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.

What transpired in those hours is a bit complex to describe here, yet it was an excellent lesson about what a Chateau has to think about, as in addition to the above the chateau must take into account the allotment for the “second wine.&#. 2000 (white peach) and 2002. “A French insurance company owns a Chateau?&# The Lunch.

My favorite sous-voile wines of the tasting, in no particular order, were the 2005 Domaine Andre and Mirielle Tissot Arbois Savagnin , 2005 Domaine Labet Savagnin Vin de Voile from Côtes du Jura , and the 2004 Domaine de la Pinte Arbois Savagnin. beneficial layer of yeast (the veil) is encouraged, somewhat akin to the flor in Sherry.

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. My favorite was the 2006 Clos Habert , a demi-sec wine that I also love in 2005. The Italian wines - I didn't taste 'em. How thoughtful is that?

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.

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.