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 heels kinda gal). You will, however, find lots of pink in my cellar, or to be more honest, my wine closet.
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 recently tasted a handful of Rosé wines from California and a couple of sparklers from Spain and Italy. The following wines were my favorites:

Five Stars
Martin Ray
2011 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley $16
This delicious wine should come with a warning label, because it is waaaay to easy to drink. A wench could get in real trouble with this wine. Grin.
Mouthwatering aromas of strawberry, cherry and raspberry are enhanced just by a pinch of savory green herb notes. These aromas continue as flavors in the luscious, juicy mouthfeel and linger on through the finish, begging for another sip, and another…

Five Stars
Hop Kiln
2011 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley $24
Wickedly dry, but loaded with berry/cherry and spice aromas and flavors, this gorgeous Rosé is reminiscent of a dry French Rosé. Think Catherine Deneuve in the movie “Cat People – ” slinky, sexy and totally alluring — you’ll be with me on my happy, wenchy planet. Mrrow!

Five Stars
Toad Hollow
2011 “Eye of the Toad” Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sonoma County $13
Sun-warmed Bing cherry, strawberry and spice potpourri aromas delight the nose and continue as flavors in the crisp, dry mouth. Sassy!

Four Stars
Freixenet
NV Elyssia Pinot Noir Brut, Spain $18
Like Drew Barrymore eating Strawberry Pop Tarts as she sunbathes in a sequined bikini, this wine is sparkly, fruity and enjoyable. Aromas and flavors of strawberry raspberry abound, all wrapped up in a bright, effervescent mouthfeel.

Four Stars
Villa Sandi
NV Il Fresco Rosato Spumante, Italy $15
Oooh! Pretty! Alluring aromas of sugar-dipped lavender, strawberry and cherry lure the taster into a semi-sweet, sparkling mouthful of delight. Perfect for poolside sipping! Oh, Cabaña Boy, rub more suntan oil on my back, please, and another glass of this bubbly!

Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy. Well-aged wine lovers like me who remember this 1971 album by The Who (I was 10, OK?) will agree that the name of this album aptly describes some of Syrah’s primary elements. For you youngsters who don’t get what I’m talking about, here goes: Syrah tends to be “meaty” – aromas and flavors of sweet smoked meat (bacon, anyone?) or game meats are often evident. As to “beaty,” Syrah marches to a beat of it’s own – it’s often a quirky wine with complex aromas and flavors. About “big,” well, duh – Syrah is usually a big wine, with intense aromas and a big mouthfeel. “Bouncy” – refer to “beaty.”

I recently tasted a bunch of Syrah and other California Rhône wines and was pleasantly surprised by the results – of the wines I tasted, all were really good and most were reasonably priced. There wasn’t a dog in the bunch.

Five Stars
Husch
2009 Syrah, Mendocino County $28
If Jim Morrison of the band The Doors was still alive and oh-so-hot, this wine would be him. Picture him is in the kitchen, wearing only low-slung black leather pants with a silver concho belt, cooking a breakfast of French toast with fresh blackberries and bacon as he hums “Light My Fire.”

Five Stars
Perry Creek
2008 Altitude 2401 Syrah, Dark Forest, El Dorado
This delicious wine is loaded with aromas and flavors of sun-warmed black fruit (plums, blackberries and cherries), enhanced by notes of mocha and savory green herbs. Big and plush in the mouth. Picture a semi-clad Marvin Gaye (if he was still alive and sexy) reclining on a picnic blanket, offering you ripe blackberries, plums and a sip of his mocha. Heaven.

Five Stars
Jaxon Keys
2009 Syrah, Anna Mac Vineyard, Mendocino County $20
In a word, yum! This classic Syrah is absolutely delicious! Aromas of mocha, black fruit, smoked meat and pepper continue as flavors in the densely textured mouth. Picture John Mayer onstage, singing and playing his heart out on his final encore. Sweat beads on his forehead and slowly runs down the side of his face – he is lost in his music. Backstage, an artisan BLT sandwich and a steaming mocha (and a gaggle of women) await him.

Five Stars
Acorn
2008 Axiom Syrah, Russian River Valley $33
This racy wine reminds me of Shakira performing her song “Hips Don’t Lie.”
It’s spicy hot, but in a very, very good way. Aromas and flavors of pepper, almost sweet gingerbread spice and wildflowers abound, all wrapped up in a slinky, sexy mouthfeel and linger through the finish.

