint of toast abound.

Four Stars
Barefoot
NV Moscato, CA $6.99
This crowd-pleasing wine is perfumed, slightly sweet and totally refreshing, like Drew Barrymore, sitting on a picnic blanket in a sunlit field of wildflowers, wearing nothing but a crown of daisies in her hair. Aromas and flavors of peach pie, gardenia, orange blossoms and spice delight the senses.

Four Stars
Sierra Vista
2009 Roussanne, El Dorado County $30
Aromas of crisp apple, citrus, toasted almonds, white flowers and a hint of green herbs tease you into a sip, then continue on as flavors in the richly textured mouth. Quaff!