Some of the wines tasted: Chateau Clerc-Milon: 1994, 2004, 2005, 2006. Chateau Lynch-Bages: 1996, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006 and Echo de Lynch-Bages 2008. Chateau Pontet-Canet: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 and Les Hauts de Pontet 2005. Chateau Mouton Rothschild: 1995 and Petit-Mouton 2005.

Wines included: Angels Gate Winery Mountainview 2008. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2005. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2008. Cave Spring Cellars Blancs de Blancs Brut 2004. Closson Chase Vineyards Beamsville Bench 2005. Closson Chase Vineyards Closson Chase Vineyard 2008. Flatrock Cellars 2008.

Following my interview with Jean-Marie Fourrier, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend a Domaine Fourrier tasting that featured several wines from the 2008 and 2009 vintages. Equally instructive is tasting the same wines from 2008 and 2009. Not as perfect as 2005, but this is a vintage of big wines that should age well.

Icewine is not usually the first beverage to consider to pair with oysters, yet our lunch kicked off withGlacier Bay Oyster with Inniskillin sparkling Vidal Icewine 2008. Named Winemaker of the Year at the 2004 San Francisco International Wine Competition and Winery of the Year at the 2005 event, Bruce is a native of Niagara Falls.

2004 Alzinger Riesling Smaragd Loibner Steinertal, $30, Imported by Michael Skurnik Wines.--NV 2004 Domaine de Bellivière Jasnières Les Rosiers, $28, Louis/Dressner Imports. 2005 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Tuffeaux, $20, Louis/Dressner Imports. 2005 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Murto Vineyard, Oregon, $32.

would have pulled out a nice Gewurztraminer if I had one, but settled for a Fontana Candida Frascati Superiore DOC 2008. Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. Shirley keeps doing her part by challenging me to come up with a pairing for some of her weird dinner experiments. Here the grapes for Frascati are grown.

Stoney Lonsesome Estates 2008 Reserve. I love it when Shirley decides to experiment in the kitchen. It either means we end up going out to dinner or I am in for a special treat. What I do know is that she cooked skinless chicken breast in apple juice with oyster mushrooms, slices of gala apples and diced mint fresh from the garden.

I don't often go with Shirley and Pam to the Saturday morning Central New York Regional Farmer's Market, but I made an exception today. was also out of bed early enough to tag along, which is unusual. did stop at one and tasted their 2007 Meritage. It seems to be that the wine always is a bit different, no, a lot different than what I remembered.

I've been holding out on the wine reviews until everything gets back to normal after my surgery. At present, my Cardiologist has OK'd 3-4 oz. of wine per day and, for me, that just don't cut it. do cheat a bit and I also skip some evenings. That is what happened with the first bottles I opened. little lighter bodied than what I'm used to in Zin.

Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. An international wine collection with six brands and ten items packaged in a new exciting premium 3L wine cask from the Octavin Home Wine Bar ™. The Chardonnay was not impressive. Definitely a good party wine.

This week I decided to open a dry and semi-dry from the same winery to compare and I chose one of the nicest Rieslings so far; Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2008. With May and New York Riesling month coming to close soon, it is safe to say that I tasted more Riesling this month than any one year in my life. Why, I'm not sure. Truly enjoyable.

My choice for the evening was a 2008 semi-dry Riesling( $14 ) from the Long Point Winery. This past Monday evening was a first for me on-line. Because of my work schedule and Shirley's extra long 'honey-do' list I never have the chance to do a tweet up on Twitter or follow a wine party on Facebook. All from the Seneca Lake wineries.

The first one I opened was the Zugibe semi-dry 2008( $14 ). This past weeks edition of the Syracuse New Times, a weekly alternative newspaper published in Syracuse, New York, contained an interesting article on Finger Lakes Riesling. Evan is passionate about Finger Lakes wines and authors some of the most interesting articles on the subject.

The two wines we tasted were the 2008 Riesling and the 2008 'dry' Riesling. To continue Riesling month here in New York, I wanted to find something other than my favorites from the Finger Lakes region. Doing so seemed almost impossible. Brotherhood also happens to be America's oldest winery. Enough history.

