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. Tags: Cellar Selection 2004 3 stars Russian River Valley Sonoma Rumor had it that disagreements with co-owner(?)

home : wine recommendations : wine girl for hire : bio : articles : contact « And For that Pudding-Like Texture | Main | LVMH--the machine » Looking for that Magical Mood Altering Taste December 14, 2008 Im sure THEY ask you, THEY are surely asking me: what have you been drinking that is exciting. JEALOUSY! JEALOUSY! Dull, short.

My Chateauneuf du Pape craze seems to have subsided, and I worked through my case of under $20 wine weeks ago, but I have certainly benefitted from those two experiences. Domaine Mathieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2006 (blanc) * Lovely sweet aromas of petrol (sounds strange, right?) It's been a crazy week, sort of.

Not surprisingly, the 2005 Banneret is just as gorgeous as the 2004. Successive and integrated layers of sour cherry cola, red currants, quince, ripe oranges, and pinewood, with a mellow peppermint note riding the wood. Underneath it all there's some raw meat, and as the wine opens up - chocolate and mild, whole pepper notes. breath-taker

One of the most interesting wines I've tasted recently was this Domaine du Banneret Chateauneuf du Pape 2004 A deep purple, nearly opaque. Old oak on the nose, huge, gorgeous liquid blackberry on top with chocolate, mint, and mellow cola.

Domaine de la Janasse has several wines I was hoping to try but having skipped this table early on I was only able to taste the 2007 Janasse Cotes du Rhone Blanc. They make a Chateauneuf-du-Pape which I thought was just OK. Sadly Pam was not there, but her 2005 Cab Franc & 2004 Cab Sauv were. don't know.

Plum color. This is very good. mesh of dried fruits, freeze dried strawberries, raspberry leaf, and mellow crushed black pepper. It's more expresive with dinner and not so much of a stand alone do it yourself kind of playa

The first two wines we tasted from the 2005 vintage in the Rhone Valley were, to put it mildly, exceptional: 2005 Chateua Saint-Jean Chateauneuf du Pape and the 2005 J.L. Reminds me of the Sabon Prestige Chateauneuf du Pape 2001. 2005 La Ferme du Mont "Cotes Jugunda" Gigondas - $25 - 1 star. Chave St.

I've never had this wine before but the 2004 Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf du Pape apparently given a 91 by Wine Spectator & priced here at $30 seems to be a good deal for CDP lovers.   Quick wine deal. It is sold elsewhere online for between $36.50-$45.  Happy wine bargain hunting!

This afternoon I attended a fabulous Chateauneuf du Pape (CDP for simplicity) tasting at The Tribeca Grill in downtown Manhattan. The tasting was seemingly co-sponsored by Le Du Wines and Alain Junguenet Selections. At that tasting we tasted through some 2004's and 2005's. quick note about CDP. Tough stuff.