2005 La Planeta Sicilia La Segreta Red Review Date - 12/1/2007 Score - 87 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium garnet A slight rose petal note lends some interest to the otherwise clean but unremarkable aromas. Flavors do better, with red and dark fruits and aromatic brown spices filling the palate. Moderate acidity. Finish is clean and long, and tannins are silky and refined. Grape types: Nero d'Avola (50%); Merlot (25%); Syrah (20%), Cabernet Franc (5%). The 2006 vintage is due soon. Suggested Food Pairings: Casual foods: Very good with salamis and other cured meats; anything cooked in tomato sauce, such as chicken thighs or rabbit; pizza, pasta with tomato sauce; sandwiches and roll-ups; meatloaf,meatballs or meatballs in tomato sauce; vegetable stews; firm, aged cheeses. Georgia Distributor: Quality Wine & Spirits $16.00 2005 Santa Maria la Palma Cannonau di Sardegna Le Bombarde Review Date - 12/1/2007 Score - 88 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry red wine; bright medium-deep garnet. Aromas of spice, dried dark fruits, hint of licorice, On the palate, silky tannins and moderate acidity embellish fresh red fruits. Finish, while not especially long, is full of fruit and spice. Grape type: Cannonau, a/k/a Grenache. Sardinia, or Sardegna in Italian, is an island off the coast of Italy in the Mediterranean. Human habitation on the island goes back thousands of years, and recently discovered desiccated grapes were DNA tested and date to 1200 BC, leading some to wonder if Cannonau, or Grenache, could be the mother of all European wine grapes. This is one of Sardinia's oldest wineries. Suggested Food Pairings: Creamy-textured liver mousse; chicken thighs braised with caramelized onions and tomato; pasta stuffed with feta cheese and black olives, tomato sauce; pizza; braised pork butt; grilled lamb steak or chop; grilled duck breast; rich red meat stews; pastas with braised meats; grilled ham steak; braised veal breast, meatloaf with barbecue sauce. Georgia Distributor: Grape Expectations $15.00 2004 Abbaye de Tholomies Minervois Review Date - 12/1/2007 Score - 92 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry red wine. Aromas of black currant, black plum and dark cherry with just a whiff of malted milk. On the palate, the same flavors pick up a touch of spice and keep the chocolate notes. Velvety tannins. Well-structured. Good acidity. Long finish. Needs time to open up, so suggest decanting 30 minutes to an hour. Grape types: Syrah (60%); Grenache (30%), Mourvèdre (10%). Produced without chemicals. Owner Lucien Rogé. is a dental surgeon and former French national rugby star. 2004 was a very good vintage in the region. Suggested Food Pairings: Grilled and roasted meats; especially prime rib, crown roast of pork; hangar steak with Gorgonzola or other bleu cheese sauce; casseroled chicken or other fowl; roast duck; barbecued meat loaf or chicken, mild curried legumes, such as chick peas; firm, aged cheeses. Georgia Distributor: Atlanta Wholesale Wine/NDC $16.00 2006 Viñedos El Sequé EL SEQUÉ Alicante Review Date - 12/1/2007 Score - 89 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry red wine; deep, nearly opaque inky purple red. Rather "meaty" aromas at first, then aromatic, with heady dark fruit characters, flavors that bring up fresh dark fruits--especially plum--Very easy tannins. Nice balance. Grape type: Monastrell (80%) a/k/a Mourvèdre, from very old vines. Western Alicante begins to develop a Continental climate with very hot summers and dry winds. Grapes are super stressed, being planted in dry otherwise infertile soils and at high (600 meters plus) altitudes. Good value. Suggested Food Pairings: Peppered liver pâté; barbecue; grilled lamb steak or chop; lamb stew; roast duck or Cornish hen; grilled ham steak; braised red meats; steak with bleu cheese sauce; braised chicken thigh with caramelized onions and tomatoes; braised veal; barbecued meatloaf; dark chocolate. Georgia Distributor: Quality Wine & Spirits $11.00 2005 Bilton Matt Black Stellenbosch Review Date - 12/1/2007 Score - 91 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry red wine; deep inky garnet red. Soft aromas of cured tobacco overlaying ripe dark fruits--black cherries and black raspberries--with a palate that echoes the fruit and adds notes of dark chocolate. Very long finish has a little heat but not enough to disturb the pleasure. Mellow tannins and dark berries round out the pleasure factor, with enough acidity to cut through any richness. Big and juicy. Grapes: Merlot (35%); Shiraz (25%); Cabernet Sauvignon (25%); Petit Verdot (15%). Maturation in French (90%) and Hungarian oak. Matt Black, incidentally, was a famous pirate. Sitting at about 33ºS, Stellenbosch has a Mediterranean climate. Suggested Food Pairings: Peppered liver pâté, pork