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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 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
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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