La Marca Prosecco

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Ringing in the new year with a sparkling wine is a holiday tradition, but that doesn’t mean it always has to be champagne. This prosecco from Italy is made from glera grapes with the charmat method, which is when fermentation is done in a large pressurized container rather than in individual bottles like champagne. 

The wine is fresh and sparkling, with an orchard fruit bouquet and citrus flavors. A light, fun choice for the holidays.

Sherry: “Flavors of pear, light lime and a soft, dry, nutty almond finish.” Three-and-a-half stars

Chris: “Flavors of peach, pear and citrus.” Three stars

Available locally for about $13.

Coming next week: Barefoot Pink Moscato

Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Red Blend 2010

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

A Christmas or holiday dinner deserves a special wine. This new blend from Washington’s founding winery is an excellent choice.

Domestic red blends are popular, and sales have grown faster than any other red variety, according to AC Nielsen. Merlot is the main grape in this wine (60 percent) with syrah (28 percent) and smaller amounts of grenache, malbec, cinsault and mourvedre. The wine is aged for 14 to 16 months in oak barrels.

It’s a well-rounded wine with nuances of red fruit flavors laced with hints of cocoa. It would pair nicely with beef, lamb or even a Christmas goose.

Sherry: “A delightful blend of plum, cherry, coconut and chocolate.” 3-3/4 stars

Chris: “Flavors of cherry, strawberry and cocoa.” 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $15.

Coming next week: Lamarca Prosecco

Fetzer Crimson Red

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Fetzer, one of California’s better-known wineries, has been making wine since 1968 and is the nation’s sixth-largest producer.

The winery was recently sold to a Chilean owner and launched two new blends in the past year — a white called Quartz and this red called Crimson.

The wine is a blend of syrah, zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon and petite sirah and is made for the masses in mind. Winemaker Dennis Martin calls it smooth, sociable, well-blended and slightly nontraditional. In that spirit, the wine was launched with a social media campaign.

The wine is very approachable with a distinct and jam-like fruit flavor that flirts with sweetness to make it appealing to even beginning red wine drinkers.

Sherry: “Bright fruity cherry and strawberry flavors with red licorice.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “A chocolate bouquet with flavors of raspberry, strawberry and cocoa.” 3 stars

Available locally for about $8.

Coming next week: Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Red Blend

D'Arrigio Pinot Noir

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

The discussion among pinot noir fans inevitably will include debate about Old World vs. New World style, with the general consensus that American pinots tend to emphasize more fruit.

While the Burgundy region of France remains the cradle of pinot, this selection from the Veneto region of Northern Italy is a fine example of what the Italians call pinot black.

The winemaker says he pays attention to terroir – the environmental influences on the grape. It’s made in a true Burgundy style with initial notes of dry earth and spice followed by red fruit. It’s a complex pour to be enjoyed.

Sherry: “Dry and full-bodied, with elements of cherry, rose and leather.” 3-3/4 stars

Chris: “Candy apple and spice bouquet followed by strawberry, cherry and a dusty finish.” 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $9.

Coming next week: Crimson Red

Kendall-Jackson Avant Chardonnay

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Kendall-Jackson Avant Chardonnay 2010

The winemaker who put California chardonnay on the map has come up with a new version of America’s top-selling grape variety.

Kendall-Jackson’s Avant (from the French word for “before) is created from two separate blends – one fermented in stainless steel and the other fermented in used oak barrels — which then are mixed 50/50 and bottled.

The result is a fresh, crisp wine with stone fruit and tropical flavors that has nuances of spice and vanilla from the oak.

We favor the very oak-influenced chardonnays, but Avant is smooth, medium-bodied and strikes a very nice balance that is a pleasant compromise between the chardonnay styles.

Sherry: “Vanilla, light butter, a bit nutty and a lime finish.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “Pear and pineapple flavors with a creamy feel and a hint of lemon.” 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $11.

Coming next week: D’Arrigio Pinot Noir

Manyana Garnacha

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

The price of wine has gone up, but there are still some excellent wine bargains to be found. This Spanish wine fits that category admirably.

Garnacha, also known as grenache, originated in Spain and is widely grown in southern France. It’s commonly used as a blend because it is high in alcohol and has lower tannins.

But there is no shortage of red berry flavors in this wine, which comes from the Carinena region. The yield is lower, but the grapes are full of flavor. The wine is fermented with various techniques, bottled within one year and meant to be consumed young.

Sherry: “Medium-bodied and very smooth with strawberry and raisin flavors.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “Floral notes with flavors of blackberry and strawberry.” 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $6.

