Abadia Retuerta Selección Especial 2013, Spain

What a wonderful succulent red blend from La Milla de Oro (the Golden Mile) of Castillo y Leon - Sardón de Duero, in Spain. Instead of the D.O. classification the producers opted for the more flexible "VdlT Castilla y Leon" allowing a terrific blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah and other varieties like Merlot and Petit Verdot.

Aged for 13 months in French and American oak barrels, this viscous red has thick dark colors accented with heady aromas of cherry pie and dark chocolate. The palate shows a richness that treats the tongue to a bombardment of ripe red and blue fruits through a lens of silky tannins and exquisite balance. What a beautiful treat! This bottle goes for about $30.

Left Coast Pinot Noir 2016

From the Willamette Valley, Oregon, where Pinot Noir is king, this "white" version began as an experiment a few years back. Fermented in stainless steel tanks with limited skin contact, this white shows the best of both worlds (red vs. white) with bing cherry on one hand and peach and summer fruits on the other. Almost clear in the glass, with notes of peaches and honey aromas, then juicy ripe pears atop bursts of the ripest peach of summer counterpointing an earthy minerality. A white with balance and bright acidity and a finish that goes on and on. Perfect for this coming July 4th holiday.

Valdivieso of Chile Brut Rosé

From the Central Valley in the southern area of Curicó where the foothills of the Andes make for cool evenings and allow gentle ripening, this sparkling wine made with 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay is made using the Charmat method. The wine is mixed in a pressure tank of stainless steel together with sugar and yeast. The fermentation takes place in the tanks not in the bottle. This method is also used to make Prosecco.

The colors in glass are a deep peach and fine effervescence while aromas of ripe summer fruit play with a note of bread. On the palate an off dry effervescence rises out of an intense bouquet of strawberry, raspberry and peach making for a beautiful and refreshing summer wine.

Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz 2016 Barossa Valley

“I’m the Dude, so that’s what you call me. That or, uh His Dudeness, or uh Duder, or El Duderino, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing.” — The Dude

“Careful man, there’s a beverage here!” 
— The Dude

There sure is!  I know it's not a White Russian, but this Two Hands Gnarly Dudes (Named for the gnarled old Shiraz vines that produce this luscious grape) is the beverage here for "The" Dude on Father's Day. 

And it comes from Australia's Barossa Valley made with 100% Shiraz and aged in French Oak for 12 months.

In the glass the colors are a ruby red with brighter red at the rim. The aromas are a stunning and attractive blend of cassis and underbrush with hints of salumi, herbs and slate. On the palate more blackberry and plum with bold, smoked meats and cigar box. Finishing long and bold with a hit of spice and black pepper. 13.5% alcohol. A great way to wish The Dude Happy Fathers Day.

Loveblock Pinot Noir 2013, Central Otago, New Zealand

Produced in New Zealand's Central Otago, a terroir perfectly adapted for a Pinot Noir, Loveblock is surely a special red wine with a delicate but intense signature.

The grapes were cooled for a pre-fermentation cold soak of five days, then warmed and innoculated. Hand plunged twice each day and pressed at dryness, the grapes then underwent fermentation.
Aged 11 months in older oak to retain the pure intensity of the fruit.

Aromas of violets and glycerine touched by herbal infused dark fruits, wafting delicious ripe plums and hickory smoked bacon. On the palate are wonderful fresh strawberries counterpointing mushrooms and black pepper and deep earthy tannins. Fine balance of acidity and tannins with a 13.5% alcohol content and a $37 SRP.

The Federalist Dueling Pistols 2014

Federalist Wines brings this luscious blend of half Syrah and half Zinfandel from Sonoma/Dry Creek Valley Appellation in California. Each varietal is fermented separately from free run juice. The individual lots spend an average of 15 days on the skins. Upon completing primary fermentation, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation then aged for 15 months in 20% new American (adds sweet notes) and Hungarian (adds spicy notes) oak barrels.

Rich and big and chewy... in its prime with bursting ripe fruit and a balance of great acidity and supple tannins.

Dark purple colors with extremely vibrant aromas: deep and dark with a persistent intensity of black fruits (black cherry and blackberry) pressed against cedar planks.

The robust aromas are matched in intensity by a rich palate of chocolate covered cherries, green peppers, marzipan and black pepper with a finish is that is long and satisfying.

A great Holiday gift at $29. Happy New Year to all!

Markham Merlot 2014

Wow, this $26 bottle drinks like it's $50! Chewy with silky tannins and excellent balance. Ruby red colors, aromas of strawberry jam, marzipan and cigar box. The palate shows caramel, baked fruit pie, licorice and milk chocolate. A perfect special red for the Holiday season.

"Located in Napa Valley, Markham owns 350 acres of vineyards, strategically located in several of the area's best growing regions. The Estate vineyards provide the backbone for the blend, totaling 50% of this bottling. Merlot from Oak Knoll contributes sour cherry character while Yountville components provide the classic Bing cherry aromas and flavor. The jammy notes come from blending in warmer up-valley fruit from Calistoga vineyards. Much care is taken to maximize the filtered light and allow the Merlot to hang freely within the canopy during harvest. This allows the fruit to mature and color evenly. The wines are sent to barrel as individual lots to mature, allowing for greater understanding of the direct impact of our viticultural and fermentation practices each vintage. "