Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2002

John Riddoch established Wynns Coonawarra Estate in Australia in 1896 on the now-famous Terra Rossa plot, where the soil is known to produce quality grapes with intensity. Always proponents of blends, we applaud this judicious mix of classic Bordeaux varietals and the now-classic Australian varietal Shiraz from the first winery established in Coonawarra. Winemaker Sue Hodder created this wine to be enjoyed now or for short-term cellaring, so don’t be afraid to open a bottle sooner rather than later to discover a wine with an attractive dark fruit nose complemented by floral scents and notes of mint. You won’t be disappointed later by its soft tannins and complex flavors like chocolate and smoke. This dark beverage is lighter than you might expect, but it has good balance, backbone structure and controlled alcohol (13 percent). We recommend it with venison.

Rating: 14/20
Price: $16

Other red blends we've tasted
Check out our guide to Australia
For more information, visit www.wynns.com.au

Joseph Phelps 2004 Sonoma-Napa Chardonnay

Joseph Phelps is a man with a passion for quality, especially when it comes to wine. His name is synonymous with top-quality Bordeaux-style wine from the Napa Valley. “I am very fortunate,” Phelps says. “I have been able to combine the relaxed and less demanding lifestyle of farming with a fulfilling commitment to quality and a life-long affection for fine wines.” Phelps grew up on a farm and built a construction company after serving in the Korean War. He now lives on a ranch overlooking his picturesque winery, while the business activities are left in the expert hands of his son Bill Phelps, winery President Tom Shelton and Winemaker Craig Williams.

Phelps’ Insignia that debuted in 1974 is today one of the most cherished treasures from Napa’s chest. A quite decent Rhône-style blend, Le Mistral is a favorite as well. But if you can’t find or afford the $165 needed to acquire the most recent 30th Anniversary Insignia, check out this week’s offering. The 2004 Joseph Phelps Chardonnay is a blend of Napa and Sonoma fruit that will make a robust addition to your Thanksgiving table—you’ll want to pair it with turkey and gravy. With an intense gold color, this beverage greets you with a punch of traditional Chardonnay scents, and although a bit high in alcohol, it is not too oaky. It has the legs of a speed skater; it will linger in your mouth and take you to a long finish.

Rating: 14/20
Price: $48

Other Chardonnays we've tasted
Check out our guide to California
For more information, visit www.jpvwines.com

Hacienda Araucano 2002 Alka Carménère

It’s all about Carménère this week. The quasi-unheard-of grape varietal makes a comeback in a bottling of an ultra-premium wine crafted by the famous brother team of Jacques and François Lurton. Their Chilean project at Hacienda Araucano in the Colchaqua Valley helps revive a long-lost French grape. Carménère was once sought after as a king of winemaking grapes along with Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux, but it was entirely destroyed by phylloxera during the late 1800s. In the 1990s, though, it was discovered that much of Chile’s Merlot grapes were in fact Carménère—left over from original vines brought over from France before the phylloxera plague. Hence, Bordeaux’s lost grape has become a national “heirloom” in Chilean winemaking. There is no doubt that this wine is well made, full of life and terroir characteristics. However, like most wines, you’ll want to age it. Having said that, you’ll be greeted by a gorgeous deep blood red color, as well as aromas of vanilla and black cherry. You are sure to appreciate its elegance and superb balance on the palate. There is red fruit concentration, supple tannins and an even finish with dark berry flavors and dried cranberries. We would consider pairing it with fish, poultry and white meats, and perhaps duck.

Rating: 15/20
Price: $65

Other reds we've tasted