(by Raymond R. Wells, Ed.D.)
2008 Root: 1 Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile, 13.1% alcohol, 6.8 g/L total acidity, pH 3.2, $14.50. Bright, citrusy, grapefruit with herbal highlights nose typical of Sauvignon Blanc. Good fruit, medium long finish with some complexity. The Raymond Rating = 87 points.
2007 Douglas Hill Chardonnay, California, $5.95. Spicy, green apple nose. Decent but simple fruit with a medium short finish. A nice, easy-drinking Chardonnay for a bargain price! The Raymond Rating = 81 points.
2008 Root: 1 Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley (a cool climate area where ¼ of Chile’s Chardonnay is grown), Chile, 13.5% alcohol, 6.2 g/L total acidity, pH 3.4, 1.9 g/L residual sugar, $14.50. A forward nose of melons with herbal notes. Crisp, with a medium, slightly bitter finish. Although 100% Chardonnay, it smelled and tasted like it had some Sauvignon Blanc in it. It would be best paired with lighter seafood dishes or foods with a cream sauce. The Raymond Rating = 84 points.
2007 Root: 1 Carmenere, Colchagua Valley, Rapel Region, Chile, 75% Carmenere, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, 15% alcohol, 5.2 g/L total acidity, pH 3.5, 5 g/L residual sugar, $14.50. A slightly smoky nose of berries and black olives with earthy highlights. Very good fruit and a medium long finish with some complexity. A fairly soft, very pleasant wine that is drinking nicely now. The pairing with corned beef really brought out the fruit in the wine. The Raymond Rating = 88 points.
2007 Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley, Rapel Region, Chile, 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 14% alcohol, 5.3 g/L total acidity, pH 3.63, $14.50. A pretty nose of black cherries with sweet oak and vanilla aromas. Very good fruit and a medium long finish with some complexity. Much softer and accessible than the 2005 Root: 1 Cab. The Raymond Rating = 88 points.
2005 Rutherford Ranch “Rhiannon”, Napa Valley red wine, 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 5% Syrah, 2% Petite Sirah, 14.5% alcohol, pH 3.52, $22, tasted 4/26/2008. Vibrant purple ruby in color. The gorgeous nose of vanilla and berries with smoky highlights and some meaty notes, continues to develop in the glass with air. There is good complexity and a nice long finish. Drinking nicely now, it has the structure to take a few years of bottle age, though not much longer. However, it would be difficult to avoid drinking such a hedonistic wine as quickly as you could get the cork pulled. This wine would be an excellent match with any red meat, bolder pasta dishes, or firm cheeses. An excellent value for a wine of this quality! The Raymond Rating = 93 points.