|
1997 California Cabernet Tasting
November 8, 2000
We have been hearing from customers that the 1997 vintage in California
is marvelous! It seems virtually every Cabernet is worthy of high accolades and
scores in the mid-90s by those who rate wines on a numerical scale.
The vintage was one which saw many varieties attain ripeness within a short period of
time. This means some vintners had difficulty in finding an open fermentation tank
to accommodate grapes which needed to be picked. Some wines, perhaps as a direct
result of this, or perhaps because of curious vintage conditions, had difficulty in
fermenting to total dryness.
It has not been uncommon for California Zinfandel wines, the product of a grape variety
which doesn't ripen evenly, to have a "sweet" note from over-ripe fruit.
With some 1997s Cabernets, we've noticed not only a sweet note in the wines, but actual
residual sugar. Many California Chardonnays have a bit of sweetness.
This is often an intentional consideration of the winemaker or marketing crew. It
will be interesting to see weather sugar remains a part of the California Cabernet
landscape in the future or if the 1997s we're tasting these days are merely a one-vintage
aberration.
A few critics who are quite vocal about minimal cellar treatment (seemingly having a
preference for unfiltered wines) have not spoken up about the ramifications of residual
sugar in Cabernets. You see, Cabernet can be made with a minimum of filtration due,
in part, to its lengthy maturation period in an oak barrel. The wine, thanks to an
ample quantity of tannin, will "fall bright" and achieve a good deal of clarity
on its own. However, wines with residual sugar need some sort of stabilizing
mechanism. Typically table wines must be sterile-filtered to remove yeasts which
would feed on residual sugar. This is the "insurance" to prevent a
secondary fermentation in the bottle (quite messy and expensive to the wine and the
reputation of the winery).
So...with that in mind...we assembled a set of North Coast Cabernets and put them to the
test.
Here's what we found.....
| THE WINES |
GERALD'S RANK |
ELLEN'S RANK |
BOB'S RANK |
GROUP RANKING |
TOTAL POINTS |
1sts/2nds/
Lasts |
DRY
CREEK VINEYARD
1997 Dry Creek Valley
"Epoch"
$62.99 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
76 |
1/3/1 |
GIRARD (Rudd) (Rudd)
1997 Napa Valley
"Red Wine"
$40 |
5 |
8 |
3 |
6 |
92 |
0/1/2 |
HANNA
1997 Sonoma Valley
"Bismark Ranch"
$59.99 |
8 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
57 |
8/0/1 |
Chateau MONTELENA
1997 Napa Valley
"The Montelena Estate"
"The Montelena Estate"
To be released in March 2001 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
106 |
0/2/7 |
Chateau
ST. JEAN
1997 Sonoma County
"Cinq Cpages"
$54.99 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
61 |
1/5/1 |
SEAVEY
1997 Napa Valley
$67 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
96 |
1/2/3 |
SILVERADO VINEYARDS
1997 Napa Valley
"Limited Release"
$100 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
2 |
58 |
2/4/0 |
SPOTTSWOODE
1997 Napa Valley
$75 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
66 |
4/0/2 |
Notes by Gerald Weisl with additional commentary from Bob Gorman
8th Place: CHATEAU MONTELENA 1997 "Montelena Estate"
CABERNET
Thanks to one of the participants in the tasting, we were able to have a
sneak preview of Montelena's 1997 Cabernet. Not slated for release until the spring
of 2001, we included this in the field, handicapping it as one of the
"contenders" for the top spot. You can imagine our surprise when we
unveiled the last place wine and it was the normally-high scoring Montelena!
The adjectives used to described the aromas were not ones you'd expect to see on a wine
label, certainly! "Horse barn." said one taster. "Baby
poop." intoned another. One of the medical corps described this as having a
fragrance reminiscent of 'band-aids'." Most tasters pegged this as having some
shading of Brettanomyces, a yeast which contributes a leathery, saddle, horsy, fecal note
to many wines. "Cedary, alcohol, sage fragrances...lean in structure with a
short, minerally finish." is how another taster described the Montelena.
Another echoed part of this sentiment, finding the wine "alcoholic and
hot." Someone else found a "warm note, cassis-like fruit with a green,
vegetal note." Another fellow, tasting these apart from the group
setting, pegged this as his favorite, saying "I like many Bordeaux wines, which this
resembles."
Bob commented “Brettannomyces rears its ugly head again! showing vegetal, weedy,
fish-emulsion stuff while Cab fruit struggles to be set free. On the palate, the Cabernet
gets through enough to be identified but the wine seems totally out of whack. Could I
drink this?!” …”In the following day or two, it should be noted, the Cab
fruit DID free itself, coming on much more in the Montelena style of yore.”
I found a mildly herbal, cassis fragrance with light oak undertones and a lightly
leathery, Brett character. It's fairly full-bodied and fairly tannic. The
earthy and leathery notes show up front on the palate....it needs perhaps a decade of
aging, though it will be interesting to see how the leathery/meaty elements develop.
