|
2003 CHTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPES
A Blind-Tasting Comparison
October 4, 2006
Notes by
Gerald Weisl
wine merchant
The 2003 vintage has been highly-praised
in some publications and it's been bashed in others. We have tasted some
very curious wines from this hotter-than-hell vintage, while others have been
magnificent. Our May 2006 tasting of Chteauneuf-du-Pape wines was
delightful and most of the wines in that line-up were pretty good. We
looked forward to evaluating a second set of wines.
The hugely hot temperatures proved a test for winemakers in the Rhne.
The winter following the 2002 harvest was extremely wet. We read reports
indicating the water table in Southern Rhne vineyards was high and, perhaps, a
help in the crazed, global-warming vintage of 2003.
It was a hot, hot summer. Grapes had a potential alcohol of 14 to 15
percent by the end of August, yet the fruit was not physiologically mature.
Managing the fruit in a manner allowing one to make healthy and balanced wine
was quite a challenge.
Two wines finished reasonably well ahead of the pack.
One wine was a bit off the pace and while not flawed, it simply did not catch
people's attention in this line-up. There is quite a range of price within
this set of wines and, happily for consumers, the least costly wine won this
tasting.
Ellen was away this week, so she missed contributing her scores to the results.
Here's what we found:
| The Wines |
Gerald's Rank |
Bob's Rank |
GROUP RANK |
TOTAL POINTS |
1sts/2nds/
Lasts |
DOMAINE
DE
BEAURENARD
2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
$45 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
49 |
1/0/1 |
DOMAINE
DE
BEAURENARD
2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
Boisrenard
$90 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
30 |
3/2/0 |
DOMAINE
DE
CHARBONNIRE
2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
Cuve Vieilles Vignes
$43 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
44 |
1/1/0 |
DOMAINE
DE
CHARBONNIRE
2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
Les Hautes Brusquires
$43 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
44 |
1/2/2 |
DOMAINE
DE
CRISTIA
2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
Renaissance
$57 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
49 |
1/0/1 |
PATRICK
LESEC
2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
Pierres Dores
$40 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
56 |
0/1/2 |
CHTEAU
LA NERTHE
2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
$42 |
8 |
5 |
8 |
60 |
0/1/5 |
DOMAINE
DE
VIEUX LAZARET
Cuve Exceptionelle
$37 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
28 |
3/3/0 |
8th Place: CHTEAU
LA
NERTHE 2003
Chteauneuf-du-Pape
La
Nerthe is a highly-respected property, so it was a bit of a surprise for this to
finish last in our tasting. "Simple and grapey," said one
critic. Another critic echoed this notion, saying "at least it tastes
a bit of Chteauneuf-du-Pape." Someone else encountered "H2S
which blew off. It shows stewed prunes and some volatility on the
palate. It's sharp and flawed." Another taster noted this
seemed to change a lot during the tasting. "Some sips were good and
others were now." One panel member said "This is simply not a
$40 bottle of wine." A final voice found "notes of grape skins,
pomegranate and berry cobbler."
This wine displayed a medium intense ruby color, with ripe
berry aromas and notes of raspberry pie. It seemed either off-dry or a bit
flat on the palate. Medium-bodied, the La Nerthe offers ripe berry
fruit on the palate and a jammy quality. There's a modest level of tannin
here, but the overall impression is a soft, ripe wine which is very
superficial. It may cellar nicely for a few years, but I'm not sure if it
will "grow" and develop any additional layers of complexity.
It's a perfectly pleasant wine. I did not award this any "stars"
on my three star scale, finding it to be a perfectly sound, but standard quality
wine.
7th Place: PATRICK
LESEC 2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
Pierres Dores
One
taster likened this to "a raspberryish, sweet, simple California
Zinfandel." Another critic described the LeSec wine as
"Uncharacteristically Port-like and over-ripe." Someone else
felt it was "overly tannic," while a final taster said "It's
astringent and has a hot finish."
With a medium garnet color, I was put off by a nutty,
Sherry-like note. Every time I took a sniff of this, I kept finding a note
of oxidation which was bothersome. When I mentioned this as we were
discussing the wine, a number of tasters picked up their glasses and agreed
there was, indeed, a note reminiscent of Spanish Sherry. This
element is not noticeable on the palate, though and the wine shows a more
typical, classic character of Chteauneuf-du-Pape. There's a nice bit of
spice and a tannic backbone. I might give this a one star rating, but
would really like to taste another bottle to see if that Sherry-like note is, in
fact, a part of this wine's make-up. Judgment reserved.
