Ok, so what are we opening up this weekend?

Usually get quite a good response but have not posted of late. Special event, friends coming over, visiting the boss for dinner...what wine is ready to go?!!

All this Madiran talk of late has me thinking I should open something from Boucasse but I might look at some of those German Mosels I have been cellaring! I still have that Slovenian Ribolla ready to go too.

I'm having a French party tonight!

I've got a wide range of unusual wines I am eager to sample (some I have tried, others are a new experience waiting to be had). I have a Basque Tannat (I'm not going to try and spell the actual appellation!) from Domaine de Mignaberry, a Poulsard from Tissot, a 2000 Clerc Millon that is getting raves on Cellartracker, a Bouley Sancerre, a Colim White Burgundy, a Muscadet, a quite savory and acidic Alsatien Pinot Gris, a Bandol, some Rhone, and maybe even a simple Burgundy???

I can't wait! It's a potluck, so there may be more wine but there will definitely be some good food!

Usually get quite a good response but have not posted of late. Special event, friends coming over, visiting the boss for dinner...what wine is ready to go?!!

All this Madiran talk of late has me thinking I should open something from Boucasse but I might look at some of those German Mosels I have been cellaring! I still have that Slovenian Ribolla ready to go too.

Well, I'm hoping to pick up some Cahors (even tho' it's low-end stuff) to drink for the Malbec focus.

And my brother will be in town so I'll be opening up lots of different wines for him to try.

A rather too oaky Pisano Tannat RPF 2005 (Río de la Plata; Uruguay; 14%abv; 13,99€). Nice aromas and texture except for the creaminess of the oak. I really think this would be a very lovable wine with less oak. I haven't tasted many Uruguayan Tannats, but from what I've had, it seems they the grape does work well there (when the oak isn't amped). But it's such a shame that a potentially beautiful wine was destroyed by oak. Makes me feel rather grumpy.

No idea what I'll drink the rest of the weekend.

Probably something home made this weekend. Next weekend, however, I will be opening a few special bottles.

With a nice Italian dinner I've got some 2003 Cascina Adelaide Barolo. I'm pleased to say that I had this a few weeks ago with Beef Stroganoff and it was very nice although still a little young. Friends over for that meal brought another '03 Barolo and made a big deal about it since it had been sent to them from Italy. Well, the Cascina Adelaide better by a long shot. Can't wait to have it again. I think I have three bottles left.

Hoping to have a classic fondue on Sunday since the temps are falling into the teens - don't know which wine to use yet.

I'm having a French party tonight!

I've got a wide range of unusual wines I am eager to sample (some I have tried, others are a new experience waiting to be had). I have a Basque Tannat (I'm not going to try and spell the actual appellation!) from Domaine de Mignaberry, a Poulsard from Tissot, a 2000 Clerc Millon that is getting raves on Cellartracker, a Bouley Sancerre, a Colim White Burgundy, a Muscadet, a quite savory and acidic Alsatien Pinot Gris, a Bandol, some Rhone, and maybe even a simple Burgundy???

I can't wait! It's a potluck, so there may be more wine but there will definitely be some good food!

Brian, how many people are you expecting for that lot? Surely not just you and the wife!!

I'm having a French party tonight!

I've got a wide range of unusual wines I am eager to sample (some I have tried, others are a new experience waiting to be had). I have a Basque Tannat (I'm not going to try and spell the actual appellation!) from Domaine de Mignaberry, a Poulsard from Tissot, a 2000 Clerc Millon that is getting raves on Cellartracker, a Bouley Sancerre, a Colim White Burgundy, a Muscadet, a quite savory and acidic Alsatien Pinot Gris, a Bandol, some Rhone, and maybe even a simple Burgundy???

I can't wait! It's a potluck, so there may be more wine but there will definitely be some good food!

Brian, how many people are you expecting for that lot? Surely not just you and the wife!!

No wife, alas. I am confirmed solitary who would never subject anyone to living with me,

Just friends from work and the neighborhood-I'll probably open more bottles than I need to, but...People now come up and ask me when the next party is. I can't drink my cellar by myself, and people buy me lunch, make me dinners, etc...so it all works out. I have a serious collecting jones, so the wine would probably be there in my collection, anyway. And, it is there to be drunk.

I think I might add a couple of California wines made by French families (Beaucanon and Michel-Schlumberger)

Just friends from work and the neighborhood

Ah, that explains why none of our invitations arrived in time! Sounds like great fun, Brian.

Next weekend, however, I will be opening a few special bottles.

And what special event is happening next weekend, Howie?

A couple of 05 von Hovel Scharzhofbergers.

I've had a cold all week, but it's better now, so I'm looking forward to being able to taste something

I'm sorely tempted to open another of the gift Ogier bottles, because I've had a hell of a week and I deserve it. But I'll probably just open something mundane.