Will they recede or dominate?
7th Place: SEAVEY 1997 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
"One dimensional, ripe, jammy, plummy fruit with some sweet oak...low in
acidity, yet high in tannin." was how one taster sounded off about this
small-production Conn Valley wine. Most people seemed in agreement. Another
taster felt this was "lacking in complexity, though it has black fruit notes...really
tannic, though."
Bob was far less negative. “Sweet ripe fruit, sweet oak, a bit shrill at first but
straightforward blackcurrant Cab fruit developed nicely. There was a metallic edge on the
palate with grippy, bitter tannins, nice herbaceous notes and fair length. The wine should
develop nicely over the next 2-3 years”
I found hints of violets and currant-like fruit with a touch of oak. Something,
though, makes this wine seem "flat" and less vibrant or vivacious. On the
palate there is a fair bit of tannin and, again, it tastes "flat."
6th Place: GIRARD 1997 Napa Valley "Red Wine."
The Girard family sold its winery to Leslie Rudd. This is, we have been
told, the final wine to wear the "Girard" label and future wines, made under
David Ramey, will be Rudd-labeled or "Rudd Estate."
"Tobacco" notes were found by the first to offer an opinion. "Green
tannins and it's bitter as hell." said another devil in the crowd.
"Indistinctive," started another taster, continuing, "black pepper and
sharp...this has a fair amount of tannin." Someone else found "Good
complexity to this wine," describing it further as "elegant" and having
"unsweetened chocolate notes and a minerally finish." Someone else found
"bitter chocolate."
Bob liked this one for its “dark-toned, ripe, slightly tarry, authoritative Cab,
cassis and a nicely restrained oak component, deep but undeveloped. Yet it was less
appealing on the palate with its soft, fully ripe tone and flat alkali finish”
I found a lot of oak to the nose, covering what fruit might be buried underneath.
All in all, though, it's a nice, elegant, enjoyable red wine with a modest amount of
tannin. Five to ten years aging is about right. One star.
5th Place: DRY CREEK VINEYARD 1997 "Epoch" Cabernet
Sauvignon
For those keeping track of these things, Dry Creek sent out an amazingly
expensive release letter in December of 1999 saying this wine would be released at 12:01
am, January 1, 2000 for the new millennium. Somehow, I wonder weather there was a
line of customers outside the cellar at that precise moment, hoping to be able to purchase
a bottle.
The first participant to describe this found "cattle feed, grain fragrances,"
along with a "tart note" and "wild-berry and a Zinfandel-like
character." It was further described as "lacking complexity with a short,
oak finish." "Turley Cabernet." commented one person. Another taster
also found a "Zinfandel-like nose." Someone else felt this was
"big, over-ripe and shows a lot of oak." Another taster found "nutmeg
notes with red fruits...spicy...spicy oak and it's not as tannic as many of the
others."
Bob liked its ripe, intense, cassis-like Cabernet fruit. He found it ripe and extracted
but with reasonable tannins; “very nice indeed”!
My notes are very positive for its distinctively different aromas of cassis and rosemary,
with lots of nice oak. The rosemary fragrance triggered a memory of a Zinfandel
which I tasted recently. The Zin was also made by Dry Creek Vineyard! The wine
is very ripe and rich on the palate...fairly big Cab with plum and black cherry fruit and
lots of woodsy notes.
One and a half stars.
4th Place: SPOTTSWOODE 1997 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine had people placed all over the ranking chart. A number of
firsts were offset by two last place votes. Curiously, no second place votes, but a
number of thirds and fifths.
The lead-off vocalist described this as having "Fruit tannins and it's quite balanced
with more complexity in the aromas...tangerine peel, menthol, cherries, sweet fragrances,
dusty, berry pie and black licorice." Others marked this down, describing this
as "light." Another noted this to have "nice flavors with exotic oak
notes...vanillin and plums." Another person said this has a "creamy oak
finish."
Bob’s clear favorite showing “warm, rich oak presence with lovely blackcurrant
fruit. Other trace elements emerged as it opened up to show its complexity: spice,
sweet herbs and a metallic edge. Classic Napa Cab fruit, long secure, balanced,
complex and likely to be more so as it develops with nicely calculated acid and tannin
levels to guide it through several years of development."
I found this to be very vanillin on the nose, with sweet, creamy notes and really good
fruit. Very polished and elegant on the palate, with a lovely balance of fruit and
wood. It has some muscle from the tannins and ought to last for 8-12 years.
Two stars.
3rd Place: CHATEAU ST. JEAN 1997 Sonoma County "Cinq Cpages"
One lady, having had chvre in a salad at lunch, said this had a fragrance
of "goat cheese...also green olives." Another taster found the texture to
be "velvety." Someone else liked the "long finish."
Another taster said it's "...a bit fat." Yet another liked its "long,
oaky finish."