6th Place: DOMAINE
DE BEAURENARD 2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
One critic felt this wine had a lot of tannin from the stems, citing
"green and sour notes in this over-ripe red wine." Someone else
found "cherry and berry fruit with crisp acidity and fine
tannins." One panel member mentioned finding notes of "kirsch as
the wine has elements reminding me of cherry liquor. It's rather tannic
and seems to lack the appropriate level of fruit to go with
it." Someone else found "sour, over-ripe notes and it's
unpleasantly 'hot'." Another person found Beaurenard's wine to be
"disappointing on the nose. It is better and more assertive on the
palate, though."
Medium ruby in color, the regular bottling from Beaurenard
has some berry fruit and a cocoa powder note on the nose. There's a sense
of ripeness here, certainly, but not so much as to be jammy. The wine is
medium-bodied on the palate and perfectly nice with good fruit and a mildly
tannic backbone. I felt it showed a bit of heat, though. It may
cellar nicely for 5 to 8 years. I gave it a half-star to one star
rating...nice, but not compelling.
5th Place: DOMAINE
DE CRISTIA 2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
"Renaissance"
Though
this wine finished in the middle of the pack, the comments made were not
especially positive. One person encountered notes of "sweat
socks," while another described this as being reminiscent of "wet
wool." Someone else used the adjectives of "dirty, Clorox-like,
brine, metallic, flat, astringent, licorice and it has a bitter
finish." A final taster said the wine was "one
dimensional."
I noted medium ruby color to this obscure estate's
wine. I found a light vanillin note on the palate and some cocoa with a
citrus tone and a floral element. The nose was rather pleasant and
intriguing to me, more so than it appealed, apparently, to some of the
tasters! It's medium+ to full-bodied on the palate. Big, tannic,
deep and, at this stage, perhaps a bit unbalanced towards structure as opposed
to fruit. Still, I liked it and though I ranked it in fifth place at the
end (I had it higher shortly before making my final rankings), I gave it
one-and-a-half stars, given my hope it will age longer than many of the wines
and blossom into something a bit greater than it shows presently.
4th Place: DOMAINE
DE CHARBONNIRE 2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
Cuve Vieilles Vignes
One
taster found "candied notes on the nose and this put me off. It
smells sweet." A second person found "sharp and sweet
elements." Someone else said "It's not overly
tannic." One critic felt "The H2S
didn't blow off here. It's ripe and berryish, with notes of cooked plums
and artificial cherry notes reminiscent of Kool-Aid." Someone else
encountered "Leathery and dusty notes with simple, tobacco-like
tones. It's got nice depth and focus." Also sounding a rather
positive note was a panel member who found this to "taste like
a Chteauneuf-du-Pape. It's showing a lot of Grenache."
With medium garnet color, this wine showed lots of fruity
elements and some cherry cola notes. I also used the descriptor of
"Kool-Aid" in my assessment of the nose, finding the it simple and
easy. This wine was the most Beaujolais-like of the set, in terms of
aromatics. It's nice and mildly tannic on the palate with good fruit
and berry flavors. The wine is far deeper on the palate than you'd
expect from its nose. I still wasn't wowed by the wine and didn't award it
any stars. Not unpleasant, but sort of Ctes-du-Rhne
quality. Probably best in its youth, so drinking this now through 2012 is
about right.
3rd Place: DOMAINE
DE CHARBONNIRE 2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
Les Hautes Brusquires
The
nose of this wine was problematic and quite different from how it tasted.
One taster succinctly said "It stinks!" Another described it as
being "reminiscent of a wet dog." Someone else likened the
aromatics to that of "an outhouse. But it changed
dramatically." Another taster said "This showed a lot of
hydrogen sulfide. Why didn't the winemaker work to clean up this
mess? But after the off aromas blew off it showed vanilla bean and some
steely notes. It has good flavors, with black cherry fruit and vanilla
cream. Frankly, it tastes wonderful. This is a wine that really
needs to breathe!" Someone else described this as "having an odd
nose with notes of iodine and Brettanomyces." One tasting participant
said "I'm not sensitive to any 'off notes' in this wine. I found wood
and tobacco tones on the nose and it's great on the palate." A final
critic felt "This was very typical and it's what I expect in a Chteauneuf-du-Pape."
