2000 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon. Wouldn't say, as one poster on cellar Tracker noted, this wine tastes like Hess (not at all). Quite harsh when initially poured. I had done a quick splash decant before takling it over. Definitely some tannins still. Somehwat on the green/vegetal side of Cabernet.
Later on (after dinner,a ctually), the wine had opened up enough and smoothed out quite a bit. Still on the green side, but air helped quite a bit. Solid good, or 12 points.
2002 Wellington (Sonoma Valley) Reserve Syrah. I liked this wine at the winery but had more mixed reviews tonight. Very nice color (inky purple) with a nice meaty/savory nose. Definietly smooth and savory in flavor profile. The negatives were a bitter finish that was rather short and didn't complement the flavors here. Also, the 14.7% abv showed some heat on the finish. A good Syrah, but not as good as I remembered. 13.5 points.
I really do like the lighter alcohol in many (not all, of course) French wines.