shoulder or belly braised in sorghum and apple juice; furred game; braised short ribs or oxtails in full-bodied red wine; wide-ribbon pasta with game sauces or braised meat sauces; steak with bleu cheese sauce; burger with all the trimmings, creamy bleu cheeses; dark chocolate (loves the stuff). Georgia Distributor: Atlanta Wholesale Wine/NDC $18.00 2005 Domaine des Causses St. Chinian Review Date - 12/1/2007 Score - 90 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium dark ruby red. Aromas capture a hint of vanilla infusing the red berry characters, while flavors suggest cranberry and currant. A touch of dried herb emerges here and there. Easy tannins and good acidity. Moderate alcohol, just 13%. Very palate-caressing. Grapes: Syrah (60%); Grenache (20%--old vine) and Mourvèdre (20%. The appellation also does a rosé out of the same grapes. A village in the départment of Herault that dates to the 9th century, St. Chinian was once known for making cloth, but the Revolution ended that, so the village turned to viticulture. St. Chinian acquired AOC status in 1982, and includes some 20 comunes. Its vines are planted on steep hillside slopes facing the Med. A causse is a group of limestone plateaus cut by large river gorges within France's massif central. Suggested Food Pairings: Prosciutto-wrapped figs; pasta with ham and cream (such as Carbonara), grilled ham steak, roast duck, braised lamb shank with caramelized onion and mashed ptoatoes; lamb casserole with nutmeg-scented mashed potatoes and tomato; chicken roulade with feta cheese, herbs and sun-dried tomatoes; roasted and fried chicken; roasted veal or pork tenderloin; chicken roulade stuffed with feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. Georgia Distributor: Atlanta Wholesale Wine/NDC $17.00 2006 Morgan Cotes du Crow's Monterey Review Date - 12/1/2007 Score - 92 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium dark cherry red. Aromas of dark cherry and spice (white pepper), flavors suggest a touch of cola, adding a complex note to the spice and fresh dark fruits. Nicely integrated fruit, spice and soft tannin. Juicy, berry-filled long finish. Rich, spicy yet elegant; structured and supple. Grapes: Syrah (55%); Grenache (45%). Serve cool, about 60ºF, in medium-sized tulip-shaped glasses Climate: Monterey's average temperatures--winter hits 53ºF. spring is 56 ºF; summer 60ºF; and fall of 61ºF--is a classic temperate Med climate pattern. Suggested Food Pairings: Tremendous food versatility: Braised lamb shanks, mashed potatoes or polenta, pan sauce and grilled vegetables; braised pork belly (fresh bacon) with caramelized onions, sorghum and apple juice; hangar steak with blue cheese sauce; grilled lamb steaks or chips, Korean barbecue, mild, rich, semi-soft cheeses; dark chocolate. Georgia Distributor: Atlanta Wholesale Wines/NDC $18.00 2004 Mas Champart St.-Chinian Causse du Bousquet Review Date - 12/1/2007 Score - 91 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry red wine; opaque purple red. Initial suggestion of tar in aromas, then baked dark fruits, such as plum, and finally hints of chocolate. Chocolate notes also on the palate, along with aromatic dark spices and dark fruits, both fresh and dried. Silky but well-defined tannins that lend substance to the mouthfeel without being aggressive. Grapes: Syrah (65%), Grenache, Carignan and a little Mourvèdre, a portion of which sees some time in oak. A sense of alcohol in the long finish, but not excessive. Serve cool, about 60ºF, in tall tulip-shaped glasses. First reds vintage done in1996. See causse definied above. Suggested Food Pairings: Meat- or cheese-filled ravioli with tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese; roast duck; barbecued meatloaf or chicken, Southern-style pulled pork or smoked ribs with tomato-based barbecue sauce; braised red meats with mashed potatoes, polenta or noodles, firm aged cheeses. Dark chocolate hazelnut terrine. Maybe mole poblano? Georgia Distributor: Northeast Wholesale $20.00 2004 Richard Hamilton Colton's GSM McLaren Vale Review Date - 12/1/2007 Score - 90 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry red wine; intense deep purple red. Spicy aromas with white pepper and cocoa notes reveal the Grenache and Shiraz elements in this rich, intense blend. Fresh, sweet black fruits (rather than dried) and substantial but not aggressive tannins suggest this could be a short-term keeper if correctly cellared. Flavors offer blackberry and black raspberry, with hints of chocolate. The long, lush finish captures an extra measure of richness. Grape types: Grenache (47%); Shiraz (42%); Mourvèdre (11%). With a Mediterranean climate, McLaren Vale has hosted viticulture since 1838; it sits in the Fleurieu Peninsula about 35 mi. south of Adelaide. Suggested Food Pairings: Peppered liver pâté; coarse-textured