Wow...the nose of this started out really stinky,
displaying loads of hydrogen sulfide (sort of a rotten egg aroma)! What a
stinker!! As the wine sat in the glass, the nose seemed to clean up
and I did not find it objectionable. This is a wine which MUST BE DECANTED
and left to breathe. I was ready to write off the wine and simply drop it
to last place, but when I tasted it, the wine was rather nice. It's big, a
bit tannic and shows deep flavors of dark fruit. The wine has good
structure and is quite a mouthful...I wonder if every bottle is plagued by the
stinky nose? If you can decant this wine an hour or two before dinner,
then it's worthy of a one-and-a-half star rating. If not, pass on this
one.
2nd Place: DOMAINE
DE BEAURENARD 2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
Boisrenard
"Ripe
and plummy with toasty notes and some tobacco. It's got depth and focus,
but it's quite astringent...overly so." said one critic.
Another taster agreed this is "bitter, but it's also more reminiscent of a
Northern Rhne than a Chteauneuf-du-Pape." Someone else felt this
"is slightly 'new wave' in terms of its style, being all 'tarted up,' but I
liked it anyway." Another critic found "black raspberry and
mulberry notes. It's 'chewy' on the palate being a mouthful and having
firm acidity." Someone else noted "this had the most oak of any
of the wines."
Medium-dark ruby in color, this wine shows dusty note with
some earth and spice tones on the nose. It also had a fragrance
reminiscent of pencil shavings at one point. I found the nose rather
complex and while it shows some woodsy tones, it was note overtly 'oaky' in
character. It's fairly full on the palate and shows a meaty note which
made me wonder if it has a substantial contribution from the Mourvdre
grape? Deep, dark and full...this is a wonderful bottle of wine! It
can be cellared for another 8 to 15 years. Two stars+.
1st Place: DOMAINE
DE VIEUX LAZARET 2003 Chteauneuf-du-Pape
Cuve Exceptionelle
One
taster had a range of adjectives in describing the winning wine "Rich,
cherry fruit, summer savory, baked cobbler, smoked meats, firm tannins and good
acidity. Cinnamon and blueberry fruit notes." Someone else felt
this was "round and not well-focused." Another person declared
it "My favorite wine of the night and the flavors really evolved slowly and
beautifully. Yummy!" Another panel member found it
"structured," while someone else found it to be "the best made
wine of the night. I liked it a lot. It jumped out at me with spicy
and creamy tones."
I, too, found many positives here. It's medium ruby
in color and shows some dusty and faintly leathery notes on the nose.
There's a spice tone here, too. Berryish nose. Quite good.
Medium-bodied, this is deep on the palate, with nice leathery and earthy
elements to its flavor. It's got good length and depth, being a fairly
powerful wine. It probably can cellar another 8 to 15 years.
One-and-a-half stars+.
|
Please note: The wines tasted are not always wines
we have (or have had) in the shop.
Many bottles are merely for our enological exploration.
Price quoted are current at the time of the tasting, but may be different
when you're reading this. |
WE HAVE NOT ORGANIZED A TASTING IN A WHILE...
BUT WE DO POST THE RESULTS OF A PRIVATE TASTING GROUP THAT'S BEEN MEETING FOR
MORE THAN 48 YEARS!
We are working on
organizing some blind-tastings at the shop.
Send us a note to indicate your interest in participating.
These would be on Wednesday evenings and you'd need to bring 8 wine glasses.