Coming next week: Kendall-Jackson Avant

Robert Mondavi Zinfandel

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

The American holiday of Thanksgiving is a perfect time to serve the wine that America made famous — zinfandel.

Genetic research shows that the grape originated in Croatia, where it is called Crljenak Kasteljanski. Try saying that with a mouthful of turkey. It found a home in California, where the zinfandel grape has thrived.

The dark meat of turkey and dressing pair nicely with the fruit and spice of this zinfandel, which also won’t break the bank if you’re buying for a large table. We recently did a blind tasting of zinfandels, and this scored as one of our favorites, even against higher-priced offerings.

Sherry: “Full-bodied and bold, with flavors of peppery black cherry and chocolate.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “Black cherry and raspberry, with a red licorice finish and a hint of cocoa.” 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $8.

Coming next week: Manyana Garnacha

Stag's Leap Merlot

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

In honor of the deer-hunting seasons in Minnesota and Wisconsin, we’re featuring a wine that pays homage to the great stag every hunter covets.

Stag’s Leap is named after the legend of a stag leaping from the mountains to escape the hunters. It’s also the name of a small appellation in Napa Valley where the grapes for this wine are sourced.

Make no mistake — this is not a hunting camp chugalug wine in either price or presentation. This is a serious merlot that would pare well with venison tenderloin. Forget the fruit bomb, and prepare for a dry but balanced wine with exceptional layers of fruit and spice.

Sherry: “Smoke and leather with blackberry, raspberry and black cherry.” 4 stars

Chris: “A bouquet of cedar and licorice with raspberry, cherry and raisin.” 4 stars

Available locally for about $29.

Coming next week: Robert Mondavi Zinfandel

Le Grand Noir Moscato

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Muscat (also called moscato) is one of the world’s oldest grape varieties, and it’s riding a wave of resurgence.

Thanks to the popularity among younger wine drinkers and promotion through the hip-hop scene, moscato sales are soaring. It is now the No. 3 white wine in the country.

The grapes for Le Grand are sourced from a French wine cooperative in the Minervois area, where they are grown in limestone and clay soils with a Mediterranean climate.

Moscato is traditionally sweet and lower in alcohol at the 7 to 9 percent range, which makes it a good choice for entry-level wine drinkers who are looking for something better than white zinfandel.

Sherry: “Slightly astringent with flavors of lime and honey.” 2-1/2 stars

Chris: “Honey and pineapple bouquet with flavors of pear and apricot and a citrus finish.” 3 stars

Available locally for about $7.

Coming next week: Stag’s Leap Merlot

Four Vines Maverick Zinfandel

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

It’s not easy being a grapevine, particularly when you’re more than 100 years old and planted in dry volcanic soils.

But it’s some of those old vines, grown in the Sierra Mountains foothills of Amador County, Calif., that are the source for this delicious zinfandel.

Winemakers believe that the finest grapes come from older vines with less production but more intense fruit. Other vines that were a youthful 40 years old also were sourced for this wine.

The result is a very lush and intense wine with plenty of fruit but nicely balanced with earth and spice. It’s probably the best zinfandel we’ve had in a while.

Sherry: “Smooth and fruity, with flavors of black cherry, rose, licorice and coconut.” 3-3/4 stars

Chris: “Notes of cedar and spice with flavors of raspberry, blueberry and vanilla.” 4 stars

Available locally for about $15.

Coming next week: Le Grand Noir Moscato

The Seeker Pinot Noir

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

There’s always a certain cachet with French wine because you’re buying into the notion of that country’s rigorous appellation standards.

Then you translate the term Vin de Pays Vignobles de France on the bottle and realize you’ve just bought a wine that can come from any vineyard in the country. There goes the almost mystical concept of terroir so loved in France, where the earth and the climate have a unique influence on the wine.

Then you sample and discover cherry, clove and mineral traits that all good pinot noir possesses, and you realize that The Seeker has found a very nice wine.

Sherry: “Dry and fruity with an herbal raspberry and licorice flavor.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “Strawberry and black cherry with hints of licorice and smooth tannins.” 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $11.

Coming next week: Four Vines Maverick Zinfandel

St. Francis White Splash

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

St. Francis is a California winemaker that has made some classic varietal wines since 1971. Recently it has climbed onto the blend bandwagon by launching two new labels: Red Splash and White Splash.

