The Reserve [yellow tail] 2008 Shiraz

"The [yellow tail] 'Reserve Shiraz' has intense concentrated fruit flavors with aromas of ripe cherries, blackberries, chocolate and mocha. Delving deeper into this complex wine, cracked pepper and spice fragrance are apparent with with sweet French oak aromas always present. The vanilla softness on the nose takes you into a full palate crammed with ripe fruits reminiscent of a basket of sweet summer berries. Seamless and well structured tannins complete this full bodied red wine."

I want some of whatever those Australians are smoking. My own well-trained palate, on the other hand, detects notes of bitterness, anxiety, frustration, loneliness, and American Spirit cigarettes. Delving deeper into this colourful yellow bottle, a bouquet of sour grapes and alcohol marks a smooth transition to bleary, fleeting relief. Goes well with an undercooked grilled cheese sandwich.

RATING: $3 more than the other shiraz.

(Image from www.wjdeutsch.com. And just how is one supposed to delineate "ripe cherries [and] blackberries" from a "basket of sweet summer berries," anyway?)

Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2003

I'm naturally predisposed towards Riojas and Rhone Valley reds, so when I saw the Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva available at Gordon's, I figured I'd grab a bottle while I could. The price was right - $18.99, if I recall. The pairing was a chicken/blue cheese/bacon/romaine dinner salad, so it probably got hurt there (not that the salad was bad, but I'd pair a Chardonnay or Beaujolais, given the option) and I think that may have made it come across as a little too big. Even with that in mind, it had a really nice balance of tannin, acid, and fruit. Hints of blackberry, graphite, and lavender (lavender, really?) make it a really, really good wine for the value - and on a wine scale, I'd rate it a 91.

RATING: 82%

(image courtesy of chocolatebuddha.typepad.com)