Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts on some of the latest wines I have been tasting.  I hope that you will appreciate the ones that are posted and I would love to here your comments if you have any.  Email me at chris@milehighwineandspirits.com.

Kim Crawford 2007 Sauvignon Blanc

Not only am I a huge sauvignon blanc fan (and so is my wife), but I already have an affinity to Kim Crawford's current release.  I was thoroughly impressed by the last vintage and this one is drinking just as well.  Although the typical grass of the New Zealand sauvignon blanc is present, it is not over the top and it does not push it out of balance.  Their is a touch of citrus and grepefruit present and the mouthfeel is so pleasing.  I believe that WS gave this vintage 91 points and I am in agreement as the quality is GOOD at this price.

Everyday price $15.99 – Get some!!

White Knight Viognier 2005

I am hitting the porch pounders as the weather gets nicer and this wine is not quite a pounder, but it did well with our Mother's Day meal.  The White Knight viognier is a great viognier because it is not so floral and tropical.  The wine has really good consistency and texture...not sure if went through malo or what but the acidity is in balance in my opinion.  There is the hint of an orange rind along with a touch of tropical citrus, but it is smooth and subduded.  This wine is screaming for Jerk or spicy meals...especially some kind of fish or seafood. 

Reg. $14.99 – 87 pts.

Yalumba Eden Valley Chardonnay 2006

The white wine madness continues with the Yalumba Eden Valley 2006 chardonnay.  I have to admit that I have not drank the entry level Yalumba chardonnay (Y series) in a long time, but the Eden Valley chardonnay which is wild fermented has it going on.  I like chardonnays that are not too fruity or tropical.  Since I love white Burgundies I try to drink wines that are higher in acidity and are not fruit bombs.  "Wild fermented" has to do with the natural yeast that is present in the wine and it gives it that touch of toast and yeast.  The mouthfeel and acidity of this wine are amazing.  I will be the first to tell you that I do not seek out Australian wines all the time, but this is a great wine at a value price under $15.

Reg. $14.99 – 89 pts.

Giuseppe Lonardi Amarone

So I have drank about 5 different Amarones in my last year of wine tasting and undertaking.  Of all of the ones that I hahe drank this one left an imprint in my mind and in my teeth...at least the night I drank it.  For those of you that have not yet experienced an Amarone, it is made from dried grapes that have raisined from the region of Valpolicella.  I drank this bottle over the course of 2 nights and it got better and better!!  The nose is chocolate with a touch of your grandfather's cigar box.  The mouthfeel is huge and RICH!!  The tannins are chewy and balanced.  This wine has a lot of things going on and it really needs a piece of lamb or steak to match it...beef cake!!

87 pts.

Pietra Santa Merlot - Cienega Valley

Keith told me a couple of weeks ago that we had our new "best merlot under $20" and I had to give it a try.  I love the Sacred Stone blend which is also made by the Pietra Santa winery so trying this wine was not too difficult.  I do not find a lot of CA merlots that I like as they are typically just not complex enough.  This wine however spends 2 years in French oak barrels and it lets you know it right out of the bottle.  This wine is showing some great plum and smoky characteristics and the tannins are definitely there as well!!  The soil at the Pietra Santa winery is rocky and the yields are low.  This results in some great quality with a true value price point.  Grab a bottle, burger, and...that's it!! 

Reg. $15.99 – 89 pts.