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EACH WEEK WE GENERALLY TASTE 7 - 9 DIFFERENT WINES
LISTED BELOW ARE SOME OF THE WINES WE TASTED IN THE PREVIOUS WEEKS
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Wine Tasting December 28 - December 31, 2005
Non-Vintage Rive Della Chiesa Prosecco Brut (Italy)
Captures the essence of a light and refreshing wine. Green apple in the nose, with a cool refreshing taste in the mouth, and a delightful smoothness. Not too tart, heavy, or sweet. Very swiggable and likable.
2002 Saint Hilaire Limoux Blanc de Blancs (France)
The oldest sparkling wine in France, by more than a century before the Champagne region produced sparkling wines. Made from Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Mauzac. The Mauzac adds flavors of apple and apple cider. Aromas of
Chardonnay and apple in the nose, with some pear in the mouth. The acidity is adequate enough to be refreshing. Doesn't
have that vibrant, edgy acidity of Champagne, but is more open and easier drinking. One of the best value sparklers. Non-Vintage Duval-Leroy Brut (France)
"Complex and beguiling, with floral, rosemary, candied citrus and mineral aromas and flavors… both elegant and intense,
with a vibrant structure and long finish. 91 points." - Wine Spectator 11/05. Consistently excellent multi-vintage wine of this champagne house. 1996 Duval-Leroy Brut (France)
At a recent tasting of 8 high quality French champagnes costing up to $100 a bottle, this champagne was outstanding for
its relatively low price versus high quality. Features lemon citrus with a touch of the flavor of honey without the sweetness. The acidity is smooth rather than sharp. Has a fine aftertaste – long, elegant, smooth, complex, and
surprisingly powerful. Very appealing, well liked by novices and experts alike, and modestly priced for champagne from a great vintage.
2003 Rocche Costmagna Annunziata Barbera D'Alba (Italy)
A wine that is consistently excellent. This vintage features ripe acidity, a plush texture, a big cherry fruit, and good drive
on the taste. Although the weather in 2003 was very hot and very dry, this wine is not overdone at all. An excellent introduction to the Barbera grape.
2002 Watts Syrah Los Robles Vineyard (California)
First release, from a single estate vineyard. Dark, roasted mocha nose, full-bodied, open textured, lightly sweet, with red raspberry and cherry fruit. Finishes fairly dry.
2001 Watts Old Vine Zinfandel Reserve Iris Vineyard (California)
Very dark, aromatic, with a sweetness throughout. Cocoa, toasted coconut, and lavender. Intense, very ripe, with near jammy fruit. 2002 Watts Dos Amores (California)
Still youthfully grapy. One of the few Watts wines with enough tannins to be drying in the mouth, but which gives the
wine excellent grip and the opportunity to age well. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc. Dark color, black currants, toasty oak, mint and vanilla. A fine example of how special the 2002 vintage is in California.
Wine Tasting December 21 - December 24, 2005 2004 Domaine d'Antugnac Chardonnay (France)
Light-medium bodied, dry, little or no oak, rich mineral and fruit aromas, slightly nutty, and a crisp acidity on the palate. Made like White Burgundy but from Languedoc-Roussillon in South France.
2003 Baileyana Pinot Noir Firebreak Vineyard (California)
Exhibits black cherry, boysenberry, red fruit and light spice notes that are finished with soft round elegant tannins. Uses
multiple clones of cuttings from France to create a classic Pinot Noir with elegant varietal flavors. A limited production wine from Edna Valley with character and charm. – Winemaker's Notes. The previous vintage 2002
got 92 points in the Wine Enthusiast. 2001 Wakefield Promise Land Cabernet/Shiraz (Australia)
An attempt to get a more complex wine: the Shiraz contributes chocolate, licorice, spice and black pepper, while the
Cabernet Sauvignon brings mint, cedar, tobacco leaf, clove and black cherry. Also, each grape fills a different part of the
taste: the Shiraz fills out the mid palate with a round, soft texture and the Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the finish with
fine long tannins. The combination is both harmonious and complete. Named after the promising omen of fossilized seahorses discovered in limestone on the property. – Winemaker's Notes
2000 Bridgeman Syrah (Washington)
Bridgeman is a brand of Washington Hills Cellars emphasizing quality for value. Of the later vintage 2001
: This Syrah is impenetrably dark blue-black in color, with opulent aromas of ripe blackberry, cola, black pepper, and sweet spices wafting
through the nose. Full flavors and soft tannins fill the mouth, finishing with a nuance of sweet mint. – Northwest Wine Press 1997 Chateau St. Georges Trilogie (France)
The top wine of this Bordeaux estate, made only from the best grapes. 100% Merlot made in 100% new French oak. Very
dark with a dense fruit. Structured by tannins that are ripe but often drying and aggressive. Not your lush or soft Merlot.
Generally needs bottle age to tame the tannins and let the fruit come forward. "A wonder of cigar, leather and chocolate that five to ten years of cellaring will transform into a hedonistic thriller" – Lawrence Johnson,
Detroit News, 3/30/2001. 1999 Saintpaulia Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain (Washington)
An exciting wine, modestly priced for Cabernet Sauvignon coming from the excellent Red Mountain area. Loaded with still
youthful plum and black currants. Kinetic and driving, with a very long lasting finish. As I drove home after tasting this wine, its taste persisted in the throat for the full 15 minutes
. Given their highest rating of outstanding by the Northwest Wine Press, based on blind tastings. Made by a one-man winery.
2002 Smith and Hook Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve (California)
Intense and big in the mouth, with raspberry, chocolate, and cassis. 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petite Verdot, and 2% Malbec. Aged in 82% new French oak. Grown on mountain sides and tops rather than in valleys.
The bunches are hand sorted after being picked to remove unripe or slimy grapes, and only the best barrels go into this
wine. The winemaker says that the 2002 is the best version ever, after tasting all 21 vintages together ever produced.
Wine Tasting December 14 - December 17, 2005 2005 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
Pale in color and light bodied, but intensely flavored. Has that delightful herbaceous nuance typical for New Zealand, with
a fruity blend of citrus, grapefruit, and gooseberry. Firm, cleaning acidity with a lingering finish. Strong, pungent drive. Modestly priced for such quality.
2004 Hahn Meritage (California)
Just released. One of the most consistently best values in Meritage wines. Delivers quality at an excellent price designed
to sell out within a year. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. Fruity, smooth,
surprisingly complex, and sufficiently tannic and acidic to improve and hold for up to five years. Black cherry, blackberry, and black currants.
NV Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red Lot 38 (California)
The Old Vine Red series is consistently one of California's excellent values, that is fruity and tasty, and improves for up to
three years. Blended from multiple vintages. Loaded with blackberry fruit that is ripe, spicy, and peppery. A serious but approachable wine, composed of Zinfandel, Carignane, and Petit Sirah.
2003 Earthquake Zinfandel (California)
Very zinny, with pepper, raspberry, blueberry, and spice. Intense and full bodied, without being raisiny or overly sweet.
Excellent complexity added by new oak. Alcoholic at 15% but not hot, with a long and satisfying finish. The top rated Zinfandel at a recent Zinfandel tasting in Tampa.
2003 Montes Alpha Syrah (Chile)
"Rock solid and impressive in a very New World way. Prime aromas of earth, dark fruit, smoke and more stir intrigue, and
the palate delivers what it should: plump berry fruit, a good amount of oak, spice and full but manageable tannins. The
finish of toast and pepper is textured and full. A high-octane wine that hits you with the kitchen sink." 91 points - Wine Enthusiast 2003 Torbreck Struie (Australia)
"...a deep, chewy, fleshy effort displaying floral, peppery, incense notes intermixed with white chocolate, blackberry, and
black currant characteristics...David Powell delivers some remarkable reds and whites at prices that are more than fair for the quality in the bottle…93 points" - Wine Advocate, 10/05
Wine Tasting December 7 & December 8, 2005 2003 Bookwalter Chenin Blanc (Washington)
Quite aromatic, with a noticeably sweet taste from residual sugar that continues even after swallowing. Soft and creamy in
the mouth, with flavors of pear, honey, and citrus. The wine matches foods with some sweetness, such as carrots, onions, sweet potato, and polenta. 1999 Santa Alicia Gran Reserva Merlot (Chile)
The Gran Reserva gets fruit from the oldest vines in a single vineyard. Fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel
vats, matured in French oak barrels for 18 months, followed by additional bottle age. These wines are full bodied, strongly flavored and well constructed.
2003 Steele Pacini Zinfandel (California)
Wine known for its earthy, brambly and mildly tarry character. This vintage is no exception. The nose has the previously
mentioned characteristics in addition to a bacon (or pancetta) and a white pepper element. The palate is effusive with
berries, sour cherries, butter, and chocolate tannins. The wine has great structure, is well balanced, and has a nice finish.
From the Pacini Vineyard, with 63 year old vines, set in the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains south of the city of Ukiah in Mendocino County. – Winemaker's Notes.
2003 Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Syrah (Chile)
"Gorgeous nose of blackberry and plum pudding is followed by a rich chocolate-, tar- and fig-filled wine. Thickly layered
finish shows cocoa powder and tobacco, but has length and fruit as well. Unabashedly modern in style. Drink now through 2007." – Wine Spectator, 91 points.
2000 Devon Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (South Africa)
100% Cabernet Sauvignon and 100% French oak. Dark but not black. Selected by barrel, and unfiltered. Not immense, but tasty, smooth, balanced, and long. Clear, well-defined flavors, including plums and black currants. NV Bookwalter Lot 19 (Washington)
Just released. A blend from the outstanding vintages of 2004 (46%) and 2003 (54%). 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 18% Syrah, 16% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot. Aged in 1 to 3 year old 100% French oak barrels. Noticeably
fruity and tasty with enough young tannins to improve for 3-6 years. This introductory wine is made with the same skill as
the best blends, where you taste the contribution of the many components. Cabernet Sauvignon adds black currant fruit
and a tannic structure. Merlot contributes cherry. Cabernet Franc adds a floral aroma with an earthiness. Petite Verdot
contributes violets. Syrah adds a delicious fruit with a hint of raspberry. A recent tasting of Lots 15-18 featured continued intensity with added complexity and smoothness from age.
2003 Torbreck Struie (Australia)
"...a deep, chewy, fleshy effort displaying floral, peppery, incense notes intermixed with white chocolate, blackberry, and
black currant characteristics...David Powell delivers some remarkable reds and whites at prices that are more than fair for the quality in the bottle…93 points" - Wine Advocate, 10/05
Wine Tasting November 30 - December 3, 2005 2004 La Playa Chardonnay Block Reserve
Ten
year old vines, hand harvested, 40% barrel fermented, half with malolactic fermentation, 100% chardonnay. "Full and
chunky, with a nose of corn cakes, melon and a touch of pickled oak. Banana, mango and melon flavors are sweet and
candied, but just enough acidity keeps it on an even keel. Good, but with a sugary side to it." 85 points BEST BUY, Wine Enthusiast, February 2005.
