Wine By Nine

Red Wine by d'Arenberg from McLaren Vale, Australia. d'Arenberg's vineyards are bordered by Seaview Road to the North, Chalk Hill Road to the South, Coppermine Road to the East and Twentyeight Road to the West. Some locals claim Twentyeight Road is so named originally being 28 chains in length. Others claim it was because it runs to the original 128th linear map division of the district. Alongside this somewhat crooked dirt track is d'Arenberg's Mourvedre Vineyard. Deep bright crimson ruby in color with lifted, spicy clove, cranberry and ripening blackberry primary fruit smells, elements of mulberry, light blackcurrant, cinnamon and vanilla licorice, as well as mint and flowers, especially violets are evident on the young palate. Its medium to full flavored fruit weight dominating softer, rounded vanilla mocha oak flavors, before a long fine acid and slightly sour cherry tannin like finish. After some bottle age The Twentyeight Road Mourvedre should soften in color to more cedary, brick red hues and the nose develop more tobacco, coffee and spicy black olive smells whilst retaining underlying cranberry and floral scents as well as hints of pine needle and tar which can also be found in the mouth. The palate should also develop and integrate with soft prune, cranberry, velvety earthly chocolate flavors and a vibrant fresh acid and fine grained tannin finish for quite some considerable time.

Red Wine by Domaine Famille Ligneres from Languedoc-Roussillon, France - regions. The name Las Vals means little valley in the local dialect. From the Roman fort perched high on Roland's Rock, one not only has a spectacular view of this breathtaking valley which is steeped in the history of the region, but also an understanding of the unique character of this terroir. Varietals: 85% Mourvedre, 15% Syrah A lovely nose of spicy cigar box, earth, and sweet black cherries. Luscious flavors of mouth-filling black plums and cherries with a long, lingering finish.

Red Wine by Bodegas Hijos de Juan Gil from Jumilla, Spain. 100% Monastrell from 45 year old vines. Deep violet. Aromas of blackcurrant, black tea, black berry, smoke. Very chewy and rich with good framing tannins and minerality.

Red Wine by Bodegas Hijos de Juan Gil from Spain. 100% Monastrell from 45 year old vines.  Deep violet. Aromas of blackcurrant, black tea, black berry, smoke. Very chewy and rich with good framing tannins and minerality.   A serious effort, the 2004 Juan Gil is fashioned from 45-year-old Mourvedre vines and is aged for 12 months in American and French oak. This rich, full-bodied, inky/purple-tinged cuvee exhibits aromas of scorched earth, blueberries, licorice, and pepper, a savory, layered texture, and remarkable opulence for a Mourvedre. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.  The Wine Advocate

Red Wine by Casa Castillo from Spain. Number 82 on the Wine.com 100 of 2007! Medium violet. Delicious. Aromas and flavors of blueberry, black berry with beef jerky and vanilla-spice. Young, dark and handsome, this is an example of what Jumilla can do when good grapes and good winemaking come together. The palate is chewy and full of earthy blackberry flavors, while the finish is smooth, ripe and long. Drink now through 2008. One of the best Jumillas you're likely to find. -Wine Enthusiast

Red Wine by Bodegas Castano from Spain. Inky violet. Deep cherry and cassis aromas complicated by an array of floral, mineral and herbal nuances. Powerful dark fruit flavors are firmed by solid tannins and lifted by gentle minerality. Picks up smoked meat and anise notes on the long, chewy finish. This could be a Bandol. Is the average buyer at this price point ready for this? Another amazing value. -International Wine Cellar Dense, clean and brilliant color. Magnificent fruity display (plums, fig bread combined with red fruit), medium strong balsam aromas(mentholated) which are perfectly integrated. On the palate, it is smooth and silky with mature, polished tannins and a full, pleasant finish.

Red Wine by Bodegas Castano from Spain. 100% Monastrell.Bodegas Castano has long been an advocate of the Monastrell varietal in the zone and its use has increased in other bodegas as a result. Known as Mourvedre in France and other parts of the world, the varietal is perhaps best known for its influence on the wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape where the terroir and climate is not dissimilar to that of Yecla with both benefiting from a very warm, Mediterranean climate with warm days and nights. The 2004 Hecula is a single vineyard selection of 100% Monastrell, 50% tank aged and 50% aged in French oak. It is slightly less ebullient but more serious than its younger sibling. Exhibiting aromas of toasty black fruits with milk chocolate in the background, this is a super-rich effort with terrific depth and concentration for its humble price. It is a remarkable value for drinking over the next few years. -The Wine Advocate

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. Fantastic wine for the price. ? The 2005 Wrongo Dongo (named after one of America's great wine personalities who made this expression infamous) is a beautifully tank-fermented and aged, full-bodied red offering abundant quantities of blue and black fruits, surprisingly silky tannin, and an up-front style. Some may call it internationally styled, but at $8, who's complaining?? The Wine Advocate

Red Wine by Finca Luzon from Jumilla, Spain. Estate bottled. This wine is produced under organic regulations established under U.S.A guidelines with grapes grown from organic agriculture and it is certified organic by the USDA National Organic Program. Deep violet color, with intense aromas of blueberries, minerals and leather. Layers of plums and blackberry with solid tannins on the palate.

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 Bodegas Castano from Spain. Excellent example of the Monastrell grape in its early years. Intense aromas of black fruit (plums) and less ripe red fruit (cranberries, mulberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants). On the palate it is fruity and fresh, and alive with tannins which leaves a pleasant aftertaste.

Red Wine by Bodegas Castano from Spain. Excellent example of the Monastrell grape in its early years. Intense aromas of black fruit (plums) and less ripe red fruit (cranberries, mulberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants). On the palate it is fruity and fresh, and alive with tannins which leaves a pleasant aftertaste. The 2005 Monastrell is an insane value produced from three vineyard sites ranging in age from 40-60 years. Opaque purple-colored, it gives up fragrant aromas of blue fruits, plums, and prunes. Ripe, layered, and full-flavored, this hedonistic effort can be enjoyed now but will surely evolve for 2-3 years. Match it with beef and lamb. -The Wine Advocate