Monterey

This was being closed out at a local wine store for $45.  It was part of a "natural" wine tasting.  I thought it was the best wine of the tasting though the crowd was mixed.  Ruby in color, cloudy and slightly flat in appearance.  The nose has plums, cherries and a slightly sweaty quality.  A very nice texture.  On the palate, bright cherry fruit.  Long finish.  This is drinking quite well right now.  It will go with most heavier and medium bodied foods.  

This bottle was brought to our house by friends.  Frankly, I am not sure who as it was a party and then left unopened.  My wife was having book club, and so it seemed like a good choice.  This proved to be very popular and it was lucky I got a glass to taste.  A very interesting wine.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, some dustiness to it, and just a hint of what can best be described as sweet oak.  On the palate, there are strong tannins.  The cassis follows thru but there is a sweetness to the wine that is similar to that of Bourbon Barrel Aged beers although not nearly as pronounce

Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with an earthy cherry quality to it.  Perhaps some woodsy tree bark as well.  On the palate, this has a soft, creamy texture.  Cherries, slightly sour with depth.  Tight layers that open in the glass.  Nice finish.  This seems like it would age nicely over the next ten to fifteen years.  Drinking well right now.  This will match with a wide variety of foods from Salmon to Turkey and more.  Upside overtime is likely.  

Bonny Doon makes some fun wines!  This is Grenache for under $20.  It's a fun and great for parties.  Light ruby in color.  The nose is all about strawberries.  So is the palate.  This wine is light and easy drinking.  Some acidity but drinks more like a rose.  Food friendly-ish.  

Had a second bottle of this and it had some Brett (barnyard notes).  If that is an issue, look for well stored bottles.  

Light pink/orange in color.  The nose has some slight watermelon and a bit of grapefruits.  This is an easy, light rose on the palate.  Refreshing notes of cherries and some cinnamon.  Around $16, this is nice for a party.  

This is a project from former baseball manager Tommy Lasorda.  I was a bit skeptical about it but this is good.  It retails for around $20 which makes this a great bargain in the world of California Chardonnay as well.  Pop and pour, it drank well although did improve for the first 30 minutes or so before plateauing until the bottle was emptied.   Light gold/green in color.  The nose is nice with grapefruit and slight vanilla.  Neutral oak barrels were used but there are some very pleasant oak remnants if light.  With air some green apples pop out as well.  On the palate, this has nice acid

This is an inexpensive (around $6) Chardonnay.  Light golden in color.  The nose has some lemons and oak.  On the palate, this is simple but drinkable.  A bit of citrus.  Not much depth.  Works as an alcohol delivery system.  The key here is that for $6, this is drinkable.