|
2003 GRAND CRU BURGUNDY
A Blind Tasting Comparison
May 31, 2006
Notes by
Gerald Weisl,
wine merchant
The hot, hot, hot growing season of 2003 meant the harvest
started unusually early, around mid-August. Burgundian vintners must have
thought they were in Napa or Australia!
Grapevines seems to "shut down" when the temperatures rise to
hotter-than-hell levels and so the fruit stops "maturing," though
sugar levels can rise due to dehydration. Reports indicate some vintners
chose to harvest early as their fruit was already at a potential for 13+%
alcohol, while others felt the grapes were not physiologically mature.
Yields tended to be rather low, sometimes weighing in at half of
"normal." Acidity levels were reportedly low, though some people
point to substantial tannin as the backbone in 2003 red Burgundies.
We brought together a range of wines from well-regarded estates. Six of
the eight wines had at least one first place vote, while six of the eight also
had a last place vote. The group's top wine was moderately ahead of the
pack and two wines were well behind. With so much controversy, it's no
wonder the "deltas" (differential between your ranking and the group's
ranking) of the 16 tasters was unusually high. Nobody had a single-digit
delta, for example.
Okay...here's what we found.
| The Wines |
Gerald's Rank |
Ellen's Rank |
Bob's Rank |
GROUP RANK |
Total Points |
1sts/2nds/
Lasts |
FRDERIC ESMONIN
2003 Charmes-Chambertin
$67 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
7 |
90 |
0/0/3 |
GROS FRRE et SUR
Clos Vougeot
Musigni
$90 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
69 |
3/2/3 |
GROS FRRE et SUR
Echzeaux
$90 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
2 |
64 |
1/4/0 |
DOMAINE ANNE GROS
Clos-Vougeot
Le Grand Maupertui
$180 |
3 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
66 |
2/3/2 |
LUCIEN LE MOINE
Charmes-Chambertin
$106 |
5 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
95 |
1/0/4 |
MOMMESSIN
Clos de Tart
$250 |
8 |
5 |
3 |
6 |
71 |
4/1/3 |
MONGEARD-MUGNERET
Grands Echezeaux
$135 |
6 |
2 |
7 |
6 |
70 |
0/4/0 |
Domaine de la
ROMANE-CONTI
Echzeaux
$279.99 |
7 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
51 |
5/2/1 |
8th Place: LUCIEN
LE MOINE 2003 Charmes-Chambertin
One
critic detected notes of "sweet oak and light perfume to this floral red.
It's got a Band-aid-like note...nice." Someone else found this to
show a "curious, funky off-tone on the nose and it's not very intense on
the palate." Another critic agreed saying they, too, found an
"off" character here. Someone else said they found "H2S
and it's flawed and bitter.: Another taster said they found a
"bitter" quality here, too. A final critic mentioned it's
"reminiscent of raspberry soda and baked fruit cobbler with bitter greens
and a tannic bite on the finish."
I did not find any "off" notes here. My sense was of a fruity,
cherryish wine with a mildly floral tone on the nose. Acidity is okay
here, the wine showing medium+ body. It's mildly tannic and so there's an
element of structure with a bit of power underneath. I liked the long
finish here and found this to be deeply cherryish on the palate with finesse and
elegance. It can be cellared for 5-10 years+. I gave it a
one-and-a-half star rating on my three star scale, no stars being a standard or
ordinary wine.
7th: Place: FRDERIC
ESMONIN 2003 Charmes-Chambertin
"I
loved the nose!" said one taster. "It reminds me of crystallized
berries and a cinnamon stick quality. But the wine let me down on the
palate...it's less interesting in the mouth and is tart and warm."
Another panel member found "Earth, coffee, cola, berries and
mocha." Bob Gorman likened the character of this Burgundy to
"Angelica root and there's a spicy note." Someone else found
"cloves," while another person described this as "more complex on
the nose and it's typically Burgundian, but a bit short on the
palate." A final taster mentioned this as being "So
tannic! It's flat though. There's a softness surrounded by
astringency."