White Splash is a blend of gewürztraminer (26 percent), viognier (25 percent), malvasia (25 percent) and pinot grigio (24 percent) that is a lively, fresh and zesty pour. The grapes are blended and the wine is aged in stainless steel to preserve the fresh taste. It also undergoes partial malolactic fermentation for a softer texture.

Look for sweet orchard fruit flavors, and serve alone or with a salad or light meal.

Sherry: “Light-bodied with lime, lemon and pineapple.” 3 stars

Chris: “A nose of honey and peach, with flavors of pear, apricot and honey.” 3 stars

Available locally for about $9.

Coming next week: The Seeker Pinot Noir

Noster Priorat Inicial 2005

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

There’s a certain sense of romance to wineries whose histories date back centuries. That’s the case with this Spanish red from La Perla Del Priorat, which was founded in the 15th century by Carthusian monks.

Priorat is a wine region known for nutrient-poor soils, warm days and cool nights — ideal conditions for growing wine grapes. This wine is a blend of grenache (70 percent), carignan (25 percent) and cabernet sauvignon (5 percent) that is barrel-aged and tank-aged for a year before being blended.

It delivers a nose of smoke and spice with dark berry and fruit flavors that gently unfold in your mouth. Full-bodied, yet very smooth.

Sherry: “Fruity black cherry with licorice on the finish.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “Dusty black cherry and raisins with a black licorice finish.” 4 stars Available locally for about $14.

Coming next week: St. Francis White Splash

Columbia Crest Les Chevaux 2010

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Sometimes the little things make a difference in the wine world.

The Horse Heaven Hills vineyards high in the Cascade Mountains in the state of Washington are known for strong winds that reduce the grape canopy, leading to more sun exposure and more even ripening of the grapes.

That’s where the blend of merlot (80 percent), cabernet sauvignon (13 percent) and syrah (7 percent) grapes are grown for this blend, which takes its name from the French term for “the horses.”

The wine is big but nicely layered, with flavors of red fruit, spices and tannins that stand out but are exceptionally balanced.

Sherry: “Black cherry and cassis, with a touch of leather and rose on the finish.” 3 1/2 stars

Chris: “Prune and raisin nose with flavors of raspberry and cherry and a long, deep finish.” 4 stars

Available locally for about $12.

Coming next week: Noster Prioriat

Schmitt Sohne Riesling Kabinett 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Oktoberfest is just around the corner, making it a perfect time to celebrate with some German wine to go along with the beer.

This traditional riesling — packaged in the signature blue bottle — is a great choice for all wine drinkers. It’s made in the kabinett style, the lowest of the six categories of the quality-wine category in Germany, which also makes it a pretty good value.

It’s light-bodied, lower in alcohol (8 to 8.5 percent), very easy drinking and would not be offensive when paired with a bratwurst. Displays apple and orchard fruit flavors with a crisp finish.

Sherry: “Apple and pear with a soft almond finish.” 3 stars

Chris: “Tropical fruit bouquet with flavors of pineapple, pear and citrus.” 3 stars

 Available locally for about $8.

Coming next week: Horse Heaven Hills Les Chevoux

Three Petite Sirah 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

There’s one sure way of determining whether the wine you are drinking is petite sirah. Drink a glass, go to the mirror and stick out your tongue.

That purple color on your tongue is a temporary tattoo that comes from drinking this inky dark wine, which continues to grow in popularity.

Three Wine Co. is a new winery that sources its grapes from California’s Contra Costa County’s sandy-loam soil, where the yields are lower but the fruit flavors are intense.

There are many layers to this wine, a hefty 15.1 percent alcohol pour that shows plush dark fruit and berry flavors layered in firm tannins. This would be an excellent choice for additional aging.

Sherry: “Dry with black cherry, cassis and raspberry with a tart finish.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “Flavors of blueberry and raspberry with firm but tamed tannins.” 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $16.

Coming next week: Schmitt Söhne Riesling Kabinett

Antigal Uno Malbec 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Malbec is a French grape that was brought to the Mendoza region of Argentina in 1860 and has thrived there.

The Bordeaux variety has found great favor in the international market as well, with malbec sales exploding the past few years. Argentina is now the world’s fifth-largest wine producer. 

The popularity of malbec has put some marginal products on the market, but Uno delivers. The bottle — with a distinctive No. 1 faux copper label riveted to the bottle — pours dark and inky in the glass, with tobacco and leather notes. 

Dark berry flavors follow. We found its edges to be a bit rough, but that should smooth out with some additional cellaring.

Sherry: “Dry raspberry and cherry flavor.” 3 stars

Chris: “Flavors of plum and mint, with a dry finish.” 3 stars

Available locally for $15.

