It is a new release called La Bout du Clos, a wine made entirely from that same vineyard in Ambonnay, from the 2004 vintage. Why, on Christmas even my friend Dan Melia opened an absolutely gorgeous bottle of 2006 Marie-Noëlle Ledru Saignée Rosé , and we drank it with excellent grilled cheese sandwiches and various pickles.

In 2004 he was able to buy out other family members so that he could make the wine he wants to make, and after my tasting today must concur it was fabulous. Mr Joliet was kind enough to open several bottles of red, from 2010 to 2006. “Your grandfather actaually used that press!” Yet it is true. Absolutely magnificent. link].

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.

With the oysters I drank a relatively unknown but incredibly delicious and interesting wine, the 2004 Michel Loriot Pinot Meunier Vieilles Vignes Brut , $75. The non-vintage Extra-Brut we drank was based on wines from 2007 and 2006, but because of the ripe richness of the wine, I guessed it was based on 2008.

The current release is based on the lovely 2006 vintage, and it feels substantial and ripe, and entirely under control, very fresh. My favorite so far is the exquisite 2004 Quinte Essence Brut, made of 60% Pinot, 25% Meunier, and 15% Chardonnay from vineyards in Belval-sous-Châtillon (if I understood correctly). That's right.3 cases.

Wines included: Angels Gate Winery Mountainview 2008. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2008. Cave Spring Cellars Blancs de Blancs Brut 2004. Closson Chase Vineyards Closson Chase Vineyard 2008. Colaneri Estate Winery ‘Paese’ 2008. Flatrock Cellars 2008. Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery 2008.

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. Afterwards, we had an icewine tasting with Bruce Nicholson, who was responsible for the vintages during 2006 and afterwards. Inniskillin Winemaker Bruce Nicholson.

Yalumba The Scribbler 2008 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Shiraz showing aromas of oak, raw wood and ripe cherries while on the palate hints of violets, black pepper and a spicy intensity. Flight 2 Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz 2008 Muted smoky aromas, eastern spices, sour cherries, cocoa, and forest floor, raspberry, blueberry and fresh finish.

2004 Alzinger Riesling Smaragd Loibner Steinertal, $30, Imported by Michael Skurnik Wines.--NV 2004 Domaine de Bellivière Jasnières Les Rosiers, $28, Louis/Dressner Imports. 2008 Jean et Gilles Lafouge Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru La Chapelle, $30, Imported by Fruit of the Vines. Can you get geared up for a laundry list post?

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.

Our next visit was the wines of Groupo Italiano Vini (GIV) which completed the acquisition of Bolla in 2008. Over lunch (risotto with Amarone and more delights) we tasted through the Valpolicella Classico and two 2004 Amarone, one from Seccal and one from Ambrosan with the cheese course. And New York? Day 2. Amarone, and Recioto.

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.

Park Avenue Spring was a wonderful venue to showcase the wines - a creamy 2008 Chardonnay with a long crisp finish that paired well with the oyster, refreshing 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (tank-fermented and aged in neutral French Oak barrels), 2004 Pinot Noir (everyone's favorite!) "So what did the first winery look like?"

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.

Here are the wines we tasted, with a few notes: Three of us picked the same wine as our favorite, the 2006 Delille Vin de Pays du Mont Caume Terre d' Omb re , $17, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant. 2006 Château Jean-Pierre Gaussen Vin de Pays du Mont Caume , $11, Moonlight Wines Imports. But the inexpensive red wines of Provence? It is 12.5%

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 Wölffer Estates 2006 Fatalis Fatum 42% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, 27.5% Since then its rise in popularity is obvious as visitors now call before-hand to ask what other events are happening.

The Arboleda 2006 was more full bodied with lots of earth, green pepper and tobacco. 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. The first two left me with mixed feelings about the wine. 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.

Instead, I uncorked an Arboleda Carmenère 2006 from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. The Arboleda Carmenère 2006 was purchased locally for $19 Vintage: 2006 Appellation: Chile Wine pH: 3.61 Wish I had a nice Canadian wine tonight so I could toast the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team on their winning of the Gold medal. Wine Acidity: 5.31

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.

Trentino Traminer Aromatico Casato Montfort 2004 Varietal: Gewürztraminer Region: Trentino Aged 5 months in steel vats and 3 months in bottle. Andrea Oberto Barbera d'Alba 2008 DOC Cherry pie, red berries, blackberries, tobacco, polished. Well, here they are. This wine is an excellent fruit forward California Cabernet.

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.

The first one I opened was the Martellotto 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. The second bottle was an Agent for Change 2006 Zinfandel. ** 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. 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

Tonight I added another favorite place to eat in Syracuse, Joey's Italian Restaurant. Shirley and I have been dining here for the last 10 years and it seems that the food just keeps getting better and better. Best of all is the fabulous and always changing wine list. The only downside is the lack of New York wines on the list and no NY reds.

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. Jura wines are kind of obscure, outside of the wine-geek world. Who knows?

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. The 2008 Clos du Tue-Boeuf Cheverny Gravotte , about $24, is 100% Pinot Noir from 30 year old wines on chalky soil.

