2008 LAS PERDICES SYRAH/VIOGNIER

When you speak of quality for the price, it would be hard to argue that the Las Perdices lineup of wines from Argentina can't be beat. Their newest star to join the fold is their blend of 93% Syrah cofermented with 7% Viognier. Deep dark in color, with cherry, blueberry and red currant fruit, this complex wine shows great depth of flavor, meaty and smoky, with a long aromatic finish. A wine to savor over the long cold Winter ahead.

2008 TUCK BECKSTOFFER "75" THE SUM

In a tribute to the year 1975, this wine wants you to party like it's 2099. Big juicy, jammy and dark fruit are up front and in your face, while the spice, bacon fat, cigar box and cedar notes clearly have you thinking that this tastes like something typically from Washington State, not California. This Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petite Sirah blend is produced by one of the legendary families of the Napa Valley, receiving grand accolades and even higher scores from the press and reviewers, myself included. The back label, reads historic and nostalgic. The wine, high quality at an affordable price.

2008 LEYDA CHARDONNAY

Possibly the most suprising and exciting Chilean white wine I have ever tasted.From grapes harvested in the Leyda Valley, between the coastal and Andes Mountain range, it offers bright citrus of tangerine, pineapple and lemon fruits. Creamy on the palate with a pleasant mineral acidity, it finishes with a distinctive nutty backbone. Not for fans of buttery and oaky chardonnays, this will pair wonderfully with grilled fish, roasted chicken, and tastebuds ready for something refreshing and new.

NV LINDEMAN FRAMBOISE LAMBIC

For my last official review of the year, I am jumping head first into uncharted waters. I am going to review a beer! What, a beer? But you're the wine guy. I know, but this Belgium beauty drinks like a sparkling wine and tastes great to boot. Catagorized as a malt beer, made from barley, wheat and wild yeast (Where's the Grapes?), which then goes through a secondary fermentation with raspberries, and when I say raspberry, I mean intense. Lightly sweet and with a little fizz, the magnificent aroma and explosive flavor of fruit is elegant and inviting as any aperitif wine. I've served this at parties as a starter instead of champagne, for non beer drinkers like myself, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Who would have thought? I did, therefore, technically I can now say that I drink beer. Oh la la.