COMING NEXT WEEK: Three Old Vines Petite Sirah

Antinori Santa Cristina Toscana 2010

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Antinori is an Italian winery that is more than 600 years old but helped revolutionize the country’s wine industry in the 1980s.

It was during that era when we saw the rise of the super Tuscan wines that were blends of international grapes, a major change from the very rigid wine classification system that regulated grape varieties used in specific regions.

That’s the case with this wine, which actually started as a chianti in the 1940s. It is a blend of 60 percent sangiovese with cabernet, merlot and syrah. It’s very soft and balanced with smooth tannins but with plenty of structure and red fruit flavors.

Sherry: “Fruity cherry and plum, raspberry and strawberry with a touch of spice.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “Leather notes with flavors of raspberry and cherry.” 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $11.

Coming next week: Antigal Uno Malbec

The Wait Torrontes 2010

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Malbec is known as the red grape of Argentina, but it’s a transplant from France. Torrontes is an indigenous grape that is the most widely planted white varietal in the country and is developing its own following.

Torrontes shares qualities of pinot grigio and viognier, offering lots of aromatics and tropical fruit. A good torrontes has a crisp texture to keep it from tasting flat.

The Wait delivers a delightful pour, with lots of fragrance, stone fruit and zesty citrus tastes. Allow the wine to warm slightly from refrigerator temperature for the full flavors to show. The wine carries a high level of alcohol (15 percent) for a white.

Sherry: “Geranium on the nose, with tastes of almond, light pineapple and lime.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “Flavors of melon, apricot, citrus and other tropical fruits.” 3 stars

Available locally for about $12.

Coming next week: Santa Cristina Antinori

Turn Me Red 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Had any zweigelt wine lately?

Neither have we. That’s why we decided to give this wine a try. (Chris maintains it had nothing to do with the attractive 1950s-style pin-up girl label.)

Zweigelt is a grape developed in the past 20 years that is a cross between blaufrankish and St. Laurent, a member of the pinot noir family. The red grape is touted in Austria (these were grown in the Burgenland region) and provides 70 percent of the body of this wine, along with 30 percent cabernet sauvignon.

The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged in oak. The result is a medium-bodied, semi-sweet wine that is not exceptional but very approachable.

Sherry: “Soft, light-bodied with cherry and strawberry flavors.” 3 stars

 Chris: “Strawberry and cherry with a hint of cocoa on the finish.” 3 stars Available locally for about $9.

COMING NEXT WEEK: The Wait Torrontes

Cartlidge and Browne Central Coast Pinot Noir 2010

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Winemakers sometimes limit their selections to the grapes that grow on their vineyards. Others don’t grow their own grapes but purchase them on contracts. The winemakers at Cartlidge & Browne source grapes from about 1,000 acres of vineyards throughout California in their quest to make wines modeled after the European style.

Of course, the success of either method rests in what pours in the glass, which in this case turns out to be quite delicious. The pinot is quite balanced and displays aromatics of earth and spice with bright red fruit flavors and a traditional silky finish.

Sherry: “Medium-bodied and very fruity, with a cherry flavor and a touch of pineapple.” 3 stars

Chris: “Bright strawberry and cherry with a hint of toffee on the finish.” 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $13.

Coming next week: Turn Me Red

Santa Rita Reserva Merlot 2008

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
South America and Chile were recipients of European grape plantings in the 1800s, which is what Domingo Fernandez did when he started a
winery in the Maipo Valley in 1880.
Today, the winery uses modern technology to produce Bordeaux variety grapes, including this reserve merlot. The wine is fermented in individual batches and aged 10 to 12 months in oak before it is blended and bottled.
 With 10 percent cabernet sauvignon added, the wine shows black fruit and red berry flavors in a very balanced and easy finish that is almost sweet. A
very approachable pour.
Sherry: “Medium-bodied with a floral taste and flavors of cherry and plum.” 3 stars
Chris: “Fruit flavors of raspberry and plum with a vanilla and spice finish.” 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for about $12.50.
COMING NEXT WEEK: Cartlidge and Browne Pinot Noir

Fünf Sassy White

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Never underestimate the power of marketing. Sales of riesling have increased double-digits since wine giant

Schmitt Söhne uncomplicated the confusing German wine labels and introduced Relax Riesling a few years ago.

 Fünf is another label from the company, which says most fun starts at 5 p.m. (Fünf means five in German). With its large portfolio, Schmitt Söhne has more than 50 percent of the German wine segment in the U.S.

