It fails to name the auction house where Kurniawan was the consignor of wines in 2008 where Laurent Ponsot dramatically stopped the sale in the room even though it has been widely reported. Further, the “relatively recent” California wines that were to indicated to pass off as older Bordeaux and Burgundy have not been named.

drank the 2002 in Portland on the day that I met my good friend Peter Liem , back in August of 2008. have a good friend who loves Bordeaux wines. He's younger than me, so it's not that he grew up in the glory days of Bordeaux. Been so busy lately with work that I just haven't had time to write here. More, please. Briny. Lovely.

Tannat A 2008. One can enjoy it as one would a fine Bordeaux, as this wine also has similar complexity and something like Prince Edward Cherry tobacco on the palate. “My 82 year old granny lives here,” says dark haired Juan Andres Marichal, pointing to a simple, one  story house near the tiny family winery. Chardonnay 2011 (unoaked).

Tannat reserve 2008. 2010 Bordeaux style blend (won prestigious award from Bordeaux called Vinalies). "What exciting wines!" is my first reaction to meeting Marcelo Irurtia, who is in charge of vineyard management for his family's 100 year old winery, and Maria Silvia Bianchi, who is in charge of exportation. Cool melon flavors.

LARGELY SPIT: Bordeaux 11. After pre-judging the Bordeaux 2011 vintage prior to tasting, Parker dials back the damning commentary writing in his report that it was “much better than I first thought,” likening it to 2008 and 2001. SIPPED: Jesus as store manager in the image above? DrinksBusiness.com ]. DailyBeast ].

Then known as the “Cru de Lynch”, the property was sold in 1824 to Sébastien Jurine, a wine merchant from Geneva who had newly moved in Bordeaux. As of 2008, the second label of Lynch-Bages will be called, "Echo de Lynch-Bages". Bordeaux News chateau cordeillan bages Jean-Charles Cazes lynch-bages PauillacViticulture.

You can get the whole story in an interesting post on Bordeaux Undiscovered. After all, Hong Kong scrapped wine duty in only in 2008 ; before that it was higher than the mainland, where the duties total about 50 percent of the imported price. Sun Xitai, a 62-year-old businessman in China has been sentenced to life in prison. His crime?

During our visit to the maturation room, we see he uses a mix of Bordeaux and Burgundy barrels because the shapes and staves are different, and thus, the oxygen exchange due to the ratio of wine to barrel is different and important for the final blend. One of the problems with being biodynamic in Champagne is the cold, wet, rainy weather.

Mr. Allen takes me on a tour of the winery, and it is impeccably clean and pristine, with gravity fed presses and a small basket press to vinify their premium Bordeaux blends. taste both the 2008 and 2007, with the 2008 “Five” not yet released and the 2007 drinking very nicely! Africa bordeaux blend constantia glen gus c.g.

Yes, one can imagine that most people think that a top wine chateau in Bordeaux is owned by a French aristocrat, yet the world has taken quite a turn since the days that this might have been the case. On a desk, one was presented with the five allowed varietals of Bordeaux, a syringe, and beaker with measurements. Perfect Berries.

not a "Bordeaux" blend but Zinfandel based, so you know it is spicy. Kit's Kiler Cab 2008. News Wine reviews craggy range chardonnay 2010 craggy range sauvignon blanc 2010 kit's killer cab 2008 terrezas de los anges reserva malbec 2009 the climber 2010Though diverse as a group, what unites them is their distinctive terroir.

Now the California wine conversation was interesting, because we were just served two wines, a Merryvale Chardonnay 2008 and a Domaine Roumieu Bonnes Mares 2000. Of course, everyone loved the Roumieu -- the 2008 Merryvale raised eyebrows as some asked "is this new vintage 'fine wine' and what is a good definition of fine wine.'".

Today Helene came to London Lennie's in New York to describe her white and red Bordeaux to the staff. And it’s especially important to keep the staff wine savvy, now that they were honored with the 2007 & 2008 Wine Enthusiast Award of Distinction and 2008 & 2009 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. London Lennie’s. Hours.

Bordeaux was deemed to be the place, and an influx of people of all nationalities, Scottish, German, Danish, came in to establish wineries and plant vines. Chateau Lynch-Bages: 1996, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006 and Echo de Lynch-Bages 2008. Bordeaux News Alfred Tesseron Chateau Lynch-Bages Chateau Mouton Rothschild.

Mark was smiling widely tasting both the Dr. Frank and the Salmon Run Chardonnay while I could just not believe the 2008 Dr. Konstantin Frank Meritage. Mark of course was won over by the HH classic Chard while I enjoyed both the classic and Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir and I was not leaving home without the 2008 Blaufrankisch.

