Christian Seely led a very interesting test, in which we tasted two groups of base wine: Group 1 was 2008 Merlot, and Group 2 was Cabernet Franc. 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?”

Christian Seely led a very interesting test, in which we tasted two groups of base wine: Group 1 was 2008 Merlot, and Group 2 was Cabernet Franc. 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 woman’s voice says, incredulous.

Opening this 2005 Monte Bello with the affluent aromas of only Monte Bello mountain surfacing, the only thought I had was life seemed a little back to normal, at least somewhat, and if only for a moment. Let this 2005 Monte Bello develop in the decanter for a good three hours before trying it -- secondary notes will emerge.

2002 Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling, Eden Valley. 2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River. 2001 Cullen Wines Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Margaret River. 2005 Jacob’s Creek Steingarten Riesling, Barossa. 2005 Mount Horrocks Riesling, Clare Valley. Day One. Day Two. 2006 S.C.

Here are some rapid fire observations from this portion: Pichon-Lalande has a higher proportion of merlot in the final blend; coincidentally, it slightly rounder than its cabernet dominant neighbor, which may be why some who use anachronistically ascribe gender to wine attributes consider it the more “feminine&# of the duo.

numbered them and we did a blind tasting, pitting Girard's 2002 Cabernet Franc against a 2000 Ch. Charmail **, a 2005 Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot, 2000 Ch. Haut Gravet ** and the fifth wheel 2005 La Crema Pinot Noir Russian River Valley * It was interesting to note how these wines had evolved over the past 3-6 days.

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 ? love their events.

wine I really loved and found quite unique was the 2005 Domaine de Roally Vire'-Clesse' from the Macconnais, France. tasted 4 of them; a 2005 from grapes with botrytis (a desirable mold that when properly managed leads to long lived sweet wines), and 3 Vouvray. Interestingly enough, they make a 100% grenache wine called the (2005) St.

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. GW Bush - 2000 Yellow Tail Merlot. think so.

You will find both 2005 & 2006 vintages in stock. The 2005 is selling for $12.50 Also in the $13-$14 range from Galil Mountain and worth checking out is their Merlot &/or Shiraz. have found 2003 -2005 in stores ranging in price from about $ 13.50 The Unfiltered is available in 2002 & 2003 , each for $50.

also liked the 2005 Cantina Terlano Sauvignon Quartz , a lively and energetic wine with good acidity and length, and pretty good balance for a wine of 14% alcohol. The 2003 Franciacorta Dosage Zero was lovely, and quite dry as you might expect, and the 2002 Franciacorta Saten was also very nice, both of them based on Chardonnay.

2002 Mazel Cuv é e Planet VdP de L'Ardeche (Rhône) - light, floral, perfume in the mouth, well balanced and absolutely delicious. 2005 Clos Siguier Cahors - I never would have guessed. No merlot in this one, maybe some tannat. 2005 Romaneux-Destezet Souteronne VdP (Rhône) - gamay from 50-100 year old vines.

Well ladies and gentlemen, the results are in. will be copying a list of wines & their scores from Israeli Wine Critic Daniel Rogov's "Wine & Food Forum".  I am waiting for my physical copy of the issue to arrive before I comment specifically.  More comments later.  Without further ado, the scores.

good bottle of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, or Chardonnay from Long Island usually costs the same as a better bottle of wine from elsewhere. 2001 The Lenz Estate Selection Merlot , $22. My "4"s: 2005 Lieb Pinot Blanc , $19. 2005 Waters Crest Private Reserve Chardonnay , $25. 2004 Shinn Estate Vineyards Estate Merlot , $25.

JS Score: 93, Oct 2005, Release Price: $78 Piero Busso Barbaresco Borgese 1999 x 3 WS: Refined red. JS , Score: 90, Nov 2002, Release Price: $52 Guido Porro Barolo Vigna S. JS , Score: 90, Release Price $40 Tua Rita Toscana Giusto di Notri 2002 x 2 WS: This shows beautiful vanilla, violet and berry character on the nose.

Their unoaked 2005 Estate Sauvignon Blanc was fresh and lively. We emerged from our tasting there with a few bottles of their 2002 Cabernet Franc Reserve and a 375 ml of a 2004 zippy desert wine made from late harvest chardonnay called Allegra. 2005 Lamoreaux Landing $18 - light golden hue, very reserved nose. 2005 Hermann J.