These are notes on wines we've bought and drunk at 1105 Altschul Ave., for reference when we're in the market again. So far, they're reviews by just Rick Moen, but Cheryl's views will be included if she provides them!

• Sterling Albert Winery, Mt. Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003: This one was pretty much your basic Cabernet Sauvignon. Nicely well rounded flavours, but nothing to write home about. 2009-01-11. Gift bottle.

• LIOCO Indica, 2006 (blended red wine from Redwood Valley, Mendocino County; 87% Carignan, 13% Petite Sirah). Lovely. Has a very complex, velvety texture, medium body, slightly tannic, very intense, spicy berry taste. 2009-01-17. $18 @ Beltramo's.

• Noceto Sangiovese, 2006. Plymouth, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County. Perfect replica of a Chianti. Medium dry, well balanced. Mild cherry taste and a bit of spice. Not overpowering. 2009-01-21. $15 @ Beltramo's.

• Fife Vineyards, Redhead Vineyard Zinfandel, 2003, Redwood Valley, Mendocino County. Nice heavy Zinfandel, kind of full and cherry-like, but a bit monochromatic for a Zin. 2009-01-25.

• Castle Rock Winery, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005, Geyserville, Napa County. Classic Cabernet Sauvignon, with all the overtones of flavour one hopes for, but good rather than great. Definitely needed to breathe, to get the oak out. 2006-01-26. $10 @ Beltramo's.

• Beringer, Founders' Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005. Interesting. At first, I thought this wine was both thin-tasting and tasted too much of new oak, even after breathing for several hours. After letting it breathe overnight and trying again, it still seems light but has an interesting mix of fruit tastes, and most of the oak has faded. Very good. 2009-02-02. $8 @ Beltramo's.

• Sobon Estate, Zinfandel Old Vines, 2007, Plymouth, Amador County. Exceptionally interesting and lively. Both Cheryl and I considered this a winner. 2009-02-02. $10 @ Beltramo's.

• Avalon, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005, Graton, Sonoma County. Nice, clean, tasty Cabernet Sauvignon, though I'm not hugely excited about it. Might want to try this one again when I don't have a head cold. 2009-02-09. $11 @ Beltramo's.

• Durban Vin de Pays du Vaucluse, Red Wine, 2007, cuvée sélectionée par Kermit Lynch, mis en bouteille par Leydier et fils, propriétaires, 84190 Vaucluse, France. Vaucluse is in the eastern part of Provence, east of the Rhône River. This wine is a perfectly fine 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Marsellan mix, a little peppery, smooth, subtle, interesting flavours. Worth trying again. 2009-02-11. $10 at Beltramo's.

• Huntington, Petite Sirah, 2005, Soledad, Monterey County. A little subdued for a Petite Sirah, but otherwise OK. Cheryl likes it a great deal. 2009-03-13. $10 @ Beltramo's.

• Cartlidge and Browne, Pinot Noir, 2007, American Canyon, Napa County. Nice, light, subtle taste with a haunting aftertaste. Sort of plummy but bright and sharp. Worth considering again. $11 @ Beltramo's.

• Sisyphus, 2006, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County. 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache. Extremely nice blend. Complex, spicy, a big wine. 2009-02-23. $14 @ Beltramo's.

• Le Grotte Reggiano Lambrusco, Rosso Dolce (Soft Red Wine), bottled by Cantine Mederfil, apparently bottled 2008. "Lambrusco" is the grape varietal. Region is Emilia-Romagna ("reggio" meaning region), on the northeast side of Italy, from the Apennines down to the Po River delta, capital Bologna. This wine comes from Emilia, the western, upland portion. Wow. This is the first sparkling wine I've actually liked. It's slightly (but not very) sweet or "amabile", slightly (but not very) bubbly (which the Italians call "frizzante" = sparkling, which results from only a partial secondary fermentation, as opposed to "spumante", which means full methode champagnoise), bright, and fruity. "Soft" flavour. Interesting sour-plum taste. Delicate bouquet. Serve chilled. 2009-02-25. $5 @ Trader Joe's.

• Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier's 'Urban Uco Malbec', 2007, La Consulta, Mendoza, Argentina. Almost as good as our favourite Malbec, Terrazas de los Andes. A little less smooth and interesting, but still notable. 2009-03-03. $10 at Cost Plus World Market.

• Drouhin Laforêt Bourgogne Pinot Noir, 2006, Burgundy, France. Nicely rounded, fruity, smooth. Worth having just to see what a Burgundy / Pinot Noir is supposed to taste like. 2009-03-09. $13 @ Beltramo's.

• Tres Pinos Tierra Roja Paso Robles Red Wine, 2007, bottled by Maddalena Vineyards, Los Angeles, for Trader Joe's. Mix of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah grapes from Paso Robles. Nice, a big wine, kind of jammy, plummy, cherry, raspberry flavour. 2009-03-15. $5 @ Trader Joe's.

• Terrazas de los Andes Winery, Malbec. Winery is a subsidiary of Moet et Chandon. Just perfect, intense, rounded. $10 @ Beltramo's.

