Here are my impressions of the weekly tasting wines -Rich Mora

Monde Eau Chardonnay 2010 This was a pleasant surprise. I expected very simple one dimensional but this $10 Washington state Chardonnay has some nuance. It is steel fermented with a little barrel age and I think a little malo so it is nice and fresh with a little roundness it has fresh tree fruit qualities with surprising depth

Elio Perrone Moscato d’Asti Sourgal 2010 Perrone is one of the world’s best at making this variety. Moscato d’Asti should be very fresh with juicy grapejuice flavors and just a little spritz to give it a little lift. It’s a delicious wine for a warm sunny day and at 5.5% alcohol, very very easy to drink. The nose and flavors are of fresh peach and apricot with a little residual sugar

Foxglove Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2009 After the Monde Eau Chardonnay this was the greates bargain of the day. It showed great dark fruit reminiscent of dark cherry and cassis

with spice notes and  not much oak. Definitely a crowd pleaser we are sold out for a while.

Tikal Patriota 2009 One of my old favorites, vintage after vintage. It is made by a hedonist (Ernesto Catena) in a hedonistic style for hedonists. As Parker used to say it has oodles of dense dark fruit.

I haven’t heard an “oodle” from him in quite a while, I miss that word. I think he still uses “hedonistic” which is a good thing in wine.  Anyway it is lush with flavors of plum and mulberry preserves with some spice notes in the background.

Powers Cabernet Sauvignon Champoux Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills 2008 This is and the Tikal were tied for best of show that day. I’ve always said if you love Napa Cab but hate the prices, check out Washington state. You can find similar styles from the best apellations for a fraction of the price. The Powers cab is from the Horse Heaven Hills district, Champoux vineyard. It is aged 36 months in French oak, drinks great and the regular price is $30. What price do Howell Mountain Cabs start at these days? $50 to $500 a bottle and up? The Powers has lots of dense fruit with notes of cassis and mulberry framed with nice rich layers of spice and oaky toastiness. Great lingering length. Very enjoyable and an excellent value