The 2008 Red Tail Ridge semi-dry Riesling was suggested by my sister-in-law. Just finished watching the movie "Avatar" while sipping on my first Riesling of the summer. Finger Lakes Riesling of course. This month is Riesling month in New York and this will be the first of many I'll enjoy over the next 30 days. Sound good? What else is better!

Recently, the wife and I have been discussing a possible trip to California next year. few of the issues are for how long and where. Of course my choice would be Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley or Russian River Valley, the home of some of the best wines in the world. Oh, I'm sorry, did I leave out Paso Robles, Lodi, Central Coast or Livermore Valley.

The next four wines were all quite good, and were preferred by some of us, enjoyed by all, and in no particular order: 2004 Domaine du Deffends Côteaux Varois Clos de la Truffière , $19, Robert Chadderdon Selections. 2008 Commanderie de Peyrassol Vin de Pays Portes Méditerraneé La Croix , $13, Neal Rosenthal Wine Merchant. Aren't they?

And the note from Alfred Tesseron of Pontet-Canet: We started biodynamie for 14 hectares in 2004, in 2005 we did 100% on 81 hectares (200 acres), which is the total vineyard of Pontet-Canet so also for the vintage 2006. Over on Twitter, there was some confusion about the status of their Biodynamic certification. Here are their.

The first of the Zin's I recently stocked up on is the Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley 2004 Reserve. The 2004 vintage is 96% Zinfandel and 4% Petite Sirah. I'm leaving Chile(till later) and heading over to California to try a few more Zin's. Deep dark fruit aromas with some cherry. Hey, you're never too old to learn. Not that I am old??

The first 4 pairings with various Salumi: Ruffino Chianti Superiore DOCG 2008 From the Poggio Casciano Estate vineyards in Chianti, using choice grapes during the harvest, as per the Superiore and Chianti Classico production standards, and aged for seven months in stainless steel tanks and two additional months in bottle.

Since 2004 Steve has been Long Island Wine Council’s Executive Director, playing a large part in bringing the number of visitors to 1.3 Jamesport Vineyards 2005 Melange de Trois Bordeaux blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc. Castello di Borghese 2005 Merlot Aged in French oak barrels for 13 months.

Tonight I uncorked another Carmenere from Concha y Toro , the Casillero del Diablo 2008 Reserve. This is the third of the Carmenere wines I tasted this month. As I stated in my previous two articles, Carmenere is one of the wines I've pushed aside in the past, but have placed on a list to re-examine in 2010. I'm still not sold on Carmenere.

It's been a few years since I tasted Carmenere. If I remember right, it was a take it or leave it, nothing special, too many other fine wines, don't shop for wine. My last review confirmed that feeling, but in a very serious attempt to expand a lazy palate I purchased a few different labels to compare. The first was disappointing.

Wish I had a nice Canadian wine tonight so I could toast the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team on their winning of the Gold medal. am not an avid hockey fan, but I do watch occasionally and tonight enjoyed one of the best ever games. Instead, I uncorked an Arboleda Carmenère 2006 from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. Bring on the steaks!!! Wine Acidity: 5.31

with the first course of shrimp, we enjoyed the Macabeo described above and Realce Crianza 2005, 100% Tempranillo with spice and concentrated red fruit. Michael Apstein. Have you heard of Manchuela? It is a very small, rather new D.O. in Spain that makes quality white, rose, and red wine.

Think my taste buds are back. I've been having a few problems with red wines since finishing some prescribed meds a few weeks ago. No matter what was tried I was getting a very musty taste. opened a few old reliables thinking there must have been some bad bottles in the rack, but they turned out to be the same. Bogle Winery 2007. Great value!!

The tasting room is located in an 1850s farmhouse and the wine is the Cline Cellars Cashmere 2008. Cline Cellars is a national sponsor of the event and contributes $25,000 from the proceeds of 2008 Cashmere sales. was reminded of just that this past week as I chatted with an old friend and High School classmate from the mid-60's.

Sometimes when you least expect it, you open what may becomes your new favorite bottle of wine. Tonight I opened one of my remaining bottles of Finger Lakes wine purchased at my last tour in December. An Atwater Estate Vineyards , Cabernet-Merlot 2007. blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot. Can't do much better than that. Alcohol: 13.0%

Big break in weather today here in Central New York. Temperatures will reach about 30F. Must be the annual January thaw! To celebrate I figured to open one of my usually reserved for warm weather whites. My choice is one that was recently purchased at Lakewood Vineyards on Seneca Lake at the December 'Deck the Halls" event. 2007 Riesling.

