Rubrato, Aliganico de Feudi di San Gregorio 2006

Wonderful Aglianico reminding me Northern Rhone, muscular structure: black fruit, dry plum, leather, smoke.  I really enjoyed that one both with and without the food.  The wine comes from Compania region.  It is definitely a buy.  Found at Stew's Liqueurs, Long Island.

Gaglioppo, Calabria, 2008

In my very subjective opinion, there is no such a thing as a good wine with a nose of a strawberry preserve (yes, the above statement extends to Beaujolais....).  This wine came highly recommend by the Stew;s Liqueurs staff.  However, I still say no.  It is too fruity with no noticeable structure to support it.  This is not a bad wine yet it is so far from my palate that I have to say no, don't buy it.  I was relieved to find out that Parker thinks very highly of it.  Yet another reason not to buy it....

Heritages, Cotes du Rhone 2007

This Cotes de Rhone comes from the Ogier family who I  consider one of the best Rhone vintners.  This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre is Ogier cheapest wine that taste as a well done cheap wine.  There is no magic here, this is $11 stuff tasting as a well made $11 stuff.  Granted that you can do much worse for $11 this is not something to specifically look for.  It however, do for a dinner if nothing else is readily available.

Moet & Chandon, Imperial

Lovely Champagne. Brut Impérial is the driest of Moët & Chandon champagnes, with almost no liqueur added in the dosage. The resulting wine contains less than 1.5% sugar.  Color: Pale yellow with shades of green. Nose:  lime.  Palate: Predominantly Pinot characteristics. full body with long finish.

Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky

12 years old Single Malt comes from the oldest Japanese distillery.  This is a really nice scotch!  In fact, it is save to say it is better than any Scottish Single Malt selling for the same price.  This one goes for $40. All in all very pleasant.  I am not an experienced Scotch taster so can't tell you what flavors are there yet I can tell you that it is very pleasant, smooth and has a character of a well made Scotch.

Kalimna Bin 28, Shiraz, 1997

Penfolds definitely knows how to make age worthy wines.This 12 years old Shiraz taste very fresh.  This is not the type of wine that I prefer yet I can definitely appreciate the quality.  Typical Australian Shiraz flavor profile.  Lot of black currant, soft tannins, some spiciness.  It was great with roasted lamb, that pretty much was the reason for me to open it to begin with.

Shaya, Verdejo, 2008

Very nice well made verdejo that comes from Rueda, light and crisp with citrus fruit on a palate and just a touch of minerality.  I liked it a lot; great food friendly white.  I found this wine at Stew's Long Island for $14.99

Cannonau di Sardegna, Riserva 2005

Here is my first review of anything coming out of Sardignia.  I liked it.  Cannonau is Sardegnia local grape variety related to Grenache.  The wine has a barnyard notes  on a nose reminding me classic Southern Rhone yet it is much lighter (and fruitier) on a palate.  In fact this is really interesting contrast: first you smell something like Southern Rhone and than you taste something like Pinot or Gamay ....  Nice balance, black pepper, some plum.  This a great every day wine for $11.  It was found at Stew's Long Island.

Reneau, Chateau Lafayette, Riesling 2007

NY Finger Lake Region semi-sweet Riesling.  It is a good wine for what it is yet this is not a style I particularly appreciate. 

Asprolithi, Roditis 2007

Very simple refreshing white coming from Patras by the Gulf od Corinth.  Very refreshing, light white with crispy lemony palate and floral noze.  With $8.99 price tag (Long Island Bottles and Cases Wine Shop) it is a buy.

Domaine Bois De Boursan, Chateauneuf Du Pape 2000

This is a wonderful Chateauneuf.  Buy it if you can find it.  The wine has great barnyard nose and wonderfully balanced palate with blackberries, a touch of spice and plum supported by soft, integrated tannins.  All in all, it is a pleasure to drink now and will definitely get better yet if it is left to age.  This wine is not cheap.  Moreover, I am under impression that I got the last 3 bottles of 2000 vintage of it at MacArthur Liquors.  The price range for this wine is $36-50.

Raphael, Cabernet Frank, North Fork of Long Island, NY 2007

It does remind me Vale de Loire Cab Franc although it is a bit fruitier...I am not a big fun of this style yet it is a very descent wine.  Nice fruit, very light, food friendly.  All in all, everything one would expect from a well done cold climate Cab Franc.  Long Island wine stores is probably the only place where you can find it.

St. Henry, Shiraz 2002

Here is one of the Penfolds premium shirazes from South Australia...It is indeed very nicely done with a restrained fruit (black currant mostly) and soft tannins.  The wine is drinking well right now and will probably improve for a few more years. I do not know how much it is yet suspect that it is not cheap.