'04 Pillar Box Red

'04 Pillar Box Red is from Henry's Drive Winery in Padathaway, Australia. It is a mix of Cabernet/Shiraz/Merlot. I would say this is right along the lines of Big House Red and the Rosemount Estates Cab/Shiraz blend. A very easy drinking wine that cost me $9.50 a bottle. And yes it has a screw top. Say what you will but I am convinced that a good screw top wine will last longer that a corked one.

Party Reds

SEXTO / "Sixth" / 2004 TERRA ALTA, SPAIN

REDS Lodi Red Wine 2003 - A Wine for the People

We served 2 different reds at out Christmas open house this year. One was the Sexto (www.sextowines.com). It is from Spain and is a venture of Heron Wines in California. About $10.99.

The Wine: Sexto itself is a blend of six different grapes, Grenache, Carignan, Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the ancient grape Lledoner Pelut Noir. In fact, it was the addition of that sixth varietal (a cousin to Grenache) that made all the difference.

REDS - Here's one Shawn will love because it has a screw top.

The blend: it is 60% 80 years old zinfandel , 30% carignane of a whopping 117 years, and 10% younger petite sirah. Very drinkable stuff at a good price.

Notes: restrained on the nose, with an core of intriguing licorice and Chinese spices. The mouth is pure warm, dark plums, supported by a refreshing acidity that makes it great with hearty dishes.

I think Scott Simon washed down at least 17 cranberry meatballs with it. What more needs to be said? $8.99 at Overton and Vine. Go get some!

Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2004

At our company "christmas party" at Hot & Hot Fish Club, we had a couple of bottles of this wine. One of the better white wines I have had lately. Very smooth and easy to drink. This is outside of my usual price range which is as cheap as possible. It was $48 on the menu which leads me to believe you can get it in the range of $24 at a wine store. Well worth it.

Goats in Villages?

It seems that the South African makers of the inexpensive (and not very interesting) Goats Do Roam have another flavor of this one called GDR In Villages. We had this Saturday night at a friend's house with hearty pasta and it is pretty good - significantly better than their basic offering. Buy one and try it and post your comment!

It is 74% syrah and 26% pinotage. Some notes from thewinebuyer.com: "An innovative blend of rich spicy shiraz and a brooding pinotage. Full bodied, ripe tannins with good length and structure, backed by careful oaking. This wine certainly has the structure and tannin to age for 3 - 5 years."