Somewhere among my 50 New Year's resolutions (99.9% failure rate) was to leave my wine comfort zone more often as I continue to expand my trapped palate. To do so, I will have to taste, I mean drink, more wines that I never tried or wines I just never liked. So, to start off the new year I opened one of my least favorite wines, Zinfandel.

Syrah has always been one to those wines I could take or leave it. Almost all that I had ever tasted were the Shiraz from Australia. While visiting Damiani Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake this past spring I tasted an excellent Syrah and I was sold. From that day on I was a fan. enjoyed the Syrah with Shirley's three bean chili.

This has been one fantastic year of enlightenment for me when it comes to all things wine. Believe I may do a year end article on the subject. If I do, I will have to include the German grape, Dornfelder as one of the highlights. Dornfelder is a cross between Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe grapes. It is the 3rd most planted red wine grape in Germany.

** Disclaimer: I received these wines from Martellotto Wine s One of the benefits of writing a wine blog is the occasional UPS delivery of wine to taste and review on the blog. It can also be disappointing when the wine received is one that I don't normally drink or one that I have a hard time with. Now Cabs I have no problem with.

Can't seem to find a Finger Lakes Riesling I don't like. Thanks to my son, this past weekend I opened a dry Riesling from Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars located in Lodi, NY, on the east side of Seneca Lake and my first stop on the annual " Deck the Halls " event on Dec. have to say his timing was impeccable. g/L pH: 2.93 Alcohol by Volume: 12.1

So, to satisfy our thirst for a nice red wine to pair with my Chicken Parmesan, Shirley's Cavatelli Aleta (a cream sauce with Asiago cheese, prosciutto, baby peas, mushrooms, and roasted red peppers) and my daughter Pam's Fettucini with Joey's fabulous marinara sauce, we chose a Banfi Chianti Classico Reserva 2005.

Here are the details: 2004 Domaine de la Tournelle Arbois Ploussard de Monteiller , $28, Jenny & François Selections, donated by Jenny & François for this tasting. 2008 Overnoy/Houill on Poulsard Arbois Pupillin , $36, Louis/Dressner Selections. 2005 Jacques Puffeney Arbois Poulsard "M," $26, Neal Rosenthal Selections.

It will be more expensive than the 2005 was, about $23, and I will happily buy it. loved the "entry-level" 2008 Muscadets by Luneau Papin, particularly the 2008 Luneau-Papin Clos des Allées , about $15. liked François Pinon 's 2008's even more than I did the 2007's at this early stage. Lower yields perhaps? want it.

Now I have a few and tonight I chose a 2008 Reserve Reisling from Fox Run Vineyards. Thankfu lly for me, a no sugar guy, the 2008 vintage is a dry Riesling, 1.0% Only in years when ripening conditions are outstanding will this wine be produced and the 2008 is well worth it. The downside of this Riesling is the price.

Emilion 2005 (FR) Raphael Merlot 2005 (LI) Craggy Range Gimblett Gravel 2004 (NZ) * *My blind favorite Flight 5 Cabernet Franc Shinn Estates Cabernet Franc 2007 (LI) Catherine Et Pierre Breton Bourgueil Franc DE Pied 2007 (FR) Dare By Viader Cabernet Franc 2005 (CA) ** Bedell Cabernet Franc 2005 (LI) **My blind favorite

passed over many of my favorites before keeping out a Billsboro Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2008. I think it gets a little scary when you choose a not so good wine for three consecutive nights. That happened this week. But, halllelujah, tonight was a bit more successful. pulled every bottle of white wine I had (about 20). Not a great buy, but.

Every Friday and Saturday after work, a few friends and I visit our favorite lounge for some great food off the bar menu and to down a few glasses(maybe more than a few) of wine. Of course, the lounge is owned by my son and his fiance and has become our regular hang out since opening one year ago. Finally, he has listened to his dad. At that price.

About two years ago I found a special deal on a gift pack of two wines from Candoni Wines. The gift pack wasn't what sold Shirley and I on the purchase, it was the label. The gift pack included a bottle of Merlot and a bottle of Pinot Grigio, of which we opened at a dinner dance held during my annual military reunion. First, the label. for $11.

