Folie e Deux Amador County Zinfandel 2006

The best thing about this Zinfandel is it's savory swirled flavor. The best way to describe the flavor might be ambling down a dusty trail with a strawberry patch on either side of you. The flavors this wine brings forth are generous and underneath the velvety mouthfeel, there's a spicy quality as well. Three stars across the board, except for the four star (perhaps even four and a half star) complexity. Delightful as a stand alone bottle, best just below room temperature!

Nose: ***

Presentation: ***

Complexity: ****

Value: ***

Overall: ***

Albero Organic Tempranillo 2006

This fiesty tempranillo has a good deal of bite, along with some cherry and gravelly flavors. The nose itself is rocky and terse. Not unlike the great Billie Holiday, this wine has a tone and a style all its own, with a certain combination of roughness and refinement packed into one. I think this is a wine that makes a great deal of sense with Spanish cuisine: olives, bread with oil, almonds, cheese, etc. Wonderful for the price!

Nose: ****

Presentation: ***

Complexity: ****

Value: ****

Overall: ****