2008 Strut Well-Heeled White, Okanagan, British Columbia

Lots of tropical fruit and citrus on both the nose and the palate with this entry-level white wine. For the price, it will serve perfectly as that Tuesday-after-work patio wine. And, when someone wants to add ice cubes in the glass or mix it with soda, you won’t flip out. Read Kathleen’s full review on her blog Between the Vines

1996 Cape Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon, South West Australia

Violets and a slightly gamey mustiness, as well as the brick-red color, show a wine that aged gracefully. There is still black fruit but it does not overwhelm the more delicate floral flavors. This is a nice example of Margaret River wine, an Australian Cabernet more like Bordeaux than Napa.

2006 Domaine William Fèvre Bougros Grand Cru Chablis

Fresh fields of flowers in the aroma, almost sauvignon blanc-like. A big wine, big flavors with both light fruit and maturity in the body. Light acid in a finish that ends buttery and lemony. 13% alcohol.

2006 Domaine Billaud-Simon Vaudesir Grand Cru Chablis

Almost deceptively light at first in its aromas and flavors. Very elegant wine, benefits from being opened for a while to round out the flavors. Moderate alcohol (13.5%). Later, it remains ethereal: a suggestion of smoke in the aroma, then a hint of a memory of tropical fruit wafts by your palate.

2006 Olivier Leflaive Première Cru Montee de Tonnerre Chablis

An aroma of fresh fields, herbs and wildflowers. A light-medium body, smooth on the tongue, with a touch of spice. Nicely balanced with a sizeable finish. And only 13% alcohol.

2001 Penfolds RWT Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Dark and inky. A concentrated nose with a bit of leather and plum. Smooth, but with a nice tannic structure lending a pleasant “abrasive” mouthfeel. Dark fruits, anise, minerals. An umami note on the end that leads to a very long, satisfying finish.

2005 Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz, South Australia

Remarkably light-colored for an Australian Shiraz, ruby and opaque rather than deep and dark. The nose is incredibly floral and aromatic. Completely smooth, like drinking silk. Blackberry, chocolate, and baking spices. Substantial, but with understated tannins. Absolutely easy to drink and very refined—almost Burgundian.

2007 Domaine le Verger Chablis

Having visited Burgundy in the summer of this “difficult year”–rainy and cold; wore all my sweaters plus raincoat every day–I was curious to see what had been produced in Chablis. This wine has a sweet, fruity nose with a hint of tropical fruits, barely ripened. A light but pleasant body, and medium lemony acid in the finish. It took some time to settle down in the glass; better the next day. Bonus: only 12:5% alcohol.

2008 Domaine Bernard Defaix Petit Chablis

A lightly earthy aroma, more grape than tropical fruit. On the tongue, a touch of sweet fruit, with fruit in the finish too, along with some light, citric acidity. Pleasantly easy to drink. Asks for smoked seafood! Low alcohol at 12.5%!

2007 Laurel Glen Za Zin

This is not a wine for the delicate or unsuspecting. Raspberry, mocha, unsweetened chocolate and wax are all rolled up on the end of a wooden stave, which somebody is about to sneak up behind you with and beat you over the head. That might be the 15.5% alcohol at work. Pairing recommendations? None. Drink this as a snack.

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