2003 La Playa Merlot Block Reserve
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. 12 year old vines, hand harvested. "This wine's ripe red fruit falls into balance with crisp acidity and soft tannins, a simple pleasure to pour with burgers." - Wine & Spirits
, February 2005. 2001 La Playa Carmenere Block Reserve
Not your same-old Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, or Pinot Noir. 90% Carmenere with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ten
year old vines, hand harvested, fermented in stainless steel. Begins with the aroma of fresh muscadine grapes. Combines
spice, earth, raspberry, and cherry. 35% of the wine is stored in new oak, mainly French. The Carmenere grape was once
common in Bordeaux, but became largely replaced by Merlot. Carmenere was extensively planted in Chile, where it ripens more reliably and makes better wine than in its homeland.
2003 La Playa Cabernet Sauvignon Block Reserve
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12 year old vines, hand harvested. A nose that is big and deep, featuring violets and black
currants. Fruity but nicely structured by a streak of tannins. Fairly dry, with a touch of tomato, but having no sweetness in the aftertaste. 2003 is proving to be one of the best recent vintages in Chile.
2003 Gravity Hills Tumbling Tractor Zinfandel
Named after the steep hillsides on which the grapes are grown and tractors easily roll to the bottom of the hill. An elegant
and complex Zinfandel without being hotly alcoholic or super-ripe. Aromas of raspberries, blackberries, cinnamon, and ginger. Round, layered, long, and balanced. – Winemaker's Notes.
2003 Two Hands Lucky Country Cab/Shiraz
Great wine for the price. Opened up to a nose of pure dark fruit with hints of chocolate. The palate was much the same with a very nice smooth finish. The best lucky country so far. – Mark Squires. 90 points in
Wine Advocate, wine of the day. 2003 Yangarra GSM
In past vintages, this blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre made a hugely fruity and delicious wine. "Velvety,
focused and generous with its peppery black cherry and tar flavors, persisting against a layer of fine tannins, lingering on the finely tuned finish. Drink now through 2013. 1,124 cases imported." – Wine Spectator, 90 points.
Wine Tasting November 16 - 19, 2005 2004 Michael and David Windmill Viognier (California)
Viognier is a grape famous for making white wines that are full bodied, intensely aromatic, floral, peachy, and herbal. The
heartland for Viognier is the Rhone River Valley in France, but California has been growing this grape too. This version is
about 80% as good as the ones in France at a fraction of the cost. Very strong honeysuckle component, excellent acidity, and great persistence in the mouth. An excellent and affordable introduction wines made from this grape.
1998 Bredell's Pinotage (South Africa)
Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, and is grown extensively only on South Africa. A very dry wine, loaded with blackberry flavors, finishing with some tannin. Has aged nicely, and remains in good shape.
2001 Vinedo de Los Vientos Eolo Grand Reserva (Uruguay)
A blend of 80% Tannat with 20% Ruby Cabernet (a cross between Carignan with Cabernet Sauvignon). Tannat is famous for making wines dark, tannic, and ageworthy. Styled to be more approachable young, with a more forward black cherry
fruit. The Ruby Cabernet adds a layer of soft texture and bright wild cherry. Dense and fruity. The firm but not backward structure makes this wine great with heavier, fatty, and spicy foods.
2002 Noah Zinfandel Duarte Vineyards (California)
Dark ruby color, with a pleasant, enticing smell. Enters the mouth with a fruit sweetness. Good flavor definition. Only
faintly sweet in the finish, as residual tannins grip the wine. Made from Zinfandel planted in 1896 with ungrafted vines on
its own native rootstock. The vineyard is famous for providing the grapes for a very expensive and powerful Zinfandel made by Helen Turley. 2004 Torbreck Woodcutters Shiraz (Australia)
"Medium ruby. Pungent, spicy aromas of cassis, dark cherry, licorice, espresso, violet and almost medicinal cracked
pepper; a very pure expression of the variety. Firm, juicy flavors of black cherry, anise, dill, basil and rose petal. Finishes with velvety, slightly bitter tannins. This practically screams syrah." – Josh Reynolds, Steve Tanzer's
International Wine Cellar, 90 points. 2002 Torbreck The Steading (Australia)
"David Powell consistently excels with The Steading, an 8,000 case blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, and Shiraz. Aged 22
months in 300 liter hogsheads, it represents Australia's version of Chateauneuf du Pape. The 2002 The Steading's big,
spicy, earthy nose reveals notions of cherry liqueur, licorice, pepper, dried Provencal herbs, raspberries, and leather. Ripe,
medium to full-bodied, chewy, and heady, it is best drunk during its first 7-8 years of life, although it will last a lot longer." 93 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
1999 Sinskey Vineyard Reserve Proprietary Red (California)
52% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Cabernet Franc. From a vintage that produced dark and concentrated
reds. A rich and complex mixture of violets, plums, and cherries, that is still firm, youthful, and tasty. Enjoyable now but will continue to improve with age.
Wine Tasting November 11 - 12, 2005
Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc 2003Tatachilla Grenache/Shiraz 2001 Sheeps Back Shiraz 2001 Santa Alicia Estates 2003 Carmeniere Reserve
Michael Pazzon Knights Valley 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Bennet Lane Maximus 2001
Wine Tasting October 19 - October 22, 2005 St. Hilaire Blanc de Blancs Vintage Brut 2002Burklin Wolf 2003 Riesling Pessagno 2003 Pinot Noir Rosenblum Continente Zinfandel 2002 Jessie's Grove Earth, Zin and Fire 2003
Wine Tasting October 12 - October 15, 2005 Henry Estate Gewurztraminer Pessagno Pinot Noir 2003 Gran Vecco Malbec 2004
Chateau Potelle 2002 Zin Paso Robles Pozzan Knights Valley Cabernet 2002 Mettler Cabernet 2002 Vinum Petite Sirah 2004
Wine Tasting October 5 - October 8, 2005 2003 Burklin Wolf Estate Riesling (Germany)
"Ripe, with white pepper and other spices punctuating the peach and grapefruit notes. Fruity and lively, it ends with a mouthwatering tang." - Wine Spectator
2002 Santa Alicia Carmenere (Chile)
Dark, deep, and thicker. Fairly lush texture, with boysenberry and dark cherry.
2003 Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile)
One of the best vintages of this wine. Dark color with excellent concentration. Features plum, cherry, and cassis, with a
touch of vanilla. Very drinkable, tasty, and balanced now, but will improve, only getting smoother and more seamless. Oak aged, 35% new oak barrels. Top Cabernet in a Washington Post column on affordable reds from Chile. 1999 Bodega Cabernet Sauvignon (South Africa)
A fine Cabernet Sauvignon, featuring ripe tannins, cassis, and raspberry. Balanced, long , and tasty, with no flaws. Has significantly improved in density and completeness since being released.
2001 Thomas Fogarty Skyline Red (California)
A Bordeaux blend with 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and 13% Cabernet Franc. The label says simply that it is a
California red, allowing the grapes to come from anywhere, and implying that they include grapes outside Fogarty's prime
areas in Napa and the Santa Cruz Mountains. The wine has the smooth seamlessness and balance of an aged wine with
the color, freshness, and fruitiness of a young wine. Well made, with no greenness and no tartness, and a very attractive
spiciness in the middle. Has the big three of fine reds: fruit, acid, and tannin, but made delicious, approachable, and satisfying. 2003 Michael and David Seven Deadly Zins (California)
A blend made from old vines in seven different wineries in Lodi. Noticeable sweetness from nose to finish, that floats on
top of the acidity and fruit and gives the wine a softer, more open richness and texture. Good concentration and fruit. 2003 Casa Lapostelle Syrah Alexandre (Chile)
"Gorgeous nose of blackberry and plum pudding is followed by a rich chocolate-, tar- and fig-filled wine. Thickly layered
finish shows cocoa powder and tobacco, but has length and fruit as well. Unabashedly modern in style. Drink now through 2007." – Wine Spectator, 91 points.
Wine Tasting September 28 - October 1, 2005 1996 Duval Leroy Brut
Terrific French champagne from a great vintage. Blends 75% Pinot Noir and 25% chardonnay. Extemely fine and persistent
bubbles. Dry, clean, and bracingly refreshing with a strong lemon flavor. Very persistent, throat-coating flavors after
swallowing. Resembles fine white Burgundy. Fabulous when paired with food. Will improve for 5-15 years as the acidity softens and integrates and the wine develops complex aromas of yeast, bread, and butterscotch. 93 pts in
Wine Spectator. 2004 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
Peach and grapefruit in the nose. Has a touch of grass, but features an unusually complex fruit in the mouth – tangerine, orange, lemon, and lime. 2002 Martin Pinot Noir
Dry Creek Valley (California)
Medium bodied, refreshing acidity, strong black cherry fruit, with a long finish, all at a price that is the lowest in the United
States. Less than 300 cases made. Will improve at least three years. Wonderful with rainbow trout, cheese pasta, and anything with ham. 1998 Bredell's Pinotage (South Africa)
Dark, very dry, and ready to drink. Fruity, with ripe bananas, blackberry, and a touch of vanilla. Pinotage is a cross
between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, and is grown extensively only in South Africa. 2003 Michael and David Sixth Sense Syrah (California)
An attractive, very California style of Syrah – dark, delicious, very fruity, low tannin, open and lush, with some earth and red licorice.
2001 Vinedo De Los Vientos Eolo Grand Reserva (Uruguay)
A blend of 80% Tannat with 20% Ruby Cabernet (cross of Carignan with Cabernet Sauvignon). Tannat is famous for making wines dark, tannic, and ageworthy. Styled to be more approachable young, with a more forward cherry fruit. The
Ruby Cabernet adds a layer of soft texture and bright wild berry and black cherry fruit. The firm structure makes this wine great with heavier and even fatty foods, including pizza, chili, cheese sauces, barbecue, and steak.
On special closeout. 2002 Yangarra Shiraz (Australia)
Owned by Kendall-Jackson of California. Ripe and distinctive for its gamy, spicy character, a fleshy Shiraz with fine tannins wrapped around the generous berry and licorice flavors at the core. Finishes long. – Wine Spectator
90 points. Wine & Spirits 93 points. Noticeable acidity and tannin, with black cherry, blackberry, and blueberry. Finishes both dry and fruity. 2002 Joseph Phelps Mistral
56% Syrah; 32% Grenache; 7% Carignane; 3% Petite Sirah; 2% Alicante Bouschet. This interesting take on a blend of
Rhone types is a bit heavier in Syrah than those mixed variety wines tend to be, but it achieves many of the same qualities
in ripe, slightly soft architecture and in its fruity red berry/black fruit composite character. Smooth in feel with modest tannins, it needs no aging to be enjoyed but will support some.
Wine Tasting September 21 - September 24, 2005 2003 Mud House Sauvignon Blanc (Marlboro, New Zealand)
Mud House strives to capture what is in the grapes and vineyards with minimal intervention. Made crisp and clean with
vibrant, fresh gooseberry and grassy characters and lingering nuances of passion fruit and lime. Harvested in cool
conditions and quickly transported to the winery to press immediately to minimize skin contact and juice deterioration.