Bob found a malolactic note of butterscotch, the M-L no doubt giving rise to the
“goat cheese” impression. "Straightforward blackcurrant fruit. Elegant
entry with easy tannins, the wine has a ways to go and the balance of components to get it
there; but concentration wants a bit. The wine will improve but never scale the
heights.”
I found sweet oak and cedar notes on the nose with lots of nice fruit. It's a rather
big, deep Cabernet with nice fruit and some wood on the center of the palate.
One-and-a-half-stars. Aging potential of 5-8-12 years.
2nd Place: SILVERADO VINEYARDS 1997 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
"Limited Release"
"Candied red fruit and less lush on the palate but with Asian spices and
exotic notes...softer tannins, too." were the words of the first opinionated
participant. "Basil and mint" notes were found by someone else.
Others nodded in approval when someone suggested this is "a very nice
wine...everything's in place and balanced." It was further described as having
"plums and currant fruit with toasty oak, but a bit light." Someone else
said flatly, "This tastes like Cabernet!"
Bob found a “lovely nose with a creamy note from the malolactic fermentation, oak,
cherries (arguing a solid dose of Merlot) and sweet herbs. But in spite of its easy entry
it had a sharp acid note along with a warmish (alcohol) note; a ‘pushover’ of a
wine but shallow and showing only fair concentration.”
My score sheet noted the Australian-like violet fragrances of ripe fruit. Berries and
nice wood. I thought it might be off-dry. The flavors are nice, but a bit less
dramatic on the palate as compared to the exuberance one finds to the nose. I'd peg
it as having 5-8 years of aging potential. One to two stars.
1st Place: HANNA 1997 Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Bismark
Ranch"
"Bitter and hot." said one taster in describing the group's
top-ranking wine. "Grapefruit" notes were found by someone else, while a
number of people found "green leaf," "leafy," "herbal
notes." One critic nailed this as "Smooth and sort of
Zinfandel-like." Another described it as being a "Cocktail Cabernet...you
can drink it by itself!" Another found "great complexity: black cherry and
currants...oak...chocolate and vanilla." Another felt this was the "most
balanced" wine of the tasting.
Bob found a “shrill note, possible ethyl-acetate, the precursor of volatile acidity;
sweet wood and then some 'okay' Cabernet fruit finally emerged. Metallic and shrill but
hot and a sweet edge which knocks it down. Cocktail Cab indeed!”
I found some red fruit notes to the nose with some sweet oak. I was bothered by a
weedy and vegetal note. The wine offered the same vegetal/herbal character on the
palate, elements of unripe or less-than-perfectly mature fruit. Yet on the palate
there's also a bit of residual sugar, making for one very mixed up wine. Others,
less sensitive apparently to the residual sugar (about 7 or 8 grams/liter-- 5 is about
threshold for most people), found this to be an enjoyable glass of wine.
|
Please note: The wines tasted are not always wines
we have (or have had) in the shop.
Many bottles are merely for our enological exploration.
Price quoted are current at the time of the tasting, but may be different
when you're reading this. |
WE HAVE NOT ORGANIZED A TASTING IN A WHILE...
BUT WE DO POST THE RESULTS OF A PRIVATE TASTING GROUP THAT'S BEEN MEETING FOR
MORE THAN 48 YEARS!
We are working on
organizing some blind-tastings at the shop.
Send us a note to indicate your interest in participating.
These would be on Wednesday evenings and you'd need to bring 8 wine glasses.
THE
VINO-FINO TASTERS
(A private tasting group that's
been meeting for more than 48 years!)
