Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

We will not sell your email address.

 

 

STORE HOURS

CURRENT HOURS:
Mon-Sat 9am-6pm


The Tasting Room is open
Mon-Saturday until 6pm


Closed Sundays

Prices Posted on our site are
subject to change without notice.
We are seeing our trade partners
increasing prices at a fast & furious rate.
(They're Fast and we're Furious.)

KILLER ITALIAN ROSATO

NEW VINTAGE OF SONOMA CHARDONNAY

PORTUGUESE $11 RED

SANGIOVESE DI ROMAGNA,
Not Tuscany

NEBBIOLO LANGHE
BARGAIN

SALUMI-WORTHY
FIZZY RED LAMBRUSCO

AROMATIC PIEMONTESE RED: RUCHÈ

CRU BARBARESCO FROM A NEWISH WINERY--Sale Priced

NEW, SINGLE VINEYARD
SANCERRE

BEST BUYS
Good Wines for $5-$15

CAPOVILLA
OUTSTANDING GRAPPA

CABERNET VALUE

SURPRISINGLY GOOD TEN BUCK MERLOT

BIGFOOT CABERNET

A FIESTA OF A TEMPRANILLO

OBSCURE ITALIAN RED

CIÙ CIÙ
PECORINO

ELEVEN BUCK
AMADOR ZIN

STELLAR NEW ARTISAN RIOJA

CASTELÃO BARGAIN

COLORFUL ZIN

PROSECCO FOR ADULTS

BILLIONAIRE'S WINES UNDER $30!

BARGAIN WHITE BORDEAUX

TOP OF THE LINE
CREMANT

RESERVE QUALITY RIOJA

PIEMONTE'S GRAND VIN BIANCO?

GREAT GRUNER VELTLINER

FLOWERY, CURIOUS RED

OLD PATCH RED
ZIN BLEND

MONCUIT'S GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE

HONEYED MUSCAT

Napa Valley Grape Info
2002

2010

Amazing FRENCH CIDERS

 

 

HOME PAGE

AMERICAN WINES

CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS

RHONE WANNABEES

ZINFANDELS

SAUVIGNON BLANCS

MERLOTS

OREGON WINES

CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS

CALIFORNIA CABERNETS

RIESLING & GEWURZ

WASHINGTON STATE

CANADIAN WINES

Adventuresome  Wines

ROSÉS !!

FRENCH WINES
ALSACE
BEAUJOLAIS
RED BORDEAUX
WHITE BORDEAUX
RED BURGUNDY
WHITE BURGUNDY
RHÔNE VALLEY
THE FRENCH ALPS
SOUTH OF FRANCE

LOIRE


CHAMPAGNE

 

ITALIAN WINES
PIEMONTE

VALLE D'AOSTA

NORTHERN ITALY

CENTRAL ITALIA

TUSCANY

SOUTHERN ITALIA

SARDINIA

SICILIA


SPANISH WINES
Spanish Sherry
& Other Delights


PORTUGUESE WINES

SWISS WINES

GERMAN WINES

AUSTRIAN WINES

ARGENTINA

CHILE

AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALAND

SOUTH AFRICA

OBSCURE WINES

DESSERT WINES

CHAMPAGNES

HALF-BOTTLES

SPIRITS

CIDERS

BEER
Even Real "Bud"!

OTHER STUFF

WINE TASTING

WHAT'S OPEN


UPCOMING TASTINGS

TASTING RESULTS
  
NEWSLETTER

SHIPPING INFO

ETC.

