Wines of Q1 2008

My favorite wines that I had in the first quarter of 2008, in no particular order. Note that these wines generally had or have good availability.

• Montes Alpha 2005 Syrah. This beauty was $16 at Costco. Available for the last 6 months. I've 3 bottles I can remember and they where outstanding, disappointing and outstanding, but all in different ways. I bought at least 8+ bottles of this. I strongly recommend trying this wine out, no matter the year, as it has been consistently good for the last 4 years. WS gave the 2005 92 points. I also had a 2003 tonight, the last of the 2003 in the cellar, and it was just lovely (WS 91). I've had both the 2005 and 2003 in the last week and gave each 92 pts.
• Cellar Can Blau 2005 Blau. From Spain. WA gave it 92, so I bought a bottle for $14 at Costco and was blown away by how good this was (plummy, band-aid, earthy spicy on a lovely body with nice acidity). Costco was out, so I got 5 more bottles at the Wine Club for $16. My score: 91.
• Concha Y Toro 2005 Merlot Peumo $14-17. Got a bottle from Costco, and finally tried it 2 months later. Just lovely dark fruit in a rich mouth feel and a smooth finish. My score: 91 (WS 90) I also picked up the 2005 Cabernet, but haven't tried it yet (WS 91). But the 2003 (WS 90), which I ran across in my cellar was a bit tired this week. My score: 88. Overall, these wines are consistenly strong in the $14-19 range with very good availability.
  
• Beuhler 2005 Zinfandel. Quite a surprise with wonderful raspberry aroma and flavors. (Reminded me of the Kangarilla Road Zin from Australia). Not too ripe and a big change of pace from the normal ripe dark berry of Cali Zins. Just lovely. My score: 91.
• Columbia Crest 2004 Cabernet Grand Estates $7-$9. This was my wine of the year for 2007 as most of the bottles I tried were so oaky, vanilly, coffee-y, and just fruity smooth. I wish I had stocked up with a case in reserve, especially given the price. (WS 87) My score: 90-92.
• Jim Barry 2005 Shiraz Lodge Hill $13. Got this at the Costco in San Luis Obispo and was very impressed at the lovely red/purple berry over a steely core. I have since picked up another 8 bottles, through various means. (I've always had a soft spot for Jim Barry as it was one of the earliest Aussie Shirazes I fell in love with on my limited budget.) The 2005 should age for several years. My score: 90. (WS 90).
  

What else did I learn in Q1?

• A good Pinot can be amazing. I had two. The first was at the Napa Rose in Disneyland, where the Tartini (?) Pinot from Santa Maria, CA was just amazing. And then an Andrew Rich 2002 Pinot I brought to Gary Danko was just lovely with beautiful spice. I've started slowly picking up Oregon and Burgundy Pinot for the future.
• Chilean wines are lovely. The critics have said this in the past, but my palate has finally adjusted to their terrior. They have a unique "funk" to their nose of loam and yeasty toast, that I can identify immediately. But now, I like that funk.
• The heart of my collection and drinking remains in Australa. Shiraz dominates but there is Cabernet and an occasional Rielsing. I rarely have a disappointing wine and for the price it can't be beat.
  
• Cote du Rhone was not so much to my liking. While I've liked the super minerally red berry taste in the past, it wasn't floating my boat lately. And I've had well respected Perrin & Fils Vacquerayas (WS 91 or 92), so it wasn't as if I was drinking a bad wine.