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2002 July	2002 September	2002 November
2002 August	2002 October	2002 December

July 2002
Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino - Hard candy aromatics lead to ample fuzzy peach fruit and honeysuckle before finishing clean and steely dry. Very satisfying white from a high quality Sardinian producer. $7.99  
Bodegas Nekeas Vega Sindoa Rosé - A positively smashing value of the pink persuasion, this Spaniard from Navarra is comprised of 50% grenache and 50% cabernet sauvignon. Medium in body and color, its whispers of cherry and raspberry fruit get the job done. $7.50
Chateau Jouclary Cabardès - From a forgotten corner of southwestern France north of Corbières comes this Bordeaux/Languedoc hybrid. Equal parts cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and syrah add up to a dark dense wine with green pepper, black fruit, and tea flavors, as well as a sea of tannins. $8.50
Lucignano Chianti  - A perennial favorite, this comes from the Fiorentini hills just south of Florence. A textbook example of this style of Chianti with its medium bodied cherry fruit, the 2000 has even a little more flesh and complexity than years past. $9.99
Petaluma Bridgewater Mill Chardonnay - A rich flavorful Australian Chardonnay from the owners of Oregon’s Argyle winery. Ripe tropical fruit and oak make this a crowd pleaser at BBQs, weddings or parties. $9.50
Boissis Muscadet - Summer is prime Muscadet season, its light yet tangy white fruit flavors are great for waking up the senses after a long hot day. From the end of the Loire river, its classic accompaniments are the region’s shellfish, but is also nice as an aperitif. $6.99
Château La Décelle Coteaux du Tricastin - Tricastin is just north of the main Cotes du Rhone appellation and plants basically the same varietals. This store favorite is mostly grenache. Medium bodied with a bit of chewiness to it, the berry fruit is generous and velvety. $8.50 
Moss Bridge Merlot - Another “bridge” wine, this time from California and from the 1997 vintage no less. I was hesitant (why is it still available?), but was very pleasantly surprised. Full and lush with an ultra smooth texture, it sports jammy red fruit and cedary undertones. $8.99
Cheap Red Wine - The name says it all, although they probably could add “Good” in the beginning. A kitchen sink blend that tastes like it has some zinfandel and petit sirah, which makes it surprisingly full bodied for the price. Smooth textured and full of sappy blackberry fruit, it is remarkably worthwhile despite the package. $5.99
Colosi - The name doesn’t say it at all. Colosi is nero d’avola, a grape grown in hot Sicily, which here achieves an almost Amarone-like ripeness and richness. Full-bodied and juicy, it is packed with fresh grape, raisin, and prune flavors. If you enjoy big dark fruit wrapped in mocha notes, this is for you. $8.50
Drouhin Macon Villages - Drouhin is a truly consistent Burgundy house in a region not necessarily known for its consistency. This wine from the 2000 vintage is a French chardonnay delight. It has its characteristic crispness and hint of austerity, but also some weightiness and complexity, from tropical nut to wet stones. $8.99
Tiziano Chianti - A lighter-bodied easy-going quaffer with flavors tending toward black cherry in a smoky leathery haze. Eminently drinkable, it washed down pasta and spicy Italian sausages with no complaints. $5.99
Marchesi di Barolo Barbera Maraia - With a fragrant rosy raspberry nose and undercurrents of earth and spice, this northern Italian makes for nice summer drinking, having ample fruit without being too heavy. $8.50
INDEX

August 2002
Les Portes de Sainte Rose Syrah - Pure young juicy syrah full of blackberry that offers a tannin boost on the finish. Hearty and somewhat brash, it reminds me of typical bistro wines of SW France. $7.50 
Bouchard Bourgogne Chardonnay - An atypical white Burgundy from a negotiant on the rise that has light tropical and lemon-lime notes that give good mouth-feel without being heavy. Nuanced complexity and a long finish show excellent quality for the price. $8.99
Codice - This Spanish favorite made mostly of tempranillo is back in stock showing off its characteristic oaky vanilla notes and medium-bodied red fruit. Hints of smoke and spice help it pair well with grilled meats. $8.99
Fontaleoni Vernaccia de San Gimignano - From a good producer in the heart of Tuscany comes this light refreshing white. Notes of sweet lime blossom and melon together with a barely perceptible spritz give this a freshness as if the grapes had just been picked. $8.99