Caught up with many old friends: Jane Anson, who writes about Bordeaux for Decanter and many other publications, spoke about her new book deal, Panos Kakaviatos spoke about his idea for a book, and I spoke to new friend Augustin V. Que about the Commanderie de Bordeaux. Fabulous opening dinner at Haut-Brion last night for the press.

More Bordeaux 2010 prices have been released. SIPPED: white Burgundy, 2008 edition. SIPPED: bling. Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, celebrated the team’s NBA victory by ordering a $90,000 of Ace of Spades Champagne. Of note: he did leave a $20,000 tip. MSN ]. SIPPED: mo money. NYT ]. SIPPED: lots of Woodbridge.

Sylvie Cazes (recently appointed Managing Director of all Louis Roederer properties in Bordeaux) and Mark Bingley MW (Director of MMD) who I met at the Master of Wine "Forging Links" conference in June of last year gave an excellent presentation. Masterclasses. Very energetic presentation with some real vintage gems. More Excitement.

Today the family's six estates produces many brands of wines at various price points, from affordable quality wines to single vineyard wines that represent an incredible value compared to Bordeaux or Hermitage. And according to Gerard, the 2008 is the best example of this wine (reason #2). almost dainty. All three fabulous wines.

But Parker has given the general comment that 2010 ranks as one of “the three greatest Bordeaux vintages I have tasted in my career&# alongside 2009 and 2005. “ Which reds would you cellar beyond Bordeaux? &#. BordeauxThe Liv-Ex blog provides his top scored wines.

With all the hype about the Bordeaux campaign to pre-selling their 2010 wines, it made me think: surely there are more affordable, just as age-worthy alternatives out there. Here are five current releases I would cellar for 15 years that will bring a whole lot of bang for much less buck: Domaine Baudry, La Croix Boisée, 2008. Roda I.

very nice Bordeaux style blend and great value at $ 21. Tonight was one of them nights when Shirley did not feel like cooking, I was not hungry and the NCAA Basketball National Championship was being played. game I have not missed in 38 years. This one was another blend called Mercury Rising. Great way to end the night. California red blend

Jancis Robinson floated a novel idea on her website last week: what if critics, who descend on Bordeaux shortly to taste 2010 barrel samples, withheld their scores until the Bordeaux trade had finished their pre-sale campaign (known as en primeur )? Bordeaux wine writing

vertical tasting of 20 vintages of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey (1906 to 1959) organized at the property March 30, 2008 showed that, in certain vintages, our wines have considerable aging potential of 75 and even 100 years and more This Sauternes is aromatically complex and the flavors are less sweet than the aromas would suggest.

It was excellent wine and it's elegant richness, and the sense of completeness it exuded leads me to guess that it is based on the superb 2008 vintage. 2008 Comptoirs de Magdala Vin de Table (Provence) La Chance , not more than $20. Check out their new website , by the way - it's a million times better now. very solid producer.

Best White wine - Atwater Estate Vineyards Riesling 2008. The 2008 Atwater was what I brought to our Thanksgiving dinner. The Pinnacle is a classic Bordeaux style blend. Time to look back on what was an eventful year, personally and with the blog and my exploration into the world of wine. Still have to put together that list.

Chateau Lafite-Rothschild added the mandarin character for 8 on their 2008 bottles. BordeauxMouton-Rothschild added a painting by a Chinese artist to their 2008s. What could the Bordelais do next? Behold: Cuvée 88888888, the Grand Vin from the Premier Cru Classé, Chateau Laftourongaux!

Now, Mouton has announced that art by the Chinese artist Xu Lie will adorn their 2008 labels. Tags: Bordeaux First, Lafite announced that the mandarin character for “8,&# considered a lucky number in China, would appear on bottles of their 2008s. Who’s pulling the wool over whose eyes?

In the cellar, Sylvain selects red wine from several barrels for a tasting of the 2010 and 2009 and 2008 vintage, including the 06 Foret St. As an Master of Wine student, I was lucky enough to win a scholarship that enabled me to see their properties in Bordeaux, Sauternes, Tokaji, and now Burgundy. George. Surprise in the Vineyard.

Yet these days at top Chateaux in Bordeaux, a sorting table isn’t enough – now they have purchased the expensive optical sorting machine, which ensures absolutely perfect, uniform sized berries. Tags: Bordeaux News Wine reviews chateau pichon-longueville christian seeley jean rene Visiting Pichon Longueville. The Cellar.

