Dom du Joncier Lirac Rouge

Light flavor, biting attack that tapers into a wonderful aftertaste. Great with fish or a sweet pork with sauteed apples or cranberries.

Flying Goat YNOT

Distinctly bold flavor. Smooth, lasting flavor that doesn't bite or go sour. Adding to the regulars list.

2006 Barons de Rothschild Bordeaux

I wish winemakers would take into consideration that the cork is the first impression a client has of their wine. A crappy cork indicates a crappy wine. This bottle had the worst cork i've yet experienced, having disintegrated around the corkscrew. Wine was tangy and overly fruity. It's a merlot faking a bordeaux. Not to a future buy.

2005 Chateau Suan Bordeaux - Cotes de Bordeaux

Dark, dry red flavor. Great with dark chocolate. Aftertaste is bitter. A bit expensive.

2005 Chateau du Lort Bordeaux - Gironde

A pleasing good wine.

2004 Monte Antico Toscana - Tipica

A tasty, bolder red than the standard bordeaux. Not biting, slightly acidy, but pleasant with sweet foods.

2005 Meritage - Pollak Vinyards - Charlottesville, VA

Dark and tangy, yet smooth with a sweet aftertaste. A refreshing change of pace from the standard red. I can definitely taste the franc, and its a good mix!

Toscano Rosso 'Super Tuscan' - Meleto

Very fruity cabernet, so much so I puckered and had to cleanse my palette with bisque and bread. Too punchy. My wife liked it, though, which proves that there is no accounting for taste. And since she wrote that laste stsement, she can't hoild it against me. ;)

2007 Fabbioli Cellars Chambourcin - Loudon County, VA

This bottle was advertised as bordeaux-like.  While it is a drier red, it is too tangy and biting to be comparable to a decent bordeaux.  It could be because of the recent vintage.  Let age tell the tale in three years.

2006 Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo Maremma Toscana - Tommasi

Tastes like a sweet chianti. Light and friendly, I drank through the first glass effortlessly. Very pleasurable.

2003 Chateau Prieure-Lichine Bordeaux - Margaux

Smokey wine with a biting attack. This will take a glass or so to work into.

2004 Chateau Lucia Bordeaux - Saint Emelion

Dark, earthy, pleasing. Strong flavor. Good with a hearty meal, such as lamb. Great with dark chocolate (glad I brought some).

2003 Chateau Boyd-Contenac Bordeaux - Margaux

A smokey twist on a perfectly balanced glass of bordeaux. Invited to my bar-b-queue anytime. Mom's favorite of the day.

2005 Chateau D'Aiguilhe Bordeaux - Cotes de Castilion

Flavors of blackberry mix with chocolate essence to form a dark, pleasing flavor. Kind of bittersweet.

2005 Chateau La Crock Bordeaux - Saint Estephe

Overpowering licorice and currants make this rather earthy wine go bitter.

2006 Topiary, Boxwood Winery - Middleburg, VA

The description claims to be bordeaux-like, but it's a rather complicated taste. Strawberry essence with smoked-meat flavors clash to make this vintage hard to identify, much less drink. Not one I'd try again.

2003 Chateau Malmaison Bordeaux

From the Moulis en Medoc. Earthy, easy-drinking wine. Not biting, very palletable. Definitely earthy, so not for those liking a lighter flavor. Great with fillet mignon.

Chateau de Camarsac 2005 Bordeaux Superieur

We thoroughly enjoyed this bottle... until we got to the end. Smooth, easy-drinking red with plenty of head. So good, we scarcely realized when we reached the bottom and were slightly disappointed. Next time we'll take two.

Renzo Masi Rufina Chianti Reserva 2004

Very fine, indeed. Definitely a red to take to bed with you after a fine meal. Dry, yet satisfying. Not biting. Definitely a wine to enjoy again... with a fine red. ;)

Chateau de Goelane 2005 Bordeaux

This wine was very drinkable and pleasant on the palette. Not biting or overly fruity. I would definitely not refuse this if offered.

Chateau Haut-Piquat 2005 Bordeaux

Drinking this was a tart punch for the first sip that I grew accustomed to as I proceeded through the meal. Very fruity for a bordeaux, from the Emilion appellation. Not something I'd buy again in this vintage, but maybe try again in a year or two.

Chateau Mirefleurs Bordeaux 2005

Well balanced, flavorful with a tart, fruity, yet not overpowering flavor. Very drinkable dinner wine. Enjoyed thoroughly.

Ruffino Ducale Oro Chianti, Reserva 2003

One of my favorite bottles. Enjoyed again last evening. Smooth to drink, great flavor. An absolute joy!

Montegiachi Chianti Classico Riserva 2004

I've been happy with the 2004 Chianti's for the most part. This one left me a little flat. It was fruity, lighter than I would have liked. It did not have the flavor or staying power of my standard Ruffino Du Cale Oro 2003. Still, a good dinner wine compared to Antinori.

Chateau Saint Leon Bordeaux Superieur - 2005

 
I was hesitant at first when my wife brought this home, but for the price of a mere $15 compared to the $30/bottle chianti I have been drinking, it's a winner. It is only slightly more fruity than the a good-quality, dry chianti, but makes for a more versatile dinner wine when pairing with meals. Its very enjoyable taste along with the reasonable price has made this bottle a regular at our table.

Ruffino Il Ducale - 2005

I had a second bottle of Il Ducale in the 2005 vintage after the Ruffino Oro. I must say, it was more tart and less flavorful than the Oro. 2003 must have been a good year for chianti. Still, enjoyable.

Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro 2003

 This was a fabulous bottle of wine. I went straight back to the store where I bought it and cleaned out their other two bottles. Wonderful flavor! Not harsh, smooth and lingers. This is my current 'gold standard' for chainti.