• Aquila D'Oro, Toscana, Indicazione Geografica Tipica, 2006. Classic north-Italian dry red, mellow tasting, not as sharp as a Chianti. Flavour is growing on me: pleasantly jammy, not overwhelming. 2009-04-23. $4 @ Trader Joe's.

• Perrin et Fils Réserve, C&orirc;tes du Rhône Rouge, 2007. Complex. Peppery, cherry. I like it, but I have to say it tastes a bit unbalanced and raw compared to my favourite, E. (Etienne) Guigal. Label says it's 60% Grenache, 20 Syrah, 10% Mouvèdre, 10% Cinsault. 2009-04-23. $8 @ Beltramo's.

• Barbolini (Azienda Agricola Cantina Barbolini) Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro. Made from the Grasparossa varietal. Not bad, but just a bit of a let-down from the wonderful Le Grotte Reggiano Lambrusco. Still fruity, but a bit flat and uninteresting. 2009-04-23. $13 @ Beltramo's.

• Blackstone Winery, Merlot, 2007. I enjoyed this more than any other Merlot I've ever had; those usually strike me as bland. This had surprising depth, and I'd welcome having it again. 2009-05-19. $8 @ Beltramo's.

• Beckman Cuvee de Bec, 2007, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County. 44% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, 8% Counoise. Man, this was delightful and tasty -- going by memory, sort of jammy, with deep complexity. Really good. 2009-05-19. $14 @ Beltramo's.

• Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres's Rioja Crianza. 2005. Tempranillo, Garnacha (Grenache), and Graciano grapes. From Cenicero in Rioja Alta, Spain. I can't remember details, but remember this being a pretty pleasing and sophisticated wine, worth getting again. 2009-05-19. $13 @ Beltramo's.

• Bonny Doon Vineyard's Chequera Vineyard Paso Robles Viognier, 2008. Nice white wine, a rare varietal from the Rhône Valley with a floral aroma. Crisp, dry, fruit-forward. 2009-06-06. $20 @ Bonny Doon Vineyard.

• Bonny Doon Vineyard's Syrah "Le Pousseur", 2005. Superb example of a Syrah: dry, full-bodied, complex. Nice, subtle bouquet. 2009-06-06. $18 @ Bonny Doon Vineyard.

• Bonny Doon Vineyard's Ca' del Solo Sangiovese, 2006. San Benito County. Has that classic north Italian character, but also an individual taste all its own. I was going to call it a bit rough and unfinished, but it's really quite lovely once you get to know it. 2009-06-06. $12 @ Bonny Doon Vineyard.

• Bonny Doon Vineyard's California Viognier Light Port, 2001. 92% Viognier, 3.7% Strawberry Eau-de-vie, 3.0% raw grape spirit, 1.3% Peach Eau-de-vie. It's indeed light, and fruity (which would be the fresh grape spirits plus peach and strawberry brandies in it), with a really lovely, long finish. Slightly sweet and dry at the same time. 2009-06-06. $20 @ Bonny Doon Vineyard.

• Ceago Vinegarden's Dynamic 2007 Red Table Wine. Redwood Valley, Lake County. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 17% Syrah. Interesting, fruity, cherry, complex, unusual flavour. Grapes are grown according to "biodynamic" agricultural principles. I'll want to try this again, before I can really judge it, but I do like it. 2009-08-23. $9 @ Trader Joe's.

• 2Sons Winery's (Terlato Wines International's) Hunter Ashby Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005. It has black currant and cherry, spicy, dry, smooth. 2009-08-24. $9 @ Trader Joe's.

• Ca' De Medici Lambrusco Reggiano, 2006. Light, fun. I would try this again. 2009-08-24. $5 @ Trader Joe's.

• Filippo Gallino 'Birbet', 2008. Northwest Italian, fun, lightly carbonated. 2009-10-17. $15 @ Beltramo's.

• Dona Paula Malbec. Argentina. Lovely, almost as nice as our favourite. 2009-10-17. $8 @ Beltramo's.

• Trimbach Gewurztraminer. 2006. Alsace, France. 2009-10-17. $18 @ Beltramo's.

• Jeff Runquist Wines's Runquist Barbera. 2007. 2009-10-17. $20 @ Beltramo's.

• Bedrock Wine Company's The Sherman and Hooker's Shebang Sonoma Valley Red Jug Wine. 1 litre. Old Vine Zin, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault grapes. 2006-07 vintages. 2009-10-17. $14 @ Beltramo's.

• Martella 'Hammer' Syrah. 2006. 2009-10-17. $17 @ Beltramo's.

• Marietta Cellars's Old Vine Red Lot 49. Zinfandel blend. 2009-10-17. $10 @ Beltramo's.

• Bogle Vineyards California Petite Sirah. 2007. Grapes from Clarksburg (Northern Solano County, near Sacramento) and Lodi. 2009-11-17. $10 @ Beltramo's.

• Thomas Fogarty 'Monterey' Gewurztraminer. 2006. 2009-11-17. $12 @ Beltramo's.