Fermented cold in stainless steel using various selected yeasts. 22.1 brix at harvest. 12.5% alcohol. 4 g/l residual sugar. Total acidity of 7.4 g/l. – Winemaker's Notes. Intense, pungent, and big.
Has long term contracts with 12 growers, plus its own vineyard. The 2000 took the trophy for the best Sauvignon Blanc at the London 2001 International Wine and Spirits Competition. The 2004
was Wine Spectator wine of the week with 89 points. 2004 Don Pascual Shiraz/Tanat (Uruguay)
An impressive and serious blend of 70% Shiraz and 30% Tannat. Both grapes seem dense. The Shiraz contributes lovely blueberry fruit and the Tannat adds cherry and tannin. A best buy.
2002 X-winery Syrahtica (California)
A rich, tasty, long, and seductive wine that lives up to its suggestive name. Cherry, blackberry, and raspberry accented by
earthiness and new oak. The 85% Syrah is the main flavor, but the 6% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Cabernet Franc add noticeable complexity.
2001 Paraiso Syrah (Monterey, California)
"Monterey meets the Rhone: classic blackberry and cherry flavors married to spice and warm vanillin-oak. A wine to enjoy today but one that will reward patient cellaring." - Wine Spectator
90 points. Begins with some smoke and a not unpleasant stink in the nose, which lessened with aeration. Very satisfying mouth – blueberry and raspberry fruit,
full-bodied, intense, and persistent. Tied for second place in a tasting of 19 wines, and the one I scored higher cost three times as much.
2001 Goosecross Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain (California)
This classic Cabernet is the top wine from the winery and comes from its best vineyard on Howell Mountain, one of Napa
Valley's most prestigious mountaintop appellations. With an elegant nose of blackberry, cherry, pomegranate, dried herbs
and spices, this wine is bold and balanced. Red cherry and strawberry flavors are found throughout with a whisper of
vanilla oak lingering on the palate. It finishes with dry, dusty and chalky tannins. 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petite Verdot. – Winemaker's Notes
. A wine that significantly improves with bottle age. The first vintage was 1995.
Wine Tasting September 14 - September 17, 2005 2004 Chateau Grande Cassagne Rose (France)
Great buy. Features nose of raspberries and strawberries. Pretty red fruit flavors in an expressive, fresh, light to medium-body. – Wine Advocate
87 points. Meant to be drunk young. Made from Grenache and Syrah, grown on a high plateau. Bottled joy. 2003 Mendelson Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard (California)
From the excellent Santa Lucia Highlands near the California coast, which makes very fine Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. "
Full-bodied and supple, this is a fairly rich wine, which is medium-long on the finish. It tastes of berries, toast, oak and clove." – Restaurant Wine, 4 stars out of 5.
2002 Watts Syrah (California)
Dark, roasted mocha nose, full-bodied, open textured, lightly sweet, with red raspberry and cherry fruit, that finishes fairly dry. 2001 Marietta Angeli Cuvee (California)
An enormously appealing wine. 85% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 5% Carignane. The 2001 Angeli Cuvée will easily last a
decade, but this lush, jammy, multi-layered offering is irresistible now. The sumptuous blackberry jam aromas tie beautifully with the more brooding Petite Sirah undertones integrated with hints of toasty oak and spice.
Wine Tasting September 7 - September 10, 2005 2004 Frattina Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Many Italian Pinot Grigios are simple and mildly pleasant. In contrast, the Fratina features more character and
concentration. Dry, mouth-filling, and forceful, with fresh apples, quince, nut, and honey flavors, and a taste of spritz.
2002 Bogle Phantom Red Blend (California)
A flat out delicious blend of 56% Petite Syrah, 41% Zinfandel, and 3% Mouvedre from multiple counties. Strong blueberry fruit, with cherry, cranberry, vanilla, and cinnamon. 2004 Marquis Phillips Shiraz (Australia)
The Marquis Phillips wines exploded on the wine scene in the 2001 vintage with rave reviews from Parker and a very
modest price. Tasting the 2004 right beside the 2003, the 2004 dominated. The Syrah is grapey-young, sweetly fruity, mouth-filling and mouth-coating. Made in a forward, hedonistic style with low acidity and low tannins. 100% Shiraz.
2004 Marquis Phillips Sarahs Blend (Australia)
The 2004 is the first to have a screw cap, which has the advantage of requiring no tool to open, being easy to reseal, after
being opened, and not suffering from any bacterial contamination from a cork. Sarah's Blend is tasty with big broad fruit,
grapey-fresh, low tannins and acidity, dominated by a Shiraz flavor. 62% Shiraz, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot. 2003 Elyse Morisoli Zinfandel (California)
The 2003 Morisoli Zinfandel is deep purplish ruby in color and reveals intense aromas of sweet briary fruit, dried herbs
and crème de cassis. Intoxicating aromas are followed by a cornucopia of flavors including black raspberries, wild cherries,
black currants and orange zest, along with nutmeg and slightly peppery spice. It exhibits nice harmony with well-integrated wood and acidity. This gracefully complex wine is full bodied with a creamy texture, soft tannins, and a
long lingering finish. – Wine Maker's Notes. This is one of those consistently excellent wines that makes you look forward to each new vintage. 2002 Amavi Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington)
Owned by Pepperbridge in Washington State. 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 2% Syrah and 1% Malbec. Aromatic,
with cherry and cassis. Integrated and appealing rather than backward. Shares the forward, fruity style of much California
Cabernet, with ripe, round tannins. The more refreshing acidity one expects from Washington wines does finally emerge in the finish.
Wine Tasting August 31 - September 3, 2005 2003 Di Leonardo Pinot Grigio (Italy)
This dry white from Northern Italy is a very refreshing style of Pinot Grigio. It offers aromas of mineral and citrus fruit in
the mouth and as well as spritz from carbon dioxide dissolved in the wine. Has a squeaky clean finish. Great by itself or with seafood.
2002 Pessagno Central Avenue Vineyard Pinot Noir (California)Offers floral and violet aromas, followed
by fresh berry flavors. Grapes grown in Monterey County, California. Cold soaked for 2 days, cool fermented, aged 1 year in French oak. – Winemaker's Notes
2003 Michael and David Windmill Estates Syrah 2003 (California)This Syrah has a medium-body that has
a bright, fruity taste with strong notes of raspberry and blueberry, followed by a soft peppery finish that lingers on long after the first sip. – Winemaker's Notes
2002 Demolition Flats (California)
A blend of Refosco, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Syrah. Dark, forward, fruity, and different. Refosco is a very old
Italian grape that tends to make a robust, very intense red wine with deep color, sturdy tannin, rich plummy fruit, and moderate complexity, that stands up to strong foods.
2003 Devil's Lair Fifth Leg Red (Australia)
A blend of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 27% Shiraz and 3% Cabernet Franc, that has excellent structure with
well integrated fine-grained tannins in a medium-full bodied format. The nose offers up a beautiful, captivating spice
component, with a leafy edge surfacing up through the dark red berry and plum fruit. The palate is focused, medium-full
weight, with flavors of dark cherry and raspberry and darker plum notes, with a touch of earth and herb as and end note
surfacing on the lingering, flavorful finish. The tannins are fine-grained with just enough grip to give this good structural
support for short term ageing - 4-5 more years. This has good depth to the fruit and for the money it will not disappoint. – Importer's Notes.
2002 Devil's Lair Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia)
From the cool climate Margaret River area. An attractive bouquet of heady bramble fruit, cranberry and cassis against a
backdrop of subtle spice. Full bodied and intense, ripe bramble fruit aromas follow from the nose with further notes of
plum and chocolate adding complexity. Spice and cedar wood flavors develop in the glass to complete the offering. A
balanced and lengthy palate with fine, silky tannins and buoyant natural acidity combining to add structure and definition to the delicious fruit. – Winemaker's Notes.
2002 Rosenblum Feather Foot Man "Jingalu" Special Artist Series
Dark, dense, and delicious, without that overripe sweetness common in Australian wines. Has a lovely artistic label, plus an appealing balance of fruit and acidity with a taste of cassis.
Wine Tasting August 17 - August 20, 2005
2003 Michael and David 7 Heavenly Chards (California)
This unique Chardonnay was aged in barrels from seven French coopers. Features a bouquet of asian pear, buttered toast
and orange blossom. Green apple, creamy vanilla, and a myriad of toasted flavors show nice balance between fruit and oak. 2003 Lange Pinot Noir Reserve (Oregon)
Lange is one of the premium wines in Oregon and is famous for making profoundly dark, well-structured, and full-bodied Pinot Noirs in miniscule quantities from single vineyards.
After eighteen months in French oak barrels, the most complex wines are selected with the intent on creating this true "Reserve" bottling. All vineyard sites were crop thinned to 2
tons/acre helping to ensure concentration. All lots were hand picked, hand sorted, fermented in small vessels, and hand
punched daily. This wine has rich blackberries, strawberry jam, cedar, red roses, and dark chocolate in the bouquet, and is
very evocative in the mouth with black cherries, raspberries, licorice and mint. Held together with stunning balance and a
thorough tannin base, this Reserve is drinking beautifully at the moment but can be cellared up to a decade. 500 cases produced. 2001 Roche Costamagna Annunziata Barbera D'Alba (Italy)
Dark red color, silky mouth feel, with cherry and plum in the nose and mouth. Medium to full bodied, with enough tannin
for structure while remaining softly textured. A good affordable introduction to Barbera. Drink in the next three years. Non-Vintage Kestrel Lady in Red
A wine made from grapes that were young vines or otherwise did not make the cut for the premium bottlings at Kestrel
winery. Styled to be gushingly fruity and drinkable young, without requiring any additional cellaring. Tasty and easy to like. The bottle makes it a great gift, but opening the wine inside is a surprising pleasure. 2003 Coteaux de Languedoc, St Martin de la Garrique "Tradition" (France)
This is a blend of southern French grape varieties: Grenache, Carignan, Mouvedre. Strangely enough it reminds me of a
top effort by a California Rhone Range and I think Californians are going to love it. It has their kind of intensity and
tannin. It is filled with beautiful, deep, dark fruit on the nose and on the palate. And look at the value. Someone could spend five or six times the price and not enjoy such a knockout, such perfection. –
Kermit Lynch, Importer. 2001 Rainbow Ridge Alicante Bouschet (California)
The Alicante Bouschet grape is primarily used as a blending grape to add a black tint to other wines. It is one of the few
grapes where not only the skin but the flesh of the grape adds color. This 100% bottling is not only rare, and shows the
potential of this grape to make a very fine wine. Fruity, with blackberry and plum, but it also has a streak of dark chocolate.
Resolutely dry throughout, with firm tannins, yet big and rich. Should age well and improve for many years. 91 points in the Wine Enthusiast.
Wine Tasting August 10 - August 13, 2005
2003 Ronchi Verdicchio Classico Superiore
Verdicchio is a native grape of the Marches region of Italy. Here it is grown from a single vineyard (Casal Di Serra) on hilly
land near the Adriatic Sea. Yields are restricted to about half of what is normal for this grape in order to achieve greater
concentration. The grapes are hand-harvested when they are just overripe, and use pneumatic presses. The unfiltered
must is placed in refrigerated vats and then transferred to small temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, where
fermentation occurs. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and then about 3-4% is put in barriques. The result is a
straw yellow colored wine with greenish tinges. The bouquet is intense, round, and fresh. The body is dry and soft, with ripe peach and apple, topped with a long finish.
