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Aug 27, 2008Trecini Russian River Merlot, 2006
Chocolaty powder, black berries, with a little cherry coming through.
This wine is a good effort but I feel it's like the marathon runner who entered the event two years too early.
I'm tempted to say that with a little time it might come into its own and would be very interested in TrecinI wines in the future.
An overall tasty wine but it didn't shake me the way I like to be shaken.
Aug 14, 2008Deerfield Ranch Peterson Vineyard Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc, 2006
My first sip was too warm - so after some time in freezer, I found tons of luscious tropical fruit topped by butterscotch candies.
There was a tingle of Sav Blanc crispness, but all around this wine was not what I expected. There was a lingering creaminess that is reminiscent of Chardonnay, but with the tropical notes and refreshing zing of a sav blanc.
Very interesting!
Aug 13, 2008Felsina Chianti Classico, 2005
A nice medium bodied Chianti, with good spicy, followed by notes of smoke & leather. Great for everyday drinking.
Aug 13, 2008Amista Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003
The Amista Dry Creek Cabernet did not start of tasting like a Cab. The dense & meaty wine shows like a syrah, but finishes with the spice & cocoa of a cab.
Aug 13, 2008Martin Family Vineyards Rattler Rock Zinfandel Russian River Valley Sonoma, 2005
A wine-school classic example of Dry Creek Valley. This wine was jammy and full of blackberries, but not sweet. A ton of spice shone through the massive fruit, with lots of cinnamon and black fruit.
Aug 13, 2008David Bruce Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Santa Maria Valley, 2005
This beautiful example of a California Pinot Noir was full bodies & fruity. Clear notes of cherry were followed by lots of spice. This was a crowd pleaser and quickly disappeared off the table!
Aug 12, 2008Andes Collection - Carmenere - Curico Valley, 2006
This is very, very nice, Dry, tannic, my kind of big red. It is almost black in color with a mellow-spice nose. On the palate is earth, lush fruit and a hint of caramel.
Aug 10, 2008Martin Ray Mendocino County Pinot Gris, 2006
Apricot, mint, and vanilla oak. Rich and has some spice -- kicks nicely. Not a typical pinot grigio, seems much more flavorful/potent. Some walnut skin.
Aug 08, 2008Schrader Cellars Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004
A Great Wine that is showing perfectly now! True Cal style with loads of black, concentrated fruit that sails through for nearly 45 seconds! Smooth, balanced and very easy to drink - this wine should be even better with some age. A remarkable wine for being so young. This wine rates with the best of California and the World!
Aug 08, 2008Araujo Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001
Clearly an "estate" wine -- and a great "estate" at that! A regal wine that features concentrated black fruit, cedar, and a nicely integrated bit of chocolate and mocha! Very balanced with just the right amount of tannin to suggest long, vibrant life. A great expression of an excellent vintage! This is a richly, elegant wine that has many years ahead of it!
Aug 08, 2008Colgin Cellars Ix Estate Red Wine Napa Valley, 2002
Wowza, wowza mamasita...this is about as good as it gets! Loads of black fruit that are hugely concentrated with lively, velvety tannins. Impeccable balance with the "proverbial" 45 second finish. Big, not huge, and still a bit racey -- this bottle was decanted for 4 hours -- smart move! Clearly an evolutionary wine that is memorable -- A real 20 year wine! The whole package -- vineyard, fruit, winemaking, vintage - a "STUNNER"!
Aug 08, 2008Sea Smoke Ten Pinot Noir, 2004
Somewhat disappointing and I may be too generous with the points here...while there is real red fruit, it is overtaken by a somewhat harsh edge (read as "heat")...decant it all you want, this is not performing for the "long run"...this should be MUCH better now than it is!
Aug 07, 2008Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 2002
This wine is progressing extremely well - while still very big, it is losing much of it's girth and rough edges. Waves of black fruit flavors that are deeply concentrated and lasting. Tannins are rounding out so that it is showing the many fine traits of this excellent vintage -- alot of life ahead for this "keeper"!
Aug 07, 2008Colgin Ix Estate Napa Valley Syrah, 2002
Nicely concentrated black and red fruit that flow into tasteful hints of meat, white pepper and soft tannins. Excellent balance with few, if any, hard edges -- no heat -- clearly a "Napa" Syrah. Not SQN JFTLOI, but an exceptional expression of the variatal. Very glad I waited to drink this wine since it is just entering it's real drink window!
Aug 02, 2008San Sebastian Cream Sherry, NV
light, sweet (but not too sweet), delicious. helps me get to sleep at night!
Jul 24, 2008Peterson Zero Manipulation Red Table Wine, 2004
A Zany Zin makes you go Zowie!
OK so it's mostly Carignane, but this blend changes every year, and this bottle was mostly Carignane, which gives this a great juicy red fruit base. The Zin gives it a spicy kick, and rounds out the earthy undertones complemented by the Mouvedre.
This wine takes me back to my early drinking years, when Peterson used to be at his ranch, and would occassional throw open the barn doors. Zero Manip pays homage to the quality jug wines of yesterday, which are still available at certain semi-secret locations throughout Sonoma and beyond.
This is a screaming deal, and is a fun wine that you can trust every year to be different, and tasty to boot.
Jul 21, 2008Manilow Pinot Grigio Terre Di Chieti Barry, 2007
This is a very surprising Pinot Grigio. It has more body than normal Pinot Grigio. Once the wine sits for a few minutes, it opens up and has great green apple and pear notes. Great price, definitely worth trying.
Jul 19, 2008Barefoot Pinot Grigio, 2007
This wine is an amazing value. It is crisp & tantalizing when it hits the tongue and makes you feel like you have green apples, kiwi, pears and white nectarines rolling across your taste buds. This brand is known for making very good inexpensive champagnes and it almost reminds me of a bit of bubbly. For a second you almost think you have something sparkling in your mouth but the tiny bubbles disappear almost instantly. If you want a refreshing wine that can compliment any simple poultry, fish or pork dish you will be beyond pleased with this wine.
Jul 17, 2008Rosenblum Vinters Cuvee Zinfandel
Promising on the nose with chocolate and a hint of tomato. Going in though it's sour time, no mid palette and quickly fades into that grape vanilla oak leaving you wonder if they didn't dazzle up some Charles Shaw...I'm so tired of that. :(
If the price range were any more I'd be pretty let down but this is just another one of those wines that just goes on the "it's another average day" list.
Jul 16, 2008Barreto Cellars Vinho Tinto - Red Table Wine, 2004
Strawberry jam with almond slivers on top. Add in some currants and cherries and a dab of tomato sauce. Light & smooth. Really interesting wine, I need to try it again without any other wines to influence it!
Jul 11, 2008Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir, 2002
This wine was purchased in a "futures" sale back in 2003, and it's been aging nicely until today.
The nose is seriously intoxicating, rich ripe fruits layered on top of a subtle oakiness. Perfectly sweet cherry, some cocoa, and a good amount of vapors.
The palate is amazing. Fairly rich and bold for a pinot, but I love it. Great structure, stickiness and multidimensional. The finish starts out with a load of spice, black pepper and more. But then it smooths out into silky soft, long finish.