• Wiese and Krohn, Sucrs., Limitada's Krohn 20 Year Old Tawny Port. Very soft, sweet, sensuous on the tongue. 2009-11-21. $39 @ Beltramo's.

• Zind Humbrecht Riesling. 2007. Alsace, France. Lovely aroma, crisp, slightly acid / fruity flavour, i.e., exactly the way a Reisling is supposed to be. 2009-11-21. $22 @ Beltramo's.

• Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune Clos de la Mousse. Burgundy / Pinot Noir. Beautiful, lush, smooth burgundy. 2009-11-21. $45 @ Beltramo's.

• Walter Hansel 'Estate' Pinot Noir 2007. Russian River, Sonoma County. 2009-11-21. $32 @ Beltramo's.

• Marietta Cellars's Old Vine Red Lot #50. Zinfandel blend. Cheryl says: "Sharp, but not unpleasant aftertaste. Slightly bitter on the tongue. I like it." 2009-12-13. $10 @ Beltramo's.

• Kanonkop 'Kadette' 2008. 50% Pinotage, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Stellenbosch, South Africa. I've never had a Pinotage, which is a hybrid between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Very unusual, complex, and interesting. A bit smoky tasting, spicy, acidic, a bit tannic with a sharp dry aftertaste. 2009-12-13. $11 @ Beltramo's.

• Hedges Family Estate's 'Three Vineyards' Red Mountain Red Wine. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. From Yakima Valley, Washington. I liked this very much but didn't keep notes. Lucky us, we get to buy it again to study it some more. 2009-12-13. $18 @ Beltramo's.

• M. Cosentino 'California' Cabernet Franc, bottled by Crystal Valley Cellars, Yountville. 2006. Lovely in its own right; tastes smooth (of course) and is full-bodied but has a nice, long finish. Not all that memorable by my standards, though. 2009-12-13. $13 @ Beltramo's.

• Taz 'Santa Barbara County' Pinot Noir. 2007. 2009-12-13. $19 @ Beltramo's.

• La Spinetta 'Bricco Quaglia' Moscato D'Asti. 2008. Northwest Italy. 2009-12-13. $16 @ Beltramo's.

• Boekenhoutskloof's 'The Chocolate Block'. 2008. 69% Syrah, 12% Grenache Noir, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cinsault, 2% Viognier. Franschhoek region, South Africa. Really interesting, complex wine with (indeed) a bit of a chocolate overtone. 2010-01-02. $33 @ Beltramo's.

• Bodegas Borsao 'Monte Oton' Garnacha (Grenache). 2008. Borja, Aragón, Spain. Very pleasantly full-flavoured, unlike most California Grenaches. Should try more of this. 2010-01-02. $8 @ Beltramo's.

• Robert Foley Vineyards's 'The Griffin'. 2007. 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Petite Sirah, 22% Merlot. Angwin, Napa Valley. Really tasty blend, slightly spicy, berry-like, medium body. Good. 2010-01-02. $30 @ Beltramo's.

• Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Val de L'Ours Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Syrah 25%. 2008. Vin de Pays d'Oc, northern Languedoc-Roussillon, France. Produced and bottled by SAS Aussières. Not very good in my opinion. It has a rather flat, off taste, and the average cheap California Shiraz at half the money is far and away more satisfying. 2010-01-12. $10 @ Beltramo's.

• M. Cosentino 'California' Syrah, bottled by Crystal Valley Cellars, Yountville. 2005. Blend of grapes from Mandeville Island and the Kirschenmann and Knoll vineyards in northern Lodi. A keeper. This is light but complex and rounded, slightly plummy, really nice finish. 2010-02-10. $10 @ Beltramo's.

• Patricius Winery Tokaji Furmint. 2008. Dry white wine from Tokaj, northeast Hungary. Interesting and unique flavour combination, worth trying again but overall I just didn't find it compelling. 2010-02-10. $15 @ Beltramo's.

• Allegrini Palazzo della Torre 2006. Blend of 70% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, and 5% Sangiovese grapes. Full-bodied, rich, dense smooth, black berry/cherry, long finish. Made in Fumane, near Verona, Italy. 30% of the grapes picked are held back and dried after the harvest until December, then added back in (Amarone or ripasso style). 2010-03-12. $17 @ Beltramo's.

• Marietta Cellars's Old Vine Red Lot #51. Zinfandel blend. 2010-03-12. $10 @ Beltramo's.

• Castello di Monastero's Chianti Superiore, 2006. 85% Sangiovese, 8% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. From vintner Lionello Marchesi, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Tuscany, Italy. 2010-03-12. $7 @ Beltramo's.

• Azienda Agricola Masciarelli S.N.C.'s Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, 2006. San Martino sulla Marrucina, Abruzzo, Italy. 2010-03-12. $7 @ Beltramo's.

• Bodega Catena Zapata's Alamos Malbec, 2008. Argentina. 2010-03-12. $9 @ Beltramo's.

• Rosenblum Cellars's California Syrah, Vintner's Cuveé, 2007. Sonoma. $10 @ Beltramo's.

Related stuff:

• Wine Berserkers forum
• Alice Feiring's blog