2007 Benziger “Family Winery” Sauvignon Blanc, 60% Lake Co., 40% Sonoma Co., made with grapes grown with certified sustainable farming methods, $14.99. Melon rind, grapefruit, and pine needles on the nose. Decent fruit and finish. A good Sauvignon Blanc, but nothing special. A fine choice with seafood or salads. Raymond Rating = 83 points.
2007 Tilia Chardonnay, by Bodegas Esmeralda, Mendoza, Argentina, from 60 year old vines, 13.9% alcohol, $12.99. Rich buttery nose with apple and spice and everything nice. Lush body and fruit. Medium finish and good complexity. If you like rich, buttery, oaky Chardonnays, you’ll love this super value! Raymond Rating = 90 points.
2007 Red Bicyclette Pinot Noir, Vins de Pays d’Oc, imported and bottled in the US by Frei Brothers, Modesto Ca., $9.99. Perfumed sweet cherries with spice and leather notes on the pretty nose. Fairly simple but good fruit. Quite soft with a medium, though somewhat short, finish. An easy-drinking, quaffing wine. Raymond Rating = 85 points.
2007 Redwood Creek Pinot Noir, Vins de Pays de I’île de Beauté, Corsica, France, $8.99. Cherry candy, tobacco, and spice on the nose. Velvety tannins decent good fruit and finish. A little complexity and medium length. An excellent value in Pinot Noir. Raymond Rating = 87 points.
2008 Black Swan Shiraz, Southeast Australia, $6.50. A delightful nose of eucalyptus, leather, and blackberries. Excellent fruit, but way soft with a short but very pleasant finish. An easy-drinking, quaffing wine and an excellent value. Raymond Rating = 86 points.
2008 Black Swan Shiraz/Cabernet, 65% Shiraz, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, Southeast Australia, $6.50. Raspberries, tobacco, and lightly herbal notes on the nose. Light/medium fruit that leaves a sweet impression on the palate. Very soft with a short but very pleasant finish. An easy-drinking wine, especially recommended for those who don’t think they like red wines. Raymond Rating = 80 points.
2007 Stump Jump, by d’Arenberg, 50% Grenache, 20% Shiraz, 21% Mourvèdre, McLaren Vale, South Australia, 14% alcohol, $12.99. Menthol, tobacco, and raspberries on the nose. Very good fruit, though not highly extracted. Very good, slightly simple fruit, with moderately soft tannins. Good acidity and balance with a nice finish and medium length. Raymond Rating = 88 points.
Mourvèdre (sometimes known as Balzac) is widespread across the Mediterranean coast of southern France, where it is a notable component of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It was once the most popular grape in Provence, but is now much less common there. One exception is Bandol on the Mediterranean coast of Provence, where Mourvèdre has found a natural home, producing powerful red wines in the style of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is sometimes used to produce a fortified red wine in Languedoc-Roussillon. (From Wikipedia, 6/17/2009)