 Riesling is known as the noble grape of Germany, and its versatility can make it very light and approachable to very sweet and syrupy. Fünf is a very light, young riesling that fits the definition of a summer wine.

 Sherry: “Light-bodied with honey, apple, pear and a touch of lime.” 3 stars

Chris: “Apple, pear and citrus with a semi-sweet taste.” 3 stars

Available locally for about $6.

Coming next week: Santa Rita Reserva Merlot

Purple Cowboy Tenacious Red 2010

By CHRIS and SHERRY HARDIE
Not everyone falls off their horse one day and becomes a winemaker. That is unless you are Terry Wheatley.
Wheatley and her family have long been a part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
She’s also a breast cancer survivor who came up with the Tough Enough to Wear Pink breast cancer awareness campaign at rodeos.
Wheatley also worked in the wine industry, and her inspiration for this Paso Robles, Calif., blend was inspired by her belief that all cowboys drink purple or dark red wines. It’s a blend of cabernet sauvignon, syrah and merlot that offers very tame tannins and plenty of fruit.
Sherry: “Smooth and medium-bodied with flavors of black currant and cherry.” (3 stars)
Chris: “Black licorice and black cherry flavors with a bit of cocoa on the finish.” (3 stars)
Available locally for about $10.
Coming next week: Fünf

Serena Sweet Red

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

We enjoy the challenge of conquering the big, in-your-face red wines that declare war on your taste buds. Then there’s Serena. As its name suggests, this wine is quite serene.

Serena is made in the Piedmont region of Italy from the brachetto grape, known for its aromatic and slightly fizzy wines the Italians call frizzante. It must be related to concord because that’s the dominant flavor of this wine, which is low in alcohol at 5.5 percent.

Fortunately, there’s more to this wine than fizzy grape juice, as other red berry flavors fill out the palate. We don’t see this wine pairing with dinner, but it would make a perfect summer sipper or as an after-dinner dessert.

Sherry: “Very sweet grape and strawberry.” 3 stars

Chris: “A sweet fizz of strawberry and cherry.” 3 stars

Available locally for about $11.

Coming next week: Purple Cowboy

Chateau Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Sauvignon blanc is a white wine that is famous in France and New Zealand, with California also making its mark. But if this sample from Washington is any indication, there’s a new kid on the fine wine block.


Horse Heaven Hills is a wine region east of the Cascade Mountains along the Columbia River, where irrigation is used to provide precise watering for the volcanic-based, sandy loam soil.


Most of this wine is fermented in stainless steel to preserve the fresh fruit character, and the remainder is barrel-fermented in oak.

The result is a zesty, fresh and crisp wine with a tasty blend of citrus and orchard fruits; it’s a delightful, thirst-quenching sipper.


Sherry: “Dry lime and grapefruit with floral notes.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “Notes of melon with grapefruit and green apple.” 3-1/2 stars


Available locally for about $13.

Coming next week: Serena red

Clayhouse Adobe Red 2009

By CHRIS and SHERRY HARDIE
Blending red wines is certainly an art and subject to the winemaker’s discretion. Some wines are co-fermented from the start so the wine can slowly develop the flavors of all the grapes.

Others — like this California wine from Paso Robles — are fermented in separate lots in stainless steel tanks and aged in oak barrels before being blended prior to bottling.
There are six grape varieties — zinfandel (32 percent), petite sirah (25 percent), malbec (13 percent), cabernet sauvignon (11 percent), syrah (10 percent) and petite verdot (9 percent) — in this juicy and fruit-forward wine. It displays lots of red fruit and berry flavors and is easy on the palate.
Sherry: “Medium-bodied with flavors of cherry, licorice and rose.” 3 stars
 Chris: “Smooth tannins, with strawberry, cherry and red licorice.” 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for about $13.
Coming next week: Chateau Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Sauvignon Blanc

Banfi Le Rime Pinot Grigio 2010

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Wines are generally not on the list of summer thirst-quenchers, but this refreshing Italian white from Tuscany seems like the perfect porch sipper.

Pinot grigio – the Italian name for the grape the French call pinot gris – is best served young and fresh. That means winemakers use soft pressing and cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve the crisp, zesty character. Enjoy this wine as an aperitif or with a light meal.

Italian pinot grigio sales are still strong, but it has lost some market share to cheaper California labels. Pinot grigio acreage in California continues to grow.

Sherry: “Dry grapefruit, lemon and lime flavors with a mineral finish.” 2-1/2 stars

Chris: “Lemon, melon and grapefruit with tangy acidity.” 3 stars Available locally for about $7.

