The Wine Closet Blog

I wanted to share these great wine notes with you from a friend who is a wine enthusiast and is also in the wine and food industry.  Following is his response when asked the question if he’s tried any good wines over the last week or two.  Enjoy!  Linda

As for a few neat wines I have tried recently – Here’s a quick list off the top of my head  - That my wife, family, and friends and I have enjoyed.  We’ve been going through the cellar and found a few of these gems….
 

• 2004 L’Avneture Optimus is drinking beautifully – glad I waited 2 years from release to start drinking them!
• 2003 & 04 Simi Landslide – One of the best “value” Cab I have had in a while & a real sleeper that’s under $30 – again glad I waited to open them!
• 2005 Bogle Phantom - The new release is the most approachable vintage of this paticular wine I have had in the last 6 vintages.  I usually recommend you wait 6 months to let this wine settle and integrate… Maybe less Petite Sirah in the blend has done the trick?  It still one of the best under $20 wines you can open & with the P.S, OV Zin, and OV Mouvedre in the blend I think it has something for everyone to enjoy…
• 2005 Merkin Chupacabra red wine – A very small production red wine blend that’s from the winery owned/made by Maynard James Keenan (Founder of the Alt Rock Group Tool).  A lush beautiful blend at around $30 (See Pete at Liquid).  The winery is in AZ but they buy Bordeaux juice from Napa and Sonoma.  Next year I am told they will be releasing estate wines made in AZ using Spanish and Portuguese Varietals.  The Chupacabra and other wines he makes from contract fruit is a real pleaser and gaining a semi cult status among wine geeks.  His other releases are also something special but they price out at $75 to $100 a bottle.
• 2001 Shea Willamette Valley Pinot Noir… Huge fruit great color still has years to go to enjoy. I thought I might have waited to long on this one but I was so wrong!!! 
• 2005 Boutari Moschofilero – A REAL surprise! A greek white wine.  Slightly floral with notes of honeysuckle and apricots but not as overpowering as a Viognier…  Great value too at under $15
• 2005 Barrel 27 and Mac Price Myers Viogniers -  Big Lush Decedent Viogniers.  Rich with with a touch of spice and acidity
• 2005 & 06 Barrel 27 Head Honcho – Far better then the value priced Barrel 27 Syrah and worth the $25-30 price
• 2005 & 06 Tait Ballbuster – It never fails to impress over the last 4 vintages – Under $22
• 2000 & 01 Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino – Great Brunellos and a great intro to this wine if you have people that have never tried a quality Brunello…. The 01 is far richer and more complex 
• 2006 Seasmoke Southing – Some what disappointed …  Seems a little flat not the pop I have come to expect from previous Seasmoke wines… Still it is SEASMOKE
• 2003 & 4 Mitolo GAM Shiraz (Australia) – I cannot believe I did not get more of this wine.  Beautiful lush blackberry fruit with a finish that goes on and on like port (without the sweetness).  It’s $50 well spent (Woodland Hills Wine).  Drinking well 3 years after we bought them
• 2002 & 05 D’Arnberg Deadarm Shirazs - More great shirazs at a good price (for high end Aussie Shiraz).  I like to think it’s like getting The Grange at 1/4 the price ($65) 
• 2003 Paolo Bea Montefalco Rosso – 100% Sagrantino red wine from Umbria. Normally this wine is a little too rustic and/or tannic for lush California Cab and Syrah drinkers but this vintage was exceptionally loaded with rich fruit.  One of the few years this wine made by this producer can be enjoyed by itself or with rich powerful food.   Brunello lovers will be all over this wine a chicey wine to surprise people with – One draw back is the $85 or $90 price (Woodland Hills Wine)
• 2005 & 06 Layer Cake Shiraz, Primativo and Malbec – Ok these guys at 100 Acre Winery have it dialed in with their second label!   The Shiraz is like 90% the Boxer and priced like 2 vintages ago (all are under $20).  The Primativo is earthy but rich fruit like a Zin from Amador County, and the Malbec gives Vino Cabos Crocodillio (Paul Hobbs) a run for the money at a better price.

 
So – I hope that gives you some wines to ponder and chew on… I have more if I check through my cellar -
Let me know what you think or if you would like some more finds!