Mini-reviews 32: Antinori, Marques de Caceres, Souverain, Parlay

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:

? Antinori P ppoli 2008 ($27, sample): Modern style of Chianti, with more red fruit in the middle. But still a fine wine — balanced and fresh. The price is problematic, though.

? Marqu s de C ceres Rioja Blanco 2009 ($8, purchased): Traditional style, so not much fruit, and a little more rustic than California. Offers more than than $8 worth of wine, and more than suitable for a weeknight dinner.

? Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 ($22, sample): Grocery store quality — thin, flat and uninteresting, with little terroir. Seem to remember this producer being much better than this.

? Parlay The Bookmaker 2005 ($20, sample): Lots of sweet black fruit in the middle of this red blend, but very well made with a long chalky finish and sturdy tannins. Not my style of wine, but well done nonetheless.