Yet Decanter reports the prices paid for 2008 futures were 102% over retail and the 2009s were almost 300% over retail. How much does it cost to physically ship a case of wine to Hong Kong from either New York or Bordeaux to Hong Kong. Other rarities in the sale of 2,000 bottles spanning 139 years set record levels.

The price of Chateau Lafite 2008 rises 20% after the announcement of a Chinese symbol (the lucky number eight) on the bottle. And we will have to wait until 2018 to see other Bordeaux producers add Chinese characters? SIPPED: wine lifestyle…in New Hampshire. It’s all downhill from here… [ Reuters ]. SIPPED: profits.

Yes, one can imagine that most people think that a top wine chateau in Bordeaux is owned by a French aristocrat, yet the world has taken quite a turn since the days that this might have been the case. On a desk, one was presented with the five allowed varietals of Bordeaux, a syringe, and beaker with measurements. The Control Room.

He has the packaging made in Bordeaux and then dispatches a mobile bottling–er, boxing?–truck My favorite wine of the lineup was Domaine Le Garrigon , a 2008 Cotes du Rhone. Wine in a box? Try wine in a crate. The lineup includes about six wines, red, white and rosé, all from France. Search for the wines at retail.).

One of the highlights of attending En Primeur in Bordeaux this year for me had been the opportunity to taste the new vintage of prestigious, historic Chateau Cheval Blanc, famed for nearly two centuries for its unique terroir. Today Pierre Lurton acts as Managing Director of Cheval des Andes in concert with Winemaker Nicholas Audebert.

So, when I found the 2008 Meritage at the recent Finger Lakes Riesling Festival I couldn't wait to get a bottle home and at least compare against my notes from last year. Tags: meritage Seneca Wine Trail Finger Lakes bordeaux style What I found was somewhat nicer, at little more fruit, but not much difference.

2008 Sancerre La Garenne Very tight, almost full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc with intense limestone-chalk-mineral palate and long, satisfying stony finish. 2008 sancerre la garenne loire tasting notes Tags: Bordeaux Loire News Wine reviews 2009 Chateau Giraud-Lacoste graves.

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.

Winemakers notes: A classic Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon. 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. King Ferry Winery was founded in 1984.

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.

One of the 2009 wines that generated favorable comments at last week’s en primeur tastings in Bordeaux was Pontet-Canet in Pauillac. mrmansell : maybe bordeaux doesn’t need the gimmick to move wine? waterintowino : maybe bordeaux wines arent as transparent and nuanced to show diff in biodynamics. Here are their.

I'm leaving Chile(till later) and heading over to California to try a few more Zin's. I'm starting to surprise myself with what I am finding with Zinfandel and also a bit disappointed that I wasted so many years with such a limited selection or narrow palate. Deep dark fruit aromas with some cherry. Hey, you're never too old to learn.

Here are my favorites right now (prices are with the 10% mixed case discount): Whites 2008 Benaza Monterrei Gode llo , $11.70, Jose Pastor Selections, Vinos & Gourmet Imports. 2008 Knebel Mosel Riesling Trocken , $12.60, Mosel Wine Merchant, USA Imports. This wine is 90% Merlot from Bordeaux. think it it is possible, yes.

Jamesport Vineyards 2005 Melange de Trois Bordeaux blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc. know I’m partial to reds, so I tried the Wölffer Estates 2008 Grandioso Rosé Bouquet of peaches, honeysuckle, flavors of pears, kiwi, mineral, grapefruit rind, reminding me that Spring is Here million per year.

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.

so I will be in Bordeaux in a few weeks to attend En Primeur. At the same time, Sopexa showed "Today's Bordeaux 2010" which is a selection of 100 Classic, Contemporary, Affordable wines. On that 2008 trip I was invited to stay at the winery's gorgeous chateau in Entre du Mers. Sopexa JoLynn Howe (right). met the owner J.F

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

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.

The blog started out in 2008 only as fun thing to do and to give my new wine affiliate web site it's first link. Italian wines only in my rack until I discovered Rioja and Bordeaux and California Cab/Sauvs. When I made my first Finger Lakes wine tour in 2008, I went expecting to taste only white wines. was afraid to open them.

Eric Asimov serves up a meaty post on the shuffling of the Bordeaux wine trade. SIPPED: Bordeaux. Driven by sales of red Bordeaux, which country saw a fifteen-fold increase in imports from France during 2002 – 2008? SIPPED: upgrading label info? SPIT: bling champagne. SIPPED: solitude. Tasting Room ]. The Pour ].