I've enjoyed various Esmonin wines of late. They tend not to be
blockbusters, but there's a charm I find to the fragrance of their various
wines. This one, too, has a sweet, woodsy quality on the nose. It's
showing hints of mint and cherries. The flavors are reminiscent of
cinnamon and mint (not as extreme, but I noted this in a recent Vino Fino
tasting of a 2004 Esmonin wine). I liked the oak on the palate and there's
a root-like quality somewhat reminiscent of sassafras. Complex, as there
are various elements showing up on the palate. I gave this a two star
rating.
6th Place: MOMMESSIN 2003 Clos de Tart
"This is typical of wines from the 2003 vintage," said one
critic. "It's hot, high in alcohol and has a long finish."
Another person described this as having "light fruit, a bit of cherry and
it's tannic to excess. Not enough fruit to warrant all that
tannin." Someone else found "Ripe, burnt candies...it's got
great 'attack' and a long finish. Great complexity and structure with
peppery notes." Another person found "sweet cherry cola and it's
slightly bitter," while a final critic said "There's not a trace of
Burgundian Pinot Noir in this wine."
That's my impression of the Clos de Tart...it's a perfectly lovely bottle of
wine and I'll gladly drink this. But within the context of this tasting,
this was, for me, the least Burgundian entry. The color was much more
intense and dark than any other wine in the tasting. It's deep ruby in
color, while most are a medium-intense garnet color. This shows sweet,
black fruit aromas. Lots of blackberry notes and black plum fruit with
some raspberry tones. I noted this is "not really Pinot Noir, nor
Burgundy." The flavors are of dark fruits. Black raspberry,
plums, blackberry. I could not identify this, if tasted blind, as a Pinot
Noir alongside the rest of the field. It's a good wine, however. As
a result, I rated it last since it is so unusual. Quite a quandary!
5th Place: MONGEARD-MUGNERET 2003 Grands Echezeaux
"I found notes of strawberry, black cherry, mocha and a little
alcohol." said one taster. Another person described this as
showing "Pinot Noir-like cherry fruit, cherry gum drops and it's a rather
simple red wine." Someone else found this to be "Open knit and
it has a nice nose. Simple on the palate, with mocha and meaty
tones." One tasting participant described this as "meaty and
showing notes of ginger ale, blueberry-like fruit on the palate with tones of
wet hay on the nose. It's soft, supple and simply doesn't have 'enough'
there." Another critic found the nose to show a "delightful
aroma and it's a simple and 'good' quality wine."
With lighter garnet color, I found some sweet cherry and light raspberry notes
on the nose. It sports a touch of vanillin from the oak on the nose,
too. This, for me, was a bit soft and lacking in balance...though it has a
light bit of tannin, I don't see this as aging very well. The feel
on the palate is a bit flat. It's a nice, little Burgundy. One star.
4th Place: GROS FRRE et SUR
2003 Clos Vougeot
Musigni
One
critic found flaw with the aromas of this wine, noting "It's got too much
SO2
and is a bit jammy. The wine has soft tannins and is short on the
palate." Another critic cited a number of odd features, finding
"hospital bandage fragrances, notes reminiscent of kim chee, green
peas and asparagus. This is not pleasant." Another panel member
found it "smoky, tarry and showing notes of roasted grains. There's
even a dirt or earthy element and some black licorice." One taster
found it more fruity, likening the nose to lychees. Someone else detected
"baby powder," while another critic cried out "Merde!"
A final taster described this as "the most Burgundian wine of the
tasting. It's very complex and shows sweet oak and Burgundian terroir."
Having ranked this as my top wine, I'm in agreement with that last voice.
I described this as lovely Burgundy. Classic nose, with sweet cherry fruit
and nice vanillin, toasty oak. The acidity is nice here, giving the
wine an aspect of freshness on the palate. It's elegant, refined and
Burgundian in flavor. Nice oak, cherry-like fruit and some root-like
tones. It's got a long finish and will probably cellar handsomely for a
decade, or so. I gave this a two-and-a-half star rating.