THE
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(A private tasting group that's
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+ 2016 CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPES August 2019
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GRENACHE --
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June 2015
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2013 HOLIDAY WINE & FOOD MARATHON December 2013
AUSTRALIAN
SHIRAZ November 2013
MALBECS OF
ARGENTINA October 2013
AFFORDABLE
FRENCH RED BURGUNDIES September 2013
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AND MOURVEDRE BLENDS August 2013
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2009
PIEMONTESE BARBERAS June 2012
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COAST PINOT NOIRS April 2012
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2009 CALIFORNIA CABERNETS March 2012
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FROM PUGLIA AND SONOMA January 2012
VINO FINO
HOLIDAY TASTING & DINNER December 2011
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NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO MEETS WASHINGTON STATE October 2011
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SONOMA ZINFANDELS September 2011
LOIRE VALLEY CHENIN
BLANCS August 2011
2008
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS July 2011
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2006 NAPA CABERNETS June 2011
2008-2009
PIEMONTESE BARBERAS May 2011
2008-2009
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OREGON PINOT NOIRS November 2010
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CALIFORNIA ZINFANDELS September 2010
2007
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July 2010
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2007
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A
RANGE OF FRENCH CHABLIS WINES January 2010
HOLIDAY DINNER
& WINE MARATHON December 2009
ROSÉ
SPARKLING WINES November 2009
ARGENTINEAN
MALBECS October 2009
WEST
COAST CHARDONNAYS September 2009
GREEK
RED WINES August 2009
2005
BUDGET BORDEAUX July 2009
CAMPANIAN
WHITE WINES June 2009
MIXED
BAG OF CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS April 2009
RIOJA
WINES, MOSTLY FROM THE 2004 VINTAGE March 2009
NORTH
COAST PETITE SIRAHS February 2009
SYRAH
& PETITE SIRAH COMPARISON January 2009
A
VINO FINO CHRISTMAS December 2008
MOSTLY
2005s: NAPA CABERNETS November 2008
SONOMA
COUNTY PINOT NOIRS October 2008
SANTA
RITA HILLS -2006 VINTAGE- PINOT NOIRS SEPTEMBER 2008
NEWLY
RELEASED ZINFANDELS August 2008
WHITE
RHÔNE VALLEY WINES JULY 2008
LOIRE VALLEY SAUVIGNONS JUNE 2008
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CHABLIS 2005-2006 MAY 2008
NORTHERN
RHÔNE SYRAHS APRIL 2008
SANTA
CRUZ MOUNTAINS PINOT NOIRS January 2008
ANNUAL HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS
DINNER December 2007
WEST
COAST CHARDONNAYS November 2007
AUSTRALIAN
SHIRAZ October 2007
SPANISH
TEMPRANILLO WINES September 2007
SONOMA'S
2005 VINTAGE ZINFANDELS August 2007
CURRENT
RELEASE (2004-2005) ZINFANDELS July 2007
ROS
WINES FROM ALL OVER June 2007
ITALIAN
LAGREIN WINES May 2007
ARGENTINEAN
MALBECS April 2007
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE PINOT NOIRS March 2007
MOSTLY
2004 CABERNETS February 2007
CRU
BEAUJOLAIS January 2007
A VINO
FINO CHRISTMAS December 2006
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS November 2006
PINOT
NOIRS of VALUE-PRICING October 2006
WORLD
OF SYRAHS TASTING September 2006
AUSSIE
CABERNET-SHIRAZ BLENDS August 2006
ALEXANDER