 

TASTING REPORTS

HOW TO ORGANIZE A BLIND-TASTING

BLIND TASTING ARCHIVE

MY 2013 EURO WINE ADVENTURE BOOK

CHATEAU MONTELENA "DREAM TASTING"
January 2018

CHATEAU MONTELENA
VERTICAL


ALBA WINES EXHIBITION 2007

ALBA WINES EXHIBITION 2008

SCHRAMSBERG vs THE FAMOUS FRENCH

German Wine "Master Class" Tasting

UNIQUE VERTICAL TASTING OF VOLLRADS RIESLINGS
1945-2015


S & M FOR WINETASTING GEEKS

TEAR-WAH
TASTING

2020 COVID
SF INTL WINE
COMPETITION

2019 SF
INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION

2018 SF INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION

2017 SF
INTERNATIONAL
WINE 
COMPETITION

2016 SF
INTERNATIONAL
WINE COMPETITON

2015 SF INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION

2014 SF INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION

2013 SF INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION

2012 SF INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION

2011 SF INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION

2010 SF INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION

2009 SF INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION

2008 SF INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION
Periodically Amazing

2007 SF INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION
The Nose Knows!

2006 SF INTERNATIONAL  WINE COMPETITION.
SPIT HAPPENS

2005 SF INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION.

2004 SF WINE COMPETITION TASTING

The 2003 SF WINE COMPETITION

2002 SF WINE COMPETITION TASTING 

A Vertical Tasting of Nalle Zinfandels

 

 

ETC.

RANTINGS & RAVINGS

WINE ROADS of EUROPE

Food/Wine/Friends
A Photo Gallery

MASTER OF WINE ESSAY TOPICS

Old Bottles: A TASTE OF HISTORY

Bob's Venetian Diary

Bob's Paris Notes Updated Spring 2007

Wine Writer's Confession

NEW "CULT" WINERY

Some Restaurant Reviews

HOW TO SELL WINE.
Info For Brokers and
Wine Distributors.

HOW TO HOLD A TRADE TASTING

$100,000 WORTH OF WINE MARKETING ADVICE:  FREE!
Mainly for Foreign Vintners

MOLDY CORKS

Study Reveals Experts Taste More Than What's In the Glass!

OKANAGAN VALLEY WINE TOUR-2010

BRIAN'S 2005 SUMMER VACATION WITH UNCLE

Gerald's Tour de France 2006

GERALD'S TOUR DE FRANCE 2008

A TOUR OF PORTUGAL-2009

HOW TO SPEAK BETTER ITALIAN

PEDRONCELLI
90th ANNIVERSARY

PONZI'S 40th
ANNIVERSARY

VINITALY

ROOSEVELT'S 2005 CHILI COOK-OFF

ROOSEVELT'S 2007 CHILI COOK-OFF

Grape Goddess

Ross Bruce Birthday

ALESSIA DALL'U

FRANCESCA & CAROLA
CALLIGARO


CCIV

FAQs

BURLINGAME

Links

 

2001 Famous
(and Infamous)
California Cabernets
A Blind-Tasting Comparison
November 10, 2004

Notes by
Gerald Weisl,
wine merchant


The 2001 growing season started early, with buds starting to push on the vine in March.  A rather severe frost in April damaged these shoots, much to the distress of growers.  May, then, was hot and this caused "shatter," where the blooms on the vine don't "set" fruit.  These limited crop size and caused early talk of price increases for fruit and, of course, wine.

The summer saw rather consistently mild temperatures in the North Coast throughout the summer.  Then the harvest season saw warm temperatures, allowing vintners to pick when they felt the time was right.

Last week's tasting featured wines ranging in price from $45 to $70.  This tasting features some famous wines which have a significant track record and, for the most part, triple-digit pricing.

We were also curious to see the reaction to the wine from Chateau Montelena, which had been awarded a rating of 69 points in a recent Wine Spectator article.  This low rating has raised many eyebrows amongst vintners and those in the wine trade.  Many people consider a rating of 89 points or less to be "the kiss of death."  A rating of 69 points might render a wine unsaleable were people to put much credence in such a score.

Our tasting panel, of course, approached the set of 8 wines "blind," not knowing if that wine was even in the tasting.  It has rankings from first through 8th, meaning some tasters liked it, while others did not.

Unlike the preceding tasting, no one wine was a "run-away" winner, though one entrant was statistically ahead of the pack.

