2005 Schiopetto Blanc des Rosis

Shocker - we had a white wine last night, along with our homemade acorn squash-pumpkin soup, and some salad with smoked salmon on it (rough life). While this Italian white blend from Friuli (NE corner of Italy) is by no means a cheap white ($~25), it was immensely satisfying. We have had it both chilled, at proper temperature (52), and slightly warmer (~58 F), and I prefer the cool to warmer temperatures to get the full impact and complexity. There are the usual aromas (and tastes) of fresh, creamy pears, some pineapple in the glass, a bit of grassy petrol aromas (not close to Riesling strength on the gas, don't be put off), and a very nice integrated mineral (chalky) spine to this. There's also a deep peaty aspect to this, not exactly smoky, but definitely "organic" that is different. It makes for an interesting white, not something you find every day. OK, not something I drink every day.

Bottom line: Not an every day white, but ten times the complexity and taste of your typical Sutter Home white plonk.
Grapes (changes by vintage): Tocai Friulano (40%), Pinot Grigio (20%), Sauvignon Blanc (15%), Malvasia Istriana (15%), Ribolla Gialla (10%)

2005 Marques de Caceres Rioja (Crianza)

This baby Caceres, the budget-line Crianza, was found at Trader Joe's for about $14 and it's a solid, polished, and well-balanced Rioja for the money. It displays everything a red-wine drinker would like: tobacco, dark fruits, some light oak, but also offers the versatility for food-pairing of some heavier whites because of the lack of tannins and its fresh acidity. Between pizza and a stuffed flounder, no problems, just tasty with no 'metallic(a)' effect after the fish. No wonder Rioja is one of my favorites wine-producing regions: there's something tasty for every price point and every style (austere to modern) preference. The "crianza" means it spends the least time in oak compared to Reserva and Gran Reserva Riojas. Salud!
88/100
Bottom line: A Crianza Rioja remains balanced, priced right, and versatile with food.

2005 Domaine de la Charbonniere, Mourre des Perdrix Chateauneuf-du-Pape

From the legendary 05 vintage, we enjoyed the Charbonniere Chateauneuf with a roasted whole leg of lamb, with an olive paste crust stuck on, and it was a great match. Fantastic raspberry-blackberry aromas carried over to the palate, and there's a wonderful mineral spine to this wine ("wet rocks") that was palpable from start to finish, with a solid 30+ second finish. At a hefty 15% ABV this was no lightweight, and it's a bit frightening to see this kind of alcohol from a southern Rhone wine. But it carried its balance, and its alcohol, deftly. My only regret? Not keeping it for another decade (or two). This has a lot of stuffing and complexity that will show well in even a few more years. For us, 93/100.

Bottom line: A great CdePape for about $40.