Canyon Road Cabernet Sauvignon - We tasted it and agree with the Wine Spectator review: “What great fruit! It has the stuffing and fruity ripeness of other costly Cabernets, at a fraction of the price…”. Yeah!! $6.99
Domaine de Couron Merlot - This darkly colored merlot is French in style with black fruit and woodsy spice notes. Medium-bodied and tangy, this is standard good quality table wine for daily quaffing. $8.50
Chateau Meunier Corbieres Blanc - A mellow blend of grenache blanc, marsanne and bourboulenc that is floral and chock full of white fruits. Richly textured with layers of flavor, it still retains freshness and balance. $8.99
Covey Run Fumé Blanc - Ripe round polished white from Washington which is juicy and broad on the palate with peach and nectarine flavors. Soft and inviting, this is a crowd pleaser. $8.99
Chapoutier Cotes du Rhone - A 50/50 split of grenache and syrah from the great 2000 vintage. Soft and juicy and brimming with lively red fruits and gently nibbling tannins. Chapoutier is a big firm that manages to turn out some rock solid wines. $8.99
Pino Primitivo - Another winner from this value-oriented producer, this grape is the same as or very similar to zinfandel (depending on who you ask), but here is done in a medium-bodied style with an emphasis on bright berry notes and mild peppery spice. Not huge, but remember, it is August. $6.99
Montpellier Sangiovese-Merlot - A curious California 50/50 blend of heretofore mentioned varietals that delivers smoky cherry fruit that lingers nicely on the finish, all done in a soft delicately textured style. $7.50
Domaine des Rieux Cotes du Gascogne - A lip-smacking, thirst-quenching, smile-inducing white whose quality is remarkable for the price. Refreshing and vibrant with medium-weight pear and melon juiciness. Be glad that Ugni Blanc is not an “in vogue” grape, as it would be twice the price. (same goes for Riesling, but that’s another story). $6.99
INDEX

September 2002
Martivilli Rueda Superior
Kiss summer goodbye with this billowing floral print sundress of a wine. Made from 100% vardejo (an indigenous grape of the Rueda region [Spain]), it’s crisp and vibrant with floral aromatics that lead to juicy white fruit flavors. $8.99
Shale Ridge Syrah
Almost black in color, this Californian is bursting at the seams with sappy and mouth-coating blackberry fruit. What it lacks in finesse is more than made up with its potent load of fruit. A lot of wine for the dough. $7.99 
Carchelo Jumilla
An Iberian blend comprised of tempranillo, mourvedre, and a dash of merlot. Evidence that careful blending can raise the end result high above its separate parts. Dark meaty notes (mourvedre) mingle with brighter berry notes (merlot) and tempranillo holding everything else together. $8.99
Redbank Cabernet–Shiraz 
A 50/50 (roughly) blend grown in a cooler climate which produces a more elegant and prettier style wine than most expect from down under. Cabernet berry and shiraz spice still shine through in a understated yet complex style. $9.99Tenuta Garetto Barbera d’Asti
Surprising quality and complexity at this price, this Barbera is silky smooth with smoky licorice notes entwined with medium-bodied black fruits. $7.99
Buena Vista Sauvignon Blanc
With no “chardonnay” treatment this actually tastes like sauvignon blanc. No oak, no butter, just a crisp clean style that turns ripe and fruity on the finish. $7.99
Domaine de Campagnol Costieres de Nimes
A 80% syrah/20% grenache blend that eschews oak in order to focus on the richness of the sun-drenched fruit. It offers a dense smoky nose of syrah and vibrant black fruit tones on the palate. Great for the grill before it goes away. $8.99
Ambra Barco Reale di Carmignano
Barco Reale is a junior version of Carmignano, a Tuscan red that unsurprisingly has a high percentage of sangiovese. This “jr.” is light to medium-bodied with bright cherry fruit, but is no lightweight as regards to depth and interest. It was just the ticket slightly chilled with pasta and red sauce on the front porch. $8.99
Sokol Blosser Chardonnay
Oregon wine at a great price, this local chardonnay displays good varietal character in a soft creamy style. Lingering nut and mild spice notes add hours of excitement. $6.50
Castillo Labastida Tempranillo
Great value in this spanish red that offers a trident of meaty-smoky-spicy notes in a supple medium-bodied red fruit package. $6.99
Les Vignes Retrouvées de Saint-
Pretty name for a pretty wine (although I altered it slightly), this 100% sauvignon blanc from SW France has zippy grapefruit notes held in check by ripe fruit and good length. $8.99
Boscaini Dirada Merlo
