Killer Spanish Value

2012 Garnacha Centanaria, Campo de Borja, Spain, 14% abv

This wine is a great value. It's 100% Grenache and sees only 3 months in French and American oak. The result is a modern styled wine with concentrated berry fruit, with hints of tobacco and leather to give it an earthy quality.

My reviews here don't assign scores to a particular wine. However, my regular tasting group rated the 2012 vintage of this wine 4 points higher than the 2011 vintage.

A beautiful drink-it-now wine, pair it with anything you think goes well with red wine. For around $15, enjoy!!

A Cellar Selection

2005 Robert Mondavi, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa

This wine reminds me of Old Napa: an earthy nose, expressive flavors of black cherry and cassis with tannins that are still gripping but mellowed over time. I purchased several bottles and the oak has integrated into this wine nicely over the past few years.

Great balance, great price, great pedigree. This is a great QPR value. I recall paying around $30, six or seven years ago.

Yes, Good Wine from a Can!

Underwood by Union Wine Company, Pinot Noir , Oregon, 375 ml

Good wine does come in a can! This pleasant wine displays a muted nose, young and restrained raspberry/ strawberry fruit with acidity and no rough edges. The vintage is not listed but it must be 2013. There is no flavor interference from the can.

Use your imagination, it could be consumed from the can. But it's wine so I tasted in a glass. It's a great choice for a tailgate, picnic, the beach, or hike. In my humble opinion, the can should replace the 375ml half bottle.

Purchased at K&L Wine for $5.99 .

2012 Vintage Strikes Again

2012 Melville Pinot Noir Estate - Verna's Vineyard

Lighter in color, this wine offers balanced fruit with some acidity.  On the nose there is aroma of red berry fruit, roses and sandal wood. Pair it with lighter roasted dishes, grilled chicken, mild chicken sausage or vegetarian fare.

This wine is ready to go now but could be aged for a few years. But why bother? I love this wine today.

Purchased at Carpinteria Wine Company for around $24. Support small business! Jane and her staff will be very helpful.

Summer Wine Recommendations

There is a lot of summer left and last month I had a unique opportunity to make a small contribution with Jon Jilg to a well known Los Angeles publication, Park La Brea News/Beverly Press. In the 2014 Dining Guide, we reviewed and recommended affordable summer wines from California.

We visited LA's famous Farmers Market and a couple of local wine shops to acquire our recommendations. I can't say more than you need to visit the website. The 2014 Dining guide can be viewed at

www.parklabreanewsbeverlypress.com

Central Coast Bargain

2013 Bishops Peak Chardonnay, SLO County

Produced by Talley Vineyards from various vineyard locations in San Luis Obispo County, this wine is lighter in color with a nice aroma of tropical fruit, apple and citrus. The flavor profile is crisp, with citrus zest flavors and a pleasant balance of youthful acidity with a touch of oak. If you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc you will enjoy this wine.

Light enough to begin a meal or serve with light seafood or chicken dishes.

This is a great buy at $14.00

Summer Refreshment

2013 Lucy, Rose of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands

This wine is produced by the Pisoni Family. A dollar from each bottle sold is donated to Breast Cancer Research. There is a touching back story at www.lucywines.com.

This is medium to dark in color for a Rose wine. For me the taste profile is between a young, light pinot noir and a dry rose. Bright flavors of raspberry, other red fruit and a bit of lime.

Great warm weather wine, enjoy with chicken salads, or any dish with mild spice.

Don't overthink it just drink it. Purchased at K&L wine at $17.

Worthy of a Special Occasion

2012 Melville, Pinot Noir Estate, Santa Rita Hills

Having visited this winery at least a dozen times in the past, I had to try the latest release of this wine. During one of the visits we were able to tour the barrel room behind the tasting room. It was there I was able to see the dedication and pride they put into their wines.

The 2012 Estate Pinot Noir is medium in color and very expressive in aroma and flavor. The palate is full of red fruits and spices. This wine is still young but very drinkable now. I have 2 more bottles that I will open over the 2014 holidays.

This wine should be readily available now in the $30 price range. The wine critic ratings are just being published and will likely cause this to sell out quickly.