The following list is just a tiny sampling of some of the memorable wines I've had
the pleasure to run into (or are still available and still enjoying).
Some might be so-called "world class" and may have shown up in some
reviewer's writings at some point being either praised or panned.
A lot probably never will. No matter. They've been wonderful and
enjoyable little discoveries made all the more delicious when one
considers the price and/or the affirmation from friends
when they concur as we sit and sip and share.
The list just gets added to. Nothing is taken away. Therefore,
the ones at the beginning of the list probably are no longer available.
"We hear of the conversion of water into wine at the marriage in Cana as of
a miracle. But this conversion is, through the goodness of God, made every
day before our eyes. Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our
vineyards, and which incorporates itself with the grapes, to be changed
into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy."
- Ben Franklin
1991 Navarro Pinot Noir, a wonderful Anderson Valley, Mendocino County (CA)
red that one can only get at the Navarro winery or by mail order from them.
They are located just a few miles north of Philo, CA on Route 128.
(see: http://www.navarrowine.com)
1994 Lazy Creek Pinot Noir, almost as good as the Navarro.
They're located just up the road from Navarro.
1993 David Bruce Pinot Noir - velvety
1994 Navarro Pinot Noir (unfiltered) - excellent tho not as velvety as the '91
1994 Ridge Zinfandel, Pagani Ranch. Yum! What can I say, It's a Ridge.
1994 Ridge Zinfandel, Paso Robles. Man! Even better than the Pagani Ranch.
This one's not a blend, it's 100% Zin. Incredible at about $15. I think
I bought all the ones Piccadilly Liquors had. Sorry....
1989 Deer Park Winery Zinfandel (Reserve), Beatty Ranch, Howell Mountain/Napa
Valley (CA). Excellent zin at about $13.
1992 Foppiano Petite Sirah, Sonoma County (CA). [under $10!]
1995 Walnut Crest Chardonnay, an incredibly cheap and incredibly good Chilean
chard for the price (~$5). I'd stack this up against almost any $20 Calif.
chard. Unfortunatley, this town seems to be out, replaced by the '96, which
is not much better than light-green colored, slightly-tart water.
Update (6/98): revisited the '96 and I've upgraded my opinion of it a bit
to a fair wine for the price - just nothing spectacular about it.
1993 Villa Mt. Eden Chardonnay, buttery nose and mouth with some oak -
certainly not overdone oak, like a lot of Chards are these days.
1996 Navarro Sauvignon Blanc (Cuvee 128)
1998 Santa Rita "120" Merlot (Chilean) [under $8!]
1997 Alto Vineyards Rosso Classico (Alto Pass, IL) That's right, Illinois!
This vineyard has won more than 150 medals in international competitions
during the past 9 years for its distinct French/American hybrids.
Run by the Renzaglia family, I first became aware of these when they
came up from southern Illinois a few years back to showcase some of
their wines at a wine/dinner tasting at local restaurant, Radio Maria.
Great folks and great wines.
This particular red is a wonderful Chianti-like offering.
1996 Alto Vineyards Chambourcin (Alto Pass, IL) A wonderfully dark red, rich,
and complex wine. See also above.
1997 Alto Vineyards Vignoles (Alto Pass, IL) Slightly tart, semi-dry white with
nuances of pineapple. See above.
1997 (and now 1998) (and 1999) Parducci Petite Sirah (~$8/bottle case price). Aromas
of blackberry, flavors of chocolate and black pepper with a finish of sage.
2001 Vina Alarba Old Vines Grenache (Spanish, $5.84/bottle case price!!).
2001 Owen Roe Abbott's Table (Oregon, $24) 6-grape red blend of mostly Zin,
with Syrah, Merlot, Cab Franc, Pinot Noir, and Cab Sauvignon.
The writing on the menu reads: "Thanks for the great Cabernet Sauvignon -
Rodney Strong"
Now why, you may ask, is Rodney Strong thanking me for the great cab?
Because he stopped over in our fair twin cities (Champaign-Urbana, IL)
to do a tasting of some of his recent vintages and to attend a dinner/
wine-tasting at one of C-U's finest restaurants, Radio Maria. After
dinner, a few of us sat around with Rodney for several hours, and I
shared 3 bottles of some
of my old ('73, '75, and '78) Sonoma Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon. These
were (still are!) superb cabs Rodney made two decades ago when his
winery went by the above name. The '73, tho still very fine, has
reached its peak or perhaps just a wee bit over. The '75 could well
have another 5 years on it, and the '78 (everyone's favorite) could
lay another decade or two, IMHO. A very remarkable and memorable
evening all 'round - especially meeting Rodney. He seemed genuinely
thrilled to have had the opportunity to "revisit" some of his 20+ year old
Cabernet children. It was a genuine thrill for me to have shared them
with him and friends.
And yes, we really did chow down on and drink everything listed on the 5 course menu.
Not bad for forty bucks!
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This web site authored entirely with vi text editor.
page created: 02/19/97
page last updated: 12/13/02
author: P. Larry Nelson
contact: lnelson at uiuc.edu