Modest pocketbook? Check out Casillero del Diablo, Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon

Let's start this week with two lovely dry white wines. Concha y Toro, Casillero del Diablo, Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 should be just hitting your shelves. The 2016 was a delicious accompaniment to Rhode Island, East Beach Blonde, oysters. Be careful with RI oysters and make sure they are grown south of Block Island. Normally, I am a fan of Chesapeake oysters but the warm weather in September and early October has prompted me to look elsewhere for the time being. Some others worth searching out this time of year are: Sweet Neck and Katama Bay, Martha's Vineyard, Mass. Oysters. They are a bit less briny due to their ocean exposure but the water is colder and cleaner also. The 2016 SB are pale, straw-colored showing a citrus nose with a touch of gooseberry. On the palate, stone fruit, bright acidity and a pleasing round mouthfeel. Served well-chilled hold the lemon/cocktail sauce. 88 points when bought under $11. By the way, most gooseberries look something like a white-veined, watermelon shaped, pale green grape, although they are found in most of the colors grapes exhibit. They are sour before ripening and not much better when ripe. They are indigenous to Northern Europe and Central Asia, where they are often used for jams and pies. They can be found in USA. I've often wondered why they are used as a descriptor for SB.

Kaiken,Terroir Series, Corta Torrontes, 2015, from the Salta region of Argentina goes well with hot spicy foods. These range in price from $12-20 in local stores. I rate them 88 points under $15 or 87 points as the price escalates.

You may remember a recent evaluation of the Alta Vista Premium Torrontes at $19 and 91 points plus one price point. Both are available in our area, and comparing the two would give you an excellent idea of the value shopping I recommend. The Kaiken was enjoyed with spicy pulled pork, with chilies and frijoles negros.

Yalumba, The Octavius, Barossa Valley Shiraz,.2008 were awarded 94 points by Tanzer, probably the stingiest point giver around. I wrote it up after sampling some in 2014 and thought it was a 93-point wine, but said hold your fire, as its opening price went to $86 when rated 95 by RP. Subsequently the wine dropped to $68-70, and it went on the buy list for those with the patience to cellar it. If you have some, now is a good time to start drinking it through 2021. If you missed out, the recently released 2012 shows a very similar structure. This dark Shiraz, has a blackberry nose with hints of road tar and oak. On the palate, look for more blackberry and loads of tannic support.

Blackberry reverberates through a very long puckery finish. Color, fruit and tannins say hold me until 2022 Buy under $80.

Those with a modest pocketbook and less patience should take a look at Casillero del Diablo, Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon. This may be one of the best-known labels of high quality, inexpensive Cabs. Rightfully so, the 2015 lives up to expectations. It pours a dark, red tinted, purple and exudes ripe cherry, plum and oak driven vanilla aromas. On the palate nice and round about 6.5 of 10 for body, more cherries and oak with smooth tannic grip balanced by the fruit and acid. Finishes long and cleanly with more fruit and hints of oak. This is a lot of wine for its price. You can probably gather in a case, under $120. If you are a meat eater or enjoy charcuterie and hard cheese, it is a go-to bottle to keep in your house.

Historically, the wine scribblers under rate this lovely wine, somewhere between 86-88 points. Great QPR here says two price points 91. If you want to reach out, look for Concha's Don Melchor Cab 2010. This 95-point lovely came on at $83 and is now selling around $100. Should drink well now but will cellar at least eight years more. Other labels owned by Concha y Toro are: Amelia; Frontera; Gran Riserva Serie Riberas; Sunrise; Terrunyo; Trio and Xplorador. The company also own Cono Sur Bicicleta (Red Bike). Emiliana Natura Organic Vineyards and Winery are owned privately by the Guillisasti Family and is run separately.