CALIFORNIA
CHARDONNAYS September 2023
MONTEPULCIANO
D'ABRUZZO August 2023
SPANISH
TEMPRANILLOS July 2023
2020
LEFT BANK BORDEAUX June 2023
WEST
COAST 2019 CABERNETS May 2023
CALIFORNIA
PINOT NOIRS April 2023
CALIFORNIA
CHARDONNAYS March 2023
CALIFORNIA
SYRAHS of MODEST PRICING February 2023
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS January 2023
2022
HOLIDAY WINE & FOOD MARATHON
GIGONDAS
November 2022
ITALIAN
& CALIFORNIA BARBERA October 2022
2021
FRENCH ROSÉS September 2022
2019
BORDEAUX (Mostly Left Bank) August 2022
June Tasting Postponed
WASHINGTON
STATE CABERNETS (of Modest Pricing) JUNE 2022
MOSTLY
NAPA CABERNETS May 2022
ITALIAN
PINOT NERO / PINOT NOIR / BLAUBURGUNDER April 2022
MORE
2018 BORDEAUX (Left Bank) MARCH 2022
ETNA ROSSO
WINES February 2022
MOSTLY
GEORGIAN SAPERAVI January 2022
THE
HOLIDAY WINE & FOOD MARATHON December 2021
DRY
GERMAN RIESLINGS November 2021
MODESTLY-PRICED
CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS October 2021
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE GRENACHE September 2021
CALIFORNIA
CHARDONNAYS August 2021
CHIANTI
CLASSICO 2017 & 2018 JULY 2021
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE PINOT NOIRS June 2021
MORE
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS TASTED IN PERSON! May 2021
CALIFORNIA
CABERNETS Pandemic Mode April 2021
2018
BORDEAUX in Pandemic Mode March 2021
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE CHARDONNAYS in Pandemic Mode February 2021
CALIFORNIA
CHARDONNAYS in Pandemic Mode January 2021
CABERNETS
FROM WINERIES OPERATING IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE VINO FINO GROUP December
2020
CALIFORNIA
SAUVIGNON BLANCS November 2020
NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA ZINFANDELS October 2020
2017
FRENCH WHITE BURGUNDY September 2020
PANDEMIC
PINOT NOIRS August 2020
CABERNETS
of 2016 & 2017 JULY 2020
NEBBIOLO FROM
THE LANGHE February 2020
AMERICAN
RIESLINGS January 2020
THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY WINE
& FOOD MARATHON December 2019
CURRENT
VINTAGES OF GIGONDAS November 2019
2016
RIGHT BANK BORDEAUX October 2019
CHILEAN
CABERNETS September 2019
2015
+ 2016 CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPES August 2019
CHARDONNAYS
(Mostly Californian) JULY 2019
2016 BORDEAUX
(Left Bank) TASTING JUNE 2019
ITALIAN BARBERA
TASTING May 2019
NEW
ZEALAND PINOT NOIRS April 2019
2016
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS March 2019
NORTHERN
RHÔNE SYRAHS February 2019
SAUVIGNON
BLANC-SAUVIGNON GRIS-SAUVIGNON MUSQUÉ January 2019
VINO FINO
HOLIDAY WINE & FOOD MARATHON December 2018
SPANISH
ALBARIÑO November 2018
WEST
COAST SYRAHS October 2018
CHIANTI
CLASSICO MOSTLY September 2018
SOUTH
AMERICAN MALBECS August 2018
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS July 2018
WEST
COAST RHÔNE WANNABEES June 2018
WASHINGTON
CABERNETS MAY 2018
GERALD IN EUROPE IN MARCH/APRIL
NAPA
CABERNET$ February 2018
AUSSIE
& KIWI RIESLINGS January 2018
2017
HOLIDAY WINE & FOOD MARATHON December 2017
FRENCH
WHITE BURGUNDY November 2017
SAUVIGNON
BLANC/SEMILLON BLENDS October 2017
SOUTHERN
RHÔNE REDS September 2017
SONOMA
COAST & RUSSIAN RIVER PINOT NOIRS August 2017
ETNA
BIANCO--WINES FROM THE VOLCANO July 2017
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS June 2017
TANNAT
WINES FROM HITHER & YON May 2017
NEW
ZEALAND PINOT NOIRS April 2017
RIOJA
REDS February 2017
AMERICAN
"RHONE WANNABEES" January 2017
2016
HOLIDAY WINE MARATHON December 2016
GERMAN
AUSLESEN RIESLINGS November 2016
GRÜNER
VELTLINERS Austrian vs The US October 2016
GRENACHE --
MOSTLY WEST COAST September 2016
WASHINGTON
STATE CABERNETS August 2016
CANNONAU
DI SARDEGNA July 2016
NORTHERN
HEMISPHERE RIESLINGS June 2016
2013
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS May 2016
CALIFORNIA
PINOT NOIRS April 2016
MOSTLY
CHIANTI RISERVAS February 2016
2012
BORDEAUX--LEFT BANK JANUARY 2016
HOLIDAY
WINE MARATHON December 2015