An Italian merlot that is more Bordeaux than California with an emphasis on tangy cherry notes. Soft and medium-bodied, its hints of tobacco and spice pair well with chicken cacciatore. $7.50
INDEX

October 2002
Zoot Allures Pinot Gris (J. Christopher)
Oregon’s own J. Christopher has just released this favorite of last year, an excellent value with the pretty dog on the label. Medium bodied with rich forward fruit and a clean yet lingering finish. Good Oregon pinot gris at a great price. $9.99Concha y Toro Xplorador Chardonnay
Fresh and lively white from our friends in Chile. Pear and apple flavors reign supreme in this very lightly oaked medium-bodied thirst quencher. $6.99
Villa Vivaldo Tocana Rosso
An unassuming spaghetti red that goes down easy with its medium weight cherry grapey flavors and subtle woodsy notes. A customer said it reminded him of dark Italian basement bars where older men drink and chat the day away. $6.50
Zenato Valpolicella
From a quality producer comes this red that is surprisingly full-flavored and complex for the appellation. Wild cherry berry fruit sits upon a supple yet structured bed of mocha and spice notes. A Valpolicella that is more autumn than summer. $8.50
Chateau la Coudraie Bordeaux Blanc
Very floral and aromatic white blend (sauvignon blanc & semillon) that is soft and dry; white fruit flavors are bright and linger on. $7.50
Villa Santiago Cabernet Sauvignon
Grapes from Argentina, but made by California’s Laurel Glen Winery, this somewhat juicy style cab has good definition and balance, its berry fruit playing well off the soft tannins. $7.99
Yalumba Y Merlot
A Merlot that has been pumping iron, this Australian is bigger, juicier, and spicier than most in this price range. It’s not on steroids however; the rich full-bodied fruit is held together in a smooth balanced package. $9.99
Santa Rita Carmenere
Carmenere is an ancient Bordeaux varietal that is now thriving in Chile making soft and generous reds full of dark plum, peppery spice, and touches of sweet tobacco. $5.99 
Hanwood Estate Chardonnay
Australian chardonnay that retains an elegant lilting style, being made in stainless steel with very little malolactic fermentation. Bright tropical and citrus fruit shine through in this clean, well-made wine. $9.99 
J. Lohr Valdiguié
This favorite of superstar J. Lo used to be referred to as Napa Gamay, but its new moniker is much more intriguing. Either way, it is quite a pleasant wine: lighter bodied, soft and supple with slightly tangy red fruits. $8.99
Mas de Martin Cuvée Venus
From the Eastern end of the Languedoc comes this interesting blend of grenache, syrah, and cabernet sauvignon, which are biodynamically farmed. Dense black fruit flavors and some earthiness are balanced by good acid structure and bright red berry notes. $8.99
Chateau Saint-Sauveur Cotes du Ventoux
Slightly rustic red from the slopes of Mt. Ventoux in the Rhone Valley that offers bright red raspberry mingled with a bit of leathery chewiness. Medium-bodied and fruit forward, yet with enough grip to hold one’s attention. $6.99 
INDEX

November 2002
Elk Cove La Sirene Cabernet Sauvigon
Great idea out of Oregon: A rich dark fuller bodied Cab for under $10. Soft and generous dark berry fruit really tastes like Cab with a modicum of tannic structure. $8.99
Torre Quarto Rosso
This multifaceted Italian kept changing over the course of the bottle. At first it seemed straight-forward (floral and aromatic with pretty cherry fruit) but with an underlying depth. On second glance, a darker sappier fruit appeared, lingering on the finish. Who knows what’s next? $8.99
Rawson’s Retreat Cabernet-Shiraz
This Penfold’s-made wine is a store favorite and why not with its plush red berry fruit, spicy shiraz notes, and supple oaky finish. $7.99
Dr. Loosen Riesling
From the excellent 2001 vintage, this familiar favorite is as good as ever. Apple and peach notes abound in a balanced yet juicy fruity mouthful. $9.99
Monterra Merlot
Great example of the pleasures of merlot. Juicy and velvety smooth, the big red fruit flavors explode on the palate, held ever so slightly in check by a touch of tannic grip. $8.99
Candido Salice Salentino
Mellow and medium-bodied with spicebox and sandalwood aromatics, this southern Italian’s bright cherry fruit is mixed with denser earthier notes. $6.99 
Pinord Tempranillo
Dark, spicy, and somewhat brooding, this Spanish red showed well in a recent tasting. Black cherry fruit, smoky earthy notes and solid structure makes it pair well with grilled meats. $9.50
Benton Lane Pinot Noir Express
Finally, an Oregon pinot noir at this price that is this good. Medium bodied and fruit forward with characteristic pinot cherry notes, it’s smooth and supple and only $8.99.
