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Marziano and Enrico Abbona Vigneto Terlo Ravera Barolo
Vintage: 96
Rating (1-10): 7

Comments by Rob: This is a very very fine Barolo with a nice "old-world" depth. It is dark colored with a raisin, mint and malty aroma. The rich, cloy taste brings out the best in a large meaty meal. It is full bodied and very powerful, with strong tannins and a wonderfully long finish. This wine will only get better with a year or two in the cellar. We let our test bottle breath for about 2 hours and it was perfect.

It is more expensive running approximately $49.00 (US).

 Volpe Pasini R'Bolla Gialla
Vintage: 99
Rating (1-10): 7

Comments by Rob: This very dry, white wine is a delightful change from the typical red wines that Robin and I taste. It is very dry (which I prefer) and has some nice complex flavors that show through during its long finish. It has exotic fruity undertones that persist from the initial nose through to the finish. Tropical flavorings shine in this delightful wine.

As with many of the wines that Robin and I taste, this is a young wine. It should be enjoyed cool and served with a light meal of grilled fish or pork. We enjoyed it with a delightful shrimp and cirtus salsa meal, which was wonderfully complemented by this wine. You can get the recipe for this meal on our Recipe Page.

It is moderately priced in the $20.00 (US) range.

 Castello Banfi's Summus
Vintage: 96
Rating (1-10): 10
Grape Varity: 45% Brunello, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah

Comments by Rob: This is certainly my all-time favorite wine. It has an intense color and a nice spicy boquet. Its complex build and good tannins makes this an especially wonderful wine. I recommend it with red meats, stews, hearty pasta dishes and cheeses.

Most importantly though, it reminds me of the night I got engaged to Robin, while in Florence Italy.

This wine is expensive and may run you in excess of $70.00 (US) per bottle. In Italy I purchased it for as low as 60,000 lira.

Click here to go to Castello Banfi's website
Col-Di-Sasso
Vintage: 98
Rating (1-10): 3
Grape Varity: Sangiovese and Cabernet

Comments by Rob: This inexpensive wine is a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes cultivated on the most rocky and impervious slopes of the Banfi estate in Montalcino, Tuscany.

This is still a young wine and should be enjoyed with meats, poultry or as an accompaniment to pasta. 		Classico Riserva Chianti Ducale
Vintage: 96
Rating (1-10): 4

Comments by Rob: This wonderful wine rates highly with Robin and I. We enjoy both its depth of color and taste as well as it's reasonable price. This wine is easily available at major supermarkets and wine merchants.

 Classico Riserva Chianti Ducale Oro
Vintage: 98
Rating (1-10): 6

Comments by Rob: This is another wonderful chianti. It is widely available in the US and is reasonably priced. It enjoys a deeper color and greater bouquet than the lesser Classico Riserva Chianti Ducale. It has nicer and longer lasting finish than the Ducale as well. While this is certainly more expensive at approx. $35.00 a bottle, it is definately worth the expense to keep a coupple bottles around for nice Italian meals.

Brolio Chianti Classico
Vintage: 98
Rating (1-10): 5

Comments by Rob: This is another inexpensive chianti classico. It enjoys a medium body and texture that is characteristic of most chianti's at this price point. I recommend it as a low priced wine for your weekday meals when you do not wish to open a more expensive wine.
Black Opal Shiraz
Vintage: 99
Rating (1-10):
Grape Varity: Shiraz

Comments by Rob: This is another inexpensive wine that Robin and I are exploring. As one of our first Australian wines tasted, we find this young wine to be very nice and easy to drink with a hearty meal. It is rich and full-flavored, showing ripe fruity tastes, soft integrated tannins and fine oak characters in a long and pleasing finish.
The Hess Collection, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 96
Rating (1-10): 9
Grape Varity: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 1 % Cabernet Franc 1% Malbec, 1% Petite Verdot

Comments by Rob:This wonderfully multi layered Cabernet is a favorite of Robin and I. The aroma shows hints of cherries and currants, with a definate oak and cocoa flavor. The round, full texture supports the ripe full falvors and medium tannins that this wine brings with it.

I highly recommend it for special occasions, as it can be more expensive. We tend to find this wine in the DC area at an average price of $36.00 (US).

Click here to go to the Hess Collection website

 Taft Street, Sanoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 98
Rating (1-10): 5
Grape Varity: Cabernet Sauvignon

Comments by Rob: Robin and I enjoy this wine for several reasons. Firstly, it has the typical rich texture that most cabernets are know for. Second, it shows some plum, black currant and lingering herbal flavors which are very nice with a large warm meal. These flavors enjoy the accompaniement of firm, tannins and toasty oak undertones. It is a little young, and I recommend that you either let it breath for an hour or more before serving. Better yet, let it enjoy a year of cellaring.

I recommend this wine for nice meals where you and your guests want a serious wine, but nothing to over-the-top. This bottle should cost you around $20.00 (US).