Alright, here's my dilemma or at least one of them. Tonight Shirley and daughter Pam are making 'halupkies' for dinner. Halupkies are also known as stuffed cabbage or as we called them in our house as kids growing up in the Pennsylvania coal region, 'blind pigeons.' The dilemma, I have no clue as to what wine to open. That only added to the dilemma.

2008 Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Clos des Briords , $16, Louis/Dressner Selections. remember loving the 2005 almost immediately upon release because it was so open and expressive. I'm pretty sure that 2008 was a difficult vintage in Muscadet and yields were way down.

There comes a time when you believe that a certain wine just can't get any better. hope I never get to that point in my lifetime. don't hide the fact that in the past two years I have fallen in love with wines from the Finger Lakes region of New York. have my favorite Finger Lakes wineries and my favorite Finger Lakes wines. Such is the case today!

While in Virginia on vacation, I picked up four bottles of Virginia wines, figuring I would try all four and choose one to review. Tonight I opened up the second bottle and had maybe the best white wine find of this summer, a 2006 Michael Shaps Viognier from the King Family Vineyards. The wines are produced with a traditional old-world style.

I 'm currently making room in my wine cooler for a recent large quantity buy, so I pulled out a Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2005 Riserva for a pizza dinner tonight. had this wine about four years ago and wasn't fully impressed at that time, but thought I'd give it another chance and the price was right. Great Buy!

One of the problems with bringing home lots of wine from a Finger Lakes wine tour is deciding which ones to try first. Shirley helps make that decision easier by planning some meals ahead of time or by just giving me a warning of what's on the menu for the night. Sometimes though, it can be challenging choosing the right wine for the meal.

Guess again and behold the saga of Sierra Carche 2005.&#. Here is the complete lineup: #1 2005 Sierra Carche (lot 8114) WA 96. 2 2005 Espectacle (Monsant) – about $150 (unrated, but 2004 was WA 99, 2006 WA 96). 3 2004 Pico Madama WA 93. 4 2008 Edgbaston Pepper Pot (South Africa), $14, unrated.

Unfortunately, I found only one, besides another Anthony Road Vinyards 2008 semi-dry Riesling which I already have in the cooler. OK, today I sinned again, at least according to some. took my list of New York medal winners to another local wine shop. Winner of the New York Wine and Food Classics's 'Governor's Cup.' I Don't Like Sugar."

Well it's time to try a new wine, at least new to me. Before now I have never tasted Gewurztraminer. Please, no comments on that issue. It took me over 30 years to appreciate any white wine, and now that I do, I am trying them all. The first was OK and will be nice at a evening get-together, but not one I would bring to the party. Great Buy!

Based on what I found on the net, it is probably a 2004. With ample experience in making and aging great wines dating back to 1964, Santiago Ijalba García left his position as general and technical manager in a historic Haro bodega to launch his own personal project. In 1998 under his newly-incorporated company Santiago Ijalba S.A. Great Buy!

Looking for great buys in wine? Just look to Australia. Don't know what's going on Down Under but right now some of the best buys for wine are Australian. The Lindeman's Merlot 2007 was recommended by a friend this past week-end. Our wine taste profiles are about 180 deg. apart, so I was a little hesitant, but he hit this one right on the nail.

Sometimes you just get lucky when searching out a wine. dropped into a local shop this week and during a conversation with the shop owner I had asked if he had any wines from Oregon. He did. He actually had one. It was a Pinot Noir. have had some really nice Pinot's from Oregon before, but they were a bit pricey. Pricey, but good. Great Buy!

Today was a shopping day with Shirley. We did the Home Depot, BJ's, Best Buy, Panera for lunch, two grocery stores and one Mom and Pop wine shop. The 'honey do' list at home was longer. Back to my day job tomorrow. Unfortunately, there were no choices for a good New Zealand Savvie so down the aisles I walked searching for one that interested me.

It seems every winery in the Finger Lakes has a Meritage. Most are nice bordeaux style blends that are very popular and very tasty and very distinct to each winery. Years ago I struggled to find one to like, now I am finding it difficult to taste one I don't like. And then, there comes along one that is over and above any I have tasted before.

