Back in NYC for 24 hours en route to my sister’s kid’s baptism.  We treated ourselves to dinner at La Sirene, an haut cuisine byo establishment on the rather seedy border between SoHo and Tribeca.  Its literally a hole-in-the wall with few tables, a tiny kitchen and a fabulous chef.  A good place to uncork a Pomerol in other words.  People who “don’t like Merlot” should give this beauty a try.  (There are probably some other Bordeaux varietals blended in there but I’m not sure of the percentages.)

paid: $28

scored: 89

This was one of those modern-day-miracle finds:  a dusty, dirty bottle in a corner, hiding behind a case of cleanly stacked Syrah.  Last bottle.  iPhone check-out revealed a 9-oh from the Wine Advocate, with some waffling about pain grille and pencil lead (I’m serious.  that’s “pain” as in “french bread.”  never mind that this is a spanish wine).  For the less poetic souls, just think BIG tannins.  I didn’t enjoy it until it had taken about 30 minutes of fresh air.  Even then, prepare yourself for a tongue-scraping experience.  That aside, the wine has an alluring complexity.  Roll it around on your palate and you will probably find a nuance of any “red fruit” you desire.  For example… pomegranate (see label).  Enjoyable!  If I come across another bottle, I’m going to stuff it in my cellar for 5+ years, and see if it softens up.  First I better get a cellar… The blend is 40% Merlot/40% Cabernet Sauvignon/20% Tempranillo.  Sort of a Basque Bordeaux.

paid: $18

scored: 89ish

My fiancee picked up this pleasing surprise, on sale.  Smooth and light 50-50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, nice fruit on the finish and tannins that hide in the shadows.

paid: $10

scored: 89

My welcome home gift after a week in the bowels of… Cleveland.  It was pouring rain here so no hope of actually hitting the trailhead.  This cab is earthy and light, surprisingly soft tannins, with nice fruit and a bit of…spinach.  Not completely kidding there.

paid: $20 (on sale from $26)

scored: 89

Very vanilla on the nose, and yet a rather crisp and clean finish.  A balanced and pleasing wine, and all the more so at 35,000 feet.  Go Continental.  I wonder if the fruit is sourced from Livermore, or from the nebulous central coast?
paid: nada, but it is about $12/bottle

scored: 89

Another smooth and easy Pinot at the $18 price point.  I’m 3 weeks behind in posting this so no other comments.  I do remember thinking that I’d buy it again.  BevMo probably has it for less than the Korean market where I found it.

paid: $18

scored: 89

I don’t come a cross a lot of un-blended Monastrell (Mourvedre, en Francais).  But I do like it.  There is a subtle berry buzz to this wine, with a very pure finish.  And at the same time, its not light.  If I were to complain about anything it would be that 14 % feels like a bit too alcohol.  Come to think of it, the Cline Mourvedre is similarly strong.  Maybe that’s why they always blend this varietal in the Rhone Valley.  Still, tasty and worth it.  I’ll probably have to try it again some time.

paid: $10

scored: 89

Hum, I didn’t even realize when I bought this that I was getting an 04 instead of the 03, which I love.  I noticed because I had the impression that it wasn’t as good as I remembered… but only by a hair.  A bit smaller on the palate and finish maybe.  I’d really like to try a vertical tasting from this winery.

paid: $15

scored: 89

The Edge comes in at an unusual and relatively unpopulated price point.  It has a very smooth and simple bouquet on the nose and on the palate.  Perhaps its most noteworthy aspect is the relatively dry fruit structure.  In this regard it is more reminiscent of a European wine than a CA effort.  A little bit of Merlot and Cab Franc round out the finish.  Enjoyable and worth the price.

paid: $18

scored: 89

I wish I could fly off to Chile for a a few weeks.  With great fruit, good balance, and a bit of a bite from the tannin, I can only wonder what else the southern hemisphere has to offer.  As an aside, before I started vignettes I tried the flagship (available for export, that it) cab from Casa Lapostolle.  It was more than twice the price but only marginally better.  As an after-thought, the flavor this wine offers is unique and I don’t seem to have the vocabulary to describe it.  Chalk it up to terroir.

paid: $11

scored: 89