Here's what we found:

The Wines Gerald's Rank Ellen's Rank Bob's Rank GROUP RANK TOTAL POINTS 1sts/2nds/
Lasts
CAYMUS VINEYARDS
2001 Napa
Special Selection
Cabernet Sauvignon
$135
2 4 7 5 73 2/1/3
CHAPPELLET WINERY
2001 Napa
Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard
$110

86% CS 9% PV 5% Merlot
7 5 4 4 62 1/2/0
CHATEAU MONTELENA
2001 Napa
The Montelena Estate
$ ??
March 2005 Release Date
3 8 1 6 79 1/1/3
CHATEAU ST. JEAN
2001 Sonoma County
Cinq Cpages
$75
5 7 8 7 80 1/1/3
DOMINUS
2001 Napa
Estate Bottled
$125
81% CS 10% CF 5% PV 4% Merlot
8 6 6 8 91 0/2/6
OPUS ONE
2001 Napa
Red Wine
$150
87% CS 6% M 2%CF 3% Malbec 2%PV
6 1 3 1 45 5/2/0
JOSEPH PHELPS
2001 Napa
Insignia
$130
89% CS 8% PV 3% Malbec
4 3 5 2 51 2/3/0
PETER MICHAEL WINERY
2001 Sonoma County
Les Pavots
$110
72% CS 16% Merlot 10% CF 2% PV
1 2 2 3 59 3/3/0


8th Place: DOMINUS 2001 Napa Red Wine
Dominus is usually a Merlot-based red, but the 2001 marks a change in approach and Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the blend.  One taster found some "red fruit notes here at first with a hint of black fruit and a touch of soy."  Another critic found "mocha, vanilla and oak.  It's full and perhaps too tannic.  Notes of espresso, too."  Someone else felt this was "sour," while another person found it "Pretty, but somewhat lacking in depth and complexity.  I found a bit of black cherry fruit and a not of wet paper.  It's a bit washed out...it peters out on the finish."  Someone described this as "classically Bordeaux in style, being a bit muted at first.  Then there are some black cherry notes and it's a bit closed.  It has some nice structure with bitter tannins.  It opens nicely, though.  Needs time."  Another person found it to display "bitter tannins," while a final taster found it "interesting and laden with black cherry fruit...full bodied, too."
Though it was my last place wine, it may be the best vintage of Dominus I have experienced (an I'm an old-timer).  The wine showed a nicely woodsy tone on the nose with some cocoa and a light mocha tone.  It's woodsy on the palate, but not woody.  Tannic but not coarse.  There's a bit of black licorice on the palate.  It can go 5 to 10 to 15 years in terms of cellaring.  I gave it a one-and-a-half-star rating on my three star scale, no stars being an ordinary wine.





7th Place: CHATEAU ST. JEAN 2001 Sonoma "Cinq Cepages"
One critic praised this for being "Complex with wild plum fruit, blackberry and mineral notes.  Also chocolate, mocha and a hint of pencil lead."  Another person claimed it was "A simple red wine with red and black cherry fruit.  It's not well-focused or structured."  One taster encountered a "sour smell, with blueberry fruit, red fruits and some pencil tones.  It's also minerally a bit tight."  Another critic described it as simple, finding "the mid-palate shows some black cherry and oak, but it's got a short finish and isn't terribly exciting."  One fan found it to be "Nice, with good fruit and soft tannins...it's not a monster."  Someone else felt it was "Classic California Cabernet with a ripe, sweet nose and some dusty tannins."  Bob mentioned it being a bit "shrill and having gumdrop, candy-like flavors."
I detected a hint of a leathery note on the nose with red fruit underneath.  There are some sweet notes from the fruit and a mildly woodsy tone.  One the palate it displays ripe, red fruits, berries and it's mildly tannic.  I gave it a one-and-a-half star rating.