VALLEY (California) and MARGARET RIVER (Australia) CABERNETS July
2006
CALIFORNIA
PETITE SIRAHS June 2006
2004
NORTH COAST PINOTS and a FRENCH INTRUDER May 2006
AGLIANICO
: BASILICATA & CAMPANIA'S MAJOR RED WINE April 2006
NERO
D'AVOLA - A TASTE OF SICILIA March 2006
UNDER THE
VINO FINO RADAR ZINFANDELS January 2006
HOLIDAY WINE
TASTING & DINNER December 2005
BUBBLIES FROM AROUND
THE WORLD November 2005
NORTH
COAST PINOT NOIRS October 2005
STATE
OF CONFUSION CABERNETS September 2005
TIM
ZAINER'S SIDEWAYS LOOK AT MERLOTS August 2005
LOIRE VALLEY CABERNET
FRANCS June 2005
CALIFORNIA
SYRAHS March 2005
2002
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS February 2005
VINO
FINO HOLIDAY WINE MARATHON December 2004
CHARDONNAYS
OF MODEST PRICE November 2004
SPANISH
TEMPRANILLO October 2004
2002
CENTRAL COAST PINOT NOIRS September 2004
AUSSIE
SHIRAZ-CABERNET BLENDS August 2004
GEWÜRZTRAMINERS
FROM ALSACE July 2004
2001
SOUTHERN RHNES (7 Chteauneufs & a Vacqueyras) June 2004
AGLIANICO
WINES FROM CAMPANIA & BASILICATA May 2004
MONTEPULCIANO
WINES FROM THE ABRUZZO & MARCHE REGIONS April 2004
SONOMA
ZINFANDELS February 2004
1997
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO January 2004
VINO
FINO HOLIDAY BACCHANALIA 2003
2001
CÔTES du RHÔNES September 17, 2003
2000
OREGON PINOT NOIRS August 20, 2003
WEST
COAST SYRAHS July 16, 2003
2000
Bordeaux June 18, 2003
2000
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS May 21, 2003
OFF
THE BEATEN PATH SYRAHS APRIL 16, 2003
2002 NEW ZEALAND
SAUVIGNON BLANCS March 19, 2003
1999
California CABERNETS February 19, 2003
VINO
FINO HOLIDAY BACCHANALIA December 4, 2002
CALIFORNIA
PINOT NOIRS 1999-2000 November 20, 2002
AUSTRIAN
WHITE WINES October 16, 2002
AUSTRALIAN
SHIRAZ August 21, 2002
CHAMPAGNES
& SPARKLERS July 17, 2002
Interesting
Paired CHARDONNAYS
May 15, 2002
2001
Southern Hemisphere SAUVIGNON BLANCS Feb. 20, 2002
1999 ZINFANDELS January 16, 2002
HOLIDAY
SEASON BACCHANALIA
December 5, 2001
1999-2000
New PINOT NOIRS November 14, 2001
1999
CALIFORNIA ZINFANDELS October 17, 2001
1998
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS September 19, 2001
1999
LANGUEDOC REDS August 15, 2001
1997
SAUTERNES July 18, 2001
Mostly
1998 NEBBIOLO June 20, 2001
1999 PINOT NOIRS May
16, 2001
1996
SAINT-MILION Tasting April 18, 2001
CARNEROS
CHARDONNAYS March 21, 2001
1984-1985
NAPA CABERNETS/John Vignau Memorial Tasting October 20, 2000
1997
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS September 20, 2000
1998 CALIFORNIA
CHARDONNAYS August 16, 2000
WINES
FROM THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: CLARETS June 21, 2000
WINES
FROM UNDER THE TUSCAN (and Umbrian) SUN Aprile 19, 2000
1997 BORDEAUX: MEDOC May 17,
2000
WEIMAX TASTING ARCHIVE
NAPA
CABERNETS 2004 Vintage March 19, 2008
CALIFORNIA
PINOT NOIRS-2005s March 13, 2008
OREGON
PINOT NOIRS February 6, 2008
MOSTLY
2004 CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS April 25, 2007
WASHINGTON
STATE CLARETS April, 11, 2007
2004
NORTHERN RHONE SYRAHS April 4, 2007
2001
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO March 28, 2007
2001
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS November 8, 2006
2003
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS October 18, 2006
2003
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPES-Flight #2 October 4, 2006
OLDER
TUSCAN REDS--MOSTLY SANGIOVESES September 20, 2006
2003
NAPA CABERNETS July 19, 2006
2003
SAINT EMILIONS July 12, 2006
CALIFORNIA
SYRAHS 2003-2004 July 5, 2006
2004
CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS June 21, 2006
