5 Fab West Coast wines that wont break the bank

Give yourself a pat on the back if you know or like any of the following 5 west coast wines. These are all a good value and not so known so if you have a chance to taste them, do.

Biggio Hamina 2007 Pinot Blanc (Oregon) - I really noted the meyer lemon scent of this wine right off the first note and vintner Todd Hamina also pointed out a great apricot smell lying in wait as well. There is even a light floral quality. Simply put it has an amazing nose. I am not a big fan of Pinot Blanc but have had this wine 3 times and once lined up against other old world Pinot Blanc. It stood up to the test too. Its young and lean, with definite flavors of meyer lemons and some apricot, with an evaporative finish that both surprised me and that I enjoyed. Easy to drink this seems like a good summer wine, crisp and light, straw gold, and with flavors easy to enjoy but that don't linger. Two great additional qualities to this wine - the label looks lke a 60's or 70's formica floor :) and its a real value - $ 15/bottle

J. Christopher Cristo Irresisto 2006 Oregon Pink Wine (Oregon) - Don't turn up your nose to pink wine is the lesson with this to me. This was a very limited production wine of only Pinot Noir grapes not allowed to stay with the skins. The result, an exciting and sophisiticated Rose style wine that has the depth of scent and legs of a Pinot Noir but with flavors of strawberries and dry minerals. This wine is not colored like a pink wine either but golden in color with a pinkish tinge to it. When describing this wine to a friend I told her "its easy like Sunday morning". I think you should hum a few bars of that song while tasting this wine done Very right. If you are lucky enough to find any left call me at 503-555-5555 so I can buy it before you. ;) Perfect with that Sunday omelette or even some BBQ steelhead. A complete find for the tastes and value - $ 13/bottle

Maysara 2006 Roseena Rose (Oregon) - Like the prior wine a lesson learned here too. I grew up thinking Rose was a blend from Sutter Home sticky sweet wimpy wine from a box. Now I am eager to try Rose from France or from Vintners who can do it right. This Rose is actually from Todd Hamina before he left to start his own vineyard. It is a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc. The color could best be described as watermelon juice pink (and yes I am stealing that description from the local wine shop as it fits well). I had this wine with a brunch of a Jack Cheese and spinach omelette with baked shallot strings and fresh diced tomato. The wine was warm bodied and had a relaxed drink of rasberries and strawberries with floral tones and a straw tasting lean lift at the finish. Try it with BBQ spare ribs too - I did and oh yeah! Very fun and a value again $ 13/bottle

Switching gears here...
Cana (pronounced Kane-ah) 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabs can hit or miss with me easily; sometimes being too full or over flavored in my opinion with leather, chocolate, smoke, et al. That is why I was glad to taste this wine from Contra Costa County CA. Plenty of plums with a taste of cedar in the finish this wine really left its mark on me. I thought it had a subtle but deep nose of fruit and something more I couldn't pick out. Good structure, full body, with a smooth deep mouthfeel to it of dark silk. The real suprise in this wine to me was again the value - $ 17-18/bottle. It certainly tasted like a wine at higher cost.

Farella Park 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon - I'm throwing in a bit of a heavy hitter here in my opinion . Its not a value wine as the others at around $32/bottle. However this inky dark Cab from California is one that if you like the style of Cabs of the 70's & 80's you should find a way to taste. Its black velvet feel, deep forest tannins, plus currant and very ripe fruit flavors. It has great finish too with a peppery woodsy leave in the mouth. Big and full bodied its one I feel will really show you a strong contender in a California Cab. If you find a tasting I recommend trying. $$

I hope you enjoyed reading about this fab value 5. More to come soon and after next week I might even be almost or competely caught up!