A note

Several of the Navarro Correas wines are presently being remaindered at $7.99. This is the time to stock up!

Rio Seco Torrontes 2008

This Argentine white is presently on sale for $13.99 for the 1.5 liter bottle. It presents itself with largely citrus flavors, heavily tempered with anise, and even more than is typical of the variety, has an oily feel in the mouth to it. This is not everybody's thing, but if it happens to be yours, this wine grows on you.

Lobster Reef Pinot Gris 2008

This New Zealand white, while it exhibits nice enough fruit flavors, mostly pear, lacks both the bite of a good Pinot Gris and the special fresh grass quality characteristic of Marlborough Valley wines. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not very distinguished. $9.49.

Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2008

Unlike the 2007, previously reviewed here, the caramel notes of this Chilean red break up, leaving one with a slightlu unpleasant, almost bitter, taste. This condition is alleviated by a couple of hours of breathing, but that's a long time to have to think ahead. $7.99, on sale.

Vinha Conchas Tinto 2005

This red from Portuguese Estremadura, north of Lisbon, if allowed to breathe for at least an hour, will reward you with a nice blend of red berry and currant, just tempered by a touch of very light tannins. It's basically a simple country wine, but a good one, and should improve in the bottle. $6.99.

Domaine du Gouyat Bergerac Sec 2008

Bergerac, the region between Bordeaux and the Dordogne, was made famous by Edmond de Rostand's Cyrano, but it also produces both reds and whites of some distinction. The best of them are noted for their fiery, assertive quality. This particular Sauvignon Blanc has a nice blend of citrus and melon flavors, but is a little subdued. Perhaps it will gain from being aged a year or two in the bottle. $8.99.

Colombelle Blanc 2008

This Gascon white, a blend of two local grapes, Colombelle and Ugny, comes on with an almost overpowering fruity flavor, largely peach and citrus, with insufficient acidity to balance it. Gascon whites are generally very good, but this is not one of them, unless you like your wine fruity and sweet. $6.99.

Elm Tree Malbec 2007

This Argentine red is a nice entry level Malbec with dark fruit, mostly plum flavors in addition to caramel and a slightly acidic finish to give it some kick. $6.99, but you might want to know that it's being offered in N.Y. at $4.00 the bottle!

Cavit Pinot Grigio 2007

The holiday season is almost upon us and if you're looking for something to serve at an office party or the like, here's your wine. This white from the Veneto has a certain crispness and at least some of the flinty fruit flavor one associates with the good Pinot Grigios. It's certainly not a distinguished wine but it's drinkable and at the present sale price of $10.99 for the 1.5 liter bottle it sure won't break the bank.

Drylands Dry Riesling 2007

We gave this New Zealand white from the Marlborough valley a try because my CDC maintains that she's never met a New Zealand wine she didn't like. In fact, this wine has nothing in common with the treacly, fruit juice like Rieslings one generally encounters in this country. It has a bright mix of peach and citrus flavors with just the right note of acidity and not even a hint of sweetness. At the present sale price of $9.99 it's a genuine bargain.

Wildberry Estate Shiraz 2007

This Australian red from the Margaret valley is subjected to two fermentations. The result is an extremely smooth blend of dark berry flavors with just a hint of chocolate. Thre's a long lasting aftertaste, mostly oak. The alcohol content is high at 14.5%, but what we have here is no Australian fruit bomb. This is a very nice wine indeed, which will complement any steak or roast and for once the price, $9.99, is extremely attractive.

Arca Nova Vinho Verde 2008

This white from the northernmost Portuguese province is fresh, just noticeably effervescent, and meant to be drunk very young. With just 10% alcohol it's an ideal sipping wine, but also goes well with practically any fish. Not much of a nose but distinct apple and pear flavors. $7.99.

La Yunta Torrontes 2008

This Argentine white announces itself with an almost floral bouquet and tastes very decidely of peach with a citrus finish. It makes a great sipping wine and goes well with chicken, pork and all but the most delicate of fish. At $7.99 it's attractively priced.

Activity report

We are just back from three weeks in Europe and on the high seas. We drank quite a few wines, most of them mediocre (the wine prices on MSC Cruises for anything decent were outlandish), a few pretty good, two really excellent, a Brunello de Montalcino which, however was completely beyond the price norms that prevail here, the second a red Rioja, a Conde de Valdemar Crianza 2005. The wine, made from mostly Tempranillo with an admixture of Mazuela, is aged for over two years, first in stainless steel, then in oak. It has a lovely blend of red berries, tempered by oak to the point of acidity. My guess is you'll either love it or hate it. In PA it's priced at $13.99 but is available in NJ for under $11, which is what we paid in Barcelona.