|
1999
GRAVES BLANC
Tasting
July 10, 2002
The 1999 vintage was a rather warm one for producers in
Bordeaux. The total number of "degrees" accumulated during the
growing season was about ten percentage points higher than normal. But the
year was challenging.
The growing season was also wetter than normal. During one three hour
period in July, the region received something like 35% of the normal rainfall
for the entire month! The weather cleared in August, coinciding with a
solar eclipse. It did not rain again for about 5 weeks. The warm
weather allowed the Smillon and Sauvignon to ripen and mature. As a
result, many of the wines of 1999 in this tasting are of substantial alcohol
levels.
The overall quality of the wines is quite high. This is reflected in the
wide spread of scores, with almost every wine garnering, at least, a first place
vote. Even the top wines in the "standings" had last place
votes. While some of these wines cost a fortune, the good news is the
quality of the more modestly-priced wines is very high. Of course, in this
"modestly-priced" translates to $40.
Keep in mind that second place in this tasting was only 8 "points"
ahead of sixth place. That's not a significant differential.
Here's what we found:
| The
Wines |
Gerald's
Rank |
Ellen's
Rank |
Bob's
Rank |
GROUP
RANK |
Total
Points |
1sts/2nds/
Lasts |
CHATEAU
CARBONNIEUX
1999
Pessac-Leognan
$27 |
7 |
5 |
2 |
6 |
69 |
2/3/2 |
DOMAINE
de CHEVALIER
1999
Pessac-Leognan
$59 |
5 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
62 |
2/2/0 |
CHATEAU
de FIEUZAL
1999
Pessac-Leognan
$39 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
2 |
61 |
2/5/3 |
CHATEAU
HAUT-BRION
1999
Pessac-Leognan
$200 |
3 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
64 |
3/1/3 |
CHATEAU
LAVILLE HAUT-BRION
1999
Pessac-Leognan
$90 |
6 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
89 |
2/0/4 |
CHATEAU
MALARTIC-LAGRAVIRE
1999
Pessac-Leognan
$33 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
5 |
65 |
3/0/1 |
CHATEAU
PAPE CLMENT
1999
Pessac-Leognan
$72 |
8 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
77 |
0/0/1 |
CHATEAU
SMITH HAUT LAFITTE
1999
Pessac-Leognan
$42 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
53 |
1/4/1 |
Notes compiled by Gerald Weisl, wm
8th Place: CHATEAU LAVILLE HAUT-BRION
 One
taster described the Laville as having a "woody scent, low intensity with
some fig notes, perhaps. It's a bit weak, soft in structure and low in
acidity, yet aggressive." Another person felt it lacks concentration,
while someone else said it has a short finish. One person found the aromas
reminiscent of "cooked fresh peas and it's high in acidity, so the wine is
disjointed." Another taster agreed, finding this "soft and yet
sharp." One fan found persistent notes reminding him of "rose
petals. There's a flowery bouquet and a bit of oak. It's smooth and
velvety with a light citrus character and that rose petal quality, too."
I described this wine as showing more "waxy" notes with a lanolin
fragrance, the hallmark of Smillon. There's a beeswax quality to the
wine on the nose and palate, with honeyed flavors that are quite
attractive. It's quite rich on the palate and I found it to have a rather
lengthy finish. One and a half stars (3 stars maximum, with no stars for a
standard or ordinary quality wine).
7th Place: CHATEAU PAPE CLMENT
 "This
wine really improved as it got warmer, showing minerally, dusty notes and a nice
crisp flavor with minerals and rich oak on the finish. It would be a
really good wine for shellfish." said our lead-off batter. Another
taster described it as "sharp, stainless steel...earthy and mildly
grassy." A third person found it "dry, chalky and austere at
first. Later it shows nice oak, displaying quite an evolution in the
glass." A fourth critic found "white flowers and melon...it's a
less 'obvious' wine than some of the others and is going to be a really good
'food' wine as opposed to a cocktail or aperitif white." A final word
from one person was "There's more in the mouth than on the nose here."
I found this to be a bit pungent and herbal. If you like German Rieslings
that have notes of "petrol," you'll probably find this to be a most
interesting wine. There's a piney, pungent quality on the nose and
palate. I suppose this wine would really shine paired with seafood
seasoned with a lot of ginger. The vineyard's 2.5 hectares of white grapes are
planted with equal parts of Smillon and Sauvignon and 10% Muscadelle. I gave
it a one-star rating.