I know those close to me won't believe this, but I am actually going to review a Rose' wine. In doing so, I am showing them that I can accept the fact that for almost all of my adult life I have been very stupid or as Lenn Thompson said 'Are you nuts.' Yes Lenn, I was nuts. The resulting juice once pressed was the perfect hue of pink. Great Buy!

Further, Grant Phelps, the Viu Manent winemaker, said that the Viu 1 was “identical in almost every respect&# to the 2003, 2004 and 2005, three vintages that he also made. What does a 62 point wine taste like? Not that I follow scores for wine very much, but a 62 pointer? Man, that had to suck. accepted. Was it inferior?

The shop had a small selection of Portuguese wines and I only had about $15 in my wallet, so I chose a inexpensive Quinta Da Cortezia 2004 Reserva. One of the most difficult time's I have on a short vacation is waiting for the train to take me home. This past week-end was one of those days and that great deal was in a wine shop. Great Buy!

Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008. I really enjoy shopping for wine and finding one that I never tried and end up putting it on my list of must have wines. Today, I stopped in to buy a Sauvignon Blanc for the evening. Today, I chose a good one. These are wines that are designed to be enjoyed. think they are just trying to impress.

2008 Grosset Wines Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley. 2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River. 2004 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra. 2004 Mt Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz, Grampians. 2004 Penfolds RWT Shiraz, Barossa Valley. 2008 Angullong Sauvignon Blanc, Orange.

The 2008 Albarino ** from an estate vineyard in Soledad was tight and racy. The 2008 Vin Gris de Cigare * was aromatic but a little flabby, while the 2003 Cigare Volant **/ and 2004 Cigare Volant ** each showed a little reduction. The 2004 was fresher, earthier and riper and more complex. Neither was a "wow" wine.

2004 Audrey et Christian Binner Crémant d'Alsace Extra Brut , $28, Jenny & François Selections. 2005 is the current vintage, and it sings out with fresh flowers and bitter herbs. But the 2004 Binner Crémant lacks resonance and depth, and it feels a bit stunted. I'm a big fan of the wines from this Alsace estate.

They have been fully organic since 2005 and as of 2008 farm their entire estate biodynamically. Even in a hot and ripe vintage like 2005 when the wines were richer and sweeter than usual, these trademark aromas were still evident amidst all of the fruit. Like the 2004, this wine is bursting with fir notes.

On New Year's day we opened a couple new zinfandels from the 2005 vintage to bring in the new year with hearty fare (chips and salsa) as we watched the Big 10 get eviscerated, once again, in the BCS bowls. Tags: 2 stars USA 2005 Sonoma Napa Valley Look for good dark fruits and mild loam, but no "wow."

Tenuta Il Borro Pian di Nova Toscana 2005 IGT Another blend from Ferragamo's Il Borro, this blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Sangiovese reflects a subtle nose of red cherries, currants and leather, with hints of vanilla and a finish of spices, namely cinnamon and cloves. Flavors of pear and vanilla balanced with nice acidity. alcohol content.

was operating on about 3 hours of airplane sleep and a magnum of 2008 Adrenalin by Brooklynguy. demurred, and he chose a bottle of 2004 Mugneret-Gibourg Vosne-Romanée. If you feel the need to snub my 3 bottles of $28 2005 Lafouge Auxey-Duresses1er Cru La Chapelle, so be it My TGV high speed train arrived in Dijon at noon.

At snooth on Sunday afternoon I participated in a blind tasting of 12 red wines. Led by Greg Dal Piaz of Snooth, all the bottles' labels were covered and we sampled 4 flights of three each.

2005 was the vintage of the century in Bordeaux, the vintage of the millennium in Burgundy, the finest post-World War II vintage in the Rhône, and the greatest vintage in recent memory in the Loire. Isn't it tempting to check in on your 2005's? know you love Muscadet - what's your take on the 2005 vintage? Drank in mid August.

We followed up with Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot 2005 ** which is less robust than the 2004, and not quite as fruity, but is more subtle, and a generally good value wine at $16 To conclude my previous post. Cherry red color with bricking at the edge, this was full on bloody with nice tang on the mid palate.