Five Stars
Jaxon Keys
2009 Syrah, Sondra’s, Mendocino County $16
Alluring scents of spice box, white pepper and ripe blackberry continue as flavors in the luscious, juicy mouth. This ain’t no Justin Bieber wine – it is big, bold, dark spicy and sexy, in a very sophisticated and grownup way.  It’s Elvis Presley at his hottest, driving all the young girls crazy…

Five Stars
Eberle
2010 Syrah, Steinbeck Vineyards, Paso Robles $24
Here on Planet Wine Wench, we would call this delicious wine a “fruit bomb,” meaning that aromas and flavors of ripe plum, blackberry, blueberry, black cherry and orange peel abound. The mouthfeel is velvety smooth and richly textured. It is way too easy to enjoy – almost a guilty pleasure. It’s Bruno Mars in a bottle.

Five Stars
Collier Falls
2009 Syrah Du Soleil, Sonoma County $40
This is a big, brawny, spicy, sweep-you-off-your-feet kind of wine, with oodles of black cherry, Old Bay spice and savory herbs in the nose and mouth. The mouthfeel is huge, yet smooth and it lingers on and on. It’s Lenny Kravitz, onstage, pouring his soul into his songs. OK, I’ll admit it – I have a thing for Lenny Kravitz. Oh, yum.

Five Stars
Eberle
2008 Côtes-du-Rôbles, Paso Robles $22
This sassy wine is juicy and spicy, with baskets of ripe plum, blueberry, blackberry and black cherry aromas and flavors, complimented by peppery spice notes. It’s Adam Lambert doing his thing onstage.

Four Stars
Jaxon Keys
2009 Grenache, Jon Vincent, Mendocino County $15
Like exploring the attic with Elton John in the summertime – you never know what you’ll find! Aromas of dusty roses, spice potpourri, sun-warmed plums, blackberries, raspberries and vanilla continue as flavors in the juicy, plush mouth.

Four Stars
Perry Creek
2008 Syrah, El Dorado (contact the winery for pricing and availability)
Picture Jon Bon Jovi, wearing only cutoff denims, grilling steaks in the backyard, where there are ripe blackberries growing on the fence and the plum trees are heavy with fruit. Rock music blares from the house as Jon offers you a taste of steak…That’s this wine.

Hello, my name is Sue and I’m a Pinot Slut.

This review is all about Pinot Noir, which is my favorite red wine. I consider it to be “the little black dress” of wines, because it goes with just about any kind of food. I love its silky texture, the subtle layers of aromas and flavors and the way it makes me feel when I drink it.  You too can be a Pinot slut. C’mon and join me!

No Pinot Noirs were harmed in the writing of this review.

Here are my recent favorites:

Five Stars
Wine Wench Favorite!
Ferrari-Carano
2009 Sky High Ranch $52
Ooooh! This wine is spicy, rich and enticing. Come-hither aromas of exotic spices, rose petal and black cherry lure the taster into a luscious, silky mouthful of consistent flavors. Made my knees weak.

Five Stars
Husch
2009 Anderson Valley $23
Juicy Couture! Mouthwatering aromas of strawberry, cranberry and cherry are enhanced by minty, spicy notes. The mouthfeel is seamless and silky-smooth. Can you say “bargain?” I knew you could!

Five Stars
Cult
2009 Russian River Valley $45
Big, bold, spicy, sexy, land a little hot, like Lenny Kravitz , wearing nothing but black leather pants, ripping it up onstage. Aromas and flavors of ripe black cherry, peppery spice, and cola abound, from the first sniff, through the smooth mouth and on through the finish. I am now a Cult follower.

Five Stars
Ferrari-Carano
2009 Russian River Valley $32
Oooh! Pretty! Alluring aromas of spice potpourri, rose petals and strawberry continue as flavors in the satiny smooth, perfectly balanced mouth. Yum!

Four Stars
Philo Ridge
2007 Anderson Valley $28
Like a romp in the woods with Miranda Lambert, this wine is earthy, spicy, sassy and a lot of fun! Aromas of forest floor, cherry and spice box continue as flavors in the mouth.

Four Stars
Forchini
2008 Proprietor’s Reserve, Russian River Valley $33
Freshy, fresh, fresh! Aromas of juicy strawberry, savory herbs and crushed pine needles delight the nose and continue as flavors in the well-balanced mouth.