terrines; peanut-crusted rack of lamb; roasted chicken with a Southeast Asian barbecue sauce (lemon grass, honey, ginger, keffir lime--from Roy's), smoked meats and liverwurst, baked sweet onion stuffed with sweet potato; creamy, mild bleu cheeses; dark chocolate (so possibly a good match with mole poblano). Georgia Distributor: Hemispheres $18.00 2002 Sangenis I Vaque Priorat Dara Review Date - 12/1/2007 Score - 85 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium red cherry color. Aromas of vanilla and dark fruits, with definite cola notes; toasty characters punctuate dark fruit flavors, and finish with a soft vanilla note. Soft tannins and a fair hit of oak. Grape types: Garnacha; Cariñena; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. As required to be a "crianza," the wine spends six months in French and American oak (and the latter is fairly evident). It's then further aged 12 months in bottle. Suggested Food Pairings: Black olives, quite wonderful with pulled pork barbecue with medium-bodied, not-too-hot, and not sweet tomato-based sauce; fried chicken; roast pork loin. Not a good cheese wine, and especially not with bleus. Atlanta Distributor: Ultimate Distributors $22.00 2004 Lorgerin Pennautier Lorgerin Pennautier La Combe des Oliviers Corbières Review Date - 12/1/2007 Score - 89 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry red wine; opaque purple red. Aromas of spice and dried herb initially, later a dried flower note emerges. On the palate one tastes fig followed by ripe red fruits. Tannins are silky, and wine's pleasure is as much from mouthfeel as it is flavor. Vibrant finish. Suggest decanting 1-2 hours ahead, then serve cool, about 60ºF in medium-sized tulip-shaped glasses. Grapes: Mourvèdre (70%); Grenache (15%), Syrah (15%). Vineyard is just 9 miles from Carcassine, the ancient walled Medieval city, and benefit both from the Med sun and heat and the Atlantic Ocean's moisture-bearing winds. Planted on slopes of very rocky soil. Terrific value. Suggested Food Pairings: Very fine food wine: Salamis and other cured meats grilled sausages; liver pârés and mousses, black olives; braised meats; roast or fried chicken, Cornish hen or duck; chili-rubbed pork loin; lightly curried chick peas, pulled pork barbecue with tomato-based sauce; meatloaf, pork butt braised in sorghum and apple juice with caramelized onions, braised chicken or turkey thighs with caramelized onions and tomato sauce. Not a good chocolate red. Georgia Distributor: Atlanta Wholesale Wine/NDC $13.00 2004 La Cave de l'Abbé Rous Cornet & Cie Banyuls Rimage Review Date - 12/1/2007 Score - 90 Tasting Note: Full -bodied sweet red wine; very dark purple red. Aromas of dark fruits and dark chocolate; flavors focus on black plums, some dried dark fruits. Clean finish. Good acidity, so not at all cloying. Substantial alcohol 15.5%, but you don’t notice it. Soft tannins. “Rimage” designates a particularly successful year. Alcohol is added while must is still on the skins. Barrel aged. Very important: Serve cool, about 60ºF, in small tulip-shaped glasses. Warmer temperatures emphasize the alcohol and suppress the fruit. So be severe about this serving temperature for maximum enjoyment. The 2005 vintage is currently available. Suggested Food Pairings: Dark chocolate; dark fruit cake, steamed puddings, bleu cheeses; red fruits (try with strawberries, chiffonade of fresh basil, raw sugar and a little bit of good balsamic vinegar, marinated for about two hours) —and perhaps also savory dishes with some spice from an exotic cuisine, such as duck with Massaman curry if not too hot. Georgia Distributor: Avant Partir $16.00 2004 Alpha Estate Red Review Date - 12/1/2007 Score - 91 Tasting Note: Full-bodied deeply colored dry red wine; deep, translucent purple red. Aromatic, with abundant red and dark fruits. On the palate, firm but not aggressive tannins frame luscious dark fruit flavors, focused on blackberry and black currant (cassis). Mouth-filling and -pleasing, with a suggestion of cinnamon in the long finish. Handsome work altogether. Decant Grape types: Syrah (60%); Xinomavro (20%); Merlot (20%). The Greek Macedonia arches along the Aegean, which is part of the Mediterranean, and borders on Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Its climate is both Alpine (in the mountainous west) and Mediterranean (central and east). Thus, it has cold, damp winters and hot, dry summers. Its cuisine blends Mediterranean cooking with Asian elements. Suggested Food Pairings: Black olives, dishes with feta cheese, smoked meats, including smoked liverwurst, roast chicken with Southeast Asian barbecue sauce (see above), rack of lamb coated in crushed peanuts, deeply flavored smoked meats; grilled meats; mild semi-soft cheeses, including blues. Georgia Distributor: United Distributors $40.00