And the 2005 Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Clos Habert, one of my favorite demi-secs of the vintage, was in an awkward and closed phase on this night. Although I am not a fan of the 2005, my commitment to cellaring my '02s and '04s is renewed. I'm in a really great wine group now, and great ones are hard to find, trust me. So sue me.

Fattoria Dei Barbi Morellino Di Scansano 2005 DOC The Colombini family has owned property in Brunello di Montalcino since 1352, and they established Fattoria dei Barbi there in 1790. Galarej Barolo 2004 DOCG This Barolo is made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes with colors of deep garnet and a nose of cherries, raspberries, herbs and spice.

Sadly, Tibor Gal died too young in a car accident in 2005. Someone else brought in the Produttori di Barbaresco, Barbaresco 2004 ($30; find this wine ) after trying it at the wine shop Vino. The most recent session of my six-week introductory wine class at NYU wrapped up last week. It is an assignment! Good times!

Here are some of the big shots that just didn't do it for me: 2004 Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette ($90) 2005 Chapoutier Hermitage Monier de la Sizeranne ($115) 2005 Delas Fr è res Hermitage Les Bessards and Marquise de la Tourette ($?) I recently participated in the Wine & Spirits Northern Rhône tasting panel.

The other was a 2004 from the more expensive real estate of Puligny-Montrachet. Although you will not be able to find this wine in retail stores, the 2005 is currently available, it's under $30, and it should age at least as well, if not better. One of them was a 1994 from the Mâconnais. very intriguing bottle. Who knows.

Lot 93, a 2004 Tempranillo from Spain: Deep purple, ultra fruity nose very nice aromas of violets and flowers and red cherries/ red fruit on the palate, really nice. Lot 72, a 2005 Meritage from California: Nose: sweet, earthy aromas with a Bordeaux model. We do not own vineyards or ferment wine.

2004 Napa Valley Merlot **+ Thoroughly enjoyable. 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ** The merlot was so good I went back and bought a bottle of the Cabernet Sauvignon. This opened up very nicely after a few hours, but never really showed the complexity and big fruit of the 2004 Merlot. had never even been to the estate.

The confusing thing is this: the Chambolle-Musigny was a 2004 by none other than Georges/Christophe Roumier, the legendary producer whose wines are collected by the most fancy-pants of wine folk. And the Bourgogne was a 2005 by Réne LeClerc, a good producer, but not as highly thought of. want my $55 back.

The 2004 Vieille Vignes de Cramant was focused and lovely with floral notes, although quite closed. 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. The Italian wines - I didn't taste 'em.

While at the other end of the wine sophistication spectrum, the 2005 Yarden Katzrin Chardonnay is a BIG golden chardonnay with toffee, caramel, nutty aromas and a creamy palate that finishes long with all sorts of complexities. Made a trip back up to the Golan Heights today.  looks a little freaky huh.

routinely disagree with their wine scores (they gave Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2005 only 85 points - WTF are they thinking?!) Audrey, reading Wine Spectator in Lake Tahoe, Spring 2008) So it was with glee and trepidation that I ordered one ticket for the California Wine Experience at the Marriot in NYC - but mostly glee. Merus 2005

As for the reds, the single vineyard 2005 Kayoumi Cab showed black fruit, was round, approachable and very elegant, while the 2004 Kayoumi Shiraz was very upscale shiraz in style with a touch of black pepper, very fruit forward and a long finish.  YES, that Carmel, of the sweet, thick sacramental wine.  And taste I did. 

2005 Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Grezeaux , $23, Louis/Dressner Selections. How good is that wine, the 2005 La Croix Boisée? 2004 Produttori del Barbaresco , $29, Vias Imports. Make your morning coffee at home - why pay almost 3 bucks for it each day? Bring your lunch to work - why pay almost 10 bucks for it every day?

Wine Tasting News I had the 2005 Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet Clos des Briords the other night, and it was awesome. had the 2005 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Tuffeaux the other night and it was honestly just amazing. Listen - I don't always have time to write something grand for this blog. Why yes, yes he would.

2004 Audrey & Christian Binner Gewürztraminer Kaefferkopf , $20, Imported by Jenny & Francois Selections. 2005 Dirler Pinot Blanc Cuvée Vieilles Vignes , $27, Imported by Robert Chadderdon Selections. 2004 Albert Boxler Crémant d'Alsace Extra Brut , $28, Imported by Robert Chadderdon Selections. Do you meet in secret?

