Mini-reviews 12: Morgan, Blackburn, Rodney Strong, Quinta de Roriz

Reviews of wines that don’t need their own post, but are worth noting for one reason or another. Look for it on the final Friday of each month.

• Morgan Metallico Chardonnay 2008 ($20, purchased): One of my favorite white wines, which I stumbled on in a restaurant with an otherwise undistinguished wine list. It's unoaked, so there is lots of green apple fruit and no vanilla. Highly recommended.

• Blackburn Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 ($15, sample): If you like fruity, over-the-top California red wines, then this is for you. It needs food, though -- it's almost too much to drink on its own.

• Rodney Strong Knotty Vines Zinfandel 2007 ($15, sample): Zinfandel for those of us who like zinfandel and not the too alcoholic stuff that passes for zinfandel these days. It has jammy berry fruit and black pepper, just like zinfandel is supposed to have.

• Quinta de Roriz Douro Prazo de Roriz 2007 ($15, sample): A Portugese red with lots of raisiny fruit and quite rich, and a nice food wine. But not appreciably better than the $10 Portuguese wines I've had.

wine reviews, Morgan Metallico, Blackburn, Rodney Strong, Quinta de Roriz, Portugese wine, California wine