“Novellum” Chardonnay

Richly flavored with honeyed notes, the secret to the complexity of this wine comes from aging the wine for a few months on Viognier lees! You’ll taste this dry, delicious white and get notes of honey and white peaches on the nose and palate. Crisp “green apple” acidity makes it a great summer wine. – $9.95

“Mouchino”

This one will make you smile… then smack your lips! So many of my Best Buys have been coming from Spain, and this is a perfect example of why that is so. Loads of fresh, ripe fruit flavors with a hint of lemon oil and a touch of herbal notes make this a delicious “goes with anything” white wine! – $8.49

Valdelosfrailes, Cigales

Possibly the best Barbecue Red in the store… and the best value for your dollar! Berry and spice notes on the nose, ripe plums, blackberries and stewed cherries on the palate with a clean, fruit-filled finish that doesn’t fight the flavors on your plate. This could become your “house wine”! – $9.95

Monte de Luz, Tannat

Deeply flavored Tannat was brought to Uruguay by Basques in the 1870s, and has become the most important grape grown there. Aromas of plum, cherry and ripe red berries, followed by rich, juicy fruit flavors. Ideal with grilled meats, lamb, herbed chicken, cheese. Absolutely delicious wine! – $7.49

My Cellar Selection for August

A delicious Wine, and a Terrific Value!
Estancia Piedra “Azul”, Toro 2005

Isn’t it time you started your wine cellar? This is an “Old World” wine, but it is made using the latest winemaking techniques and made in a modern style. Dark, deep purple/red in color with blue flashes at the rim, this full-bodied red has heather, brambly aromas mixed with white peppercorns, berries and licorice. At first sip the wine is fruit forward, almost Zinfandel-like. This evolves in just seconds into powerful, rich flavors of dark, mature fruit, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry and savory spice notes. The finish is long, full and persistent, with the soft tannins of the wine and minerals of the soil evident. With this wine it’s all about the fruit, with no oak taste from barrels to mask it. For drinking now, decant about half an hour before serving. This is one big, rich, flavor-packed wine that you simply should not miss out on! Now, about that cellar: You don’t need an actual cellar… but smart wine drinkers look for wines like this that will improve with a few years of ageing. It’s not about famous names like Lafite and Latour, nor is it about wines that are financial investments: it’s about buying a well made wine that, in a few years, will taste like you paid twice as much for it. When you do open it, you’ll be glad that you made the investment, and your friends will be green with envy! Estancia Piedra “Azul”, Toro 2005 – $13.95