Sebastiani
1997 “Sonoma Cask”
Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
The price-value ratio is just too much to overlook. It screams, “Buy me, and try me”.
“Come on now, your telling me this is a $15 Cab from Sonoma?” That’s what you will be saying after you taste it. Then I expect to hear, “Thanks Greg, we appreciate the tip”. Just show me a little love for my efforts people.
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Penfolds
1998 “Bin 389”
Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz
With the first sip, the 389 is in your face with a blast of intensity.
Bin 389 is one of the Bin numbers to remember. There are lots of Bin numbers used by Australian wineries and Penfolds uses about eight of them on a line of wine encompassing 30 different bottlings. But the infamous Bin 389 is one to remember. It is Penfolds terrific Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz blend (58% Cab–42% Shiraz).
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E. Guigal
1998 Gigondas
This is the wine to drink first as a warm up to the Jaboulet. With 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre this blend is a bit lighter in body than the Northern Rhones but just as fun to power down. The crimson red color has a consistent nice lightness to it and is very clean and clear of any flaws. Aromas that first come on the scene are burnt cherries and then followed up by some spicy clove.
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I start to get a little antsy, and a bit sweaty and then naughty and nasty thoughts of Syrah fill my head.
Paul Jaboulet Aine
1998 “Domaine de Thalabert”
Crozes Hermitage
1998 Paul Jaboulet Aine “Domaine de Thalabert” Crozes-Hermitage
Oh sweet baby, this is the goods. This wine is a full garnet/deep red in color that just lightens up slightly on the edges with distinct and potent aromas of spice and gamey black pepper. A whiff of this should always put a smile on your face. The aromas seem to stick with the spicy first impression but do start to include a bit of ripe berry as you get to your 2nd minute with your nose in the glass.
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1998 Alexander Valley Chardonnay
I took to this wine like I would take to Anna Kournikova at a summer tennis camp… clean, ripe, refreshing and hard to resist.
This Chardonnay is a pure Alexander Valley treasure. Some of the northern Sonoma County coolness has imparted a unique and tasty quality to this wine. I have been drinking bigger and fuller Chard’s lately and enjoy them, but I took to this wine like I would take to Anna Kournikova at a summer tennis camp. They are both clean, ripe, refreshing and hard to resist.
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1998 “Red Mountain”
Washington State
Cabernet Sauvignon
It has a following already and I thought I’d fill you all in so you can get with the program sooner than later.
Damn right! That’s my enthusiastic and matter of factly punctuated response to all questions concerning this wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon? Damn right, and it’s loaded with potent juicy, thick layers of dark berry flavors that are surrounded by mild tannins and a thick coating finish with awesome texture.
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2001 Willamette Valley
Pinot Gris
Nobody I’ve talked to, or reviews I’ve read, have had a flawed word to say about this wine. It’s kinda weird when a wine is this popular…
Make friends with this Elk, and you’ll be a better person for it in the long run. Hell, you may even fall in love with it. I’m talking about the Pinot Gris in the bottle my friend; get your mind back in focus, you sicko.
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2000 Idaho “Reserve”
Chardonnay
Always sparks some interest when a tasting panel or even a single reviewer puts that kind of tag on a wine… Quite a level of intensity to live up to.
Hells Canyon Winery does up some tasty Chardonnay. Yep, I can now say that I really like a Chardonnay from Idaho.This 2000 vintage Idaho Reserve Chard is all gold. It is actually a very thick, clean, and gold in color Chard that can show you very rich, full flavored and oaky tropical flavors and get you thinking of Idaho in a much different way. Sure I know that the Northwest is home to tons of stellar wines and Eastern Washington is blowing up right now with its killer Merlots, concentrated Syrahs and kickin’ Cabs, but when you start bringing Idaho into the mix many may not know of the possibilities that the Gem state may have to offer. Well that is what I’m here for. Think Hells Canyon Winery; around since 1980 and coming into wine competitions in the Northwest with some strong contenders.
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2000 Columbia Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon
After tasting this wine and knowing that it sells for only $17 a bottle I immediately had the following scenario play through my mind, and I call it “If I worked at the Barnard Griffin tasting room”.
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1999 Cline
Contra Costa County
“Ancient Vines” Carignane
If it’s a grape made famous by the wines of the Southern Rhone Valley then you can bet Cline is going to produce their version. This is a great version. Grapes coming from 75 to 100 year old vines are the calling card of this powerful ass-kicking, in-your-face saturated black cherry bomb. Deep purple with a dense center and full aromas of cherry and peppercorns.
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