Morgante 2006 Sicilia Nero d'Avola

I aerated this vigorously before drinking.

Medium dark red color.

Prune and black cherry smells, black pepper and oak.

Ripe black cherry flavor, plum, something spicy, maybe cinnamon?

Mostly harmless. Tangy acid makes it a nice accompaniment for a pasta/tomato/romano dinner.

For $16.99, I probably would not buy again, but I might seek out some more Nero d'Avola.

Gruet non-vintage Brut Blanc de Noirs

Medium straw color with vigorous bubbles that raise a surprisingly persistent white head.

Toasty citrus smell, there's a scent of bread-dough.

Grapefruit flavor, toast, hints of oak stay in the background.

An entirely creditable sparkling wine for $15.99 that avoids the too-sweet character of many budget wines. I'm pleasantly surprised. I'd buy this again.

While this is "produced and bottled by Gruet Winery Albuquerque New Mexico," there's no indication that the grapes are from New Mexico or from any particular place. Perhaps they're from two non-contiguous states. If I remember, the wine label laws forbid naming those states.

Kanu 2006 Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc has long been grown in South Africa, commonly called Steen.

Pale straw color, hint of a greenish tint.

Peach smell, rather faint.

Fruity tart but dry flavor, peaches and pears, melon and grapefruit.

Not a bad bottle for $13.49, classy and subtle, but I could complain about insufficient concentration. I'll continue looking for other Chenin Blancs and have a few lined up for that purpose in the next month or so.

I contend that the only reason Chardonnay is a respected major white while Chenin Blanc is largely ignored is that it's so much fun to say (and to drink!) Pouilly-Fuissé.

La Posta 2006 Mendoza Malbec Angel Paulucci Vineyard

Malbec is the grape of Cot, “the black wine of Cahors”, once widely used for illicitly darkening wines of Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhone in vintages that warranted it. As Malbec, it became the informing grape of the Argentine red wine market.

I aerated this wine and let it settle for an hour before drinking.

Opaque, purple/red at the edges.

Raspberry smell, with plum and cherry, and oak.

Plum, prune, and black cherry flavors, ripe fruit balanced with plenty of acid, restrained used of oak.

I was pleasantly surprised with the wine and don't regret paying $17.99. I'll investigate Malbec further before buying this again, but I'm not greatly opposed to doing so.

Barton & Guestier 2007 Vouvray

Vouvray is a classic white from the Loire Valley made from the Chenin Blanc grape.

Pale yellow color, cloudy with near-microscopic bubbles.

Peach smell, beery on opening, apricot smell by the end.

Peach and apricot flavors, off-dry, grapefruit zest, slightly petillant. Forgive trendy wine-speak, but acid is lively.

Vouvray is also seen in bone dry and quite sweet versions. Knowing what's what before opening the bottle is often a challenge.

A wonderful bargain for $9.99. I've got a number of New World Chenin Blancs lined up to try, none as cheap as this bottle was.

Domaine Ste Michelle 1998 Columbia Valley Luxe

Pale golden color with small bubbles. Looks like nothing else so much as mass-market American lager, but raises less of a head.

That unsettling resemblance does not, thankfully, extend to the aroma, which is toasty citrus with distinct oak. As the glass warms, an appealing floral note emerges.

Oak's quite apparent in the flavor, it's the first thing to greet the palate. Afterwards, there's lemon and grapefruit, sweetness at the end. As the floral smell develops so do hints of peach and pears flavors.

The oak wants to be better integrated, as it is it stands too alone, too much what defines this wine.

I prefer the $14.99 Blanc de Noirs to this $19.99 bottling.

Altos de Luzon 2005 Jumilla

Dark purple/red color.

Smells of plum and cedar,

Wood dominates the flavor, less prominent are stone fruits and

The next day wood is still prominent, but plum and black cherry are more easily tasted.

The wine is 50% monastrell (mourvedre), 25% cabernet sauvignon, 25% tempranillo

At $15.99, this doesn't especially please me.