Leaping Horse Chardonnay
A surprisingly good Californian for the price that is bright, clean, and lively. Not at all heavy-handed, the medium-bodied supple fruit is well balanced by just enough acidity to keep it from falling over. $5.99
Le Petit Chambord Cheverny
Sauvignon blanc from the Loire valley that is dry and focused yet weighted with white fruit flavors, floral aromatics and a soft alluring texture. $9.99
Domaine Miquel Syrah
An obvious French syrah vis-à-vis Australian shiraz with its muted plummy fruit and intimations of bacon fat (Parker’s favorite) and cigar box. Tannin and vanilla/oak on the finish make it a keeper. $8.99
Lavelle Pinot Gris
Oregon pinot gris that is full-bodied and richly textured. Although ripe peach notes dominate aromatically, it finishes dry and crisp. $8.50 
INDEX

December 2002
Elvenglade Pinot Gris
Just in time for the new cinematic installment of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, this is Oregon juice from the O’Reilly’s / Sineann / Owen Roe family. Bright and scintillating, the white peach and Asian pear fruit is ripe but finishes dry and clean. $9.99
Snoqualmie Syrah
As the Wine Spectator says, “this is an outstanding price for West Coast Syrah of this quality.” Ripe, smoky, and spicy with rich fruit that stays balanced and doesn’t veer off the wine road. $9.50
Noceto Sangiovese
Spicy spicy dark cherry fruit and ripe plum dominate in this California-Italian. Supple and smoky, this is good winter drinking. $6.99
Michel Lynch Merlot
From the highly touted 2000 vintage, this very good Bordeaux for this price. Full bodied and thickly textured with true merlot flavors, it has just enough grip without heavy tannins. $8.99
Chateau Gandoy
Perrinat Entre Deux Mers-Racy white Bordeaux with tangy lime citrus and faint grassiness. Zippy and palate cleansing, it still has enough medium-bodied fruit to sink your teeth into. $7.99
Mont-Marcal Reserva Brut
(See Featured Sparkling Wines)
Auvigue Macon-Davayé
Very classy French Chardonnay with candied lemon and honey nut aromas that is wonderfully balanced with slight hints of oak playing off the fruit. Although it offers a somewhat juicy mid-palate, it’s really quite dry and elegant. $9.99 
Torres Coronas Tempranillo
Very soft and full bodied with muted earthy cherry fruit. American oak lends an obvious vanilla note which works well here. With its long smoky finish, this is a job well done by one of Spain’s biggest names. $8.50 
Barone Cornaccia Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Always a great seller here, this southern Italian red possesses amazing suppleness and elegance for such a hearty wine. Velvety smooth with cherry, mocha, and spice, people dig it. $8.99
Domaine St. Jean Vin de Pays du Var
Hearty and somewhat rustic red from Provence that matches well with winter fare. Dark dense fruit that has wild herb and spice notes. $5.99
Oxford Landing Shiraz
Another great Yalumba product, this has classic dark ripe berry fruit, the excitement enhanced by hints of cinnamon, mocha, and subtle oak. $8.50
Les Heretiques de Chateu d’Oupia
Heretically good wine from Languedoc that is very dark in color with red licorice and hard strawberry candy notes. Open-knit and inviting, but with depth and substance. $6.99
INDEX