6th Place: CHATEAU CARBONNIEUX
 "This
is not pleasant!" one taster told us. Another said it "has the
most SO2 which it lost as it aired. I
found some aromas of pink grapefruit and ginger, along with figs. The SO2
over-takes the wine. It's even a bit astringent." One panelist
found it "astringent, austere and closed on the nose, but with a long
finish...very focused and it's quite cellar-worthy. This tastes like the
biggest wine of the group." Another person was less thrilled, finding
it to be "metallic and tasting mostly of Sauvignon Blanc." A
final assessment was "the persistence and structure are present in this
wine."
I found this to be rather simple on the nose, showing very mild Sauvignon notes
and a little Smillon. Neither variety dominates and the wine offers less
distinction on the nose, but it has a bit more strength in the mouth. One
star. The vineyard is 60% Sauvignon, 38% Smillon and 2% Muscadelle.
5th Place: CHATEAU MALARTIC-LAGRAVIRE
 "I
found a nice figgy, ripe wine here. It has those same notes of figs on the
palate, good structure and nice fruit." said one panelist. Another
described it as "subtly vegetative. It's one of the best balanced and
has nice structure." One taster encountered "nicely grassy
aromas with notes of fresh limes and peas. This would be a lovely cocktail
wine." Less positive were the words of another individual who found
it "...the lightest wine of the group and a bit flat and
uninteresting. It's citrusy and a bit sharp. Lots of Sauvignon
here." Another felt it displayed the "grassiness of Sauvignon
Blanc." One panelist said "It's really focused on Sauvignon
Blanc. The wine is complex and a 'food wine,' having a faintly earthy
finish."
I found a lot of herbal Sauvignon Blanc here, with hints of white flowers and
some sweet spices. The nose was very intriguing and very Sauvignon
dominated. It's crisp and dry, steely-edged on the palate with good fruit
notes and a touch of spice. One-and-a-half stars+.
4th Place: CHATEAU HAUT-BRION
 "I
found this to be high in acidity and a bit volatile on the palate. It
reminds me of the Domaine de Chevalier I once tasted some years ago, as it is so
distinctive." said one taster. Another person found "it changed
a lot as it aired and warmed. I ranked it first as it has a 'sweetness' to
the fruit and showing a lot of Smillon. But now I don't care for
it!" One person encountered "dusty notes with figgy Smillon
fruit. It seems to have undergone a secondary, malolactic fermentation as
it shows heavy, custardy lactic notes and some key lime flavors. Still,
it's a bit shrill." Another person encountered "volatile,
figgy, exotic notes. It's a broader tasting wine than most. Not
bad!" Someone else described it as "lively, rather than
shrill."
I described the aromas a reminiscent of candied orange peel with intense Smillon
notes. There's a hint of caramel, too, with a faintly herbal
fragrance. On the palate the wine is massive, with lots of caramel and
orange peel. It's mildly herbal and has a flowery note. Long finish,
too. Very fine. Two stars. Haut-Brion's vineyards are 63% Smillon
and 37% Sauvignon.
3rd Place: DOMAINE de CHEVALIER
 "I
found a lot of oak one the nose in this thin, sour, sharp wine. It's got a
green apple flavor, too. My wife makes a pie of green apples and it needs
a lot of sugar. This wine could use some of that balance!" said one
critic. Another taster felt "it got better as it warmed. It's
minerally and gravelly on the nose with tart and bitter notes on the
palate. And it's a tad over-oaked." A more positive taster aid
"It was my favorite wine. It shows some malolactic notes as it's
creamy. There's nice oak and a candied citric quality, being mouth-filling
and even elegant." Someone found "hints of honey and coconut,
with really ripe tropical fruit notes." Another taster found
"it's very complex...nicely oaked and not too much wood."
I found it to be a nice balance of the two varietals, as each shows up on the
nose but neither dominates. It's a bit warm on the palate but the flavors
really echo the nose. Nice balance with a lean note of Sauvignon,
countered by the weight and lushness of the Smillon.
One-and-a-half stars.
2nd Place: CHATEAU de FIEUZAL
 The
reaction from tasters was all over the map on this wine. One taster found
it "ripe...the top rated wine for aromas, but it's fat, warm and
empty." Another marked it down for its "hot finish," while
someone else found "green apples and Smillon." Another fellow
found it "evolved quite a bit showing an oaky nose at first with a buttery
quality on the palate. But the oak has subsided and it now shows citrusy,
lemony notes and a hint of a soy-like flavor." One taster encountered
"dusty, floral notes with geraniums and some grassy flavors and a limey
finish." Another panelist felt it to be "a little bit raw, but
it will age nicely."
