We got to sample about 20 different California blends along with another 7 or 8 Chilean. Most of the grapes are sourced from California and the remainder from Chile. At the end of the demo as the mozzarella cooled a bit, we got to sample some and it was unbelievably fresh, moist and buttery. start to finish. MORE >>

Many were accompanied by an asterisk, which indicate that they are the best wine from the estate that he has ever tasted as a barrel sample. Writing in the Financial Times, Jancis Robinson compared the ripeness and high alcohols she experienced to California, remarking “I have never written the word “Napa” so often in my tasting notes.&# MORE >>

Throughout the evening we sampled a broad spectrum of 5 wonderful wines, 1 Italian white, 3 Italian reds and 1 California Cab. This wine is an excellent fruit forward California Cabernet. Rita and I enjoyed the evening and the company too much to take extensive tasting notes, but I did text myself a few lines. MORE >>

David Hirsch poured me a sample of his 2008 “The Bohans-Dillon&# pinot noir at the recent trade tasting of his New York distributor. If you like chipotle or a peaty whisky, and you like California pinot, I predict you will love this wine! I had heard about the fires in Sonoma 2008. But I had never tasted them. MORE >>

Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from the PR folks at Banfi Vintners. It was a good wine at a good price ($9), but not comparable to what I found in California or French Cab/Sauv's. That left me still searching for some Chilean wines to add to my growing list of favorites. Pam's main additional ingredient is marjoram. MORE >>