Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley, 2005:

This is perhaps the top Chilean red blend produced over the last several years for this high quality winery, produced from Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.  Weaving a blockbuster teaming dark fruits with earthy notes, this wine has the body and structure to cellar next 6-8 years or be enjoyed now.  The first taste makes an impression with dark raspberry, currant and mocha notes.  Within seconds, the supporting structure becomes a dominant feature with fig, licorice, graphite and forest floor notes filling the nose.  Just a great wine with perfect balance in the heavyweight category.  Runs ~$120.  Wine shops such as Pastiche (www.pasticheme.com)  carried this last year for ~$86……Great wine to pair with meats.

Pisoni Estate Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, 2006:

From the Santa Rosa area of the Sonoma Valley, this is a wonderful expression of the region’s Pinot Noir with light cherry and blueberry notes and a defined spine of tannins and spice……Should cellar nicely for the next few years but definitely approachable now……….runs ~$65-70…….Salmon and Pork dishes with darker sauces and spices are a natural for this wine.

Mer Soleil Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands Silver Unoaked, 2007:

While I don’t drink a lot of Chardonnay, the unoaked version was on my radar screen recently for a menu pairing with friends.  On searching, I discovered this little gem at Total Wines.  The vineyards are located in an ideal setting in Monterey County.  This wine captured the essence of the purity of the grape, teaming with juicy notes of peach and nectarine, soft spice and lovely scents of spring flowers.  If you love the unoaked version of Chardonnay, this one is worth searching out.  Better yet, it’s perfect to enjoy now in the hot weather but will cellar for another year or two.  Try pairing this with lighter fish and shellfish.

Domaine de la Mordoree Tavel, 2008:

While I was a little hesitant to go for an ’08 Rose, leery that it might have lost some its lively freshness, I was not at all disappointed.  Like all Roses, you can enjoy them solo or with nearly any food.  What makes this one a little more special and tasty is that it’s from the Tavel region of southern France, made with those renown grapes of Grenache and Syrah with a little Cinsault and Clairette thrown in.  The juices clearly have had longer contact with the skins versus their lighter salmon colored cousins as the wine sports a medium cherry color.  With juicy flavors of cherry and watermelon dancing with refreshing minerality, this wine is perfection for our hot Tucson summer.  As with all Roses, this won’t break the bank running ~$20 at Total Wines.  By the way, grab some of the ’09 when you can……….

Tags: Pastiche, Total Wines