Wine By Nine

Red Wine by Banfi from Tuscany, Italy. Col di Sasso, which translates to Stony Hill, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese grapes cultivated on the most rocky and impervious slopes of the Banfi estate in Montalcino, Tuscany. Typically harvested in early October, each grape variety is vinified separately. The Sangiovese imparts body, while stainless steel aged Cabernet Sauvignon adds fruit and structure. Col di Sasso is a youthful red to be enjoyed with grilled or roasted meats, poultry, or as an ideal accompaniment to pasta with meat sauce and mildly piquant cheeses.

Red Wine by Concha y Toro from Chile, South America. Color: Dark and deep crimson red. Bouquet: Luscious flavors - dark plums and chocolate with hints of coffee and toasty American oak. Taste: Notes of dark plums and spice, generously framed by toasty American oak with a soft and well structured mouthfilling texture. Casillero del Diablo Carmenere is excellent with fresh light dishes based in meats, vegetables and fresh herbs. Also a good accompaniment to ripe cheeses such as Gouda, Gruyere or a dry goat cheese.

Red Wine by Don Rodolfo from Argentina, South America. Number 32 on the Wine.com 100 of 2007! Top 100 Best Values of the Year Cafayate's heights deliver intense sun and heat, which typically translates into rich, powerful reds. This one, however, seems to channel more of the area's cool nights in its subtle, spicy flavor. It's elegant and light, with strawberry and cherry flavors supported by firm tannins. It's impressively refined - especially at this price. --- Wine & Spirits

Red Wine by Smoking Loon from California. With inky purple color, this wine reveals scents of wild strawberry, mocha, and caramel with touches of sage and rosemary. The flavors burst through with intense blueberry and strawberry jam notes wrapped around rich French oak and finishing with touches of milk chocolate, sweetened cranberries, and savory herbs. This wine would be great with a number of intensely spiced dishes such as Korean BBQ, Teriyaki Beef, or your favorite spicy BBQ sauce on grilled chicken. Moussaka, or grilled elk loin would also work well for those a bit more daring. This Syrah can even stand up to a dessert of wild berries over a dark chocolate mousse.

Red Wine by Cantele from Southern Italy, Italy. The violet reflections of this deep red wine are complemented by the unique, intense bouquet and spicy aroma. The wine is full bodied and conveys a velvety warmth.

Red Wine by Evil from South Australia, Australia. The 2006 Evil Cabernet Sauvignon saw 25% of the wine aged in French oak. It reveals a fragrant bouquet of cedar and black currants. Fruit-driven, full-bodied, with tons of flavor, this Cabernet is an exceptional value. It will provide pleasure over the next 6-8 years. R Wines is a new company founded by importer and marketing genius, Dan Philips, along with co-owner, renowned winemaker, Chris Ringland. Winemakers for R Wines are Chris Ringland, Lisa Wetherell, Andrew Hercock, and John Hughes. It encompasses four familiar labels, Marquis Philips, 3 Rings, Roogle, and Bitch, along with 13 others created especially for R Wines. Needless to say, the packaging of these wines is amazingly creative but, more importantly, what is in the bottle consistently over-delivers from low-end to high-end. - Wine Advocate

Red Wine by Tortoise Creek from Languedoc-Roussillon, France - regions. The grapes are grown and sourced from four single vineyard sites from the Languedoc region in the south of France along the Mediterranean. No oak was used and the wine was bottled without filtration. The Cabernet has fruity notes of black cherry and spice that dance on the nose. Silky on the palate with flavors of blackberries, dark cherry and licorice with a long finish. Enjoy with roasted potatoes, grilled steak, beef stew and firmer cheeses.

Red Wine by Tortoise Creek from Languedoc-Roussillon, France - regions. The grapes are grown and sourced from five single vineyard sites from the Languedoc region in the south of France along the Mediterranean coast. No oak was used and the wine was bottled without filtration. The Merlot is firm in the mouth with dark cherry, plum and spice notes. It has a lasting finish with hints of dried blackberries. Enjoy it with red-sauced pasta dishes, beef stew or a glazed honey ham.

Red Wine by Wrongo Dongo from Jumilla, Spain. Deep ruby/violet. Medium nose of blackberry, meat, german chocolate cake and earth. Round, rich mouth of berries, spice, leather and brown sugar. The cute packaging and name of the Wrongo Dongo are clearly meant for the American marketplace. This solid effort represents a good value. Produced from 100% Monastrell, it is a fruit-driven, easy-going red to consume during its first year or so of life. The Wine Advocate

Red Wine by Esser Vineyards from California. 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Syrah The blended wine shows plenty of ripe cherry and plum fruit in its aromas, backed by a combination of mocha, black tea and licorice tones. Full and round on the palate, its ripeness give the wine a profile of baked black fruits, along with suggestions of black tea and cocoa.

Red Wine by Rancho Zabaco from California. Blend: 80.7% Zinfandel, 5.3% Syrah, 4.5% Petit Syrah, 3.5% Tempranillo The wine is immediately approachable with lots of ripe dark fruit flavors of blackberry and black cherry complemented by bright red fruit flavors of raspberry and strawberry. Spicy notes of black pepper and vanilla add layers which allow the fruits to be the star. With its bright, vibrant fruit flavors, soft mouth feel and zesty personality, this wine can go with just about any dish from barbequed meats to rich pasta sauces.

Red Wine by Esser Vineyards from California. Paso Robles fruit is in the forefront of this blend, lending its baked cherry, cassis and leather character to the plum jam, super-ripe, tobacco and spice profile of the Lodi wine. Added to this were small amounts of Lake County and Sonoma County wines, these two provided a bit more focus and refinement to the overall blend. The wine was fermented using the technique of extended maceration, which yielded a darker colored richer wine, with fine chocolate and roasted fruit tones.