The Other Wines in the House

This week we take you to the Russian River and Greece.

We'll begin in California with a  2008 Castle Rock Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir.  This had a garnet color with an initial bouquet of strawberries that lead to plum and vanilla.

The palate was dark fruit, somewhat cooked with oak and cinnamon.  The cinnamon spice was very pronounced on the finish as it lingered in your mouth.

Now we take a trip to Greece with a 2006 Vatistas.  This is a regional red wine of the Peloponese region of Greece.  The Peloponese region has the greatest concentration of vineyards in Greece.  This wine is a blend of 50% Agiorgitiko and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The Agiorgitiko grape is a distinguished red variety grown in the Peloponnese region.

This deep ruby wine had a aromas of baked cherry, black currant, oak and a smoky cigar.  Put your smoking jacket on and the palate is filled with black fruit, and plum.  This is a very full bodied wine with slight tannins.