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

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.

Bordeaux prices may be coming down sharply. Diageo Chateaux & Estates was a major buyer of Bordeaux futures for the better part of the last three decades. The low prices of the 2007s may be fleeting because Diageo has now decided to get out of the Bordeaux futures business. Tags: Bordeaux business of wine

figured that Bordeaux and California wines seemed to give the Yanks the lift they needed in the division series, so I brought the only such bottle I had in the house, a California Cabernet that I received as a sample called Josh. And the 2008 Domaine de la Pépière Clos des Briords , $16, Louis/Dressner Selections, was a great pairing.

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.

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.

Christian Moueix, an owner of Chateau Petrus and a leading negociant house in Bordeaux, purchased a share of property in the 1983 with a goal of making “French-style wine in a Napa terroir with a Bordeaux spirit,&# according to my guide. I’ve wanted to visit the Dominus Estate in Napa since it was built in 1997.

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. 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.

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!

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. he created the VIÑA HERMOSA brand. 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.

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.

Most are nice bordeaux style blends that are very popular and very tasty and very distinct to each winery. It seems every winery in the Finger Lakes has a Meritage. Years ago I struggled to find one to like, now I am finding it difficult to taste one I don't like. Such is the case of the 2007 Damiani Wine Cellars Meritage.

Note: lowering prices in 2008 has only spurred demand for en premeur Bordeaux. The title of today's Wall Street Journal article " Luxury Wine Market Reels from Downturn " by Jim Carlton and David Kesmodel, pretty much speaks for itself. The secondary theme seems to be how producers are going to weather the storm.

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!

But as cheap 2008 Bordeaux threatens to flood our shores, I am eager to defend American producers in difficult times. had thought that, after Bordeaux released 2008 prices at up to 40% off 2007, our own Cult Wine producers would give us a break. learned my lesson with 2005 Bordeaux. Flights are delayed. Maybe two.

One of the most difficult time's I have on a short vacation is waiting for the train to take me home. To kill time I visit or window shop the shops at the station and sometimes get awful lucky by finding a great deal. This past week-end was one of those days and that great deal was in a wine shop. Drink now or through the next 5 years." 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.

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. Perhaps the downward pricing will hit more expensive wine, like 2004 and 2006 Burgundy that's still on shelves, or 2007 Bordeaux? And $27 is the new $22.

Decanted, an hour later, the wine smelled like an old forrest, very reminiscent of old Bordeaux, then sweet blackberries. 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.

So how could I resist? ##### SONOMA COUNTY, California (April 20, 2009) - C Wines, the ultra-premium Bordeaux winegrowing estate situated 2,450 feet above Sonoma County's Alexander Valley on Pine Mountain, is pleased to announce the release of its inaugural wine, (INAUGURAL? the 2008 C Tradition Sauvignon Blanc. Please enjoy!" ARTISAN?

SPIT and SIPPED: Bordeaux 2008. After better-than-expected but still largely tepid reviews, Bordeaux 2008 took a shot in the arm form Robert Parker who raved about it. Tags: Bordeaux tasting sized pours All the action is summed up nicely, with charts of price action, on FT.com’s Alphaville blog. Lost?&#.

The 2008 vintage also came up in the discussion: d’Ollone said that they had priced the Lalande 08 futures already and had sold directly in China for the first time since eight is a lucky number there. Guild member Peter Sichel opined that the 2008 vintage “is an enormous opportunity&# given the quality and the pullback in demand.

So how could I resist? ##### SONOMA COUNTY, California (April 20, 2009) - Capture Wines, the ultra-premium Bordeaux winegrowing estate situated 2,450 feet above Sonoma County's Alexander Valley on Pine Mountain, is pleased to announce the release of its inaugural wine, (INAUGURAL? the 2008 Capture Tradition Sauvignon Blanc. ARTISAN?

SIPPED, surprisingly: Bordeaux 2008. If in 2008 grapes were, in the words of Jancis Robinson, “swollen with summer rain,&# vineyards are “ravaged by mildew and threatened by rot,&# would that make for a good vintage in Bordeaux? SPIT: corks in Champagne! Full details will be announced next month. NYT ].

SPIT: 2007 Bordeaux and 2008 prices. Jancis Robinson calls the 2007 vintage of Bordeaux “wildly overpriced&# and “rather scrawny.&# SPIT: quotes! Ray Isle, wine editor at Food & Wine, is ticked. So he goes for the takedown. SPIT: wine store websites. At the end, they offer some suggestions for improvement.