Bought on sale...

...at the Utah wine store:

Galway Pipe at $12
2006 Pike and Joyce Sauv Bl at $10
2005 Havens Carneros Merlot at $13
2006 Dr. Frank Rkatisiteli

Am I late opening the Pike and Joyce and Dr. Frank? What about a drinking window for the Merlot? Pairing suggestions for any of them? How did I do on QPR?

The Galway Pipe was a steal; it is an old favorite that they are discontinuing, unfortunately.

TIA

Its been many a vintage since I last had the Dr. Frank Rkats. Loved that wine and use to stock up on trips to the FL. I remember it as a wine that was best consumed early but held on for a few years. I believe that your find would still be enjoyable but probably would have been better a couple of years ago.

The '06 growing season was a cool one in the FL, so the Dr. Frank should have plenty of acidity. Still, those Rkatsitelis are more for youthful enjoyment rather than agers. I'm drinking an excellent '05 Dry Riesling from Frank as I type - this is one you could keep for several more years.

Dr. Frank was $12.50.

I hope the '06 Frank is holding, because I have one sitting in my cellar!

I had the '06 Dr Frank Rkats in March of last year and it was doing great. It's a fun wine, not intended for long aging, so I wouldn't hang on to it any longer than you have to.

Mark Lipton

There have been some great deals on Havens due to bankruptcy (Michael Havens sold winery to importer in 2006, but continued as winemaker for 12-18 months. He quit, and shortly after company went bankrupt - mostly due to losing their flagship import. PNC is selling off all Havens stock at firesale prices- I paid $14 for Merlot Reserve, $18 for Bourriquot and Black&Blue, Syrah is being dumped too, but I haven't bitten because not my usual retailers). Havens wines typically age well, but I'd suggest sooner than later for the 05 regular Merlot. There are grumblings that the importer Billington decided to "leverage" the Napa Merlot by adding some other Napa merlot beyond Michael Havens' usual sources, and that was part of his quitting.

Thanks everyone!

What should I eat with the Rkats?

I had the '06 Dr Frank Rkats in March of last year and it was doing great. It's a fun wine, not intended for long aging, so I wouldn't hang on to it any longer than you have to.

The 2006 and 2003 were both opened at Toledo last year. I'd always heard that the Rkatsiteli was not for aging, so the 2003 surprised me: It was going strong at 6+ years, with some weight to it and lovely aromatics. The 2006, which was piney and angular when released, was showing more fruit than it had then, and was starting to smooth out in the direction of the 2003. I'd guess that it's nice now, but I wouldn't worry if you don't get around to drinking it for a few months.

As for food matches, I think it would be nice with roast chicken or even roast pork.

Thanks everyone!

What should I eat with the Rkats?

Baked shrimp with angel hair or thin spaghetti in butter, EVOO, and lemon. Shown on Ina's show on Food Network today. We are doing it some time next week with our Rkats.

A cellar check revealed that our Rkats is an '07 after all. Don't feel so bad about paying $17.99 for it now! Anyhoo, looking forward to trying it with shrimp soon.

[Jenise]

but I'd suggest sooner than later for the 05 regular Merlot. There are grumblings that the importer Billington decided to "leverage" the Napa Merlot by adding some other Napa merlot beyond Michael Havens' usual sources, and that was part of his quitting.

Oh rats.

I had the '06 Dr Frank Rkats in March of last year and it was doing great. It's a fun wine, not intended for long aging, so I wouldn't hang on to it any longer than you have to.

The 2006 and 2003 were both opened at Toledo last year. I'd always heard that the Rkatsiteli was not for aging, so the 2003 surprised me: It was going strong at 6+ years, with some weight to it and lovely aromatics. The 2006, which was piney and angular when released, was showing more fruit than it had then, and was starting to smooth out in the direction of the 2003. I'd guess that it's nice now, but I wouldn't worry if you don't get around to drinking it for a few months.

That's odd, Steve: I don't recall that '06 being angular at all, but perhaps we got to it at different times (always a possibility with 30-40 wines open on the sideboard). I'll have to go back and check my notes. You're right about that '03 and I had forgotten all about that.

Mark Lipton

That's odd, Steve: I don't recall that '06 being angular at all, but perhaps we got to it at different times (always a possibility with 30-40 wines open on the sideboard). I'll have to go back and check my notes. You're right about that '03 and I had forgotten all about that.

Argh, I've fixed my awkward phrasing to make it clearer:

The 2006 ... was showing more fruit [last February] than it had [at release, when it had been piney and angular], and was starting to smooth out in the direction of the 2003.

After that tasting I picked up a couple of bottles to age for a few more years.

2006 Havens Napa Valley Merlot (Was $20) now 6.99 at klwines.com

We enjoyed the '07 Rkatsiteli with the afore mentioned Baked Shrimp and Spaghetti. Wonderful. Recipe in the Kitchen.