Double D's Wine Diary
25 Bucks & under
August, 2008
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Cabernets & Bordeaux Style Blends
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These are our current favorite, premium California super-value wines.
August 7, 2008
Juliana Crauford and family sold their CrauforD label earlier this year or last. Juliana has just released her own wine:
JULES "Melange" Vin Blanc, Napa Valley 2007 ($24). Drank a glass of it the other night and really enjoyed it. Spoke to the lover of dry, aromatic white wine in me. Melange is a unique blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon (in that order I believe). It's very floral and slightly exotic on the nose as if there's 5-10% Viognier in it. Flavors are fresh: peach, apricot, pineapple and grapefruit. Bone-dry and dances lightly on the tongue, this is fun, light yet full-flavored white. No oak, just purity of the fruit. 135 cases made.
July 31, 2008 
When were you last sold on a Lagrein?
Last Tuesday? I hardly think so.
PRAXIS Lagrein Central Coast 2005 ($18) must be one of two or three Lagreins made in California. Its home is Alto Adige in way-northern Italy. Dark colored, earthy and spicy overtones and a firm backbone characterize the grape...and this wine. Very impressive, especially if you're whipping up a little beed or lamb stew with crusty bread and finishing up the meal with a nice smelly cheese. Deep core of fruit frames a wine of earthy, spicy overtones. I get black truffle, black licorice, clove and just-brewed coffee aromas that move into the flavor and finish. It's a rustic, gamey, well made wine that makes me want to eat something meaty with it even if I'm not hungry! A mere 130 cases made.
July 19, 2008 
NAPA VALLEY FARMS Viognier Napa Valley 2006 ($17). Perfect for warm weather drinking! (Not bad in the cool days either). The owner dropped by a bottle for us to try and we enjoyed it so much we were hard-pressed to share it with customers. On the spicy, dried exotic flower side of Viognier. Drier than most. Very exotic with the lovely apricot/peach flavor we expect. Exceptional value, we feel, for high-quality Napa Valley, tiny-production white. We really dig this label, too. What do you think?
July 5, 2008
¿Porqué No? Red Wine Napa Valley 2006 ($21) Made by Rutherford vintner Julie Johnson. Tres Sabores is her top-of-the-line wine, a Red Zin. I tasted the two wines side-by-side and I like ¿Porqué No? better this vintage. It's a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot. Not complex, but very concentrated and "yummy." Boasts a big nose of dark, juicy berry/cherry and spices (mostly pie spice, but I get some Indian spice too). Cocoa and licorice notes as well. It's yet another tasty "kitchen sink" red that satisfies and comes at a reasonable price.
July 5, 2008
DeSante Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2007. Owner/Winemaker David DeSante is one of Napa's Sauv Blanc masters. His eponymous label is always so good, and seems to many (including us) that this 2007 vintage is the best yet. The fruit comes from Yountville, near the Napa River, where the sandier soils are particularly friendly to Sauv Blanc. 20% Semillon gives more body. Fermented and briefly aged in neutral barrels. It's quite crisp and perfectly "aggresive," as we like Sauv Blancs to be. Taste lime zest, lemon thyme green apple (with skins) and grapefruit. It boasts a nice little bite that makes the mouth get juicy. Drinking sans food is very nice, but it does make me think of the ideal food to go with. Shellfish is a natural, of course, in a white wine/garlic broth.
June 20, 2008
ESCA Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2005 ($22). Owners/Winemakers Mario and Anna Monticelli are more than familiar with super high end wines. They're resumes, between them, include Cheval Blanc, Antinori, Bryant Family and Seavey. So, it's particularly refreshing to see them making wonderful SUPERB VALUE wines. The Esca Cab is the best value of them all. Sourced from vineyards up and down the Valley, this wine offers no apologies for being relatively inexpensive. Black cherry, black currants, vanilla, sweet earthiness, big and nicely integrated tannins at the end...this has all the flavors that satisfy Cab fans. Screw cap makes for easy openings. Worth getting a case for future parties.
December 13, 2007 (By Ryan Graham) 
Always happy to be able to offer you a great value in Napa Cabernets and blends, the MONIZ FAMILY WINES "Cuvée Alexandra" Napa Valley 2005 ($19) is sure to hit the spot. The Blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Petite Verdot sourced from different vineyards around the valley. We really like this Bordeaux blend because of the ample amounts of rich ripe fruit, dark berry, and dark chocolate. It is rather refreshing to come across such an amazing value in a big delicious Napa red. 758 cases produced.
