Domaine du Mas Blanc, Banyuls, Rimage 2006 There are Port-like notes of dried and stewed fruits topped with a nutty piece of pastry. The wine tastes of sweet black fruits and chocolate, sweet but not overly so, tasty with some bittersweet chocolate. Mis par Docteur Parce & Fils, proprietaires a Banyuls-Sur-Mer 17.6% $22.99 for a [...]

read more from this topic.....

Domaine Fontanel, Rivesaltes, Ambre 1998 This golden wine smells of citrus peel and nuts. In the mouth it like eating nuts and toffee, very sweet and viscous with acidity that offsets the richness and a little warmth from the fortification - a decadent value. Grenache Blanc is the grape behind this wine and the vines [...]

read more from this topic.....

Les Clos de Paulilles, Banyuls Rimage 2005 There are stewed fruits and raisins to smell while the mouth is a supple presentation of evolving fruit and moderate sweetness that is crying out for dark chocolate. The grapes are 100% Grenache Noir. Rimage derives from the Catalan for vintage and this wine represents a selection of [...]

read more from this topic.....

Cossart Gordon Madeira 5 Years Old Malmsey nv
This is a rich style of Madeira from the Malvasia grape, known as Malmsey. P&B by the Madeira Wine Company in Funchal 19% $24.99 at Bottle Barn Cossart Gordon

read more from this topic.....

Chambers Rosewood Vineyards Rutherglen Muscat nv
This wine is concentrated and thick displaying its fruit with great complexity. The raisined grapes come from old vines, some from beginning of 1900s. P&B in Rutherglen Lot#6338 for the first sample and Lot#06039 for today’s sample. 19% $12.69 at Bottle Barn

read more from this topic.....

Robert Hall Paso Robles Margaret’s Vineyard Orange Muscat 2006
A lighter version of dessert wine that is perfect with fresh raspberries.  With only 4.3% RS and a light mouthfeel, this wine could do double duty with spicy prawns in a Thai curry sauce that featured some sweet coconut milk. Hand harvested, whole cluster pressed, fermented 50/50 [...]

read more from this topic.....

Jocelyn Lonen Napa Valley Zinfandel Port 2004
This wine combines sweet fruit, an essence of chocolate and spirit.  One of the class affectionately described it as like a chocolate candy filled with liqueur,  ‘alcohol in an envelope of something sweet’. 100% Zin, sold out at the winery. P&B Napa 18.2% $21.99 (375) at Traverso’s Jocelyn Lonen

read more from this topic.....

Marsala is known the world over but like Madeira it often gets categorized as a mere cooking wine. This is unfortunate as the flavors can delight and since the wine is out of fashion, it’s price point is attractive.
Florio
Marsala DOC Fine Ambra Secco
Marsala DOC Fine Ambra Dolce
The former makes a nice aperitif in that [...]

read more from this topic.....

Milliaire Sierra Foothills Vineyard Selections Clockspring Port 2004
About 80% Zinfandel with 3 Portuguese grapes as well, 19.5% P&B Murphys $28 at the winery www.milliairewinery.com

read more from this topic.....