2006 Chateau Lyonnat Lussac-St.-Emilion

In general, I have a hard time appreciating the virtues of red Bordeaux. It's not that I'm that dedicated to the New World Fruit Bomb; I quite like a number of old world-style wines. It's more likely that, Bordeaux being what it is (and as expensive as it is), I just haven't had very many good ones. There are some delicious, inexpensive Bordeaux out there, I think. Thus far, however, I have been unable to locate one. The Lyonnat is fairly moderate in price ($26), so perhaps it won't take the enamel off my teeth?

It's a deep, deep garnet in the glass, with a touch of pink and orange in the rim. It's still young, but from what I've read this isn't a Bordeaux that's meant to spend 25 years in the cave, so I'm not too concerned. The aromas aren't full, but there is some ripe red cherry, and some distinct earthiness and minerality. Terroir, perhaps?

And in the mouth? Yup. That's a Bordeaux: high acid, high tannin, and a bit bitter as well. This wine isn't doing much to improve my opinion of Bordeaux, I'm afraid. Strictly by the numbers, it's not a bad wine. The structure is certainly there, though I'm not sensing much meat on those bones (despite the fact that merlot is often viewed as the "flesh" in a cabernet sauvignon blend). The viscosity is pretty light and the flavor is a little hollow in the middle. But it seems to open up a bit with time, lending some earthiness on the palette,  and the finish evolves some sour cherry towards the end. 84.

Vintage: 2006
Grape: 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Region: St-Emilion, Bordeaux
Price: $26
My rating: 84/100

2009 Turtle Creek Sauvignon Blanc

I'm going local with my wine selection tonight. Turtle Creek is a vineyard and winery located in Lincoln, Massachusetts, dedicated to making world class wines from V. vinifera. I.e. not made from grapes native to America, or fruits other than grapes. Not that there is anything (much) wrong with native or hybrid  grape wines, or apple, pear, and peach wines, but the owner and winemaker, Kip, has studied long and hard to prove that wines made from European varieties like Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc can indeed be grown in New England. And I think he has more or less succeeded (though I must point out that he does also purchase grapes from vineyards in California for blending and also for producing varietals that can't be grown here, like Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon - they need warmth that we just don't have).

The 2009 Sauvignon Blanc is, I believe, made from California grapes. But Kip has done a masterful job with the winemaking, producing a true-to-form New World sauvignon, with hints of tropical fruits and plenty of acid. The hue is a medium lemon with rays of bright silver at the rim; very nice. There is no way to delicately dance around the nose of this wine; it has some mineral and papaya, and a nice little hint of cat pee. And I should know, because I just scooped the litter box this morning. Surprisingly enough, cat pee is not an insult to a sauvignon blanc. Don't you dare say it smells like a wet dog, though. That's crossing the line....

In the mouth, it's very easy-drinking. A hint of residual sugar and even a bit of astringency - unusual in a white wine, as astringency comes from skins, seeds, and stems of the grapes, all of which are removed before fermentation in white wines - balance out the acidity. The mouthfeel is silky and the finish is quite long and minerally.

This wine makes me proud to be a "Friend of the Turtle." 87

Vintage: 2009
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Massachusetts
Price: $17
My rating: 87/100

PS People often ask Kip where the name of the winery came from. No, there is not a creek, nor are there turtles. But he is thinking of importing some.

2006 Vietti Barolo Castiglione

This wine was most definitely a splurge, though since I work in a wine shop it wasn't as expensive as it could have been. But I was on a search for an Italian wine that would compliment some unusual cheeses - namely Taleggio, Pecorino Toscano, and Robiola due Latte - to present as a pairing for a wine studies course I am taking. But even at the full price of $45, this wine is worth every penny.

The aromas are delicate and luscious - milk chocolate, sweet cherries, and violets. Just the perfume I would desire in a nebbiolo. In the mouth, it is certainly muscular and tannic, as nebbiolos tend to be, but the tannins are velvety and refined, not in the least coarse. They coat the mouth in the perfect way to make you yearn for some creamy cheeses or a savory steak. It's perfectly balanced and has a lingering, ethereal finish that most winemakers would give their left pinky for. It will be even better after it ages another year or two.

This is a wine for which I highly encourage you to go out of your way. 93.

Vintage: 2005
Grape: Nebbiolo
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Price: $45
My rating: 93/100

2010 Santa Ema Sauvignon Blanc Maipo Valley

Yes, you read correctly - 2010! It's not a beaujolais nouveau, so it must be...South American! Here we have a newly released Chilean sauvignon blanc. It's extremely pale yellow in color, with distinct silver tones. It also has some effervescence to it, though it could be mostly due to the screw cap closure. On the nose, it's fairly classic sauvignon blanc - more New Zealand than France, though. Green grass and mango predominate, with something akin to corn - even corn tortilla - in the background.

It's also quite nice in the mouth. The first impression is just a hint of residual sugar, followed by slight effervescence, pleasant acidity, and tropical fruits. This is an incredibly pleasant wine. The effervescence is making my tongue tingle, which is always fun, and for a $10 wine the finish is incredibly long and juicy. Maybe a bit bitter, but nothing off-putting. Looking forward to trying it with my roasted yellow pepper soup tonight. Thimbs up! 90.

Vintage: 2010
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Maipo Valley, Chile
Price: $10
My rating: 90/100