New wines

Got a couple of new ones tonight. One, the Cartlidge and Brown 2006 Pinot Noir, is one of my favorites.

1. Cartlidge and Brown 2006 Pinot Noir; California; $16.00. Okay, so I broke my rule about giving a particular year. But I've had two different vintages of this wine, both excellent, but slightly different. The 2006 is a medium garnet color. The wine just jumps at your nose with a bouquet reminiscent of cherry pie right out of the oven along with notes of anise and spice. It's got a lot of sweet juicy fruit on the palate with a supple texture and smooth tanins that float in your mouth. A bit hard to find but I found a bottle and had my local grocer (that's right, my grocer!) stock it. Wow!

2. Martin Ray Santa Barbera County Pinot Noir (2006) $23.00. California. This is the parent winery to the Angeline Pinot that I reviewed earlier. It's a bit more in price but it's outstanding. A bit more brawn than the Cartlidge and Brown with a darker color, spicier bouquet, and a chewier feel in the mouth. Not as subtle. Great fruit with cherry, berry, plum, and pepper on the palate. Very nice.

3. Hirschbach and Sohne Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Kabinett 2006. Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany; $10.00. Kabinetts are meant to be quafed on their own or with food, like a spicy curry. They are slightly sweet and very fragrant, almost perfumy. This is a nice one for just casual drinking while you read, work, or relax.

Three more for your cellar. Enjoy.