January 11, 2008
FORTITUDE "Luvisi Vineyard-Very Old Vine" Zinfandel Napa Valley 2005 ($22) is the other label (not the second label) for Etude Winery. The focus of Fortitude is family-owned, vineyard designate wines of any color (red, white and pink). We've enjoyed and sold all the Fortitude wines (including an old vine Semillon and a Charbono-based blend). This Very Old Vine Zin has been our favorite and the most well-received of the bunch.
The style is bright, spicy, and more briary than jammy. The fruits are deep raspberry, wild strawberry and blueberry. The spice is strong and leads toward black pepper and cinnamon. This is one of our better "food Zins" at the moment. At "only" 14.1 alcohol, it's not trying to steal your tastebuds.
April 21, 2008
CHUKKER 07 ($16) is a Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon blend from "Happy Canyon Vineyards" in eastern Santa Ynez Valley (this is the warmest/hottest part of Santa Barbara County's fine wine country-good for Bordeaux grapes). Chukker stands out as an exceptional value in California wine for it's bursting with sun-soaked berry/cherry flavors, has only the most pleasing qualities of Cab Franc (peppercorns, violets) and is extremely full flavored and long on the finish yet very soft and pliant. It's delicious and versatile with myriad red meat dishes. Tomato dishes, garlic/onion-y dishes, smoky BBQ: Chukker is up to the match we feel. What's a Chukker you ask? In Pakistan, it's a playing period of a polo game (spelled chukka in England and India.)
April 3, 2008 
Ahhh the springtime, when the weather warms up and last year's vintage start coming out. Here's a mighty tasty one for us: TWO WIVES Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2007 ($18). Third vintage of Sauv Blanc for Christina Naylor and Christina Madrigal, both married to Napa winemakers and winery owners. I've had all three vintages of Two Wives Sauv Blanc, and the 2007 is the best yet (and the '05 and '06 set the bar high). Tropical fruits abound-pineapple and mango jump from the glass. No oak nor butter, but still very nicely rich. And, as good Sauv Blanc must have, healthy acidity. First thought with this wine is definitely "delicious." Think the style of Mason but better. Under 1000 cases made.
March 27, 2008 
Here's a super-tasty, bright and lovely California Chardonnay for you: LULI Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands 2007 ($21). This new label has Jeff Pisoni (third generation of the Pisoni Family and Lucia winemaker) making the wine. It's no ML (i.e. no butter) and barely-oaked, bright acid but not tart, rich and delicious Chardonnay for a fine price. I think $25-30 would be a good price, even, for this quality. Taste lemon, white peach, a little Golden Delicious apple, caramel, sweet cream and something pleasantly floral. Even though it's not buttery, lovers of such Chardonnays will be pleased with the richness and creamy mouthfeel. Really nice acidity, so it's big-boned AND refreshing. You'll be pleased to have a few bottles of this in your collection for company...and for yourself.
January 11, 2008
CASAEDA Syrah Sonoma Coast 2005 ($21) is an outstanding twenty dollar-ish premium California Syrah. It's Karen Culler's second label (we also sell and love her '05 Napa Syrah, by the way). Wild red fruits of cool Sonoma Coast are buffered by a little Sierra Foothills Petite Sirah. The Petite gives a little more structure and blue fruits, which is nice. Taste raspberry liqueur, wild strawberries, black and white peppercorns, dried thyme, rare beef tenderloin and blueberries in the spring. This wine is drinking great. Have that beef filet, or perhaps some slow roast duck!
March 6, 2008
Carl Doumani breezed into the store recently with his new Petite Sirah: PRETENSE Petite Sirah Solano County 2005 ($16). Carl, founder of Stags' Leap Winery (since sold) and now operates Quixote Winery, a Napa Petite Sirah specialist. Pretense is very good, very affordable and very indicative of the quality of wine coming from Suisun Valley/Solano County, one mountain ridge away to the east of Napa. This region is familiar to us as Scholium Project and Manifesto both make fine wines from these vineyards. PRETENSE Petite Sirah offers very dark, concentrated fruit, black pepper, mocha, espresso, mulberry and smoke. It's very big but not tannic. It's an easy choice for lovers of the biggest reds on a budget.
