Weekend wines..here we go again, what`s planned?

Ravenswood Lodi Zin for my Open Mike and might open Taylors `00 LBV. Last night I was fortunate to taste some champers at a tasting downtown so will post some notes on the higher-end stuff asap, especially a terrific Billicart-Salmon.

[Robin Garr]

Ravenswood Lodi Zin for my Open Mike and might open Taylors `00 LBV. Last night I was fortunate to taste some champers at a tasting downtown so will post some notes on the higher-end stuff asap, especially a terrific Billicart-Salmon.

Hard telling here ... we're hitting the road for a week in Orlando and NYC, so it's going to be kind of catch as catch can. We're set for a big party on Saturday night, though, and there might be some good vino there. Sunday night with my Mom and sister, maybe not.

[Jenise]

Other than a bottle of 98 Henriot Brut Milliseme, nothing planned yet.

[James Roscoe]

Other than a bottle of 98 Henriot Brut Milliseme, nothing planned yet.

What time?

I have nothing beyond the Dow ports I'm pouring for a wine store this afternoon. I hope to get into a Haut-Medoc I recently received, but who knows.

Drinking a Bertini Soave as I type. Honey, pear, and a nutmeg like notes. Very interesting and tasty at the $9.00 price point. I would like to drink some Burgundy tomorrow, but I'm too damned scared of the stuff. Perhaps a reliable Trimbach Gerwurztraminer instead?

Hope you will post notes on the Trimbach, Sam.

Some cheapies from Trader Joes:

2005 Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc,
2004 Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon,
Errazuiz Panilonco 2005 Carmenere, all from Chile.
Also a 2006 Rhineflur Riesling.

All were 3.99, except the Riesling, which was 2.99.

What can I say - I felt like splurging.

Other than a bottle of 98 Henriot Brut Milliseme, nothing planned yet.

Tasted the `98 at the champers tasting last night, same wine!!!! Needs time Jenise , has great potential however. All in the room were impressed but the `95 Bolly RD Extra Brut was voted #1.

Went up to the next major town on the freeway (Davis, CA) and visited one of my favorite wine bars. They had an intriguing flight of reds, including a dark rich, and smooth Tempranillo (yum) and a New Zealand Pinot Noir (meh. I prefer Burgundy and Oregon and some Californians, frankly).

I know you experienced Bordeaux heads might consider this sacriledge, but the definite highlight of the flight was a 2003 Bordeaux. Chateaux Lynches-Bages. Absolutely beautiful. It may refelct my lack of experience, but I still loved this wine. We agreed in disucssing it that this is not a long term keeper, but it is smooth and delicious right now.

I would like to drink some Burgundy tomorrow, but I'm too damned scared of the stuff.

Does that mean you have stuff in your collection that you're afraid to drink? Which wines?

Or you're afraid to purchase?

Personally I'm going to the wine shop tomorrow on the way to a dinner that a few friends are cooking to celebrate the end of the semester. And, of course my goal will be to pick up an affordable Burgundy that will be drinking well, but I'll probably be swayed otherwise..

And of course it is also the ESJ Open House beforehand, so I might be a tad tipsy..

WFW (wine free weekend) as a preservation measure before the memorial dinner for thirteen I'm cooking for, Monday evening, in honour of dear friend, father and husband, the late Tom Low.

Should be some great wines worth reporting on, thereafter.

[David M. Bueker]

Oh nothing special...wife's birthday (of significance) yesterday, but we both had to work late, so tonight it's Moet & Chandon Les Sarments d'Ay NV Champagne Grand Cru, '63 Fonseca Vintage Port and '95 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett to name a few. We're celebrating with Thor and Theresa Iverson, so it could get really over-the-top.

I would like to drink some Burgundy tomorrow, but I'm too damned scared of the stuff.

Does that mean you have stuff in your collection that you're afraid to drink? Which wines?

Or you're afraid to purchase?

Rahsaan,

I'm afraid of the stuff in my collection. I have some 2002 D'Angerville Volnay Clos des Ducs , '98 thru '03 Jadot Clos des Ursules, a 1998 Santenay, '00 and '01 Gevry-Chambertin, '02 Jadot Fixin, '02 Savigny-Les-Beaunes, plus some '96 and '01 GC's from Dujac and Raphet that I'm not even thinking about touching yet. Your advice would be appreciated.

I'm no expert, but depending on the exact wine 98 and 00 are certainly prime candidates for drinking now?

Last night saw grape soda wine in the shape of Barbadillo "Laura" Muscatel, tonight was a vast improvement with Dios Baco Oloroso.

Tried a couple of nice wines today at a wine shop (Enoteca) on the Square in Sonoma. Great place!

Elyse Wild Horse Valley (east of Napa City) Pinot Noir: Delicious dark fruits and earthy. Like a good Oregon Pinot (or even like the limited range of Burgundies I've tried). Delicious. I bought a bottle. I don't like Carneros Pinot Noirs, but I liked this one, which is the winery's first Pinot.

Wild Hog Vineyard Sonoma Coast Zinfandel. Another delicious wine. Not a jammy, sweet fruit bomb at all. Nice zinberry with some caramel notes (from the oak?), which I mind less in Zins. Quite light and balanced, with good acids. Delicious!

At a winery: Madonna Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Reserve. Rutherford grapes were sourced for this wine, so it's not as green as their merlot or Estate cab (Madonna Estate is in a chilly part of Napa County-Carneros). Still, much lighter and more "herbal" than the "typical" Rutherford Cab. The Estate Merlot was really, really green and herbal. I actually like that quality a lot (as long as the dreaded raw bell pepper doesn't appear-I hate THAT), but reviewers sure don't.