Altun Reserva 2003, Bodegas Altun, Rioja

This is a Spanish red wine made from 100 percent Tempranillo grapes. It is, as Anthony pointed out, a very earthy wine with a little spice but not enough to overpower the other flavors. You can taste a bit of the deep fruits in it but it is by no means 'fruity'. It is a smooth wine that leaves a pleasant red wine flavor in your mouth. Intense but not too much to enjoy. I really liked it and would drink it often. I also thought it was cool that the wine is hand harvested and they use no herbicides or pesticides. Anthony says he would pair this with grilled meats, pork and even salmon. It is a classic dark bottle with a simple label and runs about $27/bottle.

Dunnigan Hills Matchbook Chardonnay 2006

This wine is a blend of grapes from the Dunnigan Hills and Northern California. It is light and fruity with hints of apples and citrus. It is a wine that was given to Anthony by one of his wine reps. He is not going to put it in his restaurant and I can't say I blame him. It hits your mouth very smoothly but seems to disappear almost immediately. If you are not paying attention, you can miss the taste completely. It has no lingering flavor and is easily forgotten. The bottle is more impressive with a long neck and a large base and a classy label highlighting the Matchbook name. It retails around $15/ bottle.