Coming next week: Clayhouse Red Adobe

Los Arquillos Tempranillo 2007

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Spain is a giant wine producer, with nearly 3 million acres of vineyards, the most in the world. More than 96 percent of the world’s tempranillo comes from Spain.

Tempranillo is the national grape of Spain and is named after the Spanish word “temprano,” which means early. The early-ripening grape makes full-bodied red wines that can be enjoyed young or aged.

This wine comes from Castilla y Leon region, the largest in Spain, accounting for more than 20 million bottles of wine a year.

Tempranillo has some pinot noir characteristics, which show in this wine. It’s light-bodied with red fruit flavors and smooth tannins.

Sherry: “Dry and floral with strawberry and cherry tones.” 3 stars

Chris: “Light-bodied cherry and raisin with notes of earth.” 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $8.

Coming next week: Banfi Le Rime Pinot Grigio

J. Lohr Estates Los Osos Merlot 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

J. Lohr, named after founder and still active operator Jerry Lohr, was one of the first to plant grapes in the Paso Robles region of California in 1986. Today, the winery has more than 2,000 acres of vineyards that were sourced for this wine.

Los Osos contains 78 percent merlot — just above the legal definition of 75 percent to be called a single varietal — along with 17 percent malbec, 4 percent zinfandel and 1 percent petit verdot.

The grapes are fermented in stainless steel, and the wine is barrel-aged for a year. It has an intriguing spice bouquet, displays lots of dark fruit and berry flavors, and has very soft tannins.

Sherry: “Smooth black cherry, with a hint of cocoa and a little coconut.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “Flavors of raspberry, cherry and a cocoa finish.” 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $12.

Coming next week: Los Arquillos Tempranillo

Apothic White

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

We’ve always enjoyed the fruit-forward style of the red blend offered by this California winemaker, so we were intrigued by what the white blend would bring. We were certainly surprised.

Apothic says it was inspired by the “Apotheca,” a mysterious place where wine was blended and stored in 13th century Europe. Perhaps there’s a little alchemy involved in this latest release, because it’s the first time we’ve ever experienced a white wine with a chocolate taste.

The wine is made from a blend of chardonnay, riesling and moscato and is layered in sweet tropical fruit and honey. The winemaker says it also tastes like vanilla, but we both perceived chocolate.

Sherry: “A strange but delightful combination of pineapple, honey and milk chocolate with a light touch of cherry.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “Flavors of pineapple and peach with a milk chocolate finish.” 3 stars

Available locally for about $10.

Coming next week: J. Lohr Paso Robles Merlot

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Les Piliers Viognier 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
Viognier was touted as the next great white wine a few years ago when it was rediscovered after becoming nearly extinct in the late 1960s when only about 35 acres remained in its French homeland.
Today, there are several thousand acres of viognier grapes in California and new plantings elsewhere, but this wine from Michel Gassier comes from the southern Rhone region of France.
This grape falls somewhere between the aromatic gewürztraminer and the tropical fruit of chardonnay, bringing in elements of both. The wine has body without the benefit of oak aging, as it is fermented in stainless steel and aged on the lees. It showcases tropical fruit and citrus flavors.
Sherry: “Honeydew melon, lime and a hint of nutty almond finish.”
3-1/2 stars
Chris: “Pineapple, peach and a hint of almond.” 3 stars
Available locally for about $12.
Coming next week: Apothic White

Ravenswood Vintner's Blend Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
New labels come and go in the wine industry, but Ravenswood’s iconic three ravens with locked claws logo hasn’t changed since 1976.
That’s the year founder Joel Peterson was gathering his first vintage during a thunderstorm as ravens taunted him from the trees. This Poe-like scene proved the inspiration for the winery name and logo.
Ravenswood makes quality wines of all types, fromthe entry-level Vintner’s Blend series to single vineyard designations that are simply stunning. This cabernet is full of berry and spice flavors, nicely balanced with toasted oak. It affirms the winery’s slogan of “No Wimpy Wines.”
Sherry: “Fruity cherry, a touch of cocoa and a rose, floral finish.” 3-1/2 stars
Chris: “Cedar nose, cherry and plumflavors with a licorice finish.” 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for about $10.
Coming next week: Michel Gassier Les Piliers Viognier

