Prado Rey- Roble 2006

Prado Rey- Roble 2006

Spain

Price 20 USD

http://www.shoppersvineyard.com/1/42405/Chateau-Haut-Surget-Lalande-De-Pomerol?utm_source=Vinquire&utm_medium=WineFeed&utm_term=winebottle&utm_campaign=base

Coming out of the Ribera del Duero region this great everyday table wine red has a great blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Merlot. As it name implies the wine is aged in oak barrels which give this blend of grapes a very spicy and rich taste.

There are hints of vanilla and of berries.

Great with creamy cheese, pastas and roasts.

Chateau Haut-Surget Lalande-de-Pomerol / Bordeaux 2006

Chateau Haut-Surget Lalande-de Pomeral

Bordeaux 2006

Price 32 USD

http://www.shoppersvineyard.com/1/42405/Chateau-Haut-Surget-Lalande-De-Pomerol?utm_source=Vinquire&utm_medium=WineFeed&utm_term=winebottle&utm_campaign=base

In typical bordeaux fashion this bordeaux carries high alcohol content but unlike many french reds it has a medium body.

There are hints of currant and mocha.

This is a cabernet sauvignon-merlot and cabernet franc with merlot at 70% dominating this wine, the Pomerol region is probably the

most famous Merlot region in Bordeaux and this affordable bordeaux delivers with rich flavour.

Combines well with pasta and meats.

Meßmer Spätburgunder, 2007

Herbert Meßmer Spätburgunder, 2007

Spätburgunder is the German name for Pinot Noir: this bottle is from the largest wine producing region Pfalz, which has apparently been going through some kind of reneissance of low yelding, high quality wine making...

I had this mighty 1 liter bottle for $42 at Trestle on Tenth in Chelsea (which I highly recommend). This pinot was the house red of the day, so we went with the cheap end of the wine list:) It turned out to be a perfect match for the veal liver and duck breast salad.

Although at least a year too young to drink, this bottle was pretty good.
Transparent ruby red, medium body, simple, sweet plum nose...
Nothing complicated about the taste either: fruit (cherry, red plum).
Somehow this wine drinks great, perhaps due to the perfect balance of fruit, acidity and tannis...
It seems like every aspect of taste and texture was meticulously calculated and refined.
The price is right and the oversized bottle rocks!

Fattoria il Gambero, Alborada 2006, Oltrepò Pavese Bonarda

If you are bored with your regular cab, merlot or pinot try this weird ass wine.

First of all the variety name bonarda is confusing as hell: the actual grape is Croatina, which happens to be historically  called Bonarda in Oltrepò Pavese region of Lombardy.

To make things even more mixed up  there is a popular Argentine variety called Bonarda, which  is Charbono in California and Corbeau in France... The only real Bonarda is Bonarda Piemontese.

Anyhow, this wine smells like Sherry, and tastes like cherry Coke with a finish of chocolate.

I am suspecting it was slightly oxidized, still fun though...

Medium body, lightly sparkling, quite tannic and substantial. This is a truly atypical wine.

Served chilled makes an great light dinner wine.

$18, Uva, Williamsburg

Alta Vista Premium- Malbec 2007

Alta Vista Premium- Malbec 2007

Mendoza, Argentina

Price USD 15

http://www.winerz.com/5h_ATVMAC07C.html

Another great bargain malbec from the Luyan de Cuyo region in Mendoza, Argentina´s biggest wine region.

This is a great daily wine with hints of blackberry, currant and were premium grapes have been selected and left in american-french oak barrels for up to 12 months.

It has quite a dense bouquet and is a easy to drink wine.

Winner of the silver medal at the prestigious Concours Mondial in Bruxelles in May of this year.

Finca Flichman- Misterio Chardonnay 2007

Finca Flichman- Misterio Chardonnay 2007

Mendonza, Argentina

Price USD 10

http://www.grandwinecellar.com/vsku1457255.html

One of the most traditional and respected wineries in Argentina has produced a good quality and fairly inexpensive chardonnay.

Argentine chardonnays tend to be more fruity and a bit more dry than the more well known American or Australian variety, but Misterio is a great find with hints of pear as well as a very smooth finish for a bargain wine.

This is a great summer wine that is available in most wine stores worldwide.

Las Moras Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz Reserve 2007

Las Moras- Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz Reserve 2007

Tulum Valley, San Juan, Argentina

Price 15 USD

http://www.upcounty.com/store/product/1378/Las-Moras-Cabernet-Shiraz-Reserve,-1pk-750ml/

This Argentine blend hails from one of the new wine regions in Argentina that is making quality wines. Along the lines of the bordeaux style wines that are being developed in the region this Las Moras (blackberry in Spanish) wine offers a rich dark red colour and an oakey finish which comes from the french oak and american oak combination of barrels used.

This good priced wine won the prestigious International and Spirit Award in the UK in 2008 in the bargain wine category.

Good with red meats and hard cheese.