CATALONIA:
PRIORAT WINES November 2015
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS October 2015
WEST COAST
SYRAHS September 2015
SOUTH
AFRICAN CABERNETS & CABERNET BLENDS August 2015
PINOT
BLANC July 2015
CROZES-HERMITAGE
June 2015
ECLECTIC
SAUVIGNON BLANCS May 2015
NEWLY-RELEASED
CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS April 2015
ALTO ADIGE
LAGREINS February
WASHINGTON
STATE CABERNETS January 2015
2014
VINO FINO HOLIDAY WINE DINNER & TASTING December 2014
MOSTLY
GIGONDAS October 2014
MOSTLY
2010 & 2011 CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE WINES September 2014
2012
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS of MODEST PRICE August 2014
SANCERRES
July 2014
2012
VINTAGE CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS June 2014
MOSTLY
ITALIAN BARBERA, MOSTLY 2011 VINTAGE May 2014
CALIFORNIA
PINOT NOIRS April 2014
VINO
FINO 40th ANNIVERSARY DINNER February 2014
FRENCH
WHITE BORDEAUX January 2014
The
2013 HOLIDAY WINE & FOOD MARATHON December 2013
AUSTRALIAN
SHIRAZ November 2013
MALBECS OF
ARGENTINA October 2013
AFFORDABLE
FRENCH RED BURGUNDIES September 2013
MOURVEDRE
AND MOURVEDRE BLENDS August 2013
ITALIAN
VERMENTINO July 2013
MOSTLY
SPANISH TEMPRANILLO JUNE 2013
CALIFORNIA
GRENACHE & GRENACHE BLENDS MAY 2013
TEMPRANILLOS
(Mostly Southern Oregon) FEBRUARY 2013
PORTUGUESE
REDS Featuring TOURIGA NACIONAL January 2013
2012
HOLIDAY WINE MARATHON at the OLYMPIC CLUB December 2012
FRENCH
& CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS November 2012
WASHINGTON
STATE CABERNETS October 2012
AUSSIE
SHIRAZ September 2012
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS August 2012
RIESLINGS
FROM ALSACE July 2012
2009
PIEMONTESE BARBERAS June 2012
WEST
COAST PINOT NOIRS April 2012
MOSTLY
2009 CALIFORNIA CABERNETS March 2012
WEST
COAST SYRAHS February 2012
PRIMITIVO
FROM PUGLIA AND SONOMA January 2012
VINO FINO
HOLIDAY TASTING & DINNER December 2011
MOSTLY
CHAMPAGNE WITH TWO MYSTERY CONTESTANTS November 2011
VINO
NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO MEETS WASHINGTON STATE October 2011
MOSTLY
SONOMA ZINFANDELS September 2011
LOIRE VALLEY CHENIN
BLANCS August 2011
2008
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS July 2011
MOSTLY
2006 NAPA CABERNETS June 2011
2008-2009
PIEMONTESE BARBERAS May 2011
2008-2009
CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS April 2011
MOSTLY
2008 CALIFORNIA CABERNETS March 2011
GERMAN
SPÄTLESE RIESLINGS (Mostly) February 2011
2009
CRU BEAUJOLAIS January 2011
VINO
FINO HOLIDAY DINNER & WINE MARATHON December 2010
MODESTLY-PRICED
OREGON PINOT NOIRS November 2010
MOSTLY
2007 CALIFORNIA CABERNETS October 2010
MODESTLY-PRICED
CALIFORNIA ZINFANDELS September 2010
2007
LEFT BANK BORDEAUX August 2010
WASHINGTON
STATE CABS & BORDEAUX BLENDS
July 2010
2007
BARBERA June 2010
2007
NAPA & SONOMA ZINFANDELS April 2010
2007
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS March 2010
2007 RUSSIAN RIVER PINOT NOIRS February 2010
A
RANGE OF FRENCH CHABLIS WINES January 2010
HOLIDAY DINNER
& WINE MARATHON December 2009
ROSÉ
SPARKLING WINES November 2009
ARGENTINEAN
MALBECS October 2009
WEST
COAST CHARDONNAYS September 2009
GREEK
RED WINES August 2009
2005
BUDGET BORDEAUX July 2009
CAMPANIAN
WHITE WINES June 2009
MIXED
BAG OF CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS April 2009
RIOJA
WINES, MOSTLY FROM THE 2004 VINTAGE March 2009
NORTH
COAST PETITE SIRAHS February 2009
SYRAH
& PETITE SIRAH COMPARISON January 2009
A
VINO FINO CHRISTMAS December 2008
MOSTLY
2005s: NAPA CABERNETS November 2008
SONOMA
COUNTY PINOT NOIRS October 2008
SANTA
RITA HILLS -2006 VINTAGE- PINOT NOIRS SEPTEMBER 2008
NEWLY
RELEASED ZINFANDELS August 2008
WHITE
RHÔNE VALLEY WINES JULY 2008
LOIRE VALLEY SAUVIGNONS JUNE 2008
FRENCH
CHABLIS 2005-2006 MAY 2008
NORTHERN
RHÔNE SYRAHS APRIL 2008
SANTA
CRUZ MOUNTAINS PINOT NOIRS January 2008
ANNUAL HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS
DINNER December 2007
WEST
COAST CHARDONNAYS November 2007
AUSTRALIAN
SHIRAZ October 2007
SPANISH
TEMPRANILLO WINES September 2007
SONOMA'S
2005 VINTAGE ZINFANDELS August 2007
CURRENT
RELEASE (2004-2005) ZINFANDELS July 2007
ROS
WINES FROM ALL OVER June 2007
ITALIAN
LAGREIN WINES May 2007
ARGENTINEAN
MALBECS April 2007
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE PINOT NOIRS March 2007
MOSTLY
2004 CABERNETS February 2007
CRU
BEAUJOLAIS January 2007
A VINO
FINO CHRISTMAS December 2006
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS November 2006
PINOT
NOIRS of VALUE-PRICING October 2006
WORLD
OF SYRAHS TASTING September 2006
AUSSIE
CABERNET-SHIRAZ BLENDS August 2006
ALEXANDER
VALLEY (California) and MARGARET RIVER (Australia) CABERNETS July
2006
CALIFORNIA
PETITE SIRAHS June 2006
2004
NORTH COAST PINOTS and a FRENCH INTRUDER May 2006
AGLIANICO
: BASILICATA & CAMPANIA'S MAJOR RED WINE April 2006
NERO
D'AVOLA - A TASTE OF SICILIA March 2006
UNDER THE
VINO FINO RADAR ZINFANDELS January 2006
HOLIDAY WINE
TASTING & DINNER December 2005
BUBBLIES FROM AROUND
THE WORLD November 2005
NORTH
COAST PINOT NOIRS October 2005
STATE
OF CONFUSION CABERNETS September 2005
TIM
ZAINER'S SIDEWAYS LOOK AT MERLOTS August 2005
LOIRE VALLEY CABERNET
FRANCS June 2005
CALIFORNIA
SYRAHS March 2005
2002
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS February 2005
VINO
FINO HOLIDAY WINE MARATHON December 2004
CHARDONNAYS
OF MODEST PRICE November 2004
SPANISH
TEMPRANILLO October 2004
2002
CENTRAL COAST PINOT NOIRS September 2004
AUSSIE
SHIRAZ-CABERNET BLENDS August 2004
GEWÜRZTRAMINERS
FROM ALSACE July 2004
2001
SOUTHERN RHNES (7 Chteauneufs & a Vacqueyras) June 2004
AGLIANICO
WINES FROM CAMPANIA & BASILICATA May 2004
MONTEPULCIANO
WINES FROM THE ABRUZZO & MARCHE REGIONS April 2004
SONOMA
ZINFANDELS February 2004
1997
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO January 2004
VINO
FINO HOLIDAY BACCHANALIA 2003
2001
CÔTES du RHÔNES September 17, 2003
2000
OREGON PINOT NOIRS August 20, 2003
WEST
COAST SYRAHS July 16, 2003
2000
Bordeaux June 18, 2003
2000
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS May 21, 2003
OFF
THE BEATEN PATH SYRAHS APRIL 16, 2003
2002 NEW ZEALAND
SAUVIGNON BLANCS March 19, 2003
1999
California CABERNETS February 19, 2003
VINO
FINO HOLIDAY BACCHANALIA December 4, 2002
CALIFORNIA
PINOT NOIRS 1999-2000 November 20, 2002
AUSTRIAN
WHITE WINES October 16, 2002
AUSTRALIAN
SHIRAZ August 21, 2002
CHAMPAGNES
& SPARKLERS July 17, 2002
Interesting
Paired CHARDONNAYS
May 15, 2002
2001
Southern Hemisphere SAUVIGNON BLANCS Feb. 20, 2002
1999 ZINFANDELS January 16, 2002
HOLIDAY
SEASON BACCHANALIA
December 5, 2001
1999-2000
New PINOT NOIRS November 14, 2001
1999
CALIFORNIA ZINFANDELS October 17, 2001
1998
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS September 19, 2001
1999
LANGUEDOC REDS August 15, 2001
1997
SAUTERNES July 18, 2001
Mostly
1998 NEBBIOLO June 20, 2001
1999 PINOT NOIRS May
16, 2001
1996
SAINT-MILION Tasting April 18, 2001
CARNEROS
CHARDONNAYS March 21, 2001
1984-1985
NAPA CABERNETS/John Vignau Memorial Tasting October 20, 2000
1997
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS September 20, 2000
1998 CALIFORNIA
CHARDONNAYS August 16, 2000
WINES
FROM THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: CLARETS June 21, 2000
WINES
FROM UNDER THE TUSCAN (and Umbrian) SUN Aprile 19, 2000
1997 BORDEAUX: MEDOC May 17,
2000
WEIMAX TASTING ARCHIVE
NAPA
CABERNETS 2004 Vintage March 19, 2008
CALIFORNIA
PINOT NOIRS-2005s March 13, 2008
OREGON
PINOT NOIRS February 6, 2008
MOSTLY
2004 CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS April 25, 2007
WASHINGTON
STATE CLARETS April, 11, 2007
2004
NORTHERN RHONE SYRAHS April 4, 2007
2001
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO March 28, 2007
2001
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS November 8, 2006
2003