2001 Highfield Chardonnay (New Zealand)
Very smooth with a spicy butterscotch and lovely lemon flavor. Beautifully balanced. With each sip the taste keeps
building in intensity in the mouth. Only 300 cases made. New Zealand Chardonnay generally ages very well for 7 to 10 years. 1996 Laplaya Maxima Claret (Chile)
The vintage is not an misprint – really 1996. Not musty, tired, or oxidized. Elegantly rounded. Glides down the throat with
the seamless integration that only aged wines achieve. Still has ample cherry and raspberry fruit. Upon swallowing, the flavors rise in intensity, showing that the wine still has years of life left.
2003 Laplaya Carmeniere Reserve (Chile)
Not your same-o Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, or Pinot Noir. Begins with the distinct aroma of fresh muscadine grapes.
Combines spice, earth, raspberry, and cherry. 35% of the wine is stored in new oak, mainly French. The Carmeniere grape
was once common in Bordeaux, but became largely replaced by Merlot, and today is rare in France. Carmenere, however, was extensively planted in Chile, where it ripens much more reliably and makes better wines than in its homeland.
2004 Viu Manent Secreto Malbec (Chile)
Dark, young tasting, effusively fruity, rounded, rich, tasty. Boysenberry, plum, and blackberry. The wine is made by Grant
Phelps - a vintner from New Zealand. In the 1400s, Malbec from Cahors commanded the highest prices of any red wine in
France. Malbec from Chile and Argentina is richer and more approachable than in France. "Secreto" means secret, and
refers to how the wine is 85% one grape with 15% not identified. The Secreto line spends less time in wood but uses a higher quality oak. Part of the blend comes from stainless steel to preserve bright, forward fruitiness.
2001 Taltarni Pyrennes Shiraz (Australia)
Dark color. Black cherry and plums. Smooth tasting. Finely balanced, with fruit, tannin, and acid. The name comes from the Aboriginal term for red earth.
2001 Laplaya Cabernet Sauvignon Block Selection (Chile)
A nose that is big and deep, featuring violets and black currants. Fruity but nicely structured by a streak of tannins. Fairly
dry, with a touch of tomato, but having no sweetness in the aftertaste. 2003 is proving to be one of the best recent vintages in Chile.
Wine Tasting August 3 - August 6, 2005 Windmill Viognier 2003 Watts Dos Amores (Lodi, CA)Don Rudolpho Malbec Reserve 2003 (Argentina) VIU Manent Secreto Malbec Reserve 2004 (Chile)
Jessie's Grove Old Vine Zin 2003 Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red 2003 (Washington State) Watts Dos Amores (Lodi, CA)
Wine Tasting July 27 - July 30, 2005 2003 King Estate Pinot Gris (Oregon)
"King Estate was not the first to plant Pinot Gris in Oregon, but it was the first to make enough of it to sell nationwide. Its
wines are still some of the best. Slightly more forward than usual, owing to vintage, King Estate's entry-level Gris has
youthful aromas of very ripe apples set against greener, fresher elements of cucumber and grapey scents. It's full and lush,
with ripe apple and green-grape flavors that are full, uncomplicated and delicious, with a finish that recalls those fresh
green aromas, lasting, persistent, and pure. Serve with sea bream or a similar rich white fish." 91 points - Wine & Spirits. Pinot Gris is especially good with salads having oil and nuts. 2002 Martin Dry Creek Valley Pinot Noir (California)
Medium bodied, refreshing acidity, strong black cherry fruit, with a long finish, at a price that is the lowest in the United States. Less than 300 cases made. Will improve for at least three years.
2003 Don Rudolfo Tannat Reserve (Argentina)
Excellent color. Some bitter chocolate in the nose. Mostly cherry fruit in the mouth, with adequate acidity. Dry and dusty finish. The tannat grape is famous for aging slowly, and improving when exposed to air for several days.
2001 Viu Manent Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile)
85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Malbec. Refreshing acidity, cassis, tobacco, and oak, made in a smooth drinking style, with a dry and dusty finish.
2000 Allesverloren Tinta Barrocca (South Africa)
Made from one of the grapes used to make Port in Portugal. Both different and rare. Bright ruby color, a bouquet of aromatic fruit, with only a hint of the sweetness of port. Tasty, bright, and fresh.
2001 Mettler Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
98% Cabernet Sauvignon 2% Petite Syrah. 12 months in oak. Deep, complex and polished. Indistinguishable in character
and style from its well known counterparts in the premium cabernet districts in California. Layers of supple black cherry,
mocha and vanilla flavors, are underscored by pretty toasty oak and well-integrated tannins. A rich mouth-feel guides you gently toward the long, lush, elegant finish. – Winemaker's Notes.
2002 Watts Syrah (California)
With a pretty bouquet of plums, violets and nice asian spice, the flavors reveal super ripe dark plum, bing cherry and dark
cocoa framed by nice vanilla and spice. This velvety-textured, rich, full bodied, gorgeously opulent Syrah is a top class effort from the Lodi region. Drink over the next 3-5 years. First vintage of this wine. – Winemaker's Notes
.
Wine Tasting July 20 - July 23, 2005 Casal Di Serra Verdichio 2003 DOC Classico SuperioreMartin Family Dry Creek Valley Pinot Noir 2002 Medoro Sangiovese 2003
Noah Merlot 2001 Watts Family Old Vines Zin 2001 D'Arenberg Road #28 Mouvedre Elyse Petite Syrah
Wine Tasting July 13 - July 16, 2005 2004 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
Peach and grapefruit in the nose, with a wonderful complex taste in the mouth combining lime, lemon, tangerine, and orange. Less grass and cat flavored than much Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.
2003 Thomas Fogarty Gewurztraminer (California)
Aromatic, tasty, well rounded, and delicious. Lacks the bitterness that this grape commonly has. Rose, lychee, and spritz,
with a distinct citrus flavor, and a noticeable Gewurztraminer character in the finish. Pushed in the direction of being
vibrant and delicious by fermenting at a cool temperature and suddenly chilling the wine to stop fermentation with a little residual sugar. 2004 Windmill Old Vines Zinfandel (California)
The Windmill Zinfandel emphasizes tasty fruit at an affordable price, and is consistently one of the best buys for
Zinfandel. The 2004 was just released. The previous vintage (2003) won Gold Best of Class at the 2004 San Francisco
Chronicle Wine Competition. Features a dense smell, followed by a delicious taste, with bing cherry, vanilla, enough tannins, and hints of dark chocolate.
2002 Noah Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard Contra Costa (California)
Fruit that tastes very much like Zinfandel. Sweet in the mouth, with a little raisin and molasses. Finishes with a taste of
alcohol. Very drinkable, intense, not tannic, a borderline dessert Zinfandel. Made from Zinfandel planted in 1896 with
ungrafted vines on its native rootstock. This vineyard is famous for providing the grapes for a very expensive and powerful Zinfandel made by Helen Turley.
2003 Don Rudolfo Tannat Reserve (Argentina)
Newly released vintage of this wine. The 2002 has significant fruit with a fine tannic structure, and was noticeably smoother after being open for three days.
2000 Martin Family Barnyard Red (Calfornia)
Tasty and smooth, with ample and complex fruit. Improved significantly after being open for several days. Long aftertaste. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petite Verdot, and 2% Petite Syrah. 2003 Mas De Bressades Cabernet/Syrah (France)
Dark in color, with complex flavors of cassis, black cherry, bitter chocolate, and menthol. Dense in the mouth, well layered,
with a long finish with refreshing acidity. An intriguing combination of fat fullness with good structure and shape. A strong candidate for the best Cabernet/Syrah ever made at this estate. 60% Cabernet and 40% Syrah.
Wine Tasting July 6 - July 9, 2005
Faiverley Chablis 2003Banfi Chianti Classico 2003 Mas de Avelans Syrah 2002 Verssadas Cab/Shiraz 2003 Albert Belle Croze-Hermitage 2003 Brunel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Cailloux 2001
Wine Tasting June 29 - July 2, 2005 2003 Frattina Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Dry, mouth-filling, and forceful. Far more character than the simple and mildly pleasant Pinot Grigios that often come from Italy. Quince, nut, and honey flavors.
2003 Hahn Chardonnay (California)
"Every once in a while, a value comes along that is so extraordinary that it deserves to be shouted from the rooftops. This
California Chardonnay is one of them. It's rich, buttery, deep, structured, complex and elegant -- everything one would
expect from a $50 Chardonnay from some chic Napa Valley producer. The honey, vanilla, butterscotch and apple flavors
are vibrant, and the lively acidity gives it a Burgundy-like finish. Buy this wine by the case and serve with spicy food such as Thai and Vietnamese cuisine." - Michael Dresser, Baltimore Sun,
Wine of the Week, January 2005. 1999 Lockwood Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
83.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.8% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Merlot. All from Monterey County. Gold Medal at Dallas
Morning News Competition, TX and 2003 Cincinnati International Wine Festival. Made to be elegant, supple, approachable, and affordable.
2000 Martin Estate "Barnyard Red" (California)
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petite Verdot, 2% Petite Sirah. 65% new French oak. Aromatic and tasty, with fruit both broad and deep.
2002 Young Ridge Family Estate Zinfandel (California)
From vineyards on top of a rolling hill, overlooking the town of Napa.
Enticing coffee and strawberry aromas carry through nicely on the palate. This wine is medium bodied with medium, light, soft tannins, which in combination with the
bright fruit makes for a very enticing mouth feel. The flavors are balanced by a hint of toasty oak and linger enjoyably on the palate. 2002 Watts Dos Amores (California)
A spectacular blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc, that comes from our finest low yielding
premium vineyard. Delicious and attractive, with saturated ruby color and dark berries, toasty oak, spice and chocolate
aromas. Rich and beautifully textured with layers of black currants, dark cherries, cocoa and vanilla spice with hints of mint. Excellent purity and sweet tannins. Enjoyable over the next five years. – Winery Notes.
2001 Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (California)
"Inky black hue. Forward aromas of plum, pencil, new oak, tobacco and mocha. Full-bodied flavors of blueberry, coffee, minerals and clove. A dry finish features coffee notes. - The Wine News, July 2005
, 92 points. Uses only select vineyard sites and only select barrels. Came in second in a blind store tasting of four 2001 Cabernets, despite being put against wines costing two and three times as much.
Wine Tasting June 22 - 25, 2005
2004 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc (Chile)
Aromatic, citrus and tropical, crisp in the mouth, with zingy acidity – classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, only from Chile. Incredible value. Great with green vegetables and Oriental food.
2002 Watts Syrah Los Robles Vineyard (California)
Dark, rich, full-bodied, open textured, opulent, fruity, and lightly sweet – a type of Syrah that California does frequently
and well. Dark plum, bing cherry, red raspberry, and dark cocoa framed by vanilla and spice. Finishes fairly dry. 2002 Noah Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard Contra Costa (California)
Classic Zinfandel – very fruity, with a streak of sweetness, accented by raisin and molasses.
