Icardi 2006 Langhe Nebbiolo Surisjvan

Langhe Nebbiolo is a DOC which requires only 85% of the grapes to be Nebbiolo.

Opaque color, dark cherry red at the edges.

Plum smell, leather, vanilla.

Plum and black cherry flavors.

Good medium-to-full-bodied bottle for $26.99. I'm learning increasing respect for Icardi.

H. Billiot Fils non-vintage Grand Cru Brut Reserve Champagne

Pale straw color with many streams of tiny bubbles, vigorous almost to a fault.

Smells of apple, pear, and peach.

Dry tastes of apple, berries, cherry pie, and peach pie. Toast.

Excellent full-bodied bottle for $50.40. I've long loved Pinot-heavy Champagne, this wine reminds me of the special virtues of such a cuvee.

Tenuta Sant'Antonio 2006 Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso "Monti Garbi"

Ripasso is a process where, after the first few months of fermentation, dregs of grapes already used to make Amarone or recioto are added to the vats.

Dark purple color.

Smell of plum, leather, oak.

Fruity plum flavor, cherry, soft finish, begs for a ripe semi-soft cheese.

Fine full-bodied bottle for $16.99. I've only had a few Ripassos, some before the technique was openly spoken of (I'm particularly reminded of an '86 Dal Forno Romano!), but I've been pleased each time.

Robert Gilliard S.A. 2008 Fendant Les Murettes

Medium straw color, very petillant.

Mild smell of apples and pears. Benefits from being served warmer than is usual for other whites.

Crisp dry apple flavor, little bit of grapefruit, distinctly mineral qualities in the long, high-acid, finish.

Very good medium-to-full-bodied bottle for $29.30.

Extra! Extra!!

Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2011 is now available.

Michel Torino Don David 2009 Lafayate Valley Torrontes Reserve

Pale yellow color.

Assertive sweet smell of honey, ripe pear and peach, pineapple, call fragrant Torrontes the muscat of the pampas!

Dry pear flavor, peach, lingering bright acid finish, matches well with an easy-going summer lunch. Fruit-bomb.

Excellent full-bodied bottle for $19.59

Churchill's Estate 2007 Douro

As dry Douro reds often are, this is comprised of a blend of grapes like that used for Porto: 40% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 30% Tinta Roriz.

Opaque purple color, dark to the rim.

Plum smell, strong oak.

Dry black cherry, plum, currant, blackberry, fruity/warm finish.

Very good bottle for $24.99, full-bodied.