Alexander Valley Vineyards Sin Zin 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
There’s a story to tell in every bottle of wine, but the origins of Sin Zin are a great tale. It was first made in 1978 for family use only. The label represents a German etching from1843 meaning “The Horn of Plenty.”
The wine became a cult favorite when it was brought to market in the early 1980s. Then between 1984 and 1988 it was not produced in favor of a lighter zinfandel that had about the same success as New Coke. The wine returned in 1989.
This vintage from California’s Alexander Valley is deep and fruity, with a splash of petite sirah added. It’s very big and very smooth, just what a good zinfandel should be.
Sherry: “Big and bold with black cherry, raspberry and a touch of cocoa.” 3-1/2 stars
Chris: “Raspberry and cherry flavors layered in very smooth tannins.” 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for about $13
Coming next week: Ravenswood Cabernet

Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
The California winery that single-handedly put chardonnay on the map with one of the most popular wines in the country with its Vintner’s Reserve also makes other labels from its stalwart grape.
This chardonnay, sourced fromSanta Barbara and Monterey counties, is fermented by lot to preserve the vintage’s unique geographical influences and then blended before bottling.
We’ve always enjoyed KJ because it tends to produce more creamy chardonnays thanks to its fermenting process that includes malolactic fermentation, where the tart acid flavors are converted into a more buttery and textured finish.
That’s noticeably missing in this chardonnay, which is more about the crisp tropical fruit.
Sherry: “Notes of lime and a little hot. A hint of butter on the finish.” 2-1/2 stars
Chris: “Pineapple, citrus and apple with a bit of creamy finish.” 3 stars
Available locally for about $15.
Coming next week: Sin Zin

HandCraft Petite Sirah 2010

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
In the earlier days of the California wine industry, single varietal vintages were not the norm. Instead, winemakers would use
what they harvested fromtheir vineyards and mix them together in what was called a field blend.
That’s the inspiration for this new label from Cheryl Indelicato, a third-generation California winemaker.
The main grape variety is petite sirah (82 percent), but there is a blend of petit verdot, sangiovese, syrah and zinfandel to round out the field. The wine is oak-aged  to sixmonths.
The result is a big, bold, enticing wine with spice and fruit bouquet and full-bodied fruit flavors. It’s dark and chewy, with a long finish.
Sherry: “Medium-dry, fruity black cherry with a touch of leather.” 3-1/2 stars
Chris: “Wisps of leather and smoke, cherry, plum and blueberry.” 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for about $10.
Coming next week: Kendall Jackson Reserve Chardonnay

Middle Sister Sweet and Sassy Moscato

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
Moscato is one of the world’s most ancient grapes, but it has been rediscovered by many of today’s younger wine consumers.
Also called muscat, sales of the wine increased more than 200 percent between 2009 and 2011 and increased
78 percent last year, according to Nielsen data.
This label is part of the Middle Sister lines from California, which offers 10 different wines all devoted to the female in the center of the birth order.
Made with 84 percent moscato and a blend of other white grapes, this wine shows all the trademark signs of the aromatic grape. It’s a sweet wine that could pair with lighter fare or simply enjoyed by itself.
Sherry: “Honey, pear and touch of citrus” 3 stars
Chris: “Apricot, honey, pear and orange.” 3 stars
Available locally for about $9.
Coming next week: HandCraft Petite Sirah

Red Rock Reserve Winemakers Blend

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
Red Rock Winery features a label with stacked rocks – one of them red – a symbol of its belief that great wine is about finding balance.
That certainly describes this red California blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and petite sirah, which embodies the notion of a fruit-forward wine.
Displaying dark purple color in the glass thanks to the petite sirah, this wine shows lots of jam characteristics and is quite sweet considering its varietals. It’s very smooth with a full mouth of berry and soft spice flavors, a reflection of the wine’s malolactic fermentation.
Sherry: “Big and bold with fruity black cherry, raspberry and light touch of rose on the finish.” 3-1/2 stars
Chris: “A sweeter blend of raspberry, plum, cherry and raisins.” 3 stars
Available locally for about $10.
Coming next week: Middle Sister Sweet and Sassy Moscato

Mark West Pinot Noir Santa Lucia

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
Pinot noir is the signature grape of Calfornia winery Mark West, which claims the slogan “Pinot for the People.”
The popularity of pinot is certainly growing, as there were 32,000 tons of the grape crushed in 1990 and 156,000 tons crushed in 2009. Mark West’s pinot lineup accounts for about 10 percent of the entire U.S. pinot market.
This bottle from the Santa Lucia appellation came from an excellent grape-growing year and was aged in French oak. The result is what you would expect from a quality pinot: smooth, silky and lots of trademark cherry.
Sherry: “Dry and acidic with fruity raspberry and black cherry with a hint of cocoa.” 3 stars
Chris: “Silky strawberry and cherry with a bouquet of smoke and plum.” 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for $14.50.
Coming next week: Red Rock Winemakers Blend