2001 Watts Reserve Old Vine Zinfandel Iris Vineyard (California)
This exciting estate grown single vineyard is our proudest production. The Iris Vineyard is a low yield vineyard that produces premium fruit…The Zinfandel shows intense ripe concentrated jammy raspberry to blackberry fruits
complimented by cocoa flavors. The barrel aging imparts a touch of lavender with accents of vanilla. –Winemaker's Notes.
Very dark, aromatic, has a sweetness throughout accented by cocoa, coconut, and flowers, with tannin emerging in the long finish after being obscured by the rich fruit.
Heredia Ruby Port (Portugal)
"One of the finest ruby ports I have ever tasted, this opaque ruby/purple-colored effort displays notes of creosote,
blackberries, coffee, grilled meats, and oodles of fruit. Dense, supple-textured, and voluminous in the mouth, without
being heavy, it is a stunning offering that is in complete contrast with the industrial ruby ports produced by the big port
houses. Drink it over the next 4-5 years." – Robert Parker, 92 points. Ruby port refers to first bottled, least barrel-aged port, that usually is lighter bodied, fruitier, and less sweet.
Wine Tasting June 15 - 18, 2005
2003 Hahn Estates Chardonnay Monterey (California)
Decidedly tropical nose with hints of apricot and butterscotch. Ripe core of peach and pineapple flavors turn to green apple towards the back of the mouth. –Winemaker's Notes.
NV Marietta Old Vines Lot 37 (California)
Consistently one of the most drinkable, best-value series of wines, blended from several vintages. Loaded with spicy,
peppery, ripe blackberry fruit and backed by dense, blueberry, earthy Petite Sirah flavors. The version has a higher percentage of Petite Sirah. A serious but approachable wine, broad and lush, with a lingering finish. 2002 Watts Syrah Los Robles Vineyard (California)
Dark, rich, full-bodied, open textured, opulent, fruity, and lightly sweet – a type of Syrah that California does frequently and well. Dark plum, big cherry, and dark cocoa framed by vanilla and spice.
1999 Allesverloren Shiraz (South Africa)
A full-bodied wine with a smoky, aromatic bouquet and good fruit concentration. Has picked up a bacony complexity with bottle age.
2001 Watts Old Vines Zinfandel Iris Vineyard (California)
This exciting estate grown single vineyard is our proudest production. The Iris Vineyard is a low yield vineyard that
produces premium fruit. The vines lie in Hanford Sandy loam deposited eons ago by the Mokelumne River. The Zinfandel
shows intense ripe concentrated jammy raspberry to blackberry fruits complimented by cocoa flavors. The barrel aging imparts a touch of lavender with accents of vanilla. –Winemaker's Notes.
Heredia Ruby Port (Portugal)
"One of the finest ruby ports I have ever tasted, this opaque ruby/purple-colored effort displays notes of creosote,
blackberries, coffee, grilled meats, and oodles of fruit. Dense, supple-textured, and voluminous in the mouth, without
being heavy, it is a stunning offering that is in complete contrast with the industrial ruby ports produced by the big port houses. Drink it over the next 4-5 years." – Robert Parker, 92 points.
Wine Tasting June 8 - 11, 2005
2000 Cottonwood Canyon Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley (California)
"Our most awarded wine in 15 years.
Hints of lime, butter and oak in the nose. Flavors of Granny Smith apples, caramel and cinnamon create a spicy, rich mouthfeel. The caramel and butter follow through to the finish." – Winemaker's Notes
2001 Mendelsohn Pinot Noir (California)
The superb Barham Mendelsohn Vineyard is located in the Sonoma County area known for its outstanding Pinot Noirs.
The sweet, jammy 2001 wine has a rich, full nose with notes of sweet oak, spice and fruit flavors, good acidity, superb balance and an excellent finish. Great on its own and will definitely enhance most meals.
2001 Devil's Lair Red (Australia)
"Fragrant, ripe blackcurrant, cassis and mulberry aromas and flavors; great texture, structure and oak integration." – 94 points, James Halliday Wine Companion 2005.
2004 Michael and David Windmill Estates Zinfandel (California)
Produced from the vineyards of four of our area's top growers, this zin is heady with the aromas of ripe, soft, brambly
blackberries, Bing cherries and vanilla, leading to a full-mouth feel with rich chewy tannins and hints of dark chocolate. – Winemaker's Notes. 2000 Chateau Potelle Syrah (California)
"Impressive for its display of ripe, rich plum, black cherry and blackberry fruit. It's sharply focused, supported by firm, ripe
tannins, revealing its concentration and depth of flavor. Best from 2004 through 2012." –Wine Spectator, 89 points 2003 Isenhower Syrah Wild Alfalfa (Washington)
This winery's biggest wine - rich, gamey, and massive. Brilliant dark red hue. Complex aromas of lavender, raspberry/bing
cherry jam, and white pepper overlay tones of mowed hay, smoke, and mocha. Muscular and mouth filling with a cascade of jammy red fruits, lavender, rosemary, and white pepper. The 2001 vintage got 93 points from the Wine Spectator.
Wine Tasting June 1 - 4, 2005 Rive della Chiesa Proseco (Italy)Cairnbrae Reisling 2003 (New Zealand) VIU Carmeniere Reserve 2003 (Chile) Annunziata Barbera 2003 (Italy)
Fogarty Skyline Bordeau Blend 2001 Steele Pacini Zinfandel 2002 Rosenblum England-Shaw Sryah 2002
Wine Tasting May 25 - 28, 2005
2001 Cairnbrae Riesling
Toasty honey and lime marmalade flavor. Quite juicy with a long lifted lemon and lime finish. Rive Della Chiesa Prosecco Brut
A step above most Proseccos. More refreshing, with higher acidity and a green apple taste. Cool tasting, easy drinking, and smooth. 2002 Concilience Viognier
"The 2002 Viognier offers straightforward apricot and peach-like fruit, a full-bodied character, excellent purity and fine
density. It lacks a bit of minerality and complexity but readers looking for a plump, corpulent Viognier can enjoy this over the next year." – Wine Advocate, 88 points.
2001 Viu Manent Cabernet/Malbec
85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Malbec. Refreshing acidity, cassis, tobacco, and oak, made in a smooth drinking style. 2004 Viu Manent Secreto Syrah
Very dark, low in tannin, softly textured, fruity, with a sweetness that coats the mouth. 2003 Viu Manent Carmenere Reserve
Carmenere is a grape that originated in France but has become rare there, but found a home in Chile where it makes even
greater wines. For people used to red mainstays like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir, Carmenere makes an
interestingly different wine. This version is silky, smooth, dense, and long, with no obvious flaws like being thin, austere, leafy, or bitter. 100% Carmenerre, 35% new oak, mostly French.
The best Carmenere I have ever tasted under $20. 2004 Viu Manent Secreto Malbec
85% Malbec. Lush and long, with enough acidity to be refreshing and give brightness to the fruit. It is very difficult to
find wines that are this dense and delicious at this price. A flat out wonderful wine, with no buts. Malbec is another interestingly different grape that makes especially good wine in Chile and Argentina. It features a
boysenberry-mulberry-blackberry fruit.
Wine Tasting May 18 - 21, 2005
2002 Peachy Canyon Chardonnay (California)
A light bodied, lightly oaked, lemony Chardonnay that is refreshing and mouth-coating. 2001 Bricco Maiolica Vigna Barbera D'Alba (Italy)
The previous 2000 vintage of this wine was outstanding, and the 2001 is dark, tasty, rounded, fruity, and bright. An excellent example of why Italian Barbera can such an exciting wine.
1999 Chateau Puygueraud (France)
Bordeaux from the Cote de Franc region of France. 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon in 1999 (Cabernet Franc is
often used in other vintages). "…mesmerising; wonderful soft, supple Merlot made it feel silky smooth, the backbone of
the Cabernet giving structure, tannin and ripe blackberry fruits; this is gorgeous now and for the next five years easily." -Inverarity Vaults Ltd (a Scottish importer)
2003 Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile)
This wine is a good benchmark for quality at its price, meaning that few wines will be as good at this price. Dark color, with
excellent concentration. Features plum, cherry, and cassis, with a touch of vanilla. No greenness at all, unlike too many
wines from Chile. Very drinkable now, but will keep and improve for five years, only getting smoother and more seamless. 2002 Peachy Canyon Especial Zinfandel (California)
Dark garnet color. the nose is reminiscent of blackberries and raspberry jam, accented by warm spice notes and vanilla oak
characters. Incredibly concentrated in the mouth, with big fleshy fruit and velvety tannins. The finish is long and smooth. The wine is beautiful now and will continue to age gracefully for the next few years. –Winemaker's Notes
. 1999 Saintpaulia Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington)
A one-man winery, with grapes grown in the Red Mountain area. Loaded with still youthful plum and black currants. A
very kinetic, driving taste, with a very long lasting finish. As I drove home after tasting this wine last from several samples, this wine persisted in the back of my throat for the full 15 minutes
. Superb wine from the greatest recent vintage in Washington. Given their highest rating of outstanding by the Northwest Wine Press, based on blind tastings.
2003 Tualatin Semi-Sparkling Muscat (Oregon)
A delicious sweet wine. Not a bubbly wine – just one that has a light fizz on the inside of the glass. A superb example of
low-alcohol wine that is easy and fun to drink. A delightful melange of fruit, including guava, papaya, starfruit, peach, pear, and oranges. Serve this at a party and watch it disappear. Wine Advocate 89 points.
Wine Tasting April 20 - 23, 2005
2003 Frattina Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Dry, mouth-filling, and forceful. Far more character than the simple, watery, mildly pleasant Pinot Grigios that often come from Italy. Quince, nut, and honey flavors. 2002
Paradise Ridge Pinot Noir Elisabeth and Henry's Vineyard (California)
"Deep garnet hue. Perfumed aromas of cherry, blueberry, forest floor and gun powder. Very rich flavors of blackberry, mocha, molasses, licorice and cedar. Long close features peppery black fruit." – Wine News, 90 points.
1997 Azienda Agricola Losi Millenium Chianti Classico Reserva (Italy)
90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, and 5% Malvasia Nero. Normally found only in restaurants. Very difficult to find. From a great vintage in Italy. 1999 Easton Fiddletown Zinfandel (California)
Nicely fruity, with a sweet streak. Clear flavors of Zinfandel with a distinct smoothness. Not your overripe, raisiny,
alcoholic Zinfandel. Should continue to hold well for at least a year or two. 1999 Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (South Africa)
One of the pinnacles of wine from South Africa. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, textbook true to the varietal, only ratcheted
up in intensity and integration. Brightly aromatic, loaded with black currants, beautifully accented by vanilla and toasty
oak. A wine that not only never lets you down in the mouth, but also was great and drinkable from day one and will easily
last and improve for ten more years. As good as top notch Cabs from California costing $100 a bottle. Last chance to get.
