This is the kind of malbec I used to seek out before they were wiped out. 2004 Malbec was dense but not thick. Big suprise. haven't been able to drink Argentine wine in years. Same old story. All of their gorgeous, exotic wines where plunked and corseted and hormoned and frankly, down the drain. Then David Bowler said, try this. MORE >>

The 2003 is drinking great, the 2004 is delicious and the just released 2005 is gorgeous.  Those are: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot & Malbec. Yiron" , a favorite of mine for many years, whose 2004 vintage includes Cabernet, Merlot and a touch of Syrah (not technically a Bordeaux varietal). MORE >>

Zinfandel is a very common varietal in Sonoma county and I tried 2 Zins at Sausal; the 2004 Family Zinfandel & the 2005 Private reserve Zin. It was actually the 2004 "old vine" Estate Alexander Valley Zin that I liked most. tried to get down a "bug juice" of sorts that was simply awful. Maybe he simply lacked personality. Ahhhh. MORE >>

His 2004 Neiman Cellars Napa Valley Red is a blend of 1/3 Cab Sauvignon, 1/3 Merlot, & 1/3 Cab Franc. Sadly Pam was not there, but her 2005 Cab Franc & 2004 Cab Sauv were. The 2004 C & S "Stone Place" Cabernet Sauvignon also had a very nice round & velvety mouth feel. don't know. great wine. Onto the reds. MORE >>

Rather it was a 2004 (I think) Recanati Reserve Cabernet Franc. Cab Franc is one of the 5 Bordeaux varietals (grapes which can be used to make French Bordeaux wine - others being Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec & Petit Verdot), and it is usually used as a complementary grape as opposed to a primary grape in Bordeaux. MORE >>