Emilion and a Chateau Le Puy September 28, 2008 The last visit of the day was Chateau Le Puy where I saw the Druid stones on its peaceful property. So I eyed the 2004 Jean Paul Brun Vielle Vignes for 45 euro. The sommelier steered me away from the Arena and strongly suggested I try the 2005 Ch. Report from Sonoma. Was it me?

The 2003 is drinking great, the 2004 is delicious and the just released 2005 is gorgeous.  Yiron" , a favorite of mine for many years, whose 2004 vintage includes Cabernet, Merlot and a touch of Syrah (not technically a Bordeaux varietal). I'm sorry for the delay in writing this post.  Plus it is often sold for over $30/bottle.)

732 is based on the 2004 vintage (79% of the blend), and is meant to showcase its identity as a wine made from 2004's grapes. Next year's version of this wine, Cuvée 733, will be all about the 2005 grapes, and depending on the character of the wines made from those grapes, it could be a very different wine. grams.

Back in early 2006 I paid good money for a case of 2005 Bordeaux futures. If they can sell my 2005 easily at those higher prices, they're coming out ahead. I was recently given the gift of two Grand Crus and two 1er Crus, both by excellent producers in Burgundy. That's what it feels like, anyway. traded for them. Too quickly, maybe.

2005 Domaine Weinbach Sylvaner Clos des Capuchins R é serve , price unknown but about $20, Vineyard Brands Imports. 2004 Domaine Pierre Amiot et Fils Morey St. This is a wine that doesn't suffer at all from the under-ripe green flavors that plague many of the 2004 reds. This is not a post about wines that are chaste.

2004 Château Pontet-Canet , $41. 2005 A. Do you realize that in New York City in just over a week from now, about 400,000 kids, literally, are going to write short essays with almost the exact same title as this post? Another summer comes to an end. love summer in New York City. just don't get it. And that's all there was.

2004 Produttori del Barbaresco. 2005 Puzelat Touraine La Tesni è re , a lovely smoky and funky white made of Menu Pineau, and the 2004 Puzelat Touraine La Tesni è re , a red made of Pineau D'Aunis. The more I learn about wine, the more I realize that I don't know. Same is true with wine, I would say. Incredibly delicious wine.

2004 Audrey & Christian Binner Riesling Katzenthal , $18, Jenny & Francois Selections. 2005 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese ** , $27 (375 ml). This past month I made a point of opening a few bottles that we don't normally drink. And you know what - we really liked them. Mostly I stay with what I know. Not me.

2005 Nicolas Joly Savennières Les Clos Sacrés , $27. Mine is not flawed, and it's from the 05 vintage, so it is probably more fruit forward than the 2004 JD discussed on Rational Denial. Whaddayagonnado? I've been working on a pasta dish that's perfect for summer. When I do it well it marries savory and herbal flavors. That rhymes.

2005 Clos Siguier Cahors , $10, (Jenny & Francois). 2004 Domaine de la Soucherie Anjou , $12 (Rosenthal Imports). I just got back from a weekend in Tallahassee, Florida. For those of you who weren't paying attention in 5th grade social studies class, Tallahassee is the capital of Florida. The trees were shockingly beautiful.

Here are some notes on wines I've had over in the past month or so: 2004 Puzelat Tour aine Pineau D'Aunis La Tesni è res , $18. 2005 Puzelat Touraine La Tesni è res , $19. This is honestly one of the finest bottles of white wine I have had the pleasure to consume in 2008. They buzz with energy, some say "wildness." It works.

Domaine Auther Pinot Auxerrois Vin D'Alsace 2005 ** Gorgeous - indescribable - nose. Boutari "Kallista" 2004 * I would tell you what this wine was all about if I could read the back label in modern Greek. Domaine Catherine le Goeuil Cotes du Rhone Village Cairanne "Cuvee Lea Felsch" 2005 - This wine didn't do it for me. Where?

The 2005, while less aromatic and less accessible than the spectacular 2004, is denser, darker, and more robust. This was $30 at retail on the Upper West Side, which is a 50% price jump from the 2004, so it falls somewhere between house-wine price and Cellar Selection, but I'd still put a couple bottles aside to see how they evolve