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 favoriteSo, here we go.

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.

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!

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. While in Virginia on vacation, I picked up four bottles of Virginia wines, figuring I would try all four and choose one to review. 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. Turned out to be a good move.

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.

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. 12 2008 Oriol (Emporda) $12 unrated. Remember the saga of Sierra Carche ? Think it couldn’t happen? in White Plains, NY.

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. Again there was no date anywhere on the bottle, but I'm guessing it is a 2006. In 1998 under his newly-incorporated company Santiago Ijalba S.A. he created the VIÑA HERMOSA brand. Today, the family bodega already includes a new generation. The first night I opened the Crianza.

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.

wasn't really concerned about price, I just had a desire to try another Oregon wine, so I brought home a bottle of Henry Estate Oregon Pinot Noir 2006. 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.

OK, NZ is still the best, but the Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc 2006 is as good. Bonterra Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2006, found at $13 Take it from an amateur wine lover. 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. made the right choice.

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!

Writing in the Wine Advocate, Jay Miller had dropped the 62 on the 2006 while previous two vintages of Viu 1 scores of 92 and 92+ accordingly (about $60; find these wines ). Viu 1 2006, for instance, became Wine Enthusiast Editor’s choice with 92 points on July’s 09 issue.&#. But it turned out that was the 62 pointer, the 2006.

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.

The bottle BrooklynLady so wonderfully donated to our anniversary imbibement programme was all 2006, and it was more wine than Champagne, the bubbles merely incidental. think I'm going to skip squash and move directly to duck confit. -- Lyle Fass suggested that I try the Bernard Baudry 2008 Chinon Rosé in a comment on my recent rosé post.

2008 Grosset Wines Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley. 2006 Petaluma Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills. 2006 By Farr Sangreal Pinot Noir, Geelong. 2004 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra. 2004 Mt Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz, Grampians. 2006 S.C. Day One. Day Two.

In the spring of 2008 I learned that the winemaking prodigy behind Pax Wine Cellars, monsieur Pax Mahle, was leaving the eponymously named venture and striking out on his own, once again. and a 2006 Sonoma Coast Syrah Prices range from $32 to $45, about 30% less than Pax Wine Cellars. Rumor had it that disagreements with co-owner(?)

From 95% cabernet sauvignon, with 3% merlot and 2% petit verdot.makes me think they should add 2% petit verdot to the final blend of the 2008, in an attempt to recreate the longevity of the sweetness here. Tags: 2004 Central California 2006 1988 3 stars Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Napa Valley 4 stars Still delicious. underneath.

The 2008 Albarino ** from an estate vineyard in Soledad was tight and racy. The 2006 Le Cigare Blanc showed "quince and a little bit of spear mint." 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.

They have been fully organic since 2005 and as of 2008 farm their entire estate biodynamically. The single finest Bellivière wine I've had is the 2006 Rosiers (haven't tasted the other 06's yet though). Here are notes from bottles I drank in the past few months: 2004 Domaine de Bellivière Coteaux du Loir L'Effraie , $22.

Our first wine, a 2005 Hendry Zinfandel Block 28 Napa ** put on weight after decanting but failed to achieve the qualitative heights of the 2004 in terms of concentration and depth. An interesting wine nonetheless, and this will only get more interesting with a couple years in the cellar, but not as good for me as the 2006 offerings.

The six wines I tasted were: Il Borro Lamelle Chardonnay 2006 IGT This Chardonnay has a pale yellow color, fruity rich aromas of apple and peach with notes of floral & lemon. Castiglion Del Bosco Dainero 2004 IGT From the Tuscan region of Montalcino comes this mouthwatering blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese grapes. very nice wine.

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. In any case, I'm already imagining how much fun it will be in 25 years to open my 2006 Chandon de Briailles Grand Cru Corton Clos de Roi. Uh-uh, no way.

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.

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot 2004 ** a very good merlot with blueberry notes and solid body that can be had for under $20 Bryce Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004 * ripe and succulent but with sufficient acidity to hold it all together. But more on that, later. Some are Good Values , others are Cellar Selections , all are American.

Fattoria dei Barbi Toscana Brusco dei Barbi 2006 IGT Fattoria dei Barbi uses a patented technique of fermentation developed by Giovanni Colombini to make this Sangiovese Tuscan red wine. 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.

2004 Mouton Cadet Bordeaux. 2006 Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay (by Concha y Toro) D.O. 2004 Cantina Zuccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva * (Previously reviewed) Nice bright fruit this tasting, with good acidity and a lightly silty texture. 2006 M. Mexico is a difficult place to find a good bottle of wine.

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. Small world

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 86, a 2006 Lodi Zinfandel from California: Nose: warm, wood, jammy on the sweet side of dry, juicy and chewy, also very nice. We do not own vineyards or ferment wine.

The 2004 Vieille Vignes de Cramant was focused and lovely with floral notes, although quite closed. Right near the Bubbly table sat two unattended bottles of Dard et Ribo white wine, both from 2006, a Crozes-Hermitage Blanc and a Saint-Joseph Blanc. The 2006's are probably typical and the 2005's are probably extra rich and intense.