Non-Vintage Quinta das Heredias Ruby Port Special Reserve (Portugal)
Port is red wine fortified with brandy to about 19% alchohol to stop fermentation and to leave residual sugar. Ruby Port
blends young wines from different years, aged in barrels or tanks for two to three years, with almost no bottle age, that
generally emphasizes simple fruit. Most Port is made by large firms that buy wine in bulk from many farm estates (quintas)
where the grapes are grown. Das Heredias is an estate with 205 acres of grapes in multiple vineyards that makes, ages, and bottles its own Port from its own grapes. "One of the finest ruby ports I have ever tasted,
this opaque ruby/purple-colored effort displays notes of creosote, blackberries, coffee, grilled meats, and oodles of fruit. Dense, supple-textured, and
voluminous in the mouth, without being heavy. It is a stunning offering that is in complete contrast with the industrial ruby ports produced by the big port houses. Drink it over the next 4-5 years." –Wine Advocate
, 92 points.
Wine Tasting April 13 - 16, 2005
2004 Shepherd's Ridge Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
Showing a slight spritz in the glass, this is a softer smelling wine that becomes toasty and rich to the nose after some time
in the glass. Grassy and herbaceous with lime and green pepper on a grainy texture, spicy with a full-bodied toasty finish,
lingering grassy herbaceous characters and just a hint of asparagus and sweet pea. Powerful finish. Excellent length. - Sue Courtney, wineoftheweek.com, from a large tasting of 2004 New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs.
2002 Joseph Phelps Red Pastiche (California)
"This interesting blend consisting of 33% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 19% Syrah, 6% Merlot, 5% Carignane, 4% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 3% Alicante Bouschet sports nice spicy fruit aromas and a red berry palate. This would make a great accompaniment for barbeque, stews and other spicy dishes. – Wine Buyer.
2003 Concha y Toro, Marques de Casa Concha, Cabernet Sauvignon
The Casa Concha series of wines is one of the few from Chile that consistently has the highest quality wines in its price
range, and the 2003 is their best Cabernet ever. Gone is the common hint of a leafy, vegetal taste. The wine is darker and
denser, loaded with sweet plums, cherries, and cassis, and laced with vanilla and even chocolate. The rich fruit masks the
tannin, which merges only in the finish. Should hold and even improve for 3-5 years. Oak aged, 35% new oak barrels. The grapes are from the excellent Puente Alto vineyard in the Maipo Valley.
2000 Katnook Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia)
The previous 1999 vintage of this wine was an excellent value at $20, which continues to drink beautifully, yet the 2000
looks even better. The foremost wine critic in Australia scored the 2000 94 points, which is a score he rarely gives. "
Medium red, with the purple just starting to diminish; a bouquet of spice, bramble and blackberry woven through
integrated French oak is followed by an altogether warmer palate, with chocolate, mocha and blackberry flavors, sweet oak and ripe tannins." – James Halliday
1999 Tulocay Zinfandel Amador County (California)
Big, ripe, yet very approachable. This Zin has the characteristic briary, dark, ultra ripe fruit for this area that invades every centimeter of your mouth. Very Good. – Paradise Wines.
By Tulocay standards, jammy, plumy, and substantial, but less raisiny and more accessible and balanced. – Winemaker's Notes. 2002 Kangarilla Road Shiraz (Australia)
"...opulently-textured, fruit-driven 2002 Shiraz possesses a terrific bouquet of blackberry liqueur, smoke, camphor, and
underbrush. With loads of glycerin, no hard edges, and a big, plump, fleshy mouthfeel ... Enjoy it over the next 4-5 years."
93 pts, Wine Advocate
Wine Tasting April 6 - 9, 2005 2000 Goosecross Syrah (California)
This 'Old World' style Syrah presents a delicate rose red/purple hue that opens with an aromatic and expansive nose of
black cherry and plum fruit. Herbal and earthy notes are punctuated by black currants, raspberry and strawberry flavors.
Each sip finishes with hints of black pepper and toasty oak. Excellent from beginning to end, soft, smooth and full-bodied. - Winemaker's Notes. 2001 Taltarni Pyrennes Shiraz (Australia)
Very deep crimson brick red color. Aromas of vanilla, spice and plum followed by a violet end note. The palate has much
better structural balance than the previous vintage, and a far more acceptable tannin structure than historic examples of
the style (which needed 20 years to integrate). Flavors of plum, stewed fruit, cedar and liquorice emerge. Fine grained,
perfectly balanced tannins - a refined elegant style. Aftertaste of plum, stewed fruit and lingering white pepper. - Nicks Wine Merchants, tasted 3/13/04. The winery name comes from the Aboriginal term for red earth.
1998 Bredels Pinotage (South Africa)
Black with deep red garnet rim. Aromatic, spicy nose. Big and fruity, with ripe bananas and blackberries. Supple tannins
with a touch of vanilla spice. Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, and is grown extensively only in South Africa. This wine got steadily better with bottle age and should be at a peak now.
1999 Bighorn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Vineyard (California)
A classic Cabemet Sauvignon, very dark in color and loaded with cassis fruit, nicely structured by acid and tannin.
Amazingly, the wine retains a touch of youthful grapiness and gets even better after being opened for a day. When first
reviewed, the wine was criticized for a tannic austerity, but now the tannins have softened and integrated into the wine
and no longer suppress the fruit. Available at the winery for $39.50 a bottle, but sells here at a fraction of that price.
2002 Rosenblum Jingalu Feather Foot Man Shiraz (Australia)
Wine made in California by Roseblum from Australian grape juice shipped to California. Dark, dense, and delicious,
without that overripe sweetness common in Australian wines. You wouldn't think a Califomian could beat the Australians
at their own game, but this wine has a lovely balance of fruit and acidity and a layer of cassis, that make it both different and appealing, plus a lovely artistic label.
2002 Banfi Rosa Regali Brachetto d'Acqui (Italy)
A low-alcohol, fizzy, softly textured red wine bursting with red cherry/raspberry/strawberry fruit, which is easy drinking
and delicious by itself but works amazingly well with chocolate desserts by matching the sweetness, adding bright fruit to
the chocolate taste, and having enough acidity to leave the mouth refreshed for the next bite. Also goes well with fruit, whip cream, cheesecake, and other desserts. Made from the Brachetto grape.
Wine Tasting March 30 - April 2, 2005
Drappier Rose Brut (France)
"Very fine bubbles. Quite a deep rose pink. Emerging notes of yeastiness, but mostly fresh, soft strawberry fruit on the
nose. Sweet attack on the palate and a creamy mousse. There's a lovely tart raspberry freshness, but this is generous in style offering off-dry easy drinking, yet with a little bit of firmness and authority. Very good." –
from a comprehensive tasting of Drappier wines in Scotland in 2000. 2002 Burklin-Wolf Riesling (Germany)
A drier Riesling, surprisingly full bodied and mouth coating, with bracing acidity and intense minerals and fruit. 2001 Columbia Winery Syrah (Washington)
"Rich blackberry, cherry, and blueberry aromas, with layers of deep dark fruit flavors… juicy and tangy on the lingering
finish" –Wine Spectator, 88 points, best value. More of a drink-me-soon wine with medium color and body, vibrant cherry fruit, and refreshing acidity, as opposed to a dark, deep, and complex wine.
2003 Jessie's Grove Earth, Zin & Fire Old Vine Zinfandel (California)
A new name for the vintner's choice. Bold flavors of zingy cherry cordial and jammy boysenberry/blackberry, with a hint of smoked bacon, cloves and peppermint. –Winemaker's Notes.
2002 Xanadu Cabernet/Shiraz (Australia)
A blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Frankland River and Margaret River. The color is deep
red with vibrant purple hues. The bouquet displays dark, briary fruits and floral notes - a rich combination of wild berries,
violets and white pepper, framed by subtle smoky oak. The generous palate is packed full of ripe, juicy blackberries licorice and spice. The structure is well defined with firm yet approachable tannins, and a warm lingering finish.
–Winemaker's Notes. 2002 Hugo Shiraz (Australia)
The previous 2001 vintage was the winner in a blind public tasting at Solano Cellars in Berkeley California, besting wines
from California, Australia, and France. Deep maroon in color, with purple hues, this is a dense and intensely rich wine with
loads of sweet black plum fruit and aromatic spices, refreshing acidity and dusty tannins. Full-bodied and silky soft with blueberries, chocolate, and a tinge of vanilla.
2001 Cain Concept (California Napa)
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Peiti Verdot, and Merlot. Deep color and nose, with some acetone. Softly
enters the mouth, then becomes mouth filling. A layered, lovely wine. 65% of the barrels were new French oak. Made to emphasize fresh fruit and supple tannins so as to be drinkable upon release.
Wine Tasting March 23 - 26, 2005
2003 Thomas Fogarty Gewurztraminer (Caifornia)
The typical Gewurztraminer is a distinctive and recognizable wine, featuring flavors of roses, spices, and lychee, with an
oily fatness and a touch of bitterness. Fogarty makes Gewurztraminer in a brighter, fruitier, and more delicious style, with
more citrus, by fermenting the wine cooler and chilling the wine to stop the fermentation so as to leave just a touch of residual sugar. The 2003 has some what more of a classic Gewurztraminer flavor than previous vintages. 2003 Jewel Pinot Noir (California)
Jewel emphasizes good value. The 2003 is medium red but has flavors of red cherry and a touch of wet forest floor.
Tannins come to the fore in the finish and turn the fruit into black cherry Aged for 11 months in 100% new French oak. 2001 Savannah-Chanelle Pierre's Ghost (California)
A dark flavorful blend of Zinfandel and Syrah. More syrah in the mouth, with raspberry and cherry. Tasty, soft bodied, and fairly dry.
2003 Windmill Old Vines Zinfandel (California)
Michael and David Phillips of Michael-David Vineyards use the Windmill Estates line to produce true varietal character
with an emphasis on fruit at affordable prices. The 2003 won Gold Best of Class at the 2004 San Francisco Chronicle Wine
Competition. This old vine Zin features flavors of bing cherry and vanilla with rich chewy tannins and hints of dark chocolate.
2002 Smith and Hook Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve (California)
A flagship wine of this winery.
Dark, intense, and big in the mouth, with raspberry, chocolate, and loads of cassis. 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petite Verdot, and 2% Malbec. Aged in 82% new French oak. Grown on
mountain sides and tops rather than in the valleys. The bunches are hand sorted after being picked, and only the best barrels go into this wine. 2003 Green Point Shiraz (Australia)
The previous 2002 vintage made the Wine Spectator's Top 100 wines. The 2003 is dark and concentrated with ample fruit
that is a complex mixture of blackberry, blueberry, plum, spice, and pepper. The palate is bright and medium-fuller bodied,
combining elegance and power with intense flavors. Concentrated yet buoyant with fine-tuned tannins. Has a slippery palate feel with delicious ripe, spicy black fruit flavors that linger long on the finish. 1998 Andrew Harris "Vision" Shiraz/Cabernet (Australia)
"A super-premium Shiraz Cabernet release which won two trophies at the Royal Sydney Wine Show, and has matured well
since doing so. Medium red-purple, a moderately complex blend of cedar, earth, berry, chocolate and vanilla on the
bouquet leads into an attractive palate, with plum, black cherry, and currant fruit, rounded off by soft tannins and subtle oak."-James Halliday
Wine Tasting March 16 - 19, 2005 2003 Hahn Chardonnay (California)
Nominated by Michael Dresser of the Baltimore Sun as one of the year's best values – a Chardonnay good enough not to
get kicked off the table in a blind tasting of $50 ones from California. Made like far more expensive Chardonnays, with 76%
new oak, malolactic fermentation in barrel, and extended lees contact. The '03 vintage has greater intensity because the
grapes were smaller and fewer. Smooth and balanced, with flavors of apricot, peach, and butterscotch. Previous vintages also had a delightful citrus component, chiefly lemon.
