Ste Chateau Michelle, Chardonnay 2009

White or Red: White
Grape(s): Chardonnay
Origin: Columbia Valley (WA)
Vintage: 2009
Price: $9.50

Overall:
If you're walking through the wine store stop at the section that says "Washington State" - it's likely small but give it a look see.  Only recently (10-15 years) has this locale made a name for itself.  In my opinion, chardonnays, such as this pretty penny, tend to be rockin'. 

Ste Chateau Michelle is a soft buttery chard with oak hints that's flanked by mild sweet citrus, vanilla and black licorice (very low key- I actually hate licorice flavor by itself).

If you're thinking that you want to try something "different" (only because the ill-advised are unaware of Washington's treasure) and be the darkhorse for the night, you should have all the confidence in the world that you're gonna score points. 

Deeper:
Take a whiff.  You get the buttery oak vanilla thing for sure. Then the taste yields soft citrus, vanilla and the hint of spicy black licorice.  The cast appears in that order for the taste but the finish is oaky/buttery.  All of it is well-balanced and comes through with this luscious buttery coating that seems to engulf your tongue.  You're left with a toasty oak finish and desire to repeat.  Here's to the folks north of cali- keep up the good work!

Durigutti, Malbec 2008

Red or White: Red
Grape: Malbec
Origin: Argentina (Mendoza)
Vintage: 2008
Price: $13

Overall: If you've ever seen a Malbec bunch on the vine, you'd think these are grapes back from their first year in college. Overly plump. HGH grapes. In need of a first class seat on an airplane. Strangely enough, the fatness of this grape excites me. This wine is rich, plum dark, juicy, not very sweet at all (why i like most malbecs). A warm, mild spice, and chianti dry finish. (Maybe the warm finish comes standard w/ any wine w/ ALC 14% by vol. and above)

Deeper: What separates this malbec from other malbecs IMO is the chalky dry finish. Im not used to that w/ a malbec but I like it here. Says on the label its not been cold stabilized, filtered nor fined. WTF does that mean? Not a sediment in my bottle. -PeteMoss.

Whitehaven, Sauvignon Blanc 2009

White or Red: White
Grape(s): Sauvignon Blanc
Origin: New Zealand
Vintage: 2009
Price: $14.50

Overall:
First wine from New Zealand and damn, its good.  It smells really well balanced but not pungent to the point where you think it is going in any one direction.  To me, it's sophisticated but completely accessible.  Grapefruit, Vanilla and mangos.  Serve it very cold- like a Coors Light.


Deeper:Look, trust me here- this is one is legit.  Enough said.



Riff, Pinot Grigio 2009

White or Red: White

Grape(s): Pinot Grigio

Origin: Italy, Trentino Alto Adige

Vintage: 2009

Price: $9.00

Overall:
Light, simple, refreshing with hints of minerals and grapefruit.  Goes down really smooth.  Totally unpretentious and will impress anyone who favors Pinot Grigios or crisp, dry whites in general.  It worries me only because you can be through 2, 3 or 4 glasses quicker then you may want to be.  Sort of like being at the beach and not putting suntan lotion on because there is a stiff breeze- either way you're gonna get burned!

Deeper:
Light as a feather through the whole sip.  If you've ever had, it tastes like it could be from any country East of Italy (Greece, Croatia etc).  The slight reference of minerals and grapefruit on the way down make it perfect for a summer day.  But don't be confused young grasshopper, Riff can stand up on its own in the dead a winter and get an applause from the snobbiest of crowds.  Serve it really cold!  Me likey.

Ancient Peaks, Cab. 2007

White or Red: Red

Grape(s): Cabernet (92%), Petit, Zin, Malbec

Origin: Pasa Robles, CA

Vintage: 2007
Price: $12.00

Overall:

If you've ever opened a really good bottle of wine there is a smell that is unmistakable- this was on par.  Ancient Peaks is a medium/heavy rich red wine that is clearly intended to be served with food.   I picture it being a great compliment to that Sunday early evening meal (pasta, red meat, stew anything hearty). Well I'm not terribly particular, this is more a cold-weather wine- not something for July 4th.  Similarly, trying to slug this down with catching a buzz in mind is not how "she" would best be remembered.

Deeper:
Soft, silky and maybe velvety would describe it best on the front end.  It finishes with this nice kinda spice that's NOT annoying.  I'd consider her a lady with a conservative dress on top matched perfectly with some red heels on the bottom that scream she's hardly boring or to be overlooked.  Allow time for it to breathe.

If I'm you?  Buy two of these... Drink one now and put the other on a shelf.  Daddy's got a hunch this puppy could be solid in 2013.

Smoking Loon, Pinot Noir 2008

White or Red: Red
Grape: Pinot Noir
Origin: California
Vintage: 2008
Price: $10


Overall: Usually, an under 10 dollar bottle of Pinot Noir tastes like semi-alcoholic diet grape juice... too light, too watery, too dull. This Smoking Loon does its part to buck that trend. Color is almost a reddish-orange. The color....it reminds me of a super vintage 1980 something California cabernet consumed at Dimes place within the past year, that we had no right to be near.

Deeper: The initial smell, and final finish is of tangy sweet dried fruit. As a kid, would you have liked a cross between Fruit Roll up and sour patch kids? Then this wine is for you. Dont get me wrong, as with any Pinot, its light. This one is "melt in your freakin mouth" light, but there is a long lasting flavor, that makes you think, this wine must have been stored in some oak casks, at least for a day or two. Pair it with... its self. Its just really good for a not really good wine price. -Pete Moss

Barbera d'Asti, Barbera 2009

White or Red: Red
Grape(s): Barbera
Origin: Italy 
Vintage: 2009
Price: $15.00

Overall:
Very easy to drink, smell is mild and pleasing. If you're not looking to make a statement but rather have a nice accompaniment to almost any meal, this wine is for your dinner party. Give it 10 minutes to breathe.

Deeper:
Earthy but with just a slightest tinge of sweetness on the front end of your sip. The finish and lingering in your mouth is mellow and understated with a hint of citrus.  This is a safe bet.