The 2004 Yarden El Rom Cabernet, a single vineyard Cab made from 3 blocks at the El Rom vineyard is a wine that appears to be quite ageworthy, yet it remained somewhat closed and required significant aeration to show its big black fruit, interesting cedar & clove aromas and concentrated flavors.  looks a little freaky huh.

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. Bond "Pluribus" Napa Valley 2004 ** did not display the depth and concentration I hoped for from a 2004 Bond. love their events.

Bryce Vineyard Willamette Valley 2004 * From a four acre vineyard (planted by hand, FYI) in the Ribbon Ridge AVA, which is tended by family, this pinot noir is young and vibrant without being fruity. David Bruce Central Coast 2006 * Ruby color. Sea Smoke "Botella" Santa Rita Hills 2004. Cellar selection. Cellar selection.

The 2004 S.L.V. The 2004 Cask 23 was similar to the S.L.V. I visited Sherry Lehmann yesterday to meet Warren Winarski of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. It goes without saying that Warren is a legendary Napa producer and that I was very excited to meet him. tasted the Artemis cabernet sauvignon and Karia chardonnay only briefly.

2006 Chandon de Briailles Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Les Vergelesses , $38, David Bowler Wine. 2004 Produttori del Barbaresco , $29, Vias Imports. The 2004 is absolutely delicious at this very moment, but so clearly will sleep happily for 20 years or more - there is a robe of structure and a bright and lovely core.

2004 Audrey & Christian Binner Gewürztraminer Kaefferkopf , $20, Imported by Jenny & Francois Selections. 2004 Albert Boxler Crémant d'Alsace Extra Brut , $28, Imported by Robert Chadderdon Selections. 2006 Domaine Weinbach Riesling Cuvée Théo , $37, Imported by Vineyard Brands, Inc. Wines of the Alsace.who knew?

Back in early 2006 I paid good money for a case of 2005 Bordeaux futures. So I thought about it - I paid 2006 dollars for wine that the store now sells, if they still have inventory, at higher prices. I was recently given the gift of two Grand Crus and two 1er Crus, both by excellent producers in Burgundy. traded for them.

2006 Marcel Lapierre Morgon , $23, Kermit Lynch Imports. 2006 Gilles Azzoni Vin de Pays de l'Ardèche Le Raisin et L'Ange Fable. 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. New oak is either used or it's not.

2004 Château Pontet-Canet , $41. drank the 2006 and wasn't crazy about it, but this was delicious. 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. just don't get it. 2005 A.

The 2006 of Dumol's "Lia," a Russian River Valley Viognier was super: rich and ripe fruit, tight body, good length. We also cracked another bottle of 2004 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay The 1997 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello is a sometimes gorgeous wine. Previously, I had tasted one bottle damaged by heat - thin, bland, and boring.

Here are a few notes on wines we don't usually drink: 2006 Thomas-Labaille Sancerre Cuvée Buster Les Monts Damnés , $32, Louis/Dressner Selections. 2004 Audrey & Christian Binner Riesling Katzenthal , $18, Jenny & Francois Selections. This past month I made a point of opening a few bottles that we don't normally drink.

The 2006 Vina Alarba Red, made with 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah saw no oak aging and showed very nice pure fruit. Of distinction among the reds was the "Marques de Tosos Reserva 2004 (Cainena) made with 40% each grenache & tempranillo & 20% cabernet. But I found out today. It is in Spain. The tasting itself was very nice.

After several tastings with bride and groom, we decided on the following for the rehearsal dinner: 2006 Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet , $12, (Louis/Dressner Selections). For the wedding: 2006 Domaine de la Fruitiere Jardin de la Fruitiere , $9 (JD Headrick Imports). 2004 Domaine de la Soucherie Anjou , $12 (Rosenthal Imports).

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. The new vintage is 2006, so you're not going to find this now, but it's a gem each year. This is honestly one of the finest bottles of white wine I have had the pleasure to consume in 2008. It works.

Domaine Mathieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2006 (blanc) * Lovely sweet aromas of petrol (sounds strange, right?) Boutari "Kallista" 2004 * I would tell you what this wine was all about if I could read the back label in modern Greek. This is the second, and last, bottle of Santorini wine I brought back in 2006. and peaches. Where?

also loved the 2006 Envelope , a fascinating wine with a rich nose of flowers and ripe stone fruit, like an Alsace wine. Wolffer's 2004 Cabernet Franc was, to my tastes, head and shoulders above the other Cab Francs. Okay, no stars, unless you count Lenn or the location itself, BAM. These are just my personal thoughts, that's it.

We started with a 2004 Chateau La Blancherie White Bordeaux that was crisp, cool & refreshing. We wrapped up our pre-BBQ stage with a 2006 Tenuta Kofererhof Kerner from Alto Adige that had very pretty floral & tropical notes and was mouth wateringly crisp. In previous posts I've mentioned a wine club I have joined. THANKS!