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This Issue 10/12/2006

Also in this issue

• The truman show continues
• Ego of the week
• Drink of the week
• Hip-o-meter
• Booty Rock

Body, depth, acidity, color, appellation, bouquet, balance, finish: we got your wine reviews here. The only rules? That the local liquor store sells, and sells it for under ten bucks.

I'm not the most refined oenophile, but I did grow up in Sonoma County, CA, where names like Gallo and Kendall-Jackson are as ubiquitous as Pat's and Geno's in Philadelphia. With that in mind I sought to represent a NorCal wine this week, but with a $10 spending limit, the best I could do was Turning Leaf of Modesto, a place more known for meth than viticulture.

Nonetheless, this intrepid reporter set out to give you the lowdown on their 2005 Pinot Noir. At first taste it was subtly sweet and smoother than many red wines of past experience. Still, it offered a slightly tannic aftertaste. Upon further (and further) examination, I noted hints of berry and cherry flavor which offset the acidity.

FYI, Turning Leaf suggests a pairing with rosemary-infused lamb, Thai-style ginger beef entrees, or appetizers of wild mushroom soup or roasted garlic. I found it went equally well with Monday Night Football and pepperoni pizza, and for $7.99 a bottle, what more can you ask for?

- Ruben Brosbe