Fetzer Gewurztraminer 2010

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
California winemaker Fetzer has been committed to sustainability for the past 28 years, making this a suitable wine for April to mark the beginning of Earth Month.
Fetzer calls itself “The Earth Friendly Winery” and uses organic practices in growing its grapes. Its wines are not certified organic, however, because it purchases some grapes from other growers. But it encourages customers to farm with limited chemical use.
Gewürztraminer is a German word that means spice grapes. The flavors are similar to a sweet moscato. This has less crispness and zest than other gewürztraminer wines we've sampled, but it's still a good choice for sipping on the porch during these early spring evenings.
Sherry: “Sweet with honey, pear and lime.” 3 stars
Chris: “Flavors of pear, peach and orange.” 3 stars
Available locally for about $8.50
Coming next week: Mark West Pinot Noir Appellation Series

Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz 2008

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
Wine grapes, like clothing, seemto go in and out of fashion. Out of fashion was certainly the case for shiraz grapes in Australia until the latter half of the 20th century.
English doctor Christopher Rawson Penfold planted shiraz vines in 1844 and made fortified wines that he believed had medicinal properties. His son-in-law, Thomas Hyland, took over the company, which continued to make mainly fortified wine.
It wasn¶t until Penfolds developed its famous Grange wines in the 1950s, with cool fermentation and new oak barrels, that shiraz started to shine as a wine.
This shiraz, fromthe Adelaide region, is not as hot and peppery as some Australian versions we¶ve sampled, but it¶s fruity and quite balanced.
Sherry: “Medium-bodied and fruity with cherry, plumand strawberry.” 3 stars
Chris: “Flavors of raspberry, plum, raisins and cocoa.” 3 stars
Available locally for about $12.50.
Coming next week: Fetzer Gewurztraminer

Simi Chardonnay 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie 
Simi started with two brothers from Italy named Simi who arrived during the California Gold Rush and opened up a winery in 1876.
The winery moved to northern Sonoma County in 1881, and cellars were built into the side of the hill. During Prohibition, the family continued to make and store wine, selling off much of the land to survive before wine sales were legal again in 1933.
The winemaker’s notes describe delicate and balanced orchard fruit flavors and a toasty oak character “best described as sweet vanilla mingled with hazelnut, nutmeg and smoky bacon.”
We didn’t detect bacon, but it certainly has orchard fruit, citrus and some oak character.
Sherry: “Dry and tart, with a citrus and lime flavor and a little buttery on the finish.” 3 stars
Chris: “Pineapple, pear, nuts and a bit of vanilla.” 3 stars
Available locally for about $15.
Coming next week: Penfold’s Hyland Shiraz

Toad Hollow Erik’s the Red 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
The fun folks at Toad Hollow have named this red blend after the Norsemen explorer and conqueror Erik the Red, but it’s also a tribute to Erik Thorson, the winery’s general manager and partner.
It’s a mixture of merlot, zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, souza, tannat, syrah and petite sirah grapes sourced from northern California vineyards. The wine was co-fermented and aged in oak for nine months before release, resulting in plenty of dark fruit and berry flavors with nuances of spice.
There’s a lot going on in this robust blend, which may a bit ambitious with its kitchen sink approach.
Sherry: “Medium-bodied and fruity, with black cherry, a little raspberry, strawberry and a touch of cocoa on the finish.” 3 stars
Chris: “Light strawberry with raspberry, black cherry and a raisin-like finish.” 3 stars
Available locally for about $12.
Coming next week: Simi Chardonnay

Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
 Thirty years ago, Jess Jackson released his first bottle of chardonnay and the Kendall-Jackson era began. Jackson died last year, but his family still controls more than 35 wineries located around the world.
At the heart of K-J is the Vintner’s Reserve line, representing grapes from vineyard estates. This fine cabernet — which is blended with cabernet franc, merlot, malbec and petit verdot primarily from the Sonoma region — is oak-aged for 13 months. The pour features dark fruit and berry, with noticeable but rich tannins that pleasantly linger on your inner cheeks.
Sherry: “Robust and dry with black cherry, strawberry, licorice and a touch of floral with rose on the finish.” 3-1/2 stars
Chris: “Plum and vanilla bouquet, soft plum and cherry flavors and a vanilla finish.” 4 stars
Available locally for about $16.
Coming next week: Toad Hollow Erik’s the Red