Roney Strong Reserve Pinot Noir 2008, Russian River Valley, USA

A medium to full-bodied refined, supple and elegant Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley in California.

Technical Data: 100% Pinot Noir, 10 months in 100% French oak.

Description: Bright ruby red in color. Elegant nose of red berries well integrated to rose petal and violet aromas as well as oak and spice. On the palate, the wine is lush and elegant with smooth tannins, concentrated ripe cherries backed up by rose petal flavors, plum, cedar and a touch of liquorice. Quite a wonderful program all at once!

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair with a wide range of food. Try it with a Californian Cheddar from the brand Fiscalini called San Joaquin Gold which is a semi hard cheese with a natural rind and a mild buttery taste.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and up to 3 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $25.99

Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chardonnay2008, Sonoma County, USA

A full-bodied creamy style Chardonnay from Sonoma County.

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay, 60% of the wine was aged 4 months only in French oak to add some creaminess to it.

Description: Bright gold color. Clean nose with aromas of baked apple, lemon, pear and soft oak. On the mouth, full-bodied creamy style Chardonnay expressing flavors of pear, baked apple, a pinch of pineapple entwined with some spicy notes and a touch of toasty oak. Very long lasting finish with a well balanced acidity.

Food Pairing & Service: A crisp and refreshing wine which will pair well with a creamy style cheese, try the one recommended to me by one of my friends from the “Cheese Fromagerie” Department from the store I was tasting in, the Cheese is from Burgundy in France and is called Délice de Bourgogne, this pairing will delights you! Of course, this wine can be sip by itself as well, if like me, you like a flavorful and full bodied Chard. You could also paired this wine with creamy dishes, strong fish and shellfish. Serve chilled.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: This wine should be drunk now or over the next couple of years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $17.79

Rodney Strong Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Sonoma County, USA

A medium-bodied crisp and fruit forwards Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County.

Technical Data: 100% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% of the wine was aged a few months only in oak. twist off cap, no cork.

Description: Light gold color. Intense nose of tropical and green fruits aromas. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and shows some minerality and herbaceousness along with fruity flavors such as pear, citrus and pineapple. Crisp and refreshing with a nice acidity.

Food Pairing & Service: A crisp and refreshing wine which will pair well with a Goat cheese, try the one recommended to me by one of my friends from the “Cheese Fromagerie” Department from the store I was tasting in, the Cheese is from Vermont and is called Coupole, this pairing will knocks you socks off I guarantee it! Of course, this wine can be sip by itself as well, or paired with salad and mild fish. Serve chilled.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: This wine should be drunk in its youth.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.29

Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo/Shiraz 2006, Tierra de Castilla, Spain

A medium-bodied Tempranillo blend from the famous Rioja region in Spain.

Technical Data: 60% Tempranillo blended with 40% of Shiraz. No oak.

Description: Garnet color with purple hues. Intense nose of plum, leather and cedar aromas. Lush and fruit forwards Tempranillo blend expressing morello cherries flavors entwined with ripe blackberry and plum, peppery spiciness, coffee roast oak, smooth as a glove tannins, cedar and toast. Long lasting leathery finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair well with all types of meat, game and wild mushrooms, as well as with flavorful cheese. I loved this one with Braised short ribs and BBQ meats in general.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.69

Campo Viejo Reserva 2005, Rioja, Spain

A full-bodied Tempranillo blend from the famous Rioja region in Spain.

Technical Data: Mostly Tempranillo grape blended with a small pourcentage of Graciano grape and Malbec. On the Spanish wine labels, the term "Reserva" always mean 18 months in Oak followed by 18 months in bottle prior to the wine's release.

Description: Dark ruby red in color. Intense ripe plum aromas mingled with toasty oak and blackcurrant notes. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet round with very velvety tannins and expressing flavors of juicy blackberry and ripe plum entwined with blackcurrant, black pepper, leather and toasty oak.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair well with all types of meat, game and wild mushrooms, as well as with flavorful cheese.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and up to 3 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.99

Martin Codax Ergo 2007, Rioja, Spain

A medium-bodied Tempranillo from the famous Rioja region in Spain.

Technical Data: 100% Tempranillo grape. Most of the wine is aged about 8 months in oak.

Description: Vibrant garnet red in color. Intense ripe dark fruits aromas well mingled with woody aromas and spices. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and dry, displaying dark ripe fruits, cedar, some spices, leather and plum flavors combined with velvety smooth tannins. Long lasting finish with some toasty roasted coffee notes.

Food Pairing & Service: A red meat lover. Will also pair well with cheese.

Score: 9/10.

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

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.99

Martin Codax Albariño 2008, Rias Baixas, Spain

A full-bodied Albariño from the Northwestern part of Spain, not far from the border with Portugal.

Technical Data: 100% Albariño grape. Stainless steel only.

Description: Light greenish yellow in color. Fragrant nose displaying aromas of citrus, pear, apple and apricot. Crisp and refreshing, elegant wine showing off flavors of apricot, green apples, pear, white peach, honeysuckle and grass.

Food Pairing & Service: Sip by itself or pair with fish and shellfish. Serve chilled. Quite a delightful wine.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Up to 3 years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $18.99