Being a fan of Sauvignons from Sancerre, I really enjoyed the intensity of the
Sauvignon aromas. It shows a hint of pine, herbs, stalky, citrusy notes
with a touch of peach. It's dry, crisp and tangy on the palate. I
think it's a superb candidate for shellfish. Two to two-and-a-half
stars.
The vineyards at de Fieuzal are half Sauvignon and half Smillon.
1st Place: CHATEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE
 "I
found this to show notes of yeasty, bready characters on the nose. There's
a hint of sour pickles and it's got a crisp, yet oily mouth-feel with a
metallic, bitter edge." said our lead-off taster. Another person
detected "a strong aroma of bread, yeast and popcorn. It's a big,
burly wine with lavishly bready aromas and an intriguing nose...very interesting
and complex." Someone else found "big, rich, oaky, vanillin
notes, but it doesn't have a lot of fruit on the palate." A few tasters
found more curious elements here. One said "It's got a bizarre
character with hints of onions and garlic and maybe even kim-chee. Even
so, I liked it." Another person didn't have much good to say in
describing the wine, finding it to be "skunky and reminiscent of
cabbage."
I found a lot of leesy notes here, the elements that others described as
bready. It's quite stylish and complex on the nose, with a bit of oak,
toasty, smoky elements. It seems more advanced than the other wines,
probably a result of the maturation period in wood. It's crisp, full and
really nice with stony, pineapple-like flavors and the toasty notes of the time
on the spent yeast. Very complex. Two to two-and-a-half
stars. Smith Haut Lafitte is planted with 95% Sauvignon Blanc and 5%
Sauvignon Gris.
|
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 47 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 44 years!)
CALIFORNIA
SYRAHS of MODEST PRICING February 2023
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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
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DRY
GERMAN RIESLINGS November 2021
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CHARDONNAYS August 2021
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CLASSICO 2017 & 2018 JULY 2021
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE PINOT NOIRS June 2021
MORE
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS TASTED IN PERSON! May 2021
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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
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RHÔNE SYRAHS February 2019
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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
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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
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PINOT NOIRS April 2016
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2012
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CATALONIA:
PRIORAT WINES November 2015
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ZINFANDELS October 2015
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SYRAHS September 2015
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AFRICAN CABERNETS & CABERNET BLENDS August 2015
PINOT
BLANC July 2015
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June 2015
ECLECTIC
SAUVIGNON BLANCS May 2015
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LAGREINS February
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STATE CABERNETS January 2015
2014
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MOSTLY
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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
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PINOT NOIRS April 2014
VINO
FINO 40th ANNIVERSARY DINNER February 2014
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The
2013 HOLIDAY WINE & FOOD MARATHON December 2013
AUSTRALIAN
SHIRAZ November 2013
MALBECS OF
ARGENTINA October 2013
AFFORDABLE
FRENCH RED BURGUNDIES September 2013
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AND MOURVEDRE BLENDS August 2013
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VERMENTINO July 2013
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(Mostly Southern Oregon) FEBRUARY 2013
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HOLIDAY WINE MARATHON at the OLYMPIC CLUB December 2012
FRENCH
& CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS November 2012
WASHINGTON
STATE CABERNETS October 2012
AUSSIE
SHIRAZ September 2012
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ZINFANDELS August 2012
RIESLINGS
FROM ALSACE July 2012
2009
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COAST PINOT NOIRS April 2012
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2009 CALIFORNIA CABERNETS March 2012
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COAST SYRAHS February 2012
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FROM PUGLIA AND SONOMA January 2012
VINO FINO
HOLIDAY TASTING & DINNER December 2011
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NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO MEETS WASHINGTON STATE October 2011
MOSTLY
SONOMA ZINFANDELS September 2011
LOIRE VALLEY CHENIN
BLANCS August 2011
2008
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS July 2011
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2008-2009
PIEMONTESE BARBERAS May 2011
2008-2009
CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS April 2011
MOSTLY
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GERMAN
SPÄTLESE RIESLINGS (Mostly) February 2011
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CRU BEAUJOLAIS January 2011
VINO
FINO HOLIDAY DINNER & WINE MARATHON December 2010
MODESTLY-PRICED
OREGON PINOT NOIRS November 2010
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LEFT BANK BORDEAUX August 2010
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July 2010
2007
BARBERA June 2010
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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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