6th Place: CHATEAU MONTELENA 2001 Napa "The Montelena Estate" CABERNET SAUVIGNON
This winery has been bashed by the Wine Spectator this past year for having had traces of TCA (2,4,6 trichloranisole) a chemical compound which, in large enough concentrations, mutes the fruit of a wine and contributes a wet paper, damp cellar aroma to a wine.  Wine Spectator critic James Laube claims to be very sensitive to this TCA problem and has published articles on several wineries which have this "problem."  We are certain many wineries may have the same issue confronting them, but since very few people can detect TCA in concentrations less than 1.4 parts per trillion, most don't view this as a "problem."
The November 15, 2004 issue of the Wine Spectator gives this wine a kiss-of-death rating, 69 points on its 100 point scale.
Laube described the wine as:
"Hard-edged dill and cedary oak precede this green, lean, herbal wine with gritty, chalky tannins.  Tasted twice, with consistent notes.  7,800 cases made.--JL"
Our impartial panel had a range of descriptors, most quite different from those of Mr. Laube.
"The nose is terrific," said one panel member. "I found cedar, rosemary, vanilla and some black cherry fruit on the palate.  It's got a short finish, though and is not too complex.  It's likeable, but not exciting."  One taster found some "green notes with bright cherry fruit and a dusty character.  Unripe plums and it's oaky.  Some blackberry notes and a slightly leathery finish."  Another panel member found "Sour cherry fruit and it got better as it sat in the glass."  Someone else found "Sweet oak and cedar, with blackcurrant fruit.  It's really classic Napa Cabernet with a tannic structure.  A gem in every way!"  One person found Montelena's wine to be "Sumptuous and it has a great finish."   A final taster found "Bramble berry notes and it got better in the glass."
I detected dark cherry fruit aromas with a note of forest floor (is this Mr. Laube's "tainted" character?).  But I did not find the wine to be flawed or unpleasant on the nose.  On the palate the wine is dry, moderately acidic and of medium body.  The flavors are of elegant Cabernet Sauvignon.  It's mildly tannic and has lots of fruit to balance the tannin.  The fruit is ripe and refined.  I have this a one-and-a-half star rating.
As a post-script:  The day following our tasting, I poured the wine for three sales reps, none of whom knew what wine they were tasting.  None sells Montelena, either, but all three are passionate wine fanciers in addition to working in the trade.
I asked each to taste the wine and "divine" a numerical score for this wine.
The first guessed the wine to be 90 to 94 points in the journals.  The second pegged this as an 88 to 90 point wine, while the third thought 85 would be the minimum score.  All were shocked to learn this had but a 69 point rating and all took issue with such a low number.




5th Place: CAYMUS 2001 Napa Special Selection CABERNET SAUVIGNON
"This is really grapey and shows some boysenberry fruit," said one critic, who felt it is merely "a simple wine."  Another critic nailed it for being "off and somewhat stinky.  It's a big disappointment.  There's a strange petroleum note to this wine."  Meanwhile, someone else found it "full of berries and it has a long finish."  Another taster found "peppery notes with spices and tobacco tones.  It chewy in texture, with black cherry fruit and Asian spices and some bitter chocolate notes."  One tasting participant found "Boysenberry fruit and sweet cassis and it's got a long finish."  Someone else detected notes of "Stewed tomatoes and oregano...a nice wine for spaghetti sauce!"  One person found some "corky or dank cellar notes and dried leaves."
I found the nose to show hints of currants with an underlying floral tone...sort of Margaux-like with lovely red fruit aromas and a touch of oak.  Dusty, too.  The wine confirms these notes on the palate, with plenty of fruit and ample tannin.  It's big and ripe, with rich fruit flavors and a touch of cocoa on the finish.  I gave it a one-and-a-half star rating.