GRAND
CRU BURGUNDIES 2003 VINTAGE May 31, 2006
CELLAR
DWELLERS: 1990 CABERNETS & 1990 BORDEAUX May 17, 2006
SOUTH
AMERICAN CLARETS May 10, 2006
2003
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE May 3, 2006
2004
GOLDEN STATE PINOT NOIRS April 19, 2006
2002
NAPA CABERNETS March 15, 2006
2003
WEST COAST PINOT NOIRS March 8, 2006
2003
NORTH COAST ZINFANDELS March 1, 2006
1996
BURGUNDIES vs. 1997 SONOMA PINOT NOIRS November 9, 2005
2002
CABERNETS, ETC. November 2, 2005
2002 NAPA
CABERNETS October 19, 2005
2002
GRAND CRU BURGUNDIES September 14, 2005
2002
RED BURGUNDIES September 7, 2005
2002
MEURSAULTS August 31, 2005
NORTHERN
RHNE SYRAHS August 17, 2005
HIGHLY-REGARDED AUSSIE
SHIRAZ August 10, 2005
AUSSIE SHIRAZ UNDER
$60 August 3, 2005
STUPIDLY-PRICED
SPANISH TEMPRANILLO WINES June 8, 2005
RANDOM
CALIFORNIA SYRAHS June 1, 2005
2002
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS May 18, 2005
2001
NAPA CABERNETS May 11, 2005
OREGON
PINOT NOIRS-2002 & 2003 VINTAGE WINES April 27, 2005
CELLAR
DWELLERS: 1990 BURGUNDIES and a COUPLE OF CALIFORNIA PINOTS April 6, 2005
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS (Mostly 2002s) MARCH 16, 2002
1999
BRUNELLO di MONTALCINO March 9, 2005
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE CLARETS March 2, 2005
PETITE
SIRAHS February 16, 2005
ROS CHAMPAGNES AND
CALIFORNIA PINK BUBBLIES February 9, 2005
CELLAR
DWELLERS: 1991 CABERNET SAUVIGNONS January 19, 2005
2001
FAMOUS AND INFAMOUS CABERNETS November 10, 2004
2001
Napa CABERNETS November 3, 2004
WEST
COAST SYRAHS October 20, 2004
1990
RED BORDEAUX & CALIFORNIA CLARETS October 13, 2004
SPANISH
TEMPRANILLOS of 1999 & 2000 September 29, 2004
2002
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET September 8, 2004
2002
CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET September 1, 2004
UNDER
THE RADAR PINOT NOIRS August 18, 2004
2001
SAINT-JULIEN & PAUILLACS July 21, 2004
2001
MARGAUX July 14, 2004
CELLAR
DWELLERS: 1982 BORDEAUX July 7, 2004
2001 POMEROLS
June 30, 2004
2001
SAINT MILIONS June 16, 2004
2000
CLOS de VOUGEOT (and a ringer) MAY 12, 2004
2001
OREGON PINOT NOIRS May 5, 2004
2001
CALIFORNIA MERLOTS April 21, 2004
1994
WEST COAST CABERNETS APRIL 14, 2004
1999-2000 BORDEAUX COMPARISON
March 10, 2004
1999
BAROLO March 3, 2004
2000
Deluxe Napa CABERNETS February 18, 2004
2000
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS $50 & Under February 11, 2004
1998 BRUNELLO
DI MONTALCINO February 4, 2004
TURLEY
ZINFANDELS 1995 & 1999 Vintages January 7, 2004
2000
PRESTIGIOUS WEST COAST CABERNETS November 12, 2003
1999
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS November 5, 2003
SANTA
LUCIA HIGHLANDS PINOT NOIRS October 29, 2003
MOSTLY
2001 VINTAGE GIGONDAS October 22, 2003
SPANISH
TEMPRANILLO WINES October 9, 2003
SPARKLING
WINES-METHODE CHAMPENOISE October 1, 2003
1996
(Mostly) AUSTRALIAN (Mostly) SHIRAZ September 24, 2003
2000
NUITS-ST.-GEORGES September 10, 2003
PRIORATO
WINES FROM SPAIN September 3, 2003
WEST
COAST SANGIOVESES August 27, 2003
2000
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET (Mostly Premier Cru Wines) August 13, 2003
2000
CHAMBOLLE-MUSIGNY August 6, 2003
2000
NAPA CABERNETS July 30, 2003
1999
TUSCAN SANGIOVESE-BASED WINES July 23, 2003
2000
VINTAGE MERLOTS July 9, 2003
SYRAHS
FROM HITHER & YON July 2, 2003
2001 CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS June 25, 2003
NEW
PINOT NOIRS June 4, 2003
1999
NAPA CABERNETS May 28, 2003
1994
PINOT NOIRS May 14, 2003
CHILEAN
CLARETS May 7, 2003
PETITE
SIRAHS of Current Release.
