Christmas wines

Visiting the in-laws for a week, we expected a large party or two but it looks like it's mostly the four of us most of the time. Nonetheless I brought down nearly 2 cases. Here's what they were and tasting notes if we opened it.

• Mollydooker 2006 Shiraz, The Boxer (WS 90 $20). An intense, rich fruit bomb. Almost jammy with blueberry pie filling, ripe red and black berry. Balanced from beginning to end. Drinking very nicely. Medium finish. No acidity or tannins. My score: 91.
• Montes 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Alpha (WS 88, $16). (On of my favorite wines of 2008). This was the third bottle and as my wife noted, it had an unexpected bell peppery (green) note with less obvious fruit/vanilla. A bit more Bordeaux-esque and thinner than the previous bottles. Balanced and smooth. My score: 89-90.
• Robert Oatley 2006 Chardonnay (WS 90, $13). Vibrant and fresh with citrus and white fruit notes in a zingy (some acidity) body. Reminds me of Sauvignon Blanc in some ways. My score: 89-90.
• Juan Gil 2006 Jumilla ($16). This Monastrell blend is a modern style, with clean, sweet, ripe plum and purple berry with some spice and floral aromas. None of the tobacco, leather or other earthy notes most Spanish wines have. Smooth with a touch of acidity. If it softens a bit, I'd give it another point, but for now it is a 89. My score: 90.
  
• Rossojbleo 2006 Nero d'avola Gulfi (WS 82, $16). Not sure where I got this. I needed some red wine to make a beef gravy so I opened this. Good choice. This was simple and rustic with an off flavor. (I don't believe the quality of a wine you cook with matters too much, despite what a lot of people say.) My score: 80.
  
• Yalumba 2007 Viognier Eden Valley (WS 91, $12). A bit of sweetnss with the refreshing fruit. I wasn't in much of a mood to appreciate it. My score: 87.
  
• Domaine Pichot 2007 Vouvray (WS 87, $14). This is a semi-sweet Chenin Blanc and I pretty much drank the whole bottle over 2 (or was it 3) nights. It had nice white fruit (I'm not good at picking these out) and just went down very smoothly. Yummy. My score: 89.
  
• Chateau St Michelle 2004 Cabernet Indian Wells (WS 88 $14)
• Ercavio 2005 Tempranillo Roble ($8). This was one of many bottles on 12/26 and we didn't finish much of it. I did use it for cooking short ribs 4 nights later and it was still somewhat fresh. My score: 87.
  
• Steate Landt 2006 Pinot Noir Marlborough (WS 91, $22). Red berry, rose petals and a hint of spice. Medium intensity and body for a pinot. Very well balanced. With a bit more complexity and richness this would have been outstanding. I'll let the next bottle age a bit. My score: 90.
  
• Fontafredda 2007 Barbera Briccotondo (WS 90, $10). Gave this away as a gift.
  
• Neyers 2006 Syrah Old Lakeville Road (WS 93, $26). Smooth with nicely ripe almost sweet berry flavors. Some mineral and subdued spice but the real star is the velvety texture and seamless balance. I can see how this scored so well. My score: 90-91.
  
• Clos L'Oratoire 2006 Chateauneuf du Papes (WS 91, $26). Lean with some red fruit. I found a funky moldy mineral smell initially. Not nearly as good as the previous bottle I tried. My score: 83.

At the local Cost Plus, I bought the following wines.

• Columbia Crest 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills ($12) The past year got a 90 so I was excited to find this. This is their 3rd tier from the bottom. Their leves: Two Vines = $6-8, Grand Estates $8-11, which is my perennial favorite and now this H3 $11-17, of which they make roughly 5,000 cases or so of each varietal. I opened one of the two bottles and there was rich, smooth red berry in a medium body. Nice creaminess at the end. I would have some spice. Drinking nicely now. My score: 90.
• Columbia Crest 2007 Chardonnay Horse Heaven Hills ($14). The past two years got 91 WS. Not tried yet.
• Columbia Crest 2006 Chardonnay Grand Estates ($7, WS 90). I was happy to see my favorite chardonnay on sale.
• Fetish 2006 Shiraz The Watcher ($17, WS 91).
  

The following wines remained upopened, that I brought down.

• Small Gully 2002 Shiraz, Robert's Formula (WS 89, $14)
• Santa Rita 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Medalla Real Special Reserve (WS 91, $19)
• Alamos 2007 Malbec Seleccion (WS 91, $13)
• Rosenblum 20005 Zinfandel Lyon's Reserve (WS 88, $45)
• Montes 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Alpha (WS 88, $16).
  
• Chateau Caronne 2005 Ste-GemmeHaut-Médoc (WS 92, $14). Yes, if you believe the WS review, this was the deal of the year. A 2005 Bordeaux for under $15.

The San Luis Obispo Costco has a wide selection of local wines, esp from Paso Robles, which I sampled and will cover in my next posting.