Four Stars
MacMurray Ranch
2009 Sonoma Coast $27
Wow! What a bargain! This Wine Wench would happily pay $27 to enjoy this great Pinot! Dusty rose, raspberry, strawberry and baking spice aromas lure the taster in to a luscious, juicy mouthful of consistent flavors. Oh yeah!

People often get a mournful, longing look when I talk about my jobs (day job as Sales & Marketing Director, then the rest of my professional work as Freelance Writer, Wine Judge and Musician). It ain’t as glamorous as it may seem, folks. I work really hard, most of the time without any days off. This takes a lot of energy – it’s always show time on Planet Wine Wench. I’m constantly selling wine, entertaining and schmoozing. That’s after I get up at oh-dark-thirty to write. If I do get a day or two off, I’m writing. I’m not complaining – I feel really fortunate to do what I do. Sometimes, I do get pretty tired, though. I recharge with my husband and our dogs and cats at home in the woods of western Sonoma County.

I do get to play hard, too. I get to drink lots of great wines, eat rainbows of gourmet foods, explore new places, meet new friends and stay in nice hotels. That doesn’t suck.

I just returned from a trip down to Southern California to work at the Family Winemakers events in San Diego and Pasadena. I also worked with my brokers in the central coast region. Here’s a week in the life…

On Saturday, March 10^th, I flew down from San Francisco to San Diego on Virgin America. That is my chosen airline from now on – from the moment I entered their terminal, I felt like a VIW (Very Important Wench). Virgin America has it down – soft lighting, tasteful shops and restaurants and an overall feeling of relaxed efficiency. They even have a yoga studio! I sauntered onto the plane, which was softly lit with pinky/purplish tones and settled into my leather seat. The flight to San Diego was smooth and quick – I barely had time to finish my gin & tonic before we landed. Picked up my rental car (a super-cute Mitsubishi Infinity convertible) and headed to my hotel. I stayed at the Hilton in Del Mar, just across the street from the Del Mar Fairgrounds, where the tasting was to take place. I settled in to my hotel room and did some work – catching up on emails and following up with my accounts. Had a business dinner with my central coast broker and called it a night.

Fast-forward to Sunday afternoon and the Family Winemakers tasting. It was featuring close to two hundred California wineries and was held in a huge exhibition hall. Got my table set up and started pouring wine for the trade (restaurant and wine shop owners, press, distributors and brokers). It got very loud, fairly quickly. It got so loud that I found myself shouting to the folks who stopped by my table, just so they could hear me. It got even louder when they let the public in. After five hours of pouring and shouting, the event was finally over. I did make some good contacts, but I was more than ready to head back to my room for some TV and room service after the event. Those events are hard work, even for an outgoing Wench like myself.

On Monday, I drove north to Pasadena. Sold some wine to an account in Orange County on the way up. Again, I settled into my hotel room and got caught up on emails.

Tuesday was the Family Winemakers tasting in Pasadena, at the Pasadena Convention Center. It was a replay of Sunday’s event – lots of people, lots of pouring and lots of noise. Met with my L.A. broker for dinner after that and called it a night.

Wednesday, I drove to Ventura and did a “ride-with” (where I ride with a broker or one of their reps in and out of restaurants, wine shops and grocery stores all day) with a very funny, very easy-going rep, who kept calling me “dude!” We did sell some wine, though.

Thursday, I worked with a different rep in Santa Barbara, who damn near wore me out. We were in and out of ten wine shops and restaurants. He chattered the whole time. I was twitching by the time I got back to my hotel. I think we sold some wine, maybe.

Friday, I worked with my broker in Paso Robles. It was a fun and easy day – a few stops, a lot of laughs and marketing strategies discussed for the future. That evening, she took me as her guest to a crawfish boil at a local winery. It was big fun! I stayed at her house on Friday night. She and her husband (and their dogs, cats and very tame chickens) made me feel right at home.

Yesterday (March 17^th, St. Patrick’s Day), after a lovely breakfast of fresh blueberry pancakes and espresso, I said goodbye, hit the road and drove my rental car three hours through the pouring rain back to San Francisco and turned it in. I then picked up my car and drove the remaining two hours home. I am soooo happy to be back – we ate Corned Beef and Cabbage and drank shots of Tullamore Dew to celebrate my return.

And there you have it, a week on the road with The Wine Wench®.

Next week, re-charged and ready, I’ll be off to Atlanta. I’ll keep ya posted!

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!