2006 Turley Zinfandel, Dragon Vineyard

2005 and 2006 were not prime Zinfandel vintages in northern California. Zinfandel needs lots of heat during the ripening process and these two years were generally a bit too cool. Several of Turley's zins from these vintages lacked the lush, ripe fruit you would expect from this producer, but such is not the case with this Dragon Vineyard offering. The vineyard is located in Napa Valley's Howell Mountain AVA.

Dark ruby color. Ripe raspberry and cinnamon aromas leap right out of the glass. Meaty, mouth-filling flavors are fully extracted but not ponderous. Fully ripe tannins. This wine is just plain delicious. It will hold for several years but who can resist pulling the cork now?

The cost was $45. Turley wines are allocated but, given the fact that our economy is in the tank, you might be able to get on their subscription list without a long wait. Both Parker and Tanzer rated this wine in the low 90's and I can't argue with that.

2005 Chateau Teyssier Saint-Emilion

Although this Saint-Emilion producer has seldom run with the big dogs in past years, the winemaker took full advantage of the splendid 2005 vintage in Bordeaux, producing a Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend that is more than worth its relatively modest price ($30 in Kansas City).

The color is dark ruby-black. The nose was initially closed but opened with a bit of air to display rich cassis and cedar aromas with a complex eucalyptus note. The flavors are rich and broad with generous but fully-ripe tannins. The finish is impressively long. This wine is drinking well now, but I think it would benefit from several years in your cellar.

2006 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

It does my heart good to see this venerable winery emerge from a couple of decades in the doldrums and begin producing quality, reasonably priced cabernets. Although the winery is now owned by Gallo, it is being run by a member of the Martini family.

I purchased this wine in Kansas City for $14. 140,000 cases were produced so it should have wide distribution.

The wine is a medium-dark ruby color with a touch of garnet. The nose was initially closed but it opened up in the glass to show sweet cedar and spice notes. The broad flavors and a good balance of acidity, tannin, fruit and extract are not what you would expect from a cabernet of this price. Surprisingly long finish. The alcohol is 13.9%. Very drinkable now but should hold for at least five years.

2006 Juan Gil, Jumilla

A good friend in Denver gave me a heads up about this Spanish red wine. It is from the Jumilla wine region and is made from Monastrell (Mourvedre). This region can produce some blockbuster wines but this effort shows considerable restraint. Medium-dark color. Sweet, ripe aromas with subtle suggestions of leather and smoked meat. Present also was a distinctive, high-toned menthol note. I could not pick up much oak in the nose even though the label claims the wine spent 12 months in French oak. Perhaps older barrels were used.

Flavors of ripe plums combine with ripe tannins, good acidity and a nice finish to deliver a balanced, harmonious wine. Ready to drink now but it will easily hold for at least two more years. I purchased this wine from the Kansas City Lukas store at 135th and State Line for $15, a price that makes this wine a bargain. I believe this wine has good nationwide distribution.

2005 Hartford Court Pinot Noir, "Haley's Block"

Hartford Court can be relied on to turn out excellent quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel, and this wine is no exception. Haley's Block" is a portion of the larger Arrendale Vineyard located in Green Valley AVA, an area carved out of the Russian River Valley AVA. Green Valley has a climate even cooler than Russian River Valley, which makes it ideal for Pinot Noir.

The wine's color is medium red. Ripe cherry aromas predominate with just a hint of cola and wet earth. Oak plays only a supporting role. The flavors are fresh and focused. The cool vineyard site helps keep the acidity up even though the alcohol was in the high 14%. 298 cases were produced.

The wine's price was $47, which I think is reasonable for a pinot of this quality. Hartford Court wines can often be found in the Wine Exchange newsletter or on their website. You can also purchase them directly from Hartford Court using their website. You might also want to consider their 2005 "Far Coast Vineyard" Pinot Noir, which is sourced from a "real" Sonoma Coast vineyard. This wine is more expensive ($65).

2005 Venta Mazzaron, Tierra del Vino de Zamora

This Spanish wine, 100% Tempranillo, is from the Castilla y Leon region. The wine was priced at $13 in the Lukas store at 135th and State Line. This wine is a good example of the great values that can be found today in Spanish wines. Dark ruby-purple color. The nose was initially closed but it opened up in the glass to show aromas of leather, coffee beans and figs. Good extract with deep fruit and ripe tannins. Nice long finish. Overall, this is a serious, full-bodied wine that would benefit from several years of bottle age.

A note about the wine label: It claims this wine was made "...mostly from ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines..." I can buy into the ungrafted part, given the fact that there are several regions in Spain where vinifera vines can be grown on their own roots. But I am a little dubious about the pre-phylloxera claim since this would mean the vines are at least 130 years old. Possible of course, but for $13?

2007 Tormaresca "Neprica"

This red wine from the Puglia region of Italy is an unlikely blend of 40% Negroamaro, 30% Primitivo and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. The price in Kansas City was $10 at the Lukas store on 135th Street and State Line. The color is deep ruby. The extroverted nose is very southern Rhone-like with suggestions of leather and dried herbs. A well-extracted wine with slightly rough tannins and a very lengthy finish. Drink it now with burgers or stews or cellar it for a couple of years to round out the tannins. A lot of wine for $10.