Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz Mourvedre 2008

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Wines are sometimes like people. Some are simple and straightforward. Others are deep and complex.

This Australian red falls into the latter category, which means you need to spend some time unlocking the flavors in this puzzler.

It's a blend of Australia's national red grape shiraz (88 percent) and the lesser-known mourvedre, which is also a Rhone variety.

The result is a powerful glass of black licorice and tobacco notes with flavors of black fruit, red fruit, pepper and spice. Ten months of oak seasoning helps soften the edge, but the tannins are big and the finish is long. Serve with food, and swirl vigorously to open this wine up.

Sherry: "A bit hot, with red licorice and raspberry flavors and a floral finish." 3 stars

Chris: "Flavors of plum, raspberry and licorice with a hint of cherry on the back end." 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $13.

Coming next week: Bonterra Viognier

Ol' Geezer Rosso 2009

By CHRIS and SHERRY HARDIE
The grape at the the heart of many wonderful Italian wines is sangiovese (san-joe-vay-see), which is also the source for this red.

Instead of the the fabled Chianti region, this wine comes from Puglia, which is the heel on the peninsular boot of Italy. This fertile area was once scoffed for its vast quantities of cheap wines, but winemakers are stomping out that notion.

This is a simple and plain wine (the name and label had a certain appeal to Chris) that displays the cherry and herb flavors sangiovese is known for. The tannins are a bit sharp, but it's a good value for the price.

Sherry: "Black cherry with a bit of a floral finish." 3 stars

Chris: "Herbal bouquet with flavors of cherry and plum." 2-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $6.

Coming next week: Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz Mourvedre

Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

It's always time to celebrate with a fine sparkling wine or champagne.

We selected this Washington sparkler to mark the birth of our first grandson, Jameson. It also would make a delightful companion to grilled chicken or as a summer party aperitif.

Made in the traditional champagne method (methode champenoise), the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle, resulting in the carbon dioxide bubbles the wine is famous for. This chardonnay wine is medium dry, crisp and light-bodied. It displays orchard fruit flavors with a crisp, lingering finish.

Sherry: "Notes of pear and green apple with a hint of almond on the finish." 3 stars

Chris: "Green apple and floral notes with flavors of peach and ginger." 3 stars

Available locally for about $11.

Coming next week:

Ol' Geezer Rosso

LeGrand Noir GSM 2008

By CHRIS and SHERRY HARDIE

If you enjoy red blends, GSM are three letters you need to remember. GSMs are wines blended with grenache, shiraz and mourvedre grapes.

This wine comes from the Minervois region of France, which is on the southern end of the country and enjoys a mild Mediterranean

climate. The grenache(60 percent) and mourvedre (5 percent) are usually found in blends, and the shiraz (35 percent) adds some spice.

We've enjoyed other Le Grand labels (known for the black sheep) and find this one to be delightful as well, with plenty of red berry fruit flavors and a very smooth finish. We're eager to try more GSM wines.

Sherry: "Big floral notes, flavors of raspberry and red licorice." 3-1/2 stars

Chris: "A raisin bouquet with raspberry and blackberry flavors." 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $8.

Coming next week: Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs

LeGrand Noir GSM 2008

By CHRIS and SHERRY HARDIE

If you enjoy red blends, GSM are three letters you need to remember. GSMs are wines blended with grenache, shiraz and mourvedre grapes.

This wine comes from the Minervois region of France, which is on the southern end of the country and enjoys a mild Mediterranean

climate. The grenache

(60 percent) and mourvedre (5 percent) are usually found in blends, and the shiraz (35 percent) adds some spice.

We've enjoyed other Le Grand labels (known for the black sheep) and find this one to be delightful as well, with plenty of red berry fruit flavors and a very smooth finish. We're eager to try more GSM wines.

Sherry: "Big floral notes, flavors of raspberry and red licorice." 3-1/2 stars

Chris: "A raisin bouquet with raspberry and blackberry flavors." 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $8.

Coming next week: Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs

Treasure Hunter Pinot Noir

By CHRIS and SHERRY HARDIE

Romance is intertwined with the wine industry, but it is a business after all.

The 3 Finger Wine Co. - which markets Treasure Hunter - doesn't own a vineyard or a winery. Treasure Hunter labels are négociant wines, purchased from other winemakers. It's a delicate balance to find quality wines, best done when there is an excess of fine wines on the market so you're not scraping the bottom of the barrel.

Treasure Hunter seems to get it right. This Sonoma Valley wine displays the aroma, flavor and mouthfeel of a quality pinot.

Sherry: "Soft, fruity and smooth with flavors of strawberry, cherry and light licorice on the finish." 3-1/2 stars

Chris: "Beefy nose, soft cherry with a bit of strawberry and a red licorice finish." 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $16.

Coming next week:

Le Grand Noir GSM

Treasure Hunter Pinot Noir

By CHRIS and SHERRY HARDIE
Romance is intertwined with the wine industry, but it is a business after all.

The 3 Finger Wine Co. - which markets Treasure Hunter - doesn't own a vineyard or a winery. Treasure Hunter labels are négociant wines, purchased from other winemakers. It's a delicate balance to find quality wines, best done when there is an excess of fine wines on the market so you're not scraping the bottom of the barrel.

Treasure Hunter seems to get it right. This Sonoma Valley wine displays the aroma, flavor and mouthfeel of a quality pinot.

Sherry: "Soft, fruity and smooth with flavors of strawberry, cherry and light licorice on the finish." 3-1/2 stars

Chris: "Beefy nose, soft cherry with a bit of strawberry and a red licorice finish." 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $16.

Coming next week:

Le Grand Noir GSM