Sokol Blosser Pinot Gris 2008

We were treated to a bottle of this organic Oregon white by friends last night at a B.Y.O.B. It's a lovely, well rounded, but at the same time complex, wine that tastes of ripe apple with a touch of apricot and a slightly spicy, lemony finish. Unfortunately, the PA price of $22.95 is not only not within the announced parameters of this blog, but is also completely out of line, it goes for three dollars less most places

Cortijo 2009

This red Rioja,80% Tempranillo and 20% Granacha, is light bodied with elements of cherry and blackberry and mineral finish. It's a simple, easy drinking wine but, at $10.99, grossly overpriced.

Quinta da Garrida 2007

This Portuguese red, aged in oak for one year, is half Tinta Roriz and half Touriga Nacional, the latter being a variety that is usually made into port. The result is a wine which, while not actually sweet, is certainly full bodied, with blackberry predominating, and a mineral finish. Be sure to let it breathe for at least an hour. $9.99.

Wakefield Promised Land Chardonnay 2008

This unoaked Australian is mainly fruity, with pineapple and banana elements. For my taste it comes too close to being sweet for a dinner wine but, for those who like that sort of thing, it would make a great dessert wine. Nicely priced at $7.99.

Trapiche Oak Case Malbec 2008

This red from a mass production Argentine grower is aged in oak for twelve months.
It's smoother, more balanced than the entry level wine which is just a tad on the harsh side and offers a nice blend of plum and dark cherry with just a hint of the expected chocolate. $9.99. Will it astonish anyone to hear that it can be bought for two dollars less in N.J.?

Hobnob Chardonnay 2007

What we have here is a mass produced French country wine from Roussilon masquerading in appearance as something out of California. It's essentially an unoaked Chardonnay tending toward the slightly sweet, with light spicy elements. $8.99.

Rioja Vega 2009

The entry level wine of an important producer, this Spanish red has a very even character, with red berry flavors, moderate tannins and a slightly acidic finish. A decent quaff for $8,49.

Alain Jaume & Fils Grand Veneur Reserve

This red Cotes du Rhone (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault) has a nice blend of raspberry, blackberry and sof tannins. A pleasant wine but, at $12.95, much overpriced, available for two or three dollars less elsewhere. Are you tuned in, GovernorCorbett?

Barons de Rothschild Reserve Speciale 2009

Chateau Lafite's nod in the direction of the financially challenged, this red Bordeaux is 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. As a result it needs to breathe for a good hour at least, else it will have an unpleasantly bitter aftertaste. If you open it in good time, it will reward you with a nicely judged, somewhat austere combination of cherry and soft tannins. $13.99, three dollars less in N.J.

Pio Chianti 2007

These days Chiantis tend not to be pure San Giovese but to have small admixtures of other grapes to give them more body.The label on this one doesn't reveal this, but I suspect that Merlot was used here. The result is a still relatively light wine, with predominantly cherry elements and a slightly bitter aftertaste characteristic of that variety. Not by any means a great Chianti but, with the instant rebate coupon it comes to $6.95, a good value.

Palha Canas 2009

This Portuguese white is straw colored, has apricot and green apple notes and a rather salty finish which I found odd and my CDC rejected as "musty". $8.99.

Les Tuileries 2008

This white Bordeaux from Entre Deux Mers is 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon. The addition of the latter makes it less dry and flinty than the typical S.B., but it certainly is not sweet. The nose is floral, on the palate peach and apple dominate. $11.99.

Martin Codax Albarino 2009

This Spanish white from the Rias Baixas in Galicia, not far from the great pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela, is rather full bodied, with pleasing elements of apple and peach and a touch of citrus. Like many wines from that region it's just on the verge of being effervescent. $11.99, which is about what it will cost you elsewhere.

Domainede l' Auriere Muscadet 2009

This Loire white from Sevre et Maine is fairly typical of the variety. It's light (just 11.5% alcohol), has an intense floral bouquet and tastes of peach and white melon, along with some citrus at the finish. A nice wine, but, at $12.95, grossly overpriced. You can get it for three dollars less in N.J.

Sangre de Toro white 2009

This fresh, uncomplicated Catalan white from the huge Torres combine tastes of apple and pineapple, with a slightly spicy finish and is just on the verge of being a petillant -- you sense rather than see the bubbles. Unfortunately, it's seriously overpriced at $10.99.

McWilliams Shiraz 2009

If you're into Australian fruit bombs this red might well be your thing. There are fairly intense plum and chery notes, without much by way of tannins, a very smooth- drinking wine. $8.99, a dollar and a half less in N.Y. & N.J.

Ringing in 2011

For our New Year's Eve bubly we chose a Spanish Cava, a Codorniu Reserva Raventos Brut. It turned out a very good choice indeed, a nicely balanced wine, moderately carbonated, with tones of ripe peach, and very decently priced at $9.99.

To go with our lamb chops for dinner we drank our last bottle of the '02 Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino. A noble wine, beautifully balanced and not yet showing its age. Ave atque vale, I seriously doubt we shall see your like again.

As for my New Year's resolution, I intend to agitate as much as I can to encourage the governor and legislature to sell off the P.L.C.B.