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Wines of Moments Past:
Dec- 2008: Chateau Teyssier St Emilion (2005)- (Code# 019453 here in PA) this is a current Chairman Selection, reasonably priced (~$24), and a blend of merlot and cab-franc. Its very smooth, fruity and full-bodied. Still kinda young, but tastes great now too (we thought). We've seen it rated from 87pts to 90pts, pending on the publication.
Jan - 2009: Kilikanoon Killerman's Run (2005)- (Code# 028470 here in PA) this is a current Chairman Selection, again, very reasonably priced ~$13 (regularly ~$20), and is a blend of 60% shiraz and 40% grenache. Its a smooth and easy drinking wine, with the two grapes complimenting each other very nicely and plenty of cherry and plum flavors. The nose was a little off-putting at first, but didn't matter after the first couple of sips. Wine Enthusiast gave this 91 pts, and its right on.
Feb - 2009: Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz (2005) Clare Valley- (Code# 027950 here in PA) this is also a current Chairman Selection (almost all of the Kilikanoon's are). This one is priced around $27 (normally ~$37), and is excellent. Again, very smooth like the Killerman's Run, but with tremendous depth that provides plenty of layers and texture. This bottle lets you get a very good Australian shiraz, without having to spend $50 or more. Its been rated anywhere from 92-94 pts, pending on where you look. This bottle has the navy blue label.
March - 2009: Woolundry Rd - South Australia (2006)- (Code# 028232 here in PA) this is not a current Chairman Selection but is on the end-caps, and is very reasonably priced ~$10. Its not exactly a prototype cab. Its a bit lighter, more pinot noir-ish than cab like with red fruits coming forward and a lighter texture. But its very easy and nice to drink right now. And for the price, its a steal. Oh, and its a screw-top too, which is great! If you can still find this one out there, grab a bottle or two (see vinovic.com for some additional info).
July - 2009: Ruffino Orvieto, (2008) - This one is right off the shelf and is priced around $10, PA code 05724. My uncle introduced this awesome summer white to me back around the middle of July, and I've been drinking it ever since. The composition of this wine is reported to be 50% Procanico, 30% Grechetto, 10% Verdello, and 10% Canaiolo Bianco. I see this wine as a great alternative to the traditional summer whites - chardonnay, pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc - while at the same time providing elements drawn from all of them. To me this wine has the structure of a chardonnay without the oak or buttery flavors. But it also has the crisp finish and fruity (plenty of citrus) notes that you see in pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc. Big fan of this one!
August - 2009: Beaulieu Vineyard, Dulcet Reserve (2005) - A Chairman's Selection and available for about $18 (marked down from about $35), PA code 15484. While not as inexpensive as the white below, at half-off its list price, its a great deal. The wine is a blend of 73% cabernet sauvignon and 27% syrah. This blend allows for a softening of the cab's tannins by the syrah, but not so much that the wine loses any of it's structure. The syrah also provides a great addition of fairly lush black fruits to the mix. All of this provides a surprisingly inviting wine thats very drinkable right now. Personally, this is one of my favorite vineyards, and this selection didn't disappoint me.
