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