Gougenheim Malbec 2010 Argentina

Deep purple garnet colors with maraschino cherry, ripe bing cherry and green peppers on the nose, while contrasting with sour cherry and white pepper on the palate. Medium plus tannins open nicely to reveal a simple but solid Malbec.

Koutsoyianopolous Santorini Assyrtiko 2011

Made in Santorini, Greece from 100% Assyrtiko grapes fermented and aged for 5 months.

Almost clear with slight yellow/golden colors, floral aromas merge into cantelope and watermelon rind, later revealing grape bubblegum, then woven into a palate rife with a boatload of flavors from cream to honey, from ginger ale bubbles to green pepper skins.

This very complex, refreshing wine is intriguing in that some of its characteristics are unfamiliar. I did some online searches that described the flavors as that of a Quince, which tastes like a cross between an apple and a pear. In hindsight, I'll agree with that description.

Deinhard Green Label Riesling 2008 Mosel Germany

Here is a great summertime white from the Mosel region of Germany where they produce wines from the wonderful Riesling grape. Rieslings can traditionally range from extremely dry to very sweet, and this one is somewhere in the middle of that scale (on the sweet side of dry).

High in acidity with aromas that suggest cranberry, yeast/dough, and grapefuit while the palate shows signs of citrus, apple, ripe watermelon, hints of banana and marzipan. A very refreshing wine and under $9 a bottle.

Eden Road Shiraz The Long Road Gundagai 2010

From the Gundagai region of Australia, this is a 100% Shiraz made from fruit picked, de-stemmed and chilled for 7 days before warming naturally and innoculated with a chosen yeast strain. The cap was turned over with high volume compressed air which is a gentle approach to soaking the skins. No pumping over or plunging was employed. Following fermentation the fruit was pressed and 50% transferred directly to old French oak puncheons.

Very dark deep colors of purple, with cassis, pepper, and licorice aromas, great texture and body while flavors of dark fruit and violets play happily on the palate into a satisfying floral finish.

Carta Vieja Chardonnay 2011 Chile

Tropical fruity aromas of banana taffy, confectioners sugar, and summer fruits, while on the palate leaning more towards a Sauvignon Blanc than a Chardonnay, but that's a good thing if you ask me. Has good texture and balance and satisfies nicely with fresh peach on the finish.

My friend Mark first introduced me to the Carta Vieja Merlot in the summer of 2010, and this Chardonnay this past weekend. Thanks Mark!

This bottle sells for an unbelievable $4!

Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Marlborough New Zealand

Clear and bright golden colors with aromas of lemon drops, grapefruit and pineapple with a crisp acidity and mild minerality. Finish leaves flavors of lime zest and totally refreshing. Nice deal for $8.

Eden Road Hilltops Shiraz 2010

Sourced from a single vineyard (Kingsvale) in the Australian Hilltops wine region northwest of Canberra, Eden Road Hilltops Shiraz (actually there is a tiny 1% Viognier blended in) is open-fermented for 2 weeks before 16 months aging in French oak barriques.

Shows deep purple/ruby colors, with juicy earthy/barbecue/smoked meat aromas, displays an intriguing palate of ripe cherry, white pepper and red fruit and slight vegetal and metallic notes on the long finish.

Received a Silver Medal in the 2012 Southern Highlands Wine Show.