Sunday, October 5th, 2008

Frenchy's Bistro

-A Champagne whose name I can't recall

-Vinas Toredonia, Rioja Blanc, 1981 (very odd, but intriguing. I enjoyed tasting it, but not drinking it)
-Domaine de La Solitude, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2000 (This was awesome! Great stuff)

Saturday, October 4th, 2008

Same Spanish Wines as Yesterday, plus . . .

-Kuleto, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2003
-Cliff Lede, Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mtn., 2004 (This was awesome. Really, really awesome!)

-Stonestreet, Fifth Ridge, Alexander Valley, 2005

Friday, October 3rd, 2008

Glaetzer Lunch

-Stickleback White, Austrailia, 2007
-Heartland, Pinot Gris/Viognier, Langhorne Creek, 2007
-Heartland, Shiraz, Langhorne Creek, 2006
-Heartland, Cabernet Sauvignon, Langhorne Creek, 2006
-Heartland, Director's Cut, Shiraz, Langhorne Creek, 2006
-Glaetzer, The Wallace Shiraz, Barossa, 2006
-Glaetzer, Bishop Shiraz, Barossa, 2006
-Glaetzer, Anaperenna, Barossa, 2006
-Glaetzer, Amon Ra, Barossa, 2007 (This was perhaps the greatest Shiraz I've ever had.)

-Darioush, Cabernet Franc, Napa, 2005
-Wolf, Cabernet Franc, Napa, 2005 (This was clearly the better of the two. Softer, supple and great purity and length)

Spain
-Mont-Marcel, Cava, NV
-ZaZa, Grenache Rose, Campo de Borja, 2007
-Torremorron, Ribera del Duero, 2007
-Ramos Pinto, Adriano Red, Portugal, 2006
-Falset-Marca, Grenache, Monsant, 2004

-Copain, Pinot Noir, Cerise Vineyard, Anderson Valley, 2006

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

The Celebration Continues . . .

-Bogle, Phantom, California, 2005
-O'Shaugnessy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mtn., 2005 (great, very dependable)

-Owen Roe, Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla, 2005 (Excellent!)
-Ampelos, Syrah-Grenache, Sta. Rita Hills, 2005 (Over-ripe. We thought it was from Paso. Underwhelming.)
-Produtto, Barberesco, Rio Sordo, Italy, 2001 (very good)
-Pedestal, Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2005 (Excellent. The best wine of the night for me.)
-Mount Veeder, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2005 (excellent)
-Far Niente, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2004 (This was good, but not worth the price, at all. It was shockingly fruit driven. Almost void of backbone. The fruit was so tightly packed that it actually created a little structure for the wine, but it wasn't really from grape tannin. I enjoyed it and it was interesting. But I'm be happy to pay $40 for it, nothing more.)
-Valley of the Moon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, 2003 (no need for notes on this one)
-Valley of the Moon, Port, 2001 (good)

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

-Gobelsburger, Riesling, Austria, 2007

-Laurent Perrier, Grand Siecle, Champagne, NV
-Bernkasteler Wolf, Riesling ?????
-Kosta Browne, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2005 (A great example of why people complain about California wines. The Alcohol and the fruit were overwhelming. It smelled beautiful and complex, but that intense aroma was carried by the heavy alcohol. And on the palate it was just too much. I totally understand why it appeals to people, but I don't understand why James Laube scores these wines so highly. I actually didn't like it. We left half a glass on the table.)

-Chateau d'Yquem, Sauternes, 1999 (perhaps the finest wine on the planet! It's just so freakin good. I've it a handful of times and it always evolves, from youth to aged, it always gets more compelling and complex in the absolute most intriguing ways. It is something that must be tasted to be believed. It's surreal and unlike any other beverage I've ever tasted. Get some!)

-Levendi, Late Harvest Chardonnay, Napa (This sucked compared to the d'Yquem)

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

Pinot Noir

-David Bruce, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2006
-Calera, Pinot Noir, Ryan Vineyard, 2005
-Dierberg, Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley, 2005
-Robert Craig, Zinfandel, Howell Mtn, 2006

-Graham Beck, Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa, 2007

Sunday, September 28th, 2008

The Magical 1981 Vintage

Louis Roederer, Blanc de Blanc Champagne, 2002 (very, very excellent)
Ricther, Riesling Spatlese, Mosel, Germany, 1982 (also excellent)
Chateau Nairac, Barsac, 2001 (another excellent wine)
Trotanoy, Merlot, Pomerol, 1981 (this was my favorite red of the night. Plenty of plumpness and fullness with silky tannin and fruit. It was just great.)
Chateau Montrose, Cabernet Blend, Saint Estephe, 1981 (Slightly off. It was probably cooked at some point in its life. However, Stetson thinks it was corked.)
Heitz Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bella Oaks, 1981 (this was good, but fell short after the Marth's)
Heitz Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, Martha's Vineyard, 1981 (this was great and a great example of what California has to offer.)
Freemark Abbey, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 1981 (This was good but not stunning)
Berard Pere & Fils, Cuvee Prestige, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 1981 (this was very good, and a nice change of pace from the Cabernet's)
Beringer, Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 1981 (this wine wasn't very good)
Grigich Hills, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 1981 (one of the best California wines of the night)
La Conseillente, Merlot, Pomerol, 1981 (probably my second favorite wine of the night. Super floral with potpouri aromas, it as delicious)
Ramos Pinto, 1983 Porto (this was a great end to the night)