Just friends from work and the neighborhood

Ah, that explains why none of our invitations arrived in time! Sounds like great fun, Brian.

There are Northern Californians here. Gary Bartolemo came to one party. There is an Off-Line event thing I should use.

This was actually supposed to be a real small event, but it grew. The next big event is March 8-Pinot!

Some cheapies (college kid sucking me dry).

2006 Cono Sur Chardonnay (Chile) - $9.00

2006 Sebeka Syrah Pinotage Blend (South Africa) - $8.00

Will post notes.

Next weekend, however, I will be opening a few special bottles.

And what special event is happening next weekend, Howie?

My son Tim is home on leave from Texas and next weekend my son Pete has 4 days off for Presidents Day, so I'm flying him home. It will be the first time all 5 boys have been together in over 3 years. I'm planning a big family dinner of spaghetti, meatballs and home made sausage with my new grinder. I'm sure I can find some wine around here someplace.

It will be the first time all 5 boys have been together in over 3 years.

Fantastic, Howie! That's definitely a Special Bottle(s) event if ever there was one!

[James Roscoe]

It will be the first time all 5 boys have been together in over 3 years.

Fantastic, Howie! That's definitely a Special Bottle(s) event if ever there was one!

You would know these things if you showed up to chat!

Have fun Howie and think Italian for June!

You would know these things if you showed up to chat!

[James Roscoe]

You would know these things if you showed up to chat!

Stop moping and get to chat. We don't want a whiney princess!

Some cheapies (college kid sucking me dry).

2006 Cono Sur Chardonnay (Chile) - $9.00

2006 Sebeka Syrah Pinotage Blend (South Africa) - $8.00

Will post notes.

Sam, have you tried any of Cono Sur's 20 Barrels series? The Chardonnay goes for about $25 here, so it's probably half that Stateside. Excellent QPR.

Some cheapies (college kid sucking me dry).

2006 Cono Sur Chardonnay (Chile) - $9.00

2006 Sebeka Syrah Pinotage Blend (South Africa) - $8.00

Will post notes.

Sam, I have had the Cono Sur pinot noir, and it surprisingly tastes like pinot noir (imagine that) at $7.25 it is really a must buy from time to time.I have looked (askance) at the Cono Sur chardonnay and walked on by. So if you can tell me what it is like, I might just try it. At the price I am sure any oak comes from sawdust, but if it has no oakiness it could factor into my 2008 summer house white.

Sam, I have had the Cono Sur pinot noir, and it surprisingly tastes like pinot noir (imagine that) at $7.25 it is really a must buy from time to time.I have looked (askance) at the Cono Sur chardonnay and walked on by. So if you can tell me what it is like, I might just try it. At the price I am sure any oak comes from sawdust, but if it has no oakiness it could factor into my 2008 summer house white.

Hi Bob,

I can't tell you about Cono Sur chardonnay, but I can tell you about their gwerztraminer. I have had this refreshing little Cono Sur wine many times and never been disappointed. I think Cono Sur is good quality wine maker for the most part.

Hi Bob, I can't tell you about Cono Sur chardonnay, but I can tell you about their gwerztraminer. I have had this refreshing little Cono Sur wine many times and never been disappointed. I think Cono Sur is good quality wine maker for the most part.

Thanks for the feedback on the Gwertz Tom, The pinot is the only Cono Sur wine I have had, and don't buy a lot of of Gwertz, but I'll look for it and try one if I can find it. How sweet is it? BTW, here is the name of a label to look for next August in AA. I have had the good fortune to try the Left Foot Charley "Murmer" which is a blend of riesling, pinot grigio, and pinot blanc. IIRC the R is like 50S% (young vines) the PG is 40% and the PB 10%. MSRP is $14 and it is well worth that. Lots of white fruit flavor including apricot, a touch or peach, and a squirt of lemon. The wine has such a good balance of fruit and acid that it is difficult to not keep pouring. The Winemake owner (Bryan Ulbrich) sources the fruit on the Old Mission Peninsula and was until recently the wine maker at the Peninsula Cellars winery. As you might have guessed by now it is a Michigan wine. His facility is almost downtown Traverse City..

I emailed Bryan and mentioned that upon opening and sipping, I immediately found on the nose the white fruit from the PG , and the minerality from the PB was apparent on entry, but missed the riesling component completely. I was surprised therefore to learn that it was 50% riesling. He says that he chose this riesling mainly for it's acid component, and a wise choice it was.

since it's just me, sticking with something inexpensive (but good)

Bodegas Zabrin Garnacha De Fuego Old Vines (I can generally find @ $7.99)

I find it a very good table wine. My b-i-l, who is much more wine knowledgeable than I, finds it pretty appealing too.