La Playa Cabernet Sauvignon, Viña La Playa 2007

Attractive, deep ruby red color. On the nose it is expressive and complex, displaying notes of candy, raisins, toast and tobacco. On the palate, it is round and robust of mocha coffee, with an excellent structure, mature tannins, and a flavorful, long and friendly finish.

La Playa Merlot, Viña La Playa 2007

Aromas of briary black vine fruits, roast drippings and dried citrus rind. In the mouth it is fruity and round, with soft tannins and a long, savory finish.

La Playa Carmenere, Viña La Playa 2007

An alluring example of the Bordeaux variety that was considered long-lost until it was rediscovered in Chile a decade ago. Deep ruby color with notes of ripe red fruits, spices, tobacco, pepper and cedar. On the palate it is very approachable thanks to its ripe tannins and good balance, with notes of blackberry jam, dark chocolate and sweet fruits, plus a long, pleasant finish.

Southernmost Red, Bodega Fin Del Mundo 2008

Deep ruby color, fresh aromas of ripened red fruits, medium body and a pleasant rounded palate.

Valpolicella Classico, Allegrini 2008

"The 2008 Valpolicella Classico is a delightful unoaked red. This fresh, vibrant Valpolicella offers plenty of harmony and a long, harmonious close. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012."

87 points - Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate issue #184, Aug 2009

Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Kaiken Wines 2004

This intense ruby-red wine holds concentrated notes of black fruits such as blackberries and blackcurrants, cassis and a delicate vanilla bouquet emanating from wood. The presence of fruits is flawlessly integrated. Soft, round and seductive tannins provide a distinguishable structure. Its mouthfeel is long, silky and inviting.

Food Pairings

An excellent companion to mature, strong cheese, red and white meats as well as pasta with mild-sauces.

Festivo Malbec, Argyle Winery 2008

"Monteviejo's 2008 Festivo Malbec offers up an attractive nose of spice box, incense, and black cherry. This leads to a medium-bodied wine with ample ripe black fruit, plenty of spice notes, good depth, and a medium-long finish. Drink it over the next 5 years."

87 points - Jay Miller, Wine Advocate issue #184

Food Pairings

Barbequed meats

Bonarda, Colonia Las Liebres 2006

Ripe and juicy, with lots of plum, sweet toast, cocoa and boysenberry jam notes that are fleshy and delicious through the finish. A crowd-pleaser.

Best value - Wine Spectator, Oct 2007

89 points - Jay Miller, Wine Advocate issue #179, Nov 2008

Garnacha de Fuego, Bodegas Ateca 2007

"Bright purple. Smoky blackberry and blueberry on the nose, with subtle spice and floral qualities adding interest. Fleshy and sweet, with deep dark berry preserve flavors, supple texture and bright mineral lift. More than simply a fruit bomb, but this wine's berry flavors are impressively forceful. Finishes with very good, spicy persistence and a lingering blueberry quality. A gift at the price."

89 points - Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Sep/Oct 2008

Dominio de Eguren Codice, Dominio De Eguren 2005

Youthful ruby. Suave raspberry, cherry and boysenberry aromas are spiced up by cinnamon, mace and vanilla. Juicy red and dark berry flavors expand on the palate, betraying no rough edges and gaining depth on the close. A warm baking spice quality lingers on the sappy finish. The fruit here is amazingly fresh and seductive; this drinks like a $30 wine, easily. As usual, a superb value and very easy to find.

89 points - Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Sep/Oct 2007