and of course you may be very envious to know the wines with dinner. Maison Bouchard Carton "Le Corton" 2005, Mazis Chambertin 2002 from Maison Jean-Claude Boisset, and 1982 Batard-Montrachet from Maison Louis Jadot. "This is absolutely fantastic!" The clever thing is that ALL the wines are tasted blind.

Some of the workers are still finishing their lunch, which today is a delicious tomato and mozzarella salad, roast pork, various vegetables, and of course, cheese and dessert. 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. The Cellar.

An absolutely fabulous, one of a kind event at today’s Wine Media Guild lunch, as member sponsor Mark Golodetz arranged for three fabulous speakers from three fabulous Pauillac Chateaux to share stories of their estates, and of course their wine. Some of the wines tasted: Chateau Clerc-Milon: 1994, 2004, 2005, 2006.

Some of the workers are still finishing their lunch, which today is a delicious tomato and mozzarella salad, roast pork, various vegetables, and of course, cheese and dessert. 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. The Cellar.

On its own this means absolutely nothing, of course. 2005 Damien Laureau Savennières Le Bel Ouvrage , $32, Jon-David Headrick Selections, Imported by European Cellars. That's to be expected from 2005, but it was also very floral and mineral with an almost powdery sense to it, and with great poise and balance.

Some things have changed, of course. Here's what we had: (2005) Cédric Bouchard Roses de Jeanne Les Ursules Brut Blanc de Noirs - solo. 2002 Luneau-Papin Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Excelsior Clos des Noelles with fish soup. This is misleading, as I have been doing this for only three and a half years. It was delicious.

In volume terms, this is largely thanks to Yellow Tail, created only in 2002 but has since quickly hopped to the biggest wine brand in the history of the world!! Domestically, the boutique wine industry got a shot in the arm from the 2005 Supreme Court decision that paved the way to opening up shipping from wineries to consumers.

The first course was Risotto ai Funghi di Bosco , an AMAZING Risotto with mushrooms (crimini and shitake), shallots, sage and butter. This was paired with the Pieropan Soave Classico 2002 I brought that I think might have been just past the curve. So this evening was an education for me. with a kick. 16% alcohol! loved this wine.

2002 Domaine René Engel Vosne-Romanée , $28. 2002 is supposed to be such a great year, and this is a good producer (although that reputation grew under a different wine maker). 2005 Lafouge Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru Les Duresses , $27. 2005 Domaine des Croix Bourgogne , $25. 2005 René LeClerc Bourgogne , $25.

decided to drink a bottle over the course of three days with BrooklynLady, and hopefully learn something about how this wine might evolve. In contrast to the 2005 or 2002, it is not an exuberant wine, even after 3 days open. 2007 Domaine Hu e t Vouvray Sec Clos du Bourg , $28, Robert Chadderdon Selections. We loved this wine.

He brought a few truly special bottles of wine from France for this dinner, one of which was the 2002 Benoît Lahaye Brut Champagne Millésime. This version is, anyway, which I am guessing is based on 2005 grapes, bottled in 2006, and disgorged in August of 2008 based on the hard-to-spot code on the back label that reads "08 2008."

This was also true when I played a lot of chess, when I was getting into economics courses in grad school, basically anytime I've undertaken anything of any import. 2002 Domaine du Closel Savenniè res Clos de Papillon. The more I learn about wine, the more I realize that I don't know. Same is true with wine, I would say. Who knew.

went with the 2002 Domaine des Baumaurd Coteaux du Layon Clos du Sainte Catherine , $28 on release, imported by Ex Cellars Wine Agency. And the 2002, a great year in this part of the Loire Valley, should still have plenty of ripe fruit to go along with complexity and some sweetness. Woody Allen - 2002 Carillon Puligny Montrachet.

My past includes exactly one Jura red ( 2002 Pierre Overnoy Arbois Pupillin - my notes say that I didn't like it) and a couple of Crémants - love 'em. Reds 2005 Puffeney Arbois Trousseau , $30. 2005 Ganevat Pinot Noir , $30. 2002 Puffeney Arbois Savagnin , $29 - deeply nutty. And it's time for me to grow up.

The line up was: Welcome White: 2005 Cascina degli Ulivi Filagnotti (Gavi, Piemonte)--comments? 2- 2005 Fontedicto Pirouette #5 $15 Grapes: Carignan Languedoc, France (for some reason, this one, which was rich and sunny and fruit forward wasnt a smash hit. Flight Two: All Syrah all the Time 2005 Edmunds St. Many thanks! Epine?

BrooklynLady and I went to France together for the first time in October of 2005. We went to the Loire Valley and our plan was to see the various villages, and Tours, of course, but also to feast on the wonderful food and wines of the region. Of course not. And I am happy to report that we were successful on all fronts.

Before getting into the specifics, here are a few things that jump out at me when looking at our notes as a whole: 9 out of the 14 reds tasted were from the 2005 vintage, a ripe and glorious year. Lyle Fass of Rockss and Fruit also participates for the first time, writing about a Tres Vieille Vignes 2005 Mâcon Bussieres by Eric Texier.

Sorely missed Salem Chef Bernard Malherbe (formerly Fleur de Sel) agreed to re-invigorate his French genes and cook a six course dinner at his current Portland restaurant, Pata Negra. Both dinners will feature 2005 red and white Burgundies from Voillot and 2005 Pinot noir and Chardonnay from St. Hello Portland! Mark Vlossak, St.

There are exceptions of course, and I hope to identify them here for us to share. Like the wonderful $14 2002 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir. expect the 2005 vintage in Burgundy to offer some amazing regional and village wines. Trying to identify my favorite under $25 Pinots has been an interesting exercise for me.