2000 Goosecross Chardonnay (California)
Intense fully ripe fruit character of grapefruit, banana, green apple, pear, lemon and vanilla toasted almond oak –Winemaker's Notes. The 1999 vintage
was a clean, refreshing chardonnay with that hallmark trio of flavors that much good Chardonnay features - vanilla, butterscotch, and lemon. The 2001 added more tropical flavors of pink grapefruit,
banana, tangerine, and pineapple. Unlike many California Chardonnays, which fall apart after about three years, Goosecross will hold and improve.
1999 Easton Fiddletown Zinfandel (California)
Nicely fruity, with a sweet streak. Clear flavors of Zinfandel with a distinct smoothness. Not your overripe, raisiny, alcoholic Zinfandel. Should continue to hold well for at least a year.
2001 Accomo Bricco Maiolica Vigia Barbera d'Alba (Italy)
"The 2001 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Vigia competes with the better wines of the appellation. A blackish ruby, its intensely
spicy nose of black fruit, vanilla, and cedar is followed by very concentrated and substantial flavors, ripe, warm, sweet, and sustained. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2009." –Wine Advocate
, 90 points. The 2000 vintage was equally impressive. 2003 Vinum Petite Sirah (California)
"A delicious wine that delivers a ripe, concentrated core of pomegranate, blueberry and cola flavors. Fresh sage and
mocha notes from toasty oak fold into firm, gripping tannins on the cedary finish. Drink now through 2008. Smart Buy." 90 Points - Wine Spectator 2000 Goosecross Syrah
(California)
"This "Old World" style Syrah presents a delicate rose red/purple hue that opens with an aromaticand expansive nose of
black cherry and plum fruit. Herbal and earthy notes are punctuated by black currants, raspberry and strawberry flavors. Each sip finishes with hints of black pepper and toasty oak. Excellent from beginning to end, soft, smooth and
full-bodied." –Winemaker's Notes. 2001 Shadowfax Shiraz McLaren Vale (Australia)
"Sweet, intense ripe black fruits on the nose, with a chocolatey, spicy character. Intense, concentrated spicy palate with ripe, lush fruit and some structure. Very good/excellent 91/100 " –wineanarak.com
. A very fine mix of sweet fruit and structuring tannins. Tasty, with some black cherry, unusual for Shiraz.
Wine Tasting March 9 - 12, 2005
2004 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc (Chile)
Aromatic, citrus and tropical, crisp in the mouth, with zingy acidity – classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, only from Chile. Incredible value.
2003 Steele Shooting Star Chardonnay (California)
The second label of Steele, but made from the same sources as the first label, only meant to be more forward and drunk
young. Round and full with flavors of apples and peaches. A classy Chardonnay at a good price. A good candidate for a top notch everyday wine. 1998 Bredell Pinotage (South Africa)
A cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, grown widely only in South Africa. This version features the Rhone side of this
grape – smoke, clove, strong acidity, black berry and black currants, with firm tannins and a long aftertaste. Has been improving ever since released. Should be near its peak.
Marietta Cellars Old Vine Lot #36 (California)
Loaded with spicy, peppery, ripe blackberry fruit and backed by dense, blueberry, earthy Petite Sirah flavors. The higher
percentage of Petite Sirah this year adds a noticeable complexity to the wine. A serious wine yet eminently approachable.
Broad and lush on the palate with a lingering finish. Enjoy over the next 2-4 years. 55% Zinfandel, 25% Carignane, and 20% Petite Sirah. –Winemaker's Notes
. A multi-vintage wine famous for being affordable, drinkable, and delicious. 2003 Michael & David Vineyards 7 Deadly Zins (California)
A blend made from old vines in seven different wineries in Lodi. Noticeably sweet from nose to finish, that floats on top of
the acidity and fruit and gives the wine a softer, more open richness and texture. 2003 Michael & David Earthquake Petite Syrah (California)
One of the best-named series of wines from California is the Earthquake line, and this is a wine that lives up to that billing.
A powerhouse showing thick blackberry/blueberry syrup and cassis liqueur. Full throttle and unctuous, with dense jammy
fruit held together by ample tannins and prominent wood. The California State Department of Transportation buys the pressed grapes to stain their asphalt black.
1994 Savese Primitivo de Mandurai Dolce (Italy)
A port style red dessert wine from the sunny and hot heel of Italy. Black, sweet, rich, and smooth, with ripe and plush
tannins, an abundance of raisins, and some flavors of dark plums and red raspberries. Intense, with an endless nose, and not hot despite a high alcohol content. Will easily keep for 15 years.
Wine Tasting March 2 - 5, 2005
2000 Simonsvlei Chardonnay (South Africa)
A Chardonnay that, instead of being heavy, is complex, well integrated, and refreshing. Shows how a Chardonnay can be
light on its feet yet still interesting and tasty. The nose is surprisingly floral, as if another grape were blended with the
Chardonnay. A smell of vanilla echoes throughout the wine, and the body adds a pretty touch of butterscotch. The flow and texture glide beautifully. Finally, a bright acidity makes the finish clean and citrusy. 2003 Bookwalter Chenin Blanc (Washington)
All old vines from the Horse Heaven Vineyard. Machine harvested. Cool fermented, with extended lees contact. Very aromatic. Fills glass with rich grapefruit, sweet pear, honey, and citrus. Refreshingly off-dry. –Winemaker's Notes
. 2002 Rex Hill Pinot Noir (Oregon)
"Light and refined, with pretty cherry, smoke and mineral flavors that persist nicely through the fine-grained finish. – Wine Spectator best buy.
2000 Roche Costamagna Annunziata Barbera (Italy)
Ruby colored with spicy raspberry/red currant aromas. Warm and velvety with some attractive vanilla and chocolate. 2002 Joseph Phelps Mistral (California)
Elegant styled, with rich, creamy vanilla, blackberry, blueberry and wild berry fruit flavors that are pure and complex,
turning silky in texture and finishing with a long fruity aftertaste. Syrah, Grenache, Carignane, Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouchet. – Wine Spectator, 91 points.
NV Bookwalter Lot 18 (Washington)
54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Syrah.
A multi-vintage blend from the vintages of 2003 (81%), 2002 (17%), and 2001 (2%). The youngest vintage gives bright fruit
and the older vintages add aroma, complexity, and smoothness. This wine is made from wine not selected for the vintage
bottling, and generally consists of fruit from younger vines. Made to be immediately drinkable, with a forward fruit,
smooth texture, and good balance. Fermented in oak barrels, including some new French oak. Fined with egg whites to soften the tannins. Surprisingly dark, complex, and delicious. Every release from Lot 15 on has been impressive.
2002 Kangarilla Road Shiraz (Australia)
Aged 14 months in primarily French oak, the deep purple/plum-colored, layered, opulently-textured, fruit-driven 2002
Shiraz possesses a terrific bouquet of blackberry liqueur, smoke, camphor, and underbrush. With loads of glycerin, no
hard edges, and a big, plump, fleshy mouthfeel, it is a type of wine made in Australia, but nowhere else in the world. Enjoy it over the next 4–5 years. -Wine Advocate, 93 points. A weapon of mass seduction.
Wine Tasting February 23 - 26, 2005 NV Rosenblum Vintners Cuvee Blanc IV
84% Viognier, 10% Chardonnay, 3% Rousanne and 3% Marsanne. 80% tank fermented, 20% barrel fermented in new French and American oak. Aged in stainless steel and oak. 86 points Wine Spectator (WS) – "Lush, with fine
concentration to apricot, honeysuckle and peach tones. Generous marshmallow flavors carry through the finish. Impressive value." NV Rosenblum Zinfandel Vintners Cuvee XXVI
94% Zinfandel, 3% Petite Syrah, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. From Contra Costa, Napa, Lodi, Medocino, Paso Robles, and
Lake County. "A rich, broad-shouldered red, with lively spice, wild berry, plum and blackberry flavors that are anchored by chewy tannins, but in the end the fruit pours through." -WS 86 pts.
2002 Rosenblum Zinfandel San Francisco Bay Continente Vineyard
100% Zinfandel. Tank fermented. Aged in oak, with 10% new American. 27.3 brix. From Contra Costa County. 90 points WS: "
Pushes ripeness to the max without going overboard, rendering a plush, smooth-textured wine with plenty of ripe
plum, blackberry and wild berry fruit, along with a beefy cilantro edge. The tannins are ripe and integrated, finishing with a spicy wild berry flavor that's distinctive."
2002 Rosenblum Zinfandel Richard Sauret Vineyard
92% Zinfandel, 8% Petite Syrah, fermented together in 4000 gallon fermenters with 10% whole clusters. 27.5 brix at harvest. 60 gallon oak barrels, half American and half French, 30% new Amer. From Santa Lucia Mountains. 92 points
WS. "Intense and rich in flavor, with smoky, toasty oak wrapped snugly around a core of plum and blackberry fruit that turns complex as it folds together on the finish, ending with a chocolate espresso bean aftertaste."
2002 Rosenblum Zinfandel Rockpile Road
100% Zinfandel. Fermented in 8-ton open fermentors with 3 Rhone yeasts. Aged in oak barrels, half French and half
American 27 brix. From Dry Creek Valley. 92 points in Wine & Spirits, WS, and Wine Enthusiast. #1 Zinfandel of Year in Wine News
. "Spicy aromas of very ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit, black pepper and dried lavender. Ultrasmooth, luscious and juicy on the palate with medium tannins and loads of ripe, extracted blackberry fruit accented by notes of
peppery spice and dark chocolate. Drinking fabulously." 2002 Rosenblum Zinfandel Lyons Vineyard Napa
100% Zinfandel. Fermented small batch, hand punched. Aged in 70% French oak, 30% American, 60% new. 26.2 brix at harvest. 92 points California Grapevine, 93 points WS
: "A rich, explosive, exotic, mouthcoating style, with dark, plush blackberry, plum and wild berry fruit framed by jazzy oak, which gives it a seductive smoky, toasty wood quality, ending with a burst of raspberry jam." 2002 Rosenblum Syrah England-Shaw Vineyard
100% Syrah. 10% whole clusters, 3 day cold soak, open tank fermentation. Hilltop vineyard east of Napa Valley. 27 brix at
harvest. Aged in French and American oak barrels. Double Gold Best of California, 2004 CA State Fair. One of best Syrahs of year in Wine News. 93 points WS: "
A sensational wine, rich and complex, with intense huckleberry, wild berry, blueberry and plum flavors that are ripe and focused, framed by jazzy, smoky espresso bean and spicy, peppery beef
scents, in part from oak. But the flavors are so well-married that it's hard to separate the two."
