06 Pelerin Cuvee St. Vincent Pinot Noir

Taking my wife out to dinner tonight...bringing this Pinot with us. Looking forward to trying this one...Here is a blurb from the tasting notes....

"The 2006 'Cuvee St. Vincent' Pinot Noir presents broad aromas of fresh cherries and strawberries, accompanied by notes of licorice and vanilla."

Will keep you all posted as to where this one lands on the bigbeck scale....

Folks, this wine was delicate and delectable. My wife had the first taste and told me that she has found her favorite Pinot. The flavors were of subtle cherry and strawberries with a hint of all spice. The wine actually got better throughout our dinner. The owners of the eatery came by the table for a tasting. They were also blown away. May be adding to their wine list.

I give this wine 9 bigbecks out of 10.

Beck

05 Ex-Libris Cabernet

If you are looking for an entry level, great value ($15-$20), Washington State wine...here is my choice. The o5 is the 3rd vintage of this wine and they keep getting better...I have had them all.... Aged for 16 months in oak barrels, this wine is extremely fruit forward with a full range of spices on the nose with a hint of cedar and red apple peel. The fruit is a big explosion of black cherries, raisins, dried cranberries along with mild tannins.

I give this wine 7 bigbecks out of 10

Beck

01 Vega Sindoa Cab 60%/Tempranillo 40%

I was somewhat pleased to find out that this wine was still drinkable. I remember purchasing this 01 many years ago and stashed it away in the value section of my racks (which I'm starting to go through to make room). I opened this wine to check to see if I needed to pour it down the drain or drink now...Turned out to be a good pairing with some homemade spicy beef burritos. The nose was borderline acceptable. The fruit was blackberry jam with a hint of raspberry flavored skittles to it. I would recommend that anyone that has this vintage to Drink Now..it may not last another week...

I give this wine 5 bigbecks out of 10

Beck

Louis Martini Napa Cabernet

Anyone that has been to my house more than once knows my love for this label. I fell in love with the 03 Napa Cab and the relationship began. I often struggle as to which vintage to pull from my selection (03, 04, 05). It really depends on what is on the center of the plate. The 03 is drinking quite well now, but with less power than the 04. The 05 is still an oak explosion , but mellows out after about 30 minutes of breathing. I would recommend buying one bottle of each for a private tasting. You will not be disappointed with any of these. By the way, their Sonoma Cabs are OK, but will not stand alone without food. By the way...Louis Martini was the first tasting room that my wife and I visited on our first Napa excursion.

I give the 03 Napa Cab 6.5 bigbecks
I give the 04 Napa Cab 7.5 bigbecks
I give the 05 Napa Cab 6 bigbecks...potential move to 7 bigbecks after one more year of cellaring

Beck

2003 Cecchi Villa Cerna Chianti Classico Riserva

I purchased this wine a year or two back after attending a Cecchi wine dinner at the Pine Crest Inn in Tryon, NC. I opened this bottle last night over dinner and made the mistake of not allowing this to open up. Straight out of the bottle, the wine showed extremely firm tannins that overpowered everything else. After 30 minutes, the wine calmed down and showed the classic "Dusty Rose" spectrum of flavors of the sangiovese grapes from this region. I would recommend at least an hours worth of breathing prior to serving.

This wine went from 4.5 bigbecks to 7.5 bigbecks after breathing.

Beck

La Yunta Torrontés

This is a white from Argentina that is very light and crisp. I am usually all about the malbecs from Argentina but Tony (owner of Carriage House Wines) encouraged me to give this white a go. It is low in alcohol and has a slight sweetness to it that makes it pairable with Asian & Thai food or is just good for drinking on a warm day. It smells and tastes of apples and melons with a crispness on the back side that makes it refreshing.

I'd give this 7 out of 10 BigBecks and 9 out of 10 Bigbecks for the $9.99 price tag.

2005 Angeline Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

I made the mistake of trying to buy a value pinot noir without asking for help. I am not the expert on Pinot's, but am trying to learn. I have found that my personal palate is moving from the big and bold cabs and zins to the delicate pinot noirs of the world.

This wine had a really nice nose of cherry and spice box, but failed to continue to deliver in the tasting catagory. The wine left an unpleasant aftertaste that lingered far too long. I'll leave this one on the shelf next go around and or ask for assistance with my selection.

I give this wine 3.5 bigbecks

Beck

2006 Di Majo Norante Sangiovese

For those of you looking for a entry level wine that is priced right...here is my pick. This wine is made to pick up at the store and drink with dinner. This is not an age worthy wine...in my opinion. It should not cost more than 9 dollars. It offers up aromas of strawberries, black cherries, damp earth, spice box, and fruit cake. Give this one a try...This winery has other exceptional wines that bring to the table more richness, but this one is a good starter wine...

I rate this one 6 bigbecks out of 10 for depth/flavor
I rate this one 9 bigbecks out of 10 for value

Beck

2003 Joseph Family Vineyards Cabernet

Excellent wine. Started to crystalize on the cork...do not know if this is good or bad. Also had some setiment in the bottle. With those points being said....the wine was delicious. deep purple color with hints of dark currants and some mild oakiness...

I could give this 6.5 bigbecks out of 10..

Beck

2004 Cosentino Cabernet

Another great choice. My wife and I fell in love with this wine while touring Napa Valley and the surrounding wineries. This winery produces some of the most drinkable wines in the industry. We must have tried 8-10 selections. All were purchase worthy. This winery keeps the prices where us common folk can purchase by the case and enjoy.

The 04 Cabernet is exceptional. It will stand up to most Cabs from anywhere. Smooth tannins with a mouthful of blackberry jam and a hint of clove really throws you for a look. This powerful wine should be pared with a nice medium rare steak and some buttery potatoes.

I give it 7.5 bigbecks out of 10

Beck

2005 Goldeneye Pinot Noir

Had the 2005 Goldeneye Pinot Friday night. Couldn't have been more impressed with the outcome. This wine was superb...Earthy with undertones of strawberry, cherry and some cinnamon. Come to find out...this is the wine that will be served for President Elect Obama's dinner this week.

I gave it 8 bigbecks out of 10

Beck