2001 with its silky cherry notes, sweet vanilla, and delicious balance along with flavors of mocha and casis; - 2003 with its notes of Prince Edward Cherry Tobacco, vanilla, and ripe fruit; - 2005 with the flavors described above along with more ripe red integrated and concentrated fruits, much more extracted too …. Perfect Berries.

It’s not a second wine, exactly, which is the traditional name for a cuvee that does not meat the standards of the singular “great wine” from a classed growth Chateau. Adele. What a fabulous wine to enjoy as an aperitif!” I exclaim, sipping 2006 Esquisse, a new brand from the 2nd growth Chateau Nairac. Now let me set the seen. adele eloise.

When I’ve blended wine in other classes, it was usually a more elementary activity that involved nothing more than personal taste. very much liked the 2002, and found a curious note of a caraway seed along with saffron and East Indian spices. 2000 (white peach) and 2002. “A French insurance company owns a Chateau?&#

2002) Larmandier-Bernier Vieille Vignes de Crama nt Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs , $70, Louis/Dressner Selections. The precious few bottles I'm glad that I saved this for at least a few years (2005 is the current vintage), as it seems to be in a particularly sweet spot right now. loved this rosé. To me, a truly great Champagne.

Lassaigne's wines show this ripeness, this forward fruit, but they do so with class and restraint, and the wines are beautifully pure. blend of grapes from 8 parcels, this version is 72% 2006, the rest 2005. About 10% of the final blend is 2004 and 2002, but from bottles that are disgorged for this blend. Excellent wine.

Dry Creek Valley has become a Mecca of sorts for those seeking world class zinfandel. Then there's Quivira Vineyards , a family run Demeter certified estate whose 2002 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel ** was chunky and polished at the same time, not overripe, and not too dense, with good texture and Zzzzing! on the finish. Caveat emptor.

In contrast to the 2005 or 2002, it is not an exuberant wine, even after 3 days open. This is a wine of class and grace. 2007 Domaine Hu e t Vouvray Sec Clos du Bourg , $28, Robert Chadderdon Selections. I'm putting together a case of birth-year wine for my older daughter, who was born in 2007. We loved this wine.

The most recent session of my six-week introductory wine class at NYU wrapped up last week. We like to end the class in style: a giant edition of show and tell and taste. Each participant brings in a wine to present to the class, which means we get to taste about 25 wines that evening. It is an assignment! Good times!

And as far as I know, 1988 wasn't a particularly great vintage - just a normal working class year in the Loire Valley. The 2006's from Chidaine are quite good, although if you're used to the 2005's they will seem light. The 2006's are probably typical and the 2005's are probably extra rich and intense. How thoughtful is that?

routinely disagree with their wine scores (they gave Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2005 only 85 points - WTF are they thinking?!) Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley "Eisele Vineyard" 2005 * Smoky garnet color. wine of great depth and class, and my favorite 2005 Napa cabernet of the night. Merus 2005 ? Great class.

Owner and chef Chris, who just that morning had been a total teddy bear serving his delicious apple-cinnamon pancakes, became an utter tyrant while pouring a fabulous 2002 Peconic Bay Cabernet Sauvignon and an equally impressive 2005 Reisling. Dee and P were happily surprised at how much they liked the wines. suspect it was the latter.

Overall, I think that right now, at six years of age, the 2002 is in between its fruity, sweet beginnings and a sophisticated adolescene just around the corner. The 2002 was the sixth Monte Bello I tasted this year. It's a combination of 2007's gorgeous and pure fruits and 2005's depth and class. 2005 Very sophisticated.

Anyway, here are a few interesting wines from the past month or so that did not get their own post: BrooklynLady and I learned our lesson, and went to dinner last weekend on our date (no more cooking classes for now). 2002 Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses (about $17, readily available). We went to Rosewater , a neighborhood favorite.

Most are from 2005, a wonderful vintage. White: 2005 Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre et Maine , $10 (so far, my case is the same as Lyle's). 2005 Thomas-Labaille Sancerre les Monts Damnees , $21 (Our cases diverge here). 2005 Chidaine Montlouis sur Loire Clos Habert , $26. 2002 Clos Rougeard Les Poyeaux , $55.