April 30, 2003
1999
CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHETS Premier Cru Selections April 9, 2003
1999
GRAND CRU'S of GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN April 2, 2003
1999-2000 SOUTHERN FRENCH REDS (RHONE
WANNABE'S) MARCH 26, 2003
1995-1996
VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE TASTING MARCH 12, 2003
2000
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE TASTING MARCH 5, 2003
2000
NAPA VALLEY CABERNET TASTING FEBRUARY 26th, 2003
1990
FRENCH RED BURGUNDY TASTING February 12, 2003
1999
& 2000 CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS November 13, 2002
1999
NAPA CABERNETS November 6, 2002
1997
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO OCTOBER 30, 2002
AUSSIE
SHIRAZ TASTING OCTOBER 23, 2002
1999
CHATEAUNEUF-du-PAPE TASTING October 9, 2002
1999
NAPA CABERNETS September 25, 2002
1999
WASHINGTON STATE CABERNETS September 11, 2002
1991
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS September 4, 2002
1999
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET 1er Cru Tasting August 28, 2002
AUSTRALIAN
CABERNETS (Mostly 1999s) August 14, 2002
1999
FRENCH BURGUNDY July 24, 2002
1999
GRAVES BLANC July 10, 2002
2000
CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAY July 3, 2002
1999/2000
CONDRIEU TASTING June 26, 2002
1999
PAUILLAC & SAINT JULIEN TASTING June 12, 2002
1999
MARGAUX TASTING June 5, 2002
1985
CABERNETS & MEDOC TASTING May 29, 2002
1998
California CABERNETS May 22, 2002
South
American MALBEC May 8, 2002
1999
West Coast MERLOTS May 1, 2002
Central
Coast (California) PINOT NOIRS April 24, 2002
2001
Southern Hemisphere SAUVIGNON BLANCS April 10, 2002
1999
CALIFORNIA ZINFANDELS April 3, 2002
1999
FRENCH RHÔNE SYRAHS February 13, 2002
(Mostly) 1999 CALIFORNIA SYRAHS January 30,
2002
MORE
1997 BAROLO January 23, 2002
1997
Late-Released CABERNETS January 9, 2002
1997
BAROLO October 24, 2001
1985-1990
RED BURGUNDIES October 10, 2001
1998
Grand Crus of Gevrey Chambertin October 3, 2001
PRIORAT
WINES September 26, 2001
1998
CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE September 12, 2001
1999
"High Roller" CHARDONNAYS September 5, 2001
1998
BORDEAUX August 22, 2001
1999
WEST COAST PINOT NOIRS August 8, 2001
1997
VOSNE-ROMANÉE
Tasting August 1, 2001
1999
CALIFORNIA ZINS July 25, 2001
1998 CABERNET SAUVIGNONS
July 11, 2001
OLD
CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS June 6, 2001
1997 ECHEZEAUX May 30, 2001
1999 NORTH
COAST ZINFANDELS May 23, 2001
1999
West Coast Merlots May 9, 2001
1999
WEST COAST PINOT NOIRS May 2, 2001
1997
BARBARESCO April 25, 2001
Mostly RUSSIAN RIVER PINOT NOIRS
April 11, 2001
1997
NAPA CABERNETS April 4, 2001
1995
BRUNELLO di MONTALCINO March 28, 2001
1997 CHAMBOLLE-MUSIGNY &
MOREY SAINT DENIS
with one 1996...March 14, 2001
1997
GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN March 7, 2001
1996
BAROLO February 28, 2001
1978-1979
California Cabernets January 10, 2001
1997
California Cabernets November 8, 2000
1997
TUSCAN SANGIOVESES November 1, 2000
1997-1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
& CALIFORNIA WANNABEEs October 25, 2000
Mostly 1998 PINOT NOIRS
October 11, 2000
1996
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS October 4, 2000
MATURE
CLARETS September 27, 2000
1997
RED BORDEAUX September 13, 2000
1997 NAPA CABERNETS
September 6, 2000
1998
CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS August 30, 2000
1997 CLOS DE VOUGEOTS August 23,
2000
PETITE
SIRAH & SYRAH (West Coast) August 9, 2000
FANCY
CALIFORNIA MERLOTS August 2, 2000
1996
FAMOUS CALIFORNIA CABERNETS June 14, 2000
WEST
COAST SYRAHS June 7, 2000
1997 CABERNETS May 31,
2000
VIOGNIERS
of RECENT VINTAGE May 24, 2000
1997-1998
ZINFANDELS May 10, 2000
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE CLARETS May 3, 2000
1996
California CABERNETS April 12, 2000
1996
FRENCH RED BURGUNDIES March 29, 2000
CALIFORNIA
vs ITALIAN (Tuscan) SANGIOVESE March 22, 2000
WEST COAST
PINOT NOIRS March 8, 2000
AUSSIE
SHIRAZ TASTING March 1, 2000
FRENCH
CHAMPAGNES (NV BRUTS) January 5, 2000
1996
BORDEAUX (MEDOC) TASTING November 10, 1999
CABERNET-INFLUENCED VINI FROM
ITALY November 3, 1999
CABERNETS OF THE WORLD
TASTING October 27, 1999
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