3rd Place: ANNE GROS 2003 CLOS
VOUGEOT Le Grand Maupertui
One
taster said "This wine is intensely Pinot Noir, grandiose, regal and
well-structured. It's my number one wine, easily!" Another
critic found it to show "lovely, soft tannins and it's
well-balanced." Someone else felt "the fruit here was
over-shadowed by the very nice oak." Another taster described this as
having a "cotton candy spice and some black cherry fruit."
Someone else mentioned "Merde!", while another taster found
notes of "butterscotch and a grassy tones I didn't like very much."
I found the nose of the Anne Gros wine to be exceptional, as it offers sweet
toasty oak fragrances with some Asian spices. It's a tad low in acidity
and medium-bodied. Good fruit on the palate, this offers a mildly spicy
character with a bit of warmth. Nice long finish here, too. Two
stars+.
2nd Place: GROS FRRE et SUR
2003 Echzeaux
"Here's
a wine showing smoked meat notes and burnt weeds...it's got nice structure with
a burnt, charred oak, brown butter character. There's also a chalky,
bitter finish." said one critic. Another taster described this as
"The most Burgundian wine of the tasting, showing true Pinot Noir
character. It's terroir-driven, with healthy acidity. I loved
it!" Someone else felt "This started out a bit tight, but it
opened nicely over the course of the tasting. I found notes of cherry
cobbler and a bit of a sour note on the finish." One taster
encountered "Lots of toasty oak and it's more substantial than Wine E (the
other Gros Frres wine)." Another person described this as
"Flat and I'm not sure how it will age," while a final voice mentioned
"It's well-balanced and has great fruit."
This was another really good Burgundy in my view. I noted a lot of brown
spices on the nose and some Oriental spice tones. There's a note of anise,
cloves, tea and vanillin on the nose. The brown spice theme continues on the
palate, with hints of nutmeg and cloves. Moderately tannic and having good
fruit, I felt this should age handsomely for a decade, or so. Very
fine. Two stars.
1st Place: Domaine de la ROMANE-CONTI
2003 Echzeaux
The lead-off 'batter'
described this famous estate's wine as having "nice fruit and good cherry
notes. It's approachable now, yet firm, with grippy tannins. It
needs two to five years." Another critic echoed this,
"Ditto...broad, deep, oaky and with good 'layering'. This is the best
balanced wine of the tasting." Someone else found "Strawberry
jam tones and it's not typical Pinot Noir...more like Syrah." One
taster encountered "Black currant fruit, banana peppers and dill with tart
cherries." Another person found this to be "well-balanced,
delicate and elegant." Someone else found some "tea-leaf
notes," while a final voice found the "wood is similar to American
oak-aged wines from Spain. It's furniture quality oak."
I noted aromas of ripe cherries and a kirsch-like tone to the nose. Sweet
beet aromas suggested Burgundy, but I would not imagine this to be the DRC
wine. It was rather more like good cru Beaujolais, being simple and fruity
on the nose. The wine has good acidity and is medium-bodied. It's a
solid effort with flavors being more Burgundian than I'd expect given the
aromas. There's a cherry cobbler character on the palate, with hints of
vanilla. Good. One star. Perhaps 3-6 years of cellar
potential.
|
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 47 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
been meeting for more than 44 years!)
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RHÔNE REDS September 2017
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"RHONE WANNABEES" January 2017
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AUSLESEN RIESLINGS November 2016
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GRENACHE --
MOSTLY WEST COAST September 2016
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CATALONIA:
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LAGREINS February
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ARGENTINA October 2013
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FROM PUGLIA AND SONOMA January 2012
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CHAMPAGNE WITH TWO MYSTERY CONTESTANTS November 2011
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NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO MEETS WASHINGTON STATE October 2011
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SONOMA ZINFANDELS September 2011
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BLANCS August 2011
2008
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2006 NAPA CABERNETS June 2011
2008-2009
PIEMONTESE BARBERAS May 2011
2008-2009
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SPÄTLESE RIESLINGS (Mostly) February 2011
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CRU BEAUJOLAIS January 2011
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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
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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
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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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