4th Place: CHAPPELLET 2001 Napa "Pritchard Hill Estate" CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Described by one panel member as "Nice, rich fruit, with notes of plums, rich cherry fruit and good balance on its finish."  A second taster found it "Deep, rich and black cherryish, with a hint of spice but it fell off to show raspberry and a tart finish."  Another person found "Chalky tannins at first," while someone else detected "complex spice notes and vanillin oak with rich, sweet fruit tones.  It's full all the way along the palate and has lots of stuffing."  One panel member found "Vanillin oak and tobacco, with a touch of mint, currants, blackberries and plums."  Another taster detected "Dark blackberry fruit, tightly wound currant notes and a touch of espresso."  A final voice wondered if this had some notes of "Brettanomyces."
I found it to be be big and berryish, with lots of currant fruit and a vaguely dusty tone.  The flavors displays hints of cherry fruit and a complimentary level of oak.  Black cherry and cassis come along towards the finish.  Nicely tannic...balanced.  I gave this a one-and-a-half star rating.



3rd Place:  PETER MICHAEL 2001 Sonoma "Les Pavots" CABERNET SAUVIGNON
"Here's a wine that's supple, yet tannic, showing sweet black cherry fruit, currants and mocha, with a note of herbal-laced chocolate brownies." said one poet.  Another found it "Big, berryish and simple in the middle.  There's a note of cinnamon spice, too.  But I find it to be an average wine."  Someone else agreed with that assessment.  Another taster found it to have "decent fruit, but it's too tannic."  Others, finding the tannin level a bit worrisome, found notes of asparagus, sea foam, mint and sage.
I detected more black fruit aromas on the nose, finding this to be exceptional.  It's very deep and fine, with sweet oak, a bit of licorice, ripe fruit and black currants.  The flavors display black cherry fruit, anise, oak although I might agree, the wine is a bit aggressive.  I think the tannin is probably the same as most other wines in this line-up, but a bit of heat from the alcohol pushes the tannic assault to the fore.  Still, I have it two stars (more for the nose)+.




2nd Place:  JOSEPH PHELPS 2001 Napa Red Wine "Insignia"
The first critic expressed concerns about the level of oak here. "It's over oak, showing oak above everything else."  A second taster found "Lots of oak and fruit."  Someone else found a "bit of fruit, a bit flat and some dark cherry notes, but it fell apart.  Mostly oak."  Another critic found it "Rich and concentrated...very complex with notes of baker's chocolate, mocha, cream, dusty blackberry-laced fruit and some pencil lead."  A final panel member described this as having "nice spice and cedar.  It's rich and has nice tannins."
I am in complete agreement about the level of wood here.  Even in a blind-tasting of similar, lavishly oaked wines, this shows oak above everything else.  Previous vintages of this have also been quite oaky, but this wine seems a bit shy of Cabernet to really carry all that wood.  It's sweetly oaked on the nose with notes of cedar and vanilla.  The wood dominates the palate, with hints of cocoa and mocha peering through the forest.  I still gave it a one-and-a-half star rating.




1st Place: OPUS ONE 2001 Napa Red Wine
"Rich, smooth and polished, this shows spicy blackberry fruit, lavender and some earthy currants with tobacco and toasty oak." said our lead-off batter.  A second critic found "Nice dark fruit and good body and structure.  It's elegant, redolent of tobacco and has a persistent, lasting finish.  I love it!"  Another taster found this "astringent, sharp and showing a lot of tannin."  Someone else found it "overly sweet and almost candied being a bit over-ripe."  A final taster mentioned it's "beautifully oaked."
Mondavi-Rothschild has made this wine since the 1979 vintage and this is the first time Opus Won a tasting here...
I found notes of herbs and some sweet fruit on the nose. It's cherryish and almost fragrant along the lines of a Pinot Noir or vanillin California Syrah.  Very nice, though.  The palate offers sweet fruits, sweet oak, mildly cedary notes and a smoky tone to the finish.  The tannins offer good structure.  I gave this a one-and-a-half star rating.  Very nice.

 

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!)

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE SEMILLONS  November 2023

CALIFORNIA RED RHONE BLENDS   October 2023

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

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

winepour.gif (12696 bytes)

Wine Tasting Today

TO INQUIRE ABOUT A WINE:  gerald@weimax.com
 
Copyright © 1999    WEIMAX    NOVEMBER 25, 2023