You already know that I'm a huge fan of Hahn Family Wines because they're so dependably drinkable at great prices. But today Hahn has given me yet one more reason to applaud. Or pour. Huntingon California, a new wine label that was developed by Gaby and Nicolaus Hahn specifically to support efforts to preserve the environment and wildlife preserves in Kenya. The label on these wines features artwork by Gaby herself. As much as I love to support good causes, I have to admit that I'd have a hard time with these if I did not love, love, love the wines themselves. After checking out the winery's Petite Sirah, Cabernet and Merlot, I can tell you that someone is doing some smooth talking in terms of sourcing the family's grapes. These wines are standout -- every one. At $14, they're a bargain.
2008 Susana Balbo Malbec, $19
2008 Susana Balbo Malbec, $19
Malbec is one of those wine varietals that kind of gets lost in the mix. Most people know about Cabernets and Merlots, and are often familiar with Chiantis and Zinfandels. But like Petite Sirah, Malbec is what I'd call a sleeper wine. Not all Malbecs are wonderful, but this particular one from the Mendoza region of Argentina is absolutely stellar. It's inky and rich and reminds me of blackberries. It's aged in French oak, which may be why it has such gorgeous, velvety tannins. It's about $19 per bottle, not bad for a special-occasion wine. If you find it on sale, stock up. The wines are sealed with top-notch clear cork, so they'll age well. http://www.dominiodelplata.com.ar/ or http://www.vineconnections.com/
2008 Arnaldo-Caprai Grecante Grechetto, $18
If what you are craving is a crisp Granny Smith in a glass, then this is the wine for you. It has a bright, fun quality that is especially refreshing for summer. I tried it with appetizers and it was a hit. It also works well with a salad topped with chicken or fish. The wine is made from Grechetto grapes which are exclusive to the Umbrian region in Italy. www.snooth.com/wine/amaldo-caprai-grecante-grechetto-dei-colli-martani-grechetto-2006/
2006 Nippozzano Riserva Chianti Rufina, $19
For years, I thought that I did not like Chianti. Most of the Chianti's I tried sucked my tongue so dry that I couldn't taste a thing. The only flavor I could register was sour.
But last week, I opened this bottle and poured up a bright, fruity Chianti that changed my opinion of the varietal. It's much softer, slightly sweeter and in my estimation a whole lot more enjoyable. It retains the integrity of a light Chianti and it is still a great match for all dishes Italian. But it's kind enough to my tongue that I can also enjoy a glass before I sit down to dinner. Find it at K & L Wine Merchants stores in the Bay Area.
Frederic Mabileau Racines 2007 Borgueil,
Joel Taluau Vielles Vignes 2006 St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil (both $20.)
If you like red wines, especially Cabernets and Tempranillos, here are a pair of terrific French wines you need to try. They are both made of 100 percent Cabernet Franc, and present incredibly complex, regional flavor profiles. Find them at K & L Wine Merchants.
This is a totally solid pick for those who love a velvety, blueberry-forward red with plenty of backbone. This a great Spanish table wine to serve with tapas. See the recipes page for a spicy topping for toasted baguettes. http://www.campoviejo.com/
Copa Del Rey Merlot, $12
If you love red wine and enjoy tasting all of the different personalities it takes on, you will want to pick up a bottle of Copa Del Rey's Merlot, a rich, full Chilean version of a California favorite. I love the gorgeous berry-forward flavor of this wine -- especially for the price. The wine comes from the Maipo Valley and is now operated by Hahn. www.hahnfamilywines.com/
For more than a year, I've been wishing and wanting to write about the incredible wines of Monterey County. The wines there have a personality all their own. Not every winery makes the very best wine, but one winery that you can always depend on is Hahn, the mothership of what is becoming a giant family of wineries. I consider Hahn SLH wines among the best reds you can get from the region. Since their aromas and flavors differ depending on which vineyard and varietal you're talking about, I want to throw down a challenge: Pick a price point, then get yourself to a wine market and pick out a bottle of Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, then one from Hahn's lineup. Pour them up side-by-side and notice the differences. One isn't better than another. Just different. Enjoy. For more info on Hahn wines, go to http://www.hahnfamilywines.com/
Forest Glen Tehachapi Clone Pinot Grigio, $11
Every time I taste a Forest Glen wine, I am surprised. Behind their cheesy label; a generic washout of wine country that claims the wines are "The Best of Taste," are some decent, more-than-drinkable wines. This crisp but fruity Pinot Grigio from kern County is a great wine pick, one I'd hope to find on sale so I could stock up for summer. Since this one is so crisp, it works really well with salads topped with avocado, with anything shellfish, and with slightly creamy pasta salads. Tip: You may want to wander over to BevMo during the 5 cent sale and pick up a few bottles of this. http://www.forestglenwinery.com/Yellow Tail Reserve 2008, $12
For years I have marveled at the seeming success of Yellow Tail wines, wines that in my opinion taste no better than Two-buck, but cost three to four times as much. Time after time I have tasted Yellow Tail at parties and wondered exactly how they stay in the wine business. Then last week, i opened a box containing bottles of the company's Yellow Tail Reserve wines. Reserve Yellow Tail -- who knew there was such a thing. Curious, I opened and tasted. I was more than impressed. I pulled out the paperwork and discovered that these reserve wines are only $12. Buy now, buy large and enjoy. But don't keep them too long, as the composite style corks tell me that these aren't meant to be reserved for later. Varietals in the reserve line include Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet, Pinot Grigio and Cabernet. All from Southern Australia, and all highly drinkable. Go to http://www.discoveryellowtail.com/
Straight out of the bottle, this wine was off, odd, and resinous. But after decanting and breathing, it settled into a velvety soft cherry-forward red; interesting if not perfect. The deep, dark purple-colored wine is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, and is made by dual fermentation, which involves drying 25 percent of the grapes for six weeks before the fermentation process. Masi, imported by Folio Wine Partners, has been owned and operated by the Masi family for six generations. To order online, go to http://www.wine.com/V6/Masi-Campofiorin-Rosso-del-Veronese and type in Masi. http://www.cellartracker.com/
Masi Masianco 2009 Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, $14
If you are a little tentative about super-crisp, uber-dry pinot grigios, you may want to check out this one from the Friuli Venezia region of Italy. It's sweeter than many, with more body and prettier aromas, likely because of the 25 percent Verduzzo. It's more like a Sauvignon Blanc than a Pinot Grigio, but I like it. Drink it cool but not right out of the fridge. Find it at select stores or online at http://www.lisasliquorbarn.com/.
Cellar #8 Pinot Grigio, $12
A pineapple-forward white with incredibly juicy aromas. http://www.cellarno8.com/
Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon, $8
Spicy, full flavored and worth it. http://www.boglewinery.com/
Dona Paula Los Cardos 2008 Malbec, $10
This is a full, gorgeous wine that is so full of personality. It's from the Mendoza region of Argentina. A really fine pick. http://www.donapaula.com/
