2005 Gallo Family Sonoma Chardonnay

For a winery that is predominantly thought of as the King of jug wines, Gallo’s Family Sonoma Chardonnay (www.gallo.com) comes across as a great effort in giving us a fresh California Chardonnay. The flavors of pears, apples and a bit of vanilla was better to taste than what had come across on the aroma. The aroma was a bit weak and did not allow me to detect what I would be tasting. Also this was an oaky wine that doesn’t have a long finish.

Overall, not a bad wine and actually much better than I had anticipated. I don’t think I would serve this at a dinner party but would have at home with salad or pasta. I found it at Pavilions (www.pavilions.com) for $8.99 a bottle.

20andUnder Score: C

Mavro Palama Salento Rosso 2004

This Italian wine was made in Puglia, Italy (at the heel of the Italian boot). This region has only produced so-so wines until recently. It is made of 2 varietals that give it the body and the aromatics.

I opened the bottle immediately and did not decant. It probably would be prudent to decant this wine for at least an hour before drinking. That being said, there were heavy aromas of dark berries such as blackberries with cassis adding to the nose. The flavor was full bodied with a nice balance of dark fruits and licorice. The tannins were definitely present which I think they would tone down a bit once decanted. Overall very nice and would be great with a lean steak or even a grilled chicken with garlic mashed potatoes.

I picked this bottle up a while back at Wine Expo in West LA for $16.99/bottle. I have researched online and see it listed over $24. So not sure regionally how this will fare with our $20 and Under guidelines. Regardless, you will enjoy this wine!!

20andUnder Score: B

Quintay 2007 Clava Sauvignon Blanc Chile

This wine was recommended to me by Marta at Brix Wine (www.brix1601.com) in Hermosa Beach. I had been reading about them on www.wineevents.com and was in the neighborhood shopping for my antique business and decided to stop and check out their shop. I'll tell you more about them in another post...right now let's talk about this delicious Sauvignon Blanc!

I don't drink too many Chilean wines...and that's a shame. This was very light and refreshing with citrus and grassy notes. I also tasted pears and apples. Very nice for $10.00 a bottle! The wine bottle closure is screw top. The wine is from Casablanca Valley in Chile. Great with appetizers or salads.

20andUnder Score: B

Columbia Crest 2006 Grand Estates Chardonnay

I have been curious to see what all of the commotion has been about this Washington State Chardonnay! I have tried Columbia Crest (www.columbia-crest.com) throughout my many years of wine tasting and have never been that impressed. The wines have always seemed to be a bit lacking. I am happy to report however that the ‘06 Grand Estates Chardonnay has changed my opinion of this winery. I had read that Columbia Crest Grand Estates was given a pretty good score by Wine Spectator (www.winespectator.com). The Grand Estates Chardonnay was first bottled in the 1999 vintage. Their efforts have truly paid off and they definitely have a “better than table wine” vino to share with the world.

On the nose I gathered strong green apple and pears with a little butterscotch. There is a definite pear and melon taste with a pinch of spice to bring it all together. There is also a creaminess that is quite surprising for a bottle of wine that only cost me $8.87 at Pavilions (

www.pavilions.com). This is definitely a wine that I feel that my friend Cathy in Virgina would really like AND she will probably be able to find this one!!

Hats off to Columbia Crest Winery!!

20andUnder Score: A-

Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut

We have reached yet another milestone at www.20andUnder.com. Our new blog is ready to go and we are launching it tonight with the always consistent and smooth Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut!

This creamy bubbly has hints of mangos, spicey pears and citrus undertones on the palate. A very bright and tasty Northern California bubbly that ends very nicely. Wonderful as a cocktail or with a first course we are very proud to discuss them on our opening night of our permanent blog page!

We picked up this bottle at K&L Wine Merchants in Hollywood (www.klwines.com) for $16.99. This is a steal!

20andUnder Score: A-

2005 Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay

Very nice chardonnay from Kendall Jackson (http://www.kj.com/wines/grand-reserve/chardonnay.asp)! Nose was citrus with some pineapple. The wine was very creamy and was good with some sweet strawberries from Ventura, CA that I had on hand. Nice finish but not long lasting. Highly recommend!

I had picked this up from Pavillions for $15.99/bottle (http://www.pavillions.com/).

20andUnder Score: A-

di Lenardo Vineyards Toh! 2006 Da Uve Tocai Friulano

This nicely balanced white wine from Northern Italy will soon be dropping the label "Tocai" from it's name (due to the fact that it bears too close a resemblance to the name "Tokaji" of Hungary - a sweet dessert wine).

I believe that this wine will survive any name changes made to it! The color is a deep straw and the nose was nice and full of apricots. The wine exhibited lots of ripe fruits (this could have something to do with the fact that the grape is picked later into the harvest). It was also fermented in 100% stainless steel which gives it a clean crisp finish.

The wine was recommended by Wine Expo in West Los Angeles at $16.99/bottle.

20andUnder Score: B+

Althea Prosecco di Valdobbiadene - Vino Frizzante

Prosecco's can be very light compared to their Champagne cousins. This is no exception to the
Althea Prosecco di Valdobbiadene. The taste on this bubbly was green apple crisp followed by hints of peaches and citrus. Would be great as a stand alone apertif or drink with your favorite Sunday Brunch dish - maybe a Proscuitto, shiitake mushroom and fontina cheese omelette!

Regardless of when I would drink this, the Althea is now one of my favorites. Purchased at Wine Expo in West LA for $16.99 a bottle. Great recommendation by the sales staff there!

20andUnder Score: A-

yellow tail Sparkling White

yellow tail sparkling white (http://www.yellowtailwineusa.com/#/sparkling/white/) is a decent bottle of bubbly for the price. Hints of apple and citrus meets the nose. Light and sweeter than what I like in my sparkling wines, but overall a nice accompaniment to seafood dishes.

Big distribution all over but purchased mine at Pavilions for $8.99/bottle (they keep this one chilled so you can enjoy right away!).

20andUnder score: C+