Gruet Brut Blanc de Noir New Mexico NV:

Color: lovely light honey, vanilla
Aromas & Flavors:  Vanilla, hazelnut, pear and a toasty spice

Opinion: For the price (~$15), this was a wonderful match with our southwest chicken kiev dish accompanied by Mexican corn, accented with Hatch, New Mexico roasted chilis and Jalapeno and Cheddar tortillas.  The wine is readily available in Tucson and maintains my well opined theme of food and wine regionality.  As with most of the Sparkling Wines, I would consume them within a short period of time.

Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir Carter’s Vineyard, 2005:

Color: classic fresh medium cherry appearance
Aromas & Flavors: lovely hit of fresh cherry and spice on the nose; great long lasting acidity with well integrated medium tannins.

Opinion:  This wine has it all and can be enjoyed now or over the next several to perhaps 10 years.  My preference, normally, is to drink domestic Pinot Noirs earlier rather than later as the aging process is always a variable.  Ken Wright wines are readily available at outlets such as AJ’s, New Beverage House on east Broadway and others and runs in the $50’s.  Ken Wright is a long standing top quality producer of Oregon Pinot Noirs and offers Pinot’s from several vineyards.

Fontanafredda Barbera Piemonte Briccotondo, 2007:

Color: deep purple, plum
Aromas & Flavors: deep plum and chocolate; very smooth on the palate; lots of dark, ripe fruit.

Opinion: For the price, this is nearly impossible to beat at ~$15.  It is a “now” drinking wine if you access some.  The 2008’s are out and should be equally as tasty and affordable.  The wine, unfortunately, does not appear to be available in Tucson but searching the internet will get you what you want.

Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough (NZ), 2008:

If you are a fan of fire cracker Sauvignon Blancs this is for you.  Unscrew the cap but don’t stand back.  I find tons of grapefruit and grassy herbaceousness in this refreshing white.  Some might say this wine is a bit one dimensional but what a dimension.  This has plenty crackling acidity to pull you through a warm day in the desert.  For you German afficianados, this reminds me of a dry Scheurebe. (86 points). $18 at BevMo;  Reviewed by Josh Cohn.

Tags: AJ's Fine Foods, Beverage House East Broadway, BevMo, Fontanafredda, Gruet, Ken Wright, Whitehaven