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS October 18, 2006
2003
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPES-Flight #2 October 4, 2006
OLDER
TUSCAN REDS--MOSTLY SANGIOVESES September 20, 2006
2003
NAPA CABERNETS July 19, 2006
2003
SAINT EMILIONS July 12, 2006
CALIFORNIA
SYRAHS 2003-2004 July 5, 2006
2004
CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS June 21, 2006
GRAND
CRU BURGUNDIES 2003 VINTAGE May 31, 2006
CELLAR
DWELLERS: 1990 CABERNETS & 1990 BORDEAUX May 17, 2006
SOUTH
AMERICAN CLARETS May 10, 2006
2003
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE May 3, 2006
2004
GOLDEN STATE PINOT NOIRS April 19, 2006
2002
NAPA CABERNETS March 15, 2006
2003
WEST COAST PINOT NOIRS March 8, 2006
2003
NORTH COAST ZINFANDELS March 1, 2006
1996
BURGUNDIES vs. 1997 SONOMA PINOT NOIRS November 9, 2005
2002
CABERNETS, ETC. November 2, 2005
2002 NAPA
CABERNETS October 19, 2005
2002
GRAND CRU BURGUNDIES September 14, 2005
2002
RED BURGUNDIES September 7, 2005
2002
MEURSAULTS August 31, 2005
NORTHERN
RHNE SYRAHS August 17, 2005
HIGHLY-REGARDED AUSSIE
SHIRAZ August 10, 2005
AUSSIE SHIRAZ UNDER
$60 August 3, 2005
STUPIDLY-PRICED
SPANISH TEMPRANILLO WINES June 8, 2005
RANDOM
CALIFORNIA SYRAHS June 1, 2005
2002
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS May 18, 2005
2001
NAPA CABERNETS May 11, 2005
OREGON
PINOT NOIRS-2002 & 2003 VINTAGE WINES April 27, 2005
CELLAR
DWELLERS: 1990 BURGUNDIES and a COUPLE OF CALIFORNIA PINOTS April 6, 2005
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS (Mostly 2002s) MARCH 16, 2002
1999
BRUNELLO di MONTALCINO March 9, 2005
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE CLARETS March 2, 2005
PETITE
SIRAHS February 16, 2005
ROS CHAMPAGNES AND
CALIFORNIA PINK BUBBLIES February 9, 2005
CELLAR
DWELLERS: 1991 CABERNET SAUVIGNONS January 19, 2005
2001
FAMOUS AND INFAMOUS CABERNETS November 10, 2004
2001
Napa CABERNETS November 3, 2004
WEST
COAST SYRAHS October 20, 2004
1990
RED BORDEAUX & CALIFORNIA CLARETS October 13, 2004
SPANISH
TEMPRANILLOS of 1999 & 2000 September 29, 2004
2002
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET September 8, 2004
2002
CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET September 1, 2004
UNDER
THE RADAR PINOT NOIRS August 18, 2004
2001
SAINT-JULIEN & PAUILLACS July 21, 2004
2001
MARGAUX July 14, 2004
CELLAR
DWELLERS: 1982 BORDEAUX July 7, 2004
2001 POMEROLS
June 30, 2004
2001
SAINT MILIONS June 16, 2004
2000
CLOS de VOUGEOT (and a ringer) MAY 12, 2004
2001
OREGON PINOT NOIRS May 5, 2004
2001
CALIFORNIA MERLOTS April 21, 2004
1994
WEST COAST CABERNETS APRIL 14, 2004
1999-2000 BORDEAUX COMPARISON
March 10, 2004
1999
BAROLO March 3, 2004
2000
Deluxe Napa CABERNETS February 18, 2004
2000
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS $50 & Under February 11, 2004
1998 BRUNELLO
DI MONTALCINO February 4, 2004
TURLEY
ZINFANDELS 1995 & 1999 Vintages January 7, 2004
2000
PRESTIGIOUS WEST COAST CABERNETS November 12, 2003
1999
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS November 5, 2003
SANTA
LUCIA HIGHLANDS PINOT NOIRS October 29, 2003
MOSTLY
2001 VINTAGE GIGONDAS October 22, 2003
SPANISH
TEMPRANILLO WINES October 9, 2003
SPARKLING
WINES-METHODE CHAMPENOISE October 1, 2003
1996
(Mostly) AUSTRALIAN (Mostly) SHIRAZ September 24, 2003
2000
NUITS-ST.-GEORGES September 10, 2003
PRIORATO
WINES FROM SPAIN September 3, 2003
WEST
COAST SANGIOVESES August 27, 2003
2000
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET (Mostly Premier Cru Wines) August 13, 2003
2000
CHAMBOLLE-MUSIGNY August 6, 2003
2000
NAPA CABERNETS July 30, 2003
1999
TUSCAN SANGIOVESE-BASED WINES July 23, 2003
2000
VINTAGE MERLOTS July 9, 2003
SYRAHS
FROM HITHER & YON July 2, 2003
2001 CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS June 25, 2003
NEW
PINOT NOIRS June 4, 2003
1999
NAPA CABERNETS May 28, 2003
1994
PINOT NOIRS May 14, 2003
CHILEAN
CLARETS May 7, 2003
PETITE
SIRAHS of Current Release.