Wine Tasting February 16 - 19, 2005 2003 Frattina Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Dry, mouth-filling, and forceful wine. Far more character than the simple, watery, mildly pleasant Pinot Grigios that often come from Italy. Quince, nut, and honey flavors.
2000 Bichot La Moutonne Grand Cru Chablis (France)
A monopole, meaning a vineyard wholly owned by one owner. 2000 was a very fine vintage for white Burgundy, making rich mouth-filling wines.
Bright yellow straw color. Medium-bodied. Bright acidity. Distinctive minerally aromas follow through on the palate. 2002 Napenthe Tryst Adelaide Hills (Australia)
A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Tempranillo, and 10% Zinfandel. Beautifully pruple-red, fragrant, with dark red
berries. Approachable and ready to drink now, but will last for several years. –Winemaker's Notes. 1998 Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir Reserve
Red-ruby. Pungent spices, redcurrant, raspberry and caramel on the nose. Fat, ripe and deep, with lovely inner-mouth
sweetness and perfume. Strong cherry and berry flavors. Fairly large-scaled, solidly structured pinot. Finishes with a slight youthful aggressiveness, but the tannins are fine and ripe. –Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar
, 89+? Points. Native yeasts, 60% new French oak, grapes from Napa. 2000 Terra Blanca Syrah Red Mountain (Washington)
Great purity of flavors, with loads of blueberry and raspberry fruit, good concentration, and structure from tannins and acidity. Not your soft, lush Syrah, nor particularly peppery. Wine & Sprits
rated the 1999 vintage 93 points. 2000 Alesverloren Tinta Barocca (South Africa)
Cultivated as a specialty and carefully vinified in order to develop its full fruitiness. One of the grapes used to make Port in
Portugal. The young wine is matured for eighteen months in oak casks, adding to its characteristic warmth and body.
Allesverloren Tinta Barocca has a bright ruby color and a bouquet of intensely aromatic fruit, with hints of the port grape. Has a streak of sweetness, but remains tasty, bright, and fresh.
Wine Tasting February 9 - 12, 2005
2003 Hahn Chardonnay2003 7 Heavenly Chards 1999 Bighorn Napa Cabernet 2000 Beringer Knight's Valley Estate Cabernet 2001 Viljoensdrift Shiraz 2000 Terra Rouge Pyramid Block Syrah
Wine Tasting February 2 - 5, 2005 1999 Gunderloch Rothenberg Nackenheim Dry Reisling 2002 Smith and Hook Cabernet Sauvignon
2003 Barnard Griffin Handcrafted Syrah 2002 Robert Biale Grande Zinfandel 1998 Easton Estates Zinfandel Shenandoah Valley 1996 Allesverloren Vintage Port
Wine Tasting January 26 - 29, 2005 2003 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc
An aromatic interplay of tropical and citrus and flavors. Crisp in the mouth with zingy acidity. Classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, only from Chile at an incredible value.
2002 Franciscan Chardonnay
A nose with toast, vanilla, pear, and apple, followed by a lively and refreshing lemon citrus in the mouth. 1999 Baystone Shiraz
A classic full-bodied wine from Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. Shows vibrant hues of reds and purples of wonderful
density. Aromas of vibrant berry, anise, toasted notes and nuances of pepper and spice. The flavors follow with the same
vibrant berry fruit and a hint of terroir, expressive toasted oak, and an elegant vanilla finish. Balanced well structured,
approachable, and charming. Gold medals in the Riverside International Wine competition and the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. 93 points from Norm Roby and 90 points from Jerry Mead.
2002 Turkey Flat Butcher Block
"Even better is the 2002 Butcher's Block, a so-called MSG (54% Mourvedre, 24% Shiraz and 22% Grenache). Aged in 5%
new oak with the rest neutral wood, this dense ruby/purple-tinged, fruit-forward red offers up aromas of flowers,
blackberries, blueberries, new saddle leather, earth, and pepper. Dense, medium to full-bodied, seamless, and elegant for its size, it can be drunk over the next 4-6 years." -Wine Advocate, 92 points.
2002 Turnbull Old Bull Red
A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Sangiovese, 8% Syrah, 5% Merlot, 4% Petite Sirah, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit
Verdot. The winner at a blind tasting of wines currently available. Inky garnet in color. Cassis, leaves and cedar on the
nose. A big American oak component on the palate but also plenty of high extract, pungent cassis and black currant fruit. Coffee and bakers' chocolate. A juicy heavyweight.
2002 Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel Late Picked
Much of the vineyard is 100 years old. The vineyard is located in the Northern Sonoma appellation between Santa Rosa
and Sonoma. This wine is a blend of 89% Zinfandel with two of the darkest blending grapes: 7% Alicante Bouschet, and
4% Petit Sirah. This particular vintage was harvested quite late in mid-October, and achieved very ripe flavors. Only 20%
new oak was used which makes for a fruit forward palate of spicy, woodsy fruit. The wine is intense and full-bodied, with firm structure and balanced tannins.
Wine Tasting January 19 - 22, 2005
2004 Huia Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
A complex combination of lemon, lime, and grapefruit. The acidity is razor sharp, refreshing, and mouth cleaning. Has very
little of the grassiness common in New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. Another in an outstanding series of vintages from Huia. 2003 Villachigi Chianti (Italy)
Most Chianti in this price range is medium bodied, acidic, and a touch austere. This is sweeter, fruitier, and softer, which makes it tasty and easier drinking. 2003 Hahn Meritage (California)
Since 1997, Hahn's meritage has been one of the most affordable and best values from California. The 2003 version
continues that tradition. Features violets and cassis, with a bit more tannin that most other vintages. The meritage is
typically the most backward of the Hahn wines, but has improved for the first three years, and kept well for five. 1999 Bodega Cabernet Sauvignon (South Africa)
A fine Cabernet Sauvignon, featuring ripe tannins, cassis, and raspberry. Balanced, long, and tasty, with no flaws. Has significantly improved since being released. 2002 X Winery Syrahtica (California)
Concentrated flavors of cherry, blackberry, and raspberry. Balanced with well integrated tannins, this complex wine finishes with mild spice and toasted oak. 85% Syrah, 6% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc. 2001 Poggiassi Toscano (Italy)
An outstanding wine that was one of the best at a blind tasting. Not as dry and acidic as most Italian blends. Instead, dark, rich, fruity, well structured, and very tasty.
Wine Tasting January 12 - 15, 2005
2003 Shepherd's Ridge Sauvignon Blanc
The essence of Marlborough is captured in this Sauvignon Blanc. Under the Wither Hills umbrella of directive, derives a
wine that's classically Marlborough. Intense and vibrant herbaceous notes work in harmony with gooseberry and citrus hints. Simply delicious. 2002 Viu Manent Merlot Reserve
If you like your Merlots lush and soft, look elsewhere. Instead, an unusually dark and well-structured Merlot, with firm but
not green tannins throughout, with some licorice and a bowl of purple plums. Got even better the second day after being opened. Should keep and improve for at least three years.
2003 Michael and David Seven Deadly Zins
Seven of Lodi's best growers contributed grapes from their old vine vineyards to create a layered complexity for this
fanciful blend. Soft, supple pepper and licorice-clove notes merge into a marriage of deep, brambly blackberries and lustful
cherries. The finish is clean on the palate with hints of rich vanilla, cocoa, and mild tannins. Consistently excellent at a good price. 1999 Bighorn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Very dark, loaded with black currants, and aging nicely, with noticeable tannins that have rounded and integrated into the wine. A superb value. 2002 Amavi Syrah
Broad, mouth filling, dense, and nearly lush, with blueberry, violets, licorice, and earth. A thrilling wine, with intensity, balance, complexity, and a good price.
2002 Bernard Griffin Syrah Handcrafted
"This highly collectible reserve-style gold brought home plenty of accolades in 2004, thanks to its intense aromas of dark
fruit, violets, spiciness, and hedonistic flavors of black cherries and blackberries. A penetrating wine with a combination of power and elegance." -NW Wine Press Platinum Judging
. A platinum winner as an outstanding wine among gold-metal winners from the Pacific Northwest. Completely sold out at the winery.
Wine Tasting January 5-8, 2005
2003 Frattina Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Pale straw-colored yellow with a full prominent fragrance reminiscent of walnut marrow and a refined aroma of fresh hay
and wild honey. The taste is dry, flavorful and full with a fruity aroma and an elegant lingering finish of toasted hazelnuts. 2002 Lawson Hills Pinot Noir (New Zealand)
Grown on the steep clay slopes of the Giles vineyard and the free-draining soils of the Collett vineyard, the grapes for
Lawson's 2002 Pinot Noir were handpicked and fermentated in open vats with traditional hand plunging, followed by
maturation in new to four-year-old barriques. Deep ruby in color, with ripe plums and cherries on the nose and palate with elegant structure, soft tannins and a long finish.
2002 Finca Sophenia Malbec (Argentina)
Argentina is gaining a deserved reputation for making the best wines in the world from Malbec. This modestly priced
version is not your usual Malbec, which tends to be made ripe, fruity, and soft. Replacing the usual streak of sweetness
through the wine is a streak of dryness. The wine is very dark and features blackberry rather than plum. Without being astringent or woody, the wine's firm backbone of tannins pulls the wine back from being just a lush fruit bomb.
2003 Bernard Griffin Syrah (Washington)
For several years, the Bernard Griffin Syrahs have been winning gold metals at wine judgings, and gaining coveted
platinum medals at the Northwest Wine tasting as the best of gold metal winners. Already a gold medal winner, the 2003
has intense and ripe aromas with hints of French oak. Rich scents of dark fruits and violets dominate. The mouth is big, rich, and almost sweet, with soft tannins and balancing acidity.
Cain Cuvee NV1 (California)
A multi-vintage wine composed of 24% 2000 and 76% 2001. The grapes are 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and
19% Cabernet Franc. Aims for bright aromas with a mouthwateringly fresh palate and a silky finish. 2001 gave wines of
distinct varietal character, great intensity, ripeness, color and body. The lots of 2000 were for distinct perfumy aromas and
a delicate spiciness; round and smooth but not heavy. The combination yields a medium bodied wine, complex and very interesting with great flexibility and drinkability. –Winemaker's Notes.
2001 Cain Concept (California)
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. Deep color; ripe quite intense and plummy
aromas; intense and concentrated on the palate with a velvety finish.
Wine Tasting December 29, 2004 - January 1, 2005 Huia Sauvignon Blanc 2003 (New Zealand)Dessert Wind Merlot 1999 (Washington State) Bookwalter Cabernet 2001 (Washington State)
Broken Stone Cabernet/ Shiraz 2000 (South Africa) Pervini Archidamo Primativo 2003 (Italy) EOS Petite Sirah 2000 (California) Return To Archives Page |
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Richard Stetler's Fine Wines & Tastings
