1 | Wine | Page 29

"This full-bodied wine offers layers of concentrated flavors of cassis, blackberry, black cherry, and ripe plum, with a hint of light oak. All these flavors unite to form a long, smooth, and harmonious finish."

Bright floral and tropical fruit notes; soft, lush and slightly off-dry. Crisp and refreshing with a delicious orange peel flavor and a hint of allspice on the finish. This round and voluptuous white is a natural to pair with almost any kind of poultry or seafood, but it's juicy nature and hint of Asian spice makes this white a perfect pair for spicy foods from jerk chicken to Thai food, and everything in between!

"The 2009 Villa Antinori is a pretty, mid-weight wine laced with dark red berries, flowers and sweet spices. Nothing in particular stands out, just the wine’s lovely depth, balance and overall sense of harmony. This is a fabulous wine for the money."

"It reveals a deep ruby/purple color as well as copious notes of creme de cassis intermixed with hints of wood smoke and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, juicy, succulent and sensual, it should drink nicely for 3-4 years." -Robert Parker

"It is a gorgeous wine, and clearly in the alluring Sarah’s Blend style, the style that has made Sarah’s Blend the most coveted of the MP wines."

"Montelena’s 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate wraps around the palate with serious depth. Even with all of its intensity, the 2009 has a silkiness that makes it incredibly delicious at this early stage. Red berries, flowers, tobacco and sweet herbs all flesh out on the generous, radiant finish. While many 2009s are a bit tight today, Montelena’s 2009 Estate is showing very nicely, although it is keeping some cards close to the vest. I imagine the 2009 will start to enter its prime drinking window around age 8-10 and drink well for at least another decade beyond that."

"Cassis, blueberry, violet, licorice, menthol and herbs on the pure nose. Creamy-sweet in the mouth, but nicely integrated acidity and a touch of herbs give the wine good energy and lift. Finishes firm and fresh, with fine-grained, supple tannins and plenty of structural support. A juicy, brisk, refreshing cabernet." -Stephen Tanzer