Author: Gus Clemens

Casa Contini Biferno Riserva Red Wine 2009: Superb, peppery-sweet nose; smoke, black fruits, red cherry, blueberry; smooth, balanced, wonderful complexity for the price; Southern Italian montepulciano (85%) and aglianico (15%) grapes combine for medium body with rustic edges, forest floor, reserved tannins, some acidity, lushness, too, excellent finish. Aged 18 months in large barrels made from Slovakian oak. Great value and delicious experience; this is by no means your everyday $15 red wine. $15

Mauro Molino Barbera D’Alba 2013: Very straightforward, mellow, simple red; cherry, raspberry, blueberry, some eucalyptus; very smooth, almost no tannic tang, reserved acidity, no oak. Barbera efforts typically are not complex, and this exactly fits the mold. If you are into bold red statements, this is not for you; if you want a simple, tasty red that doesn’t mind playing a restrained, supporting role at your meal, this works well. $17

Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2014: Lovely, salmon pink; watermelon, cherry, strawberry; crisp, refreshing, juicy with excellent acidity, mouthwatering finish; served chilled as aperitif, picnic pleaser or with flavorful fish; simple wine but excellent value-for-price; south Africa continues to impress with its progress. $14

Christoval Vineyards Rosé of Mouvèdre 2012: Ripe strawberry, watermelon, sweet cherry, cranberry; fresh, nice fruit, medium-dry, clean, some weight and savory elements in the mouth. Mouvèdre (monastrell in Spain) is thick skinned, warm-to-hot weather staple, the third-blending grape in GSM wines, a natural ally of grenache. The rosé choice pulls the juice from its thick, dark skins and does not allow evolution of the leathery, spicy, gamey elements that make it valuable as a full-red blender. This restraining allows the grape to sing solo, as it does well in this all-Texas grape effort. $19

Domaine d’Andézon Côtes-du-Rhône Red Wine 2011: Syrah (dominate grape of the northern Rhône) rules in this boldly assertive, fleshy, dark-fruit-concentrated effort. Air time is a must with this powerful pour—there are serious tannins here, decanting definitely helps tame the tannin, release the scrappy nose, and soften the aggressive fruit. Black olive, licorice, dark cherry, blackberry, graphite, tangy blackcurrant; well-priced rustic rumbler, pair with bold stews or rich red meats. $14

Woop Woop Shiraz South Eastern Australia 2013: New World fruity, juicy, flirts with jammy; blueberry, raspberry, black olives, plum, savory; smooth, simple wine, short finish, light acidity and tannin; South Aussie twist and pour to go with burgers or pizza; value-for-price play. $11

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Grigio Central Coast California 2014: Very pale yellow; pear, lemon, citrus nose; tart lemon, some spice, little lime, grapefruit and green apple on the palate. Simple, straightforward wine built to please with restrained sweetness and acidity to make a easy drinking summer sipper at easy price. Robert Mondavi is part of Constellation Brands, a company founded in Canandaigua, New York in 1945 that has grown to be the #1 premium wine producer in the world, the #3 beer company in the U.S., the #1 wine company in Canada and New Zealand. Outside the U.S., it has operations in Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. Some of its top brands include Clos du Bois, Corona, Arbor Mist, Modelo, Kim Crawford, Black Velvet, Svedka Vodka, Ravenswood, Franciscan Estate, Mark West, Manischewitz, Mouton Cadet, and many more in its 100-plus portfolio of brands. Constellation purchased Robert Mondavi in 2004 for $1.03 billion, immediately making it a leader in both high end wines and mass distribution consumer wines such as this Private Selection offering. Simple pinot grigio, yes, but very nice for the price. $9

Tom Gore Vineyards Chardonnay 2013: Big apple, lemon, peach, vanilla, bite of banana; wonderfully cutting acidity, suitably restrained oak, half-pat of butter in the middle; rich, smooth, enjoyable on the palate; nicely hits spot between savagely austere chablis and unctuously big-butter, over-oaked Cal cabs; good effort from Sonoma farm family. $15

Justin Rosé 2014: Pale salmon color, vivid strawberry, cherry nose; raspberry, melon, bell pepper join the strawberry and cherry on the palate, but on first chilled pour the fruit is much more restrained than promised on the nose; crisp, good acidity, light body. Paso Robles rosé of cabernet sauvignon is simple summer sipper that significantly improves as wine warms, finding balance and revealing its fruit. You will be rewarded by giving it 20 minutes-plus out of fridge, ice bucket, or in glass. $20

Los Dominios de Berceo Tempranillo Rioja 2011: Tight, amazingly fresh, big boy Spanish red; concentrated raspberry, cherry, blackberry, chip of chocolate, spices galore; medium body, acidity, puckering tannin quickly relaxes with air leaving velvety mouth. Sophisticated rioja offerings like this are not like other wines, uniquely delicious and distinctive; this comes from 140-year-old, ungrafted vines (vines not affect by phylloxera plague of late 19th century in Europe). When you taste this, you taste history. $52