Bodega Norton Cabernet Sauvignon'09, Mendoza, Argentina

An affordable and very soft style Cabernet Sauvignon from the sub-district of Lujan de Cuyo in the Mendoza region in Argentina.

Technical Data: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Stainless steel only. Underwent full malolactic fermentation.

Description: Bright ruby red color. Fruit forward nose with lots of plum first, then some cherries and raspberries as well. Refreshing and medium bodied wine expressing flavors of plum and ripe blackberries with velvety smooth tannins. This wine is almost silky on the tongue.

Food Pairing & Service: Can be sip by itself or paired with food, specially with medium intensity red meat and hearty pasta dishes. Angela and Treva paired it with the Point Reyes Original Blue from California ( www.pointreyescheese.com ) it was a delish!

Score: 7/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and for 2 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $13.99

St Francis Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, CA, USA

A luscious and jammy Cabernet Sauvignon "Sonoma Style".

Technical Data: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 23 months in a combination of New French and American oak followed by 4 to 8 months in bottle prior release depending of the vintage.

Description: Deep ruby red color. Ripe cherry and blackberry aromas entwined with cedar and smoke. On the palate, the wine is very rich and textured, packed with flavors such as juicy cherry, jammy plum, refined tannins, dry herbs, black pepper and liquorice. Chewy, very dry palate with a coffee long lasting very smooth finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair extremely well with a wide range of food, specially with red meat and hearty pasta dishes. Angela and Treva paired it with the French cheese called Petit Livarot de la Perelle( AOC Pays D'Auge, Calvados, France).

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and for 2 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $30.49

St Francis Sonoma Chardonnay 2008, CA, USA

Creamy style Chardonnay from CA

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay, aged 6 months in a combination of French and American oak. This wine underwent full malolactic fermentation.

Description: Bright gold color. Creamy aromas mingled with pear and baked apple followed by grapefruit notes, oak and spices. Crisp and creamy palate for a buttery full-bodied Chardonnay expressing, as an echo of its nose, baked apple and pear flavors backed up by pepper, smokiness, oak and a toffee/caramel like finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair extremely well with a wide range of food. Angela and Treva paired it with the French cheese called Petit Basque Istara, which is a 100% sheep's milk cheese.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and for 2 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $20.49

Clos du Bois North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, CA, USA

A luscious Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from the North Coast in CA.

Technical Data: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% other "Bordeaux Style Varietals". Aged 14 months in a combination of French, American and Hungarian oak, 30% new.

Description: Deep garnet color. Intense ripe plum aromas enticed with clove's spices and oak. Bone-dry palate showing off lush blackberry and ripe plum backed up by spices and cedar with velvety smooth tannins. Textured wine with a long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair extremely well with steak, burgers, roast and rich pasta with tomato an meat sauce.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and for 2 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $19.99

Clos du Bois California Pinot Grigio 2008, CA, USA

A light to medium-bodied very fruity Pinot Grigio from CA.

Technical Data: 100% Pinot Grigio. Stainless steel only in order to preserve its freshness.

Description: Bright pale straw color. On the nose the wine exudes tropical fruits aromas and white peaches. On the palate, this Pinot Grigio expresses first tropical fruits and white peach then on the mid palate it follows up with a touch of minerality and white flowers flavors to finish with lime. Nice and crisp palate for a medium length wine.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair extremely well with light fares and starters or even white meats in tomato sauce or grilled. Can also be enjoyed with a picnic or by the glass alone.

Score: 7/10.

Ageing Potential: This wine was made to be drunk young.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.99

Clos du Bois North Coast Chardonnay 2008, CA, USA

A full-bodied rich and creamy Chardonnay from the North Coast area in CA, one of my "to-go" Californian Chard!

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay. Aged 6 months on the lees in a combination of French and American oak barrels.

Description: Bright gold color. Creamy/buttery nose showing off aromas of pear and baked apple enticed with caramel from its aging. Its palate is quite and echo of its nose with the addition of oaky flavors. The wine has a rich mouthfeel and is textured. A long lasting finish and a good acidity will complete the picture.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair well with pasta in cream sauce and luscious fare...as well as with Latin American cuisine or Asian spicy food. I could most definitely enjoy this wine by the glass or even pair it with a French cheese called Petit Pont L'Évêque, if I am not mistaken, this cheese is from the category called soft ripened cheese with washed rind.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and up to 2 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.99

Murphy Goode Chardonnay 2008, Sonoma County, CA, USA

A full-bodied creamy Chardonnay from Sonoma in CA.

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay. Aged a few months in French and American oak barrels, 10% new.

Description: Bright medium gold color. Nose of good intensity expressing, at first, aromas of baked apples, tropical fruits and stone fruits, backed up by oak, yeast and cream. The palate is alluring, well balanced and long lasting, mingling together pear and white pepper flavors to oak, buttery notes and minerality. Quite creamy thru and thru with a nice touch of pineapple at the very end of the palate.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair well with salmon, crab meat, pasta with Shrimps in white sauce and scallops... I could also see this chardonnay to be paired with a cheese called "Bonne Bouche", an Ash-Ripened (creamy) Goat Cheese by Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery.

Score: 7/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and up to 2 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $19.99