Keltehue Winemaker's Select Red 2008

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
The Mendoza wine region is as important to Argentina as California is to the U.S. wine industry.
There are some 1,500 wineries in Mendoza, which produces 70 percent of the country's wine from the shadows of the Andes Mountains to the west. The dry climate and irrigated vineyards allow for more precise control of the grape harvest.
This offering from the Don Manuel Villafane winery - which dates to the 1600s - is a blend of 40 percent tempranillo, 40 percent sangiovese and 20 percent malbec grown at 2,600 feet above sea level. It's an earthy and husky wine with red fruit flavors that finishes dry and spicy.
Sherry: "Dry and peppery with black cherry and raspberry flavors." 3 stars
Chris: "Black licorice notes, raspberry and cherry flavors, a hint of cocoa and a spicy bite." 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for about $9.
Coming next week: Hogue Gewurztraminer

Starling Castle Red 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
Oktoberfest is right around the corner, so it’s time to think of German wine. While white German wines such as rieslings are still the most common, red wines are finally becoming better known.
This wine is made with dornfelder, a hybrid grape that is the most common red varietal in the Rheinhessen region, one of the largest German wine-producing areas. Spätburgunder (pinot noir) is second in acreage.
This wine is made in a sweet style with very smooth tannins, making it very approachable for even new wine drinkers. It’s light-bodied and displays red fruit flavors. Serve chilled. It pairs nicely with grilled chicken and would make a nice Oktoberfest beverage alternative.
Sherry: “Strawberry, cherry and cinnamon.” Three stars
Chris: “Cherry and cinnamon with a bit of cranberry on the finish.” Three stars
Available locally for about $9.50.
Coming next week: Keltehue Winemaker’s Select Red

Lucky 7 Carmenere 2010

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
The signature red wine of Chile is starting to show up on more labels, a positive trend as we’ve always enjoyed this lost grape from the Bordeaux.
The grapes were imported to South America in the 1850s and were mislabeled as merlot for many years until DNA testing in the 1990s rediscovered the variety. Recently some vines have been planted in California, so we may see domestic carmenere (car-min-yehr) in a few years.
This wine comes from the Rapel Valley of Chile. It opens with notes of plum and smoke and reveals red fruit and pepper. It’s a bit harsh on the back end, but goes well with food.
Sherry: “Full-bodied and very dry with black cherry and pepper.” 3 stars
Chris: “Smoky plum, cherry and pepper.” 3 stars
Available locally for about $8.
Coming next week: Starling Castle Red

Frei Brothers Reserve Chardonnay 2007

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
Cabernet might be called the king of red grapes, but chardonnay rules the kingdom when it comes to popularity.
 The Wine Institute reports white wine grapes accounted for more than 95,000 acres in California vineyards in 2010 — making it the most widely planted grape. It also represents 28 percent of the state’s table wine shipments. More than 53.2 million cases were shipped in 2009.
 This Russian River Valley wine is completed with malolactic fermentation, giving it multiple layers and a bit of a buttery finish. More butter is better for us, as we prefer our chardonnays rich and oaky. This one comes close.
 Sherry: “Fruity with lime, pear and pineapple, with a touch of almond on the finish.” 2.5 stars
Chris: “Peach, pineapple and citrus, with just a hint of butter.” 3 stars
Available locally for about $15.
 Coming next week: Lucky 7 Carmenere