April 30, 2003
1999
CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHETS Premier Cru Selections April 9, 2003
1999
GRAND CRU'S of GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN April 2, 2003
1999-2000 SOUTHERN FRENCH REDS (RHONE
WANNABE'S) MARCH 26, 2003
1995-1996
VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE TASTING MARCH 12, 2003
2000
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE TASTING MARCH 5, 2003
2000
NAPA VALLEY CABERNET TASTING FEBRUARY 26th, 2003
1990
FRENCH RED BURGUNDY TASTING February 12, 2003
1999
& 2000 CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS November 13, 2002
1999
NAPA CABERNETS November 6, 2002
1997
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO OCTOBER 30, 2002
AUSSIE
SHIRAZ TASTING OCTOBER 23, 2002
1999
CHATEAUNEUF-du-PAPE TASTING October 9, 2002
1999
NAPA CABERNETS September 25, 2002
1999
WASHINGTON STATE CABERNETS September 11, 2002
1991
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS September 4, 2002
1999
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET 1er Cru Tasting August 28, 2002
AUSTRALIAN
CABERNETS (Mostly 1999s) August 14, 2002
1999
FRENCH BURGUNDY July 24, 2002
1999
GRAVES BLANC July 10, 2002
2000
CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAY July 3, 2002
1999/2000
CONDRIEU TASTING June 26, 2002
1999
PAUILLAC & SAINT JULIEN TASTING June 12, 2002
1999
MARGAUX TASTING June 5, 2002
1985
CABERNETS & MEDOC TASTING May 29, 2002
1998
California CABERNETS May 22, 2002
South
American MALBEC May 8, 2002
1999
West Coast MERLOTS May 1, 2002
Central
Coast (California) PINOT NOIRS April 24, 2002
2001
Southern Hemisphere SAUVIGNON BLANCS April 10, 2002
1999
CALIFORNIA ZINFANDELS April 3, 2002
1999
FRENCH RHÔNE SYRAHS February 13, 2002
(Mostly) 1999 CALIFORNIA SYRAHS January 30,
2002
MORE
1997 BAROLO January 23, 2002
1997
Late-Released CABERNETS January 9, 2002
1997
BAROLO October 24, 2001
1985-1990
RED BURGUNDIES October 10, 2001
1998
Grand Crus of Gevrey Chambertin October 3, 2001
PRIORAT
WINES September 26, 2001
1998
CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE September 12, 2001
1999
"High Roller" CHARDONNAYS September 5, 2001
1998
BORDEAUX August 22, 2001
1999
WEST COAST PINOT NOIRS August 8, 2001
1997
VOSNE-ROMANÉE
Tasting August 1, 2001
1999
CALIFORNIA ZINS July 25, 2001
1998 CABERNET SAUVIGNONS
July 11, 2001
OLD
CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS June 6, 2001
1997 ECHEZEAUX May 30, 2001
1999 NORTH
COAST ZINFANDELS May 23, 2001
1999
West Coast Merlots May 9, 2001
1999
WEST COAST PINOT NOIRS May 2, 2001
1997
BARBARESCO April 25, 2001
Mostly RUSSIAN RIVER PINOT NOIRS
April 11, 2001
1997
NAPA CABERNETS April 4, 2001
1995
BRUNELLO di MONTALCINO March 28, 2001
1997 CHAMBOLLE-MUSIGNY &
MOREY SAINT DENIS
with one 1996...March 14, 2001
1997
GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN March 7, 2001
1996
BAROLO February 28, 2001
1978-1979
California Cabernets January 10, 2001
1997
California Cabernets November 8, 2000
1997
TUSCAN SANGIOVESES November 1, 2000
1997-1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
& CALIFORNIA WANNABEEs October 25, 2000
Mostly 1998 PINOT NOIRS
October 11, 2000
1996
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS October 4, 2000
MATURE
CLARETS September 27, 2000
1997
RED BORDEAUX September 13, 2000
1997 NAPA CABERNETS
September 6, 2000
1998
CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS August 30, 2000
1997 CLOS DE VOUGEOTS August 23,
2000
PETITE
SIRAH & SYRAH (West Coast) August 9, 2000
FANCY
CALIFORNIA MERLOTS August 2, 2000
1996
FAMOUS CALIFORNIA CABERNETS June 14, 2000
WEST
COAST SYRAHS June 7, 2000
1997 CABERNETS May 31,
2000
VIOGNIERS
of RECENT VINTAGE May 24, 2000
1997-1998
ZINFANDELS May 10, 2000
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE CLARETS May 3, 2000
1996
California CABERNETS April 12, 2000
1996
FRENCH RED BURGUNDIES March 29, 2000
CALIFORNIA
vs ITALIAN (Tuscan) SANGIOVESE March 22, 2000
WEST COAST
PINOT NOIRS March 8, 2000
AUSSIE
SHIRAZ TASTING March 1, 2000
FRENCH
CHAMPAGNES (NV BRUTS) January 5, 2000
1996
BORDEAUX (MEDOC) TASTING November 10, 1999
CABERNET-INFLUENCED VINI FROM
ITALY November 3, 1999
CABERNETS OF THE WORLD
TASTING October 27, 1999
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