Wines for mid-January, 2007

Here are the wines that I've tasted most recently:
January 2007
BARGAINS
2002 Artesa “Elements” – Fairly complex and layered with earth and fruit. It gets better and better. $24+ ($20 – Glazers)
2005 Stellar Winery Organic Wine Cellar Shiraz (South Africa)- Rich, Rustic, deep drk berry nose. Earth and bittersweet chocolate with black cherry flavors. Also has a pinotage/iodine note. $24+ ($9 – Ambiente)
2004 Reynard Grenache (California) – Spicy, lush nose. Deep and lush, with terrific red fruit and a ribbon-candy finish. Mmmm. $44? ($35 – Virtuoso)
Dios Baco Amontillado (Spain)– Nutty and off-dry. Delicious! Great balance. $30? ($24 – Horizon)
Dios Baco Oloroso (Spain)– Dry, dusty nose with hints of minerals. On the palate, it’s dry with notes of caramel. 29? ($24 – Horizon)
2004 Four Vines “The Peasant” (Paso Robles) – A Syrah/Mourvedre/Grenache/Counoise blend that smells juicy and sweet. Lush, spicy and tasty. Smooth and ripe. $38 ($30)

MIGHT BE WORTH THE MONEY – IF IT’S YOUR STYLE
2004 Amisfield Pinot Noir (Central Otago – New Zealand) – Fat and earthy with some dark fruit on the nose. The palate is full, fruity and plumy. I rated it $35+ (Actual cost, $31 - Glazers)
2004 King Estate P.N. (Oregon) – Soft and fruity nose. Layered and simple with a little smoke. $26? ($27- Glazers)
2005 Rex Hill P.N. (Oregon)- Spicy, with a little smoke on the nose. Smoky and spicy. A little thin, but nice! $24? ($21- Glazers)
2003 Rex Hill Jacob-Hart P.N. (Oregon) – Full, smoky, red berry aromas. Big and rich, but not heavy. Layered and very elegant. Complex with great balance! $45+? ($48 - Glazers)
2004 Marques de Caceras MC (Spain) – Deep, dark and inky. Full and chewy with a little spice. Silky, with dark red flavors. $40? ($39 - Glazers)
2001 Marques de Caceras Gaudium (Spain)– Closed, dense nose. Chewy, dark fruit with aromas of pepper and chocolate. Very intriguing, with medium tannins. $45+ ($50- Glazers)
2004 Roessler Alder Springs P.N. (Mendocino) – Tight, deep aromas. Dark, deep and spicy. $38 (Allocated - $41 – Glazers)
2004 Roessler “La Brisa” P.N. (Sonoma Coast) – A full, mellow nose. Spicy, sweet, mellow and a little smokey. Very nice. $30+ ( $28 – Glazers )
2004 Margerum “Black Oak Vineyard” Syrah (Santa Barbara County) – Ripe, perfumy, rich and peppery. Tasty! $50+ ($45 – Glazers)

I EXPECTED MORE - FOR THE MONEY
2004 Road’s End P.N. (Oregon) - Earthy, dusty and fruity nose. Bracing, with good acidity and spice. Pure Oregon Pinot Noir! $45
This wine is made by Ken Wright, and is allocated. You may not be able to get it, and if so, not at this price. ($52 – Glazers)
2003 Chehalem Reserve P.N. (Oregon) – Tight and rich. Seems more like a Merlot-Zin blend, but it’s soft and lush. $50 ($57 – Glazers)
2001 Artesa Syrah (Sonoma Valley) – A little green and earthy with dark tobacco fruit. Some funky flavors, but spicy and cool. $18 ($20 – Glazers)
2005 Artesa P.N. (Carneros) – Corked

The first price is the maximum I'd be HAPPY to pay for the wine.
The second price is the maximum actual price you should expect to pay if you have a retailer "special order' the wine for you.
The name with the actual price is the Distributor who carries the wine in Houston.