Cims de Porrera, Priorat, Solanes 2004 This wine expresses ripe black fruits with a supple mouthfeel. The grapes behind this wine are are 40% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Syrah, from 60-100 year-old vines grown at 400-600 metres on steep slopes above the village. P&B by the cooperative in Porrera [...]

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Alvaro Palacios, Priorat DOC, Les Terrasses 2006 There’s an appropriate amount of brett in the nose, offering complexity to the red fruit notes. In the mouth this is a chewy wine, showing the structure we associate with this rugged region. Let this wine settle into the cellar for a few years or if you must [...]

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Carol Shelton, Mendocino County, Rendezvous Rose 2007 This wine is redolent of strawberries – just bountiful! In the mouth this rose is truly dry yet with plenty of fruit it comes across as quite concentrated.  I bought a 6 pack of this a few months ago and I think it is showing the best of [...]

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Agricola Punica, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Barrua 2004
Earthy notes dominate the nose initially along with dried and pruny fruit. The mouth features ripe New World-like fruit with substantial structure. Give this baby some time in the cellar. Bottled in Santadi 14% $49.95 at Traverso’s Agricola Punica

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Mas de Gourgonnier, Les Baux de Provence, Rouge 2006
As in previous vintages, the band-aids are working in tandem with the black fruits. The mouth also repeats a similar profile in that it is quite gripping with much astringency. The Reserve du Mas has always been a favorite of mine but this wine, the Cuvee [...]

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Fred Peterson has a winemaking resume to rival many. He’s been at some of California’s most famous estates, working in Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains and Sonoma County. Just over 20 years ago he took up the building of his own brand under his name. Such a wealth of experience elevates some winemakers into an [...]

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Monticello, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District, Estate Grown, Syrah 2005 Lush and graced by black fruits and a bit of black pepper. P&B in Napa 14.5% $ at the winery Monticello
Trinafour, Mendocino County, Niemi Vineyard, Carignane 2006 There’s ample acidity to give this wine some tang and the tannins are ripe and refined. Sourced from [...]

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