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Carmen Grande Vidure-Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Wines-
The Buy List for September 2001
by AlcoholReviews.com Staff

Each month AlcoholReviews.com tastes a slew of wines.  Below you will find those red wines that we think are worth purchasing.  Wines are listed in order of price, from lowest to highest.  Wines of the same price are listed alphabetically.  Our rating scale is:

*Horrid- Won't drink unless threatened with violence.
**Tolerable- Will drink if it is free.
***Good- Will drink and even pay for.
****Very Good- Will seek out for purchase.
*****Superb- Will walk miles to acquire.

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Berbarana Dragon Tempranillo 1999 ($7)
A solid Spaniard that serves up black pepper and musk on the nose and in the mouth delivers notes of fruit and vanilla and black pepper. Enjoy with hearty cheeses and beef. (Rating ***1/2)

For more info on this wine surf to http://www.pasternakwine.com

Stonehaven Merlot 2000 ($7)
Young, but already very drinkable. Stonehaven's impressed us again and again with the quality of their wines. This Australian is pungent with pepper, blackberry and barrel. It's a steal at seven dollars. Stock up and enjoy. (Rating ***1/2)

For more info on this wine surf to http://www.banfivintners.com

Jacob's Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 ($9)
An edgy, tannic offering from this big producer in Australia. Enjoyable to both the seasoned wine drinker and the novice, this red tastes of blackberries and strawberries. It went well with a wide range of foods, from grilled asparagus to walnut gouda, brie and prosciutto and a hamburger. Buy now, drink now, don't wait because it may be all gone soon. BEST BUY. (Rating ****)

For more info on this wine surf to: http://www.jacobscreek.com.au

Carmen Grande Vidure-Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1998 ($13)
Carmen, known in the U.S. for its solid $7 a bottle wines steps it up with this offering. God love them for making wine with Grande Vidura- we can't recall the last time we saw one let alone had one arrive for review. This Chilean wine is 60% Grande Vidure, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. It's an uppity wine, much more intense than Merlot but not quite as un-fruity as Cab-Sauv. It has a big strong spine and oozes blackberries and cassis. Yum. (Rating ***3/4)

For more info on this wine surf to http://www.carmen.com

Marques De Grinon Alea Crianza Rioja 1997 ($13)
A jammy, vanilla, floral fruit explosion. Wow- there's nothing tricky or restrained about this Spanish wine. It's just a big glasss of fun and our tasters really got a thrill out of this one. We wolfed down plenty of cheese with this 100% Tempranillo and found it very hard to put down. (Rating ***3/4)

For more info on this wine surf to http://www.pasternakwine.com

Francis Coppola Merlot 1999 ($14)
No surprise here- it's another good one from Scott McLeod at the Niebaum-Coppola winery in Rutherford, California. Carries the signature blueberry note that we so love, along with nutmeg and rich fruit. Will this guy ever make a sub-par wine? (Rating ***3/4)

For more info on these wines surf to http://www.niebaum-coppola.com

Delicato Monterra Monterey Syrah 1998 ($14)
This Syrah spent 12 months in barrel and it shows- the nose is, well, delicate, with cherry, oak-vanilla and floral notes. Drink it up and you'll delight in the fruit, barrel, blueberry, and black pepper flavors. Complex and very pleasing. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (Rating ****)

For more info on these wines surf to http://www.delicato.com

Francis Coppola Claret 1999 ($15)
Wow- blackberry, blueberry and barrel. Terrific balance and just a delight to swish about in the mouth. After our panel tasting finished, our editor squirreled the rest of this bottle to himself, knocking it down with a plate of pasta and marinera sauce. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (Rating ****)

For more info on these wines surf to http://www.niebaum-coppola.com

J. Lohr South Ridge Pasa Robles Syrah ($15)
Not quite as big as the Monterra Syrah mentioned above. This Californian is more restrained, and noses much softer. A nice wine that is dry, a little jammy, tastes of blackberry and a sprig of mint. (Rating ***3/4)

For more info on these wines surf to http://www.jlohr.com

Berberana Vina Alarde Tempranillo Rioja 1998 ($15)
The lovely, more cerebral older sister of the above mentioned Berbarana Dragon Tempranillo. More restrained, more complex. Nice balance, raspberry, vanilla, and fruit. Much more likely to appeal to the seasoned wine drinker's palate, though even our novice tasters gave it thumbs up. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (Rating ****)

For more info on this wine surf to http://www.pasternakwine.com

Reviewed 09/01 FOOTER
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