Father-in-law stunned us by bringing to this dinner a bottle of mature Burgundy wine, a 1993 Volnay 1er Cru by Robert Ampeau, a producer I had never encountered. 1993 Domaine Robert Ampeau et Fils Volnay Santenots 1er Cru Smells of seaweed and rotting vegetables when first opened. 2004 Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Wintzenheim, $28. MORE >>

There is amazing stuff happening out there - beautiful (and old world-ish) expressions of Merlot, Cab Franc, and Bordeaux blends.lovely Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays, excellent dessert wines, and plenty of other interesting stuff. Saturday March 24 from 1:00 - 7:00 PM at Chambers Street Wines. Aimez-vous Pinot Noir? Are you kidding me?!? MORE >>

This is one of those small appellations, obscure I guess (but this blog is not esoteric, dammit), created only 14 years ago in 1993. White wines labeled Cheverny may contain Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc, but every white Cheverny I have encountered is primarily a Sauvignon Blanc with a bit of Chard blended in. MORE >>

Both dinners will feature 2005 red and white Burgundies from Voillot and 2005 Pinot noir and Chardonnay from St. Innocent 2005 Chardonnay Freedom Hill Peking Duck Breast with Goat Cheese Polenta and Fig Vincotto Reduction D. Innocent 1993 Pinot noir, O'Connor Vineyard Dessert St. Hello Portland! have serious wine dinner envy. MORE >>

Older vintages like the 1990 and 1993 have been enjoyable, subtle, but ultimately sterile. Chardonnay on the nose, chardonnay on the palate, chardonnay chardonnay chardonnay. I don't drink Dom Perignon as much as I'd like to, and frankly the wine confuses me a little. There was nothing "wow' about them. MORE >>