February 5, 2008
KUNIN WINES “Pape Star” Central Coast 2006 ($19) is a tasty Rhône-style Blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre, and 25% Syrah. Barrel aged in neutral oak barrels for 10 months, this wine reminds us a lot of our favorite old world wines, with a little bit of a new world twist. Bold, juicy berry flavors (raspberry and strawberry), and a nice bit of black pepper and olive to balance. Lovers of both delicious French and California wines will appreciate this rich and affordable gem. Substantial enough to pair with grilled Lamb loin.
February 5, 2008 
Yesterday local fireman Dan D'Angelo came in and poured us his new VINO D'ANGELO Sauvignon Blanc Nevada County 2007 ($14), and we are quite impressed with this wine. Only 160 cases were produced, and the wine is refreshing and rich, with a bit of a grassy herbal quality in the nose, and pears, peaches, and grapefruit on the palate. The finish is citrus and a little chalk. We think this is a great wine to enjoy as you're making dinner, along with the main event.
January 15, 2008
BORRA VINEYARDS "Fusion" Red Wine, Lodi 2005 ($17) blends 78% Syrah, 9% Petite Sirah, 7% Alicante Bouchet and 6% Zinfandel. The result is a big, dark, spicy, brooding red wine that is more serious than its price tag and fruit source suggest. I've heard some compare this to Orin Swift "The Prisoner" but I think it's more complex than that. I get cocoa, blackberry jam, licorice, curry and black pepper. The nose is closed in at first but quickly blossoms with air and gives cedar, pipe tobacco, black olive and dark fruit aromas. In the mouth, this is FRUIT FRUIT FRUIT in a very robust, strong style. Mmmmm good. Big red wine lovers who cherish outstanding under $20 California reds should try this!
December 18, 2007 (By Ryan Graham)
BUCKLIN Zinfandel "Old Hill Ranch - Bambino" Sonoma Valley 2006 ($24) is made by Will Bucklin from the young vine section of Old Hill Ranch Vineyard, planted in 1998. The rest of the vineyard dates as far back as the 1850's, and is one of the oldest in California. This young vine field-blend is patterned after the ancinet vine field-blend for which Old Hill is known. The wine is a blend of at least a dozen grape varieties - principally Zinfandel, but also Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouchet and Grenache to name a few - and the vineyard is certified organic. The Bucklin has lots of red fruit, and is medium bodied with vanilla and spice. Brighter acid, wild cherry, and ruby red grapefruit make this a Zin to enjoy with food as opposed to on its own. Pair it with braised beef stew, and mashed potatoes on a cool wintery evening.
November 23, 2007
LIOCO Chardonnay "Stuhmuller Vineyard" Alexander Valley 2006 ($26). Forgive us, please, for exceeding the 25 limit but a dollar. Besides wanting to spread the Diary entries around our various pages, we also think this is such a great value that it belongs in "Under 25." This uniquely named winery (it's a combo of the partners last names) brings great frames of reference in the fine wine industry to their project. We met Matt Licklider, a former salesman for North Berkeley Imports and a great fan of White Burgundy. The goal is to make Lioco wines like this. So, we see grapes in very cool, coastal climates made with minimal intervention. We're trying to taste the land in the wine!
"Stulhmuller" is from northern Alexander Valley, near the Russian River, and decidedly cooler than the rest of this appellation. No oak on this wine and tingling acidity make for a refreshing drink. We taste lemons and grapefruits, soda biscuits and lemon curd. The texture is like Burgundy: it's mouth-filling and full. As French style as it is, we are very confidend any lover of Chardonnay will like this new "designer Chard" a lot. 392 cases made.
November 17, 2007
TRINAFOUR Carignane "Niemi Vineyard" Mendocino County 2006 ($23). Carignane, the red grape of the Mediterranean known for huge yields and modest quality, has found a home the hot, arid, Mendocino inland country. These are old vines, a must for making high quality Carignane. Yields are naturally low, and the power and intensity of the wine is unmistakable. Cracked black pepper, very common to Carignane, hits the nose and lasts to the end. Also taste the briary berries, cola, anise and lavender. The sensation of freshly-turned soil is a good thing...wine comes from the land and the Trinafour comes with a reminder of this. Must have winter on my mind for I'm thinking a homemade meatloaf would be mighty fine with the Trinafour.
Thoughts? E-Mail Us. Order? Try Here.
Or call me at 877-322-2576
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