A few wines I've tried lately

Ferrari-Carano Sienna 2006: Retail: $38.00. This is a blend of sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, and malbec. Ferrari-Carano is better known for their white wines, but this wine was excellent. I got it at a restaurant in Reno, Nevada on the recommendation of the sommelier. The wine is young, but opened up nicely within minutes. Very good.


Rombauer Merlot 2005: Retail $40.00. I've never had a bad wine from Rombauer, and this was no exception. The movie Sideways scared a lot of people off of merlot, with most of them not knowing why they shouldn't order merlot. Of course this is nonsense, as there are many outstanding merlots on the market. Also, the world class Pomerol, from France, is 100% merlot, but I digress. This Rombauer merlot was pared with a prime beef ribeye, and it held up very well. One of the better California merlots I have tried.


Fess Parker Ashley's Vineyard Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2005: Retail: $55.00. Fess Parker is one of my favorite wineries right now. This is the best pinot noir I have tasted in years, and one of the best ever in my 20-plus years of being a wine fanatic. Do not confuse this wine with the entry-level Fess Parker "Santa Barbara County" pinot noir, which retails for around $20.00. That's not a bad wine at all, but the Ashley's Vineyard Pinot Noir is light years ahead in terms of quality. Very highly recommended, although the price tag might scare some people off.

Edited to add this note: I tried this wine again today (12/24/28) and it is still very young. I opened the bottle it about an hour before serving the wine and it was still tightly wound when dinner began. During the meal, however, it unfolded very nicely. This is just a beautiful wine, very typical of the top pinots being produced in the Santa Rita Hills appelation of Santa Barbara County.

Fess Parker Rodney's Vineyard Syrah 2005: Retail: $45.00. I'm a big fan of Santa Ynez Valley syrahs, and this is an excellent example of what that area can produce. Again, this is not to be confused with Fess Parker's cuvee level syrah, which retails for around $20.00. I like that wine, and serve it often, but the Rodney's Vineyard Syrah is in a different league. If you like syrah, this one is worth the $45.00 it will set you back.


Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Retail: $70.00. This wine was rated 96 points by both Robert Parker (Wine Advocate), and the Wine Spectator, but it is not ready to drink right now. I bought two bottles, one for now and one for later. It is very good, but it is still too tightly wound to really appreciate. Give it another year or two at least, preferably more.