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SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS PINOT NOIRS
A Blind-Tasting Comparison
October 29, 2003 |
Notes by
Gerald Weisl, wine merchant
The Santa Lucia Highlands has become a highly-regarded viticultural area
in recent California winemaking history. Led by the
efforts of a grape grower and wine fanatic named Gary Pisoni, this region is
located on the west side of the Salinas Valley between the town of Gonzales and
the Arroyo Seco canyon.
The vineyards are on southeastern-facing benches which catch the morning sun,
should the fog lift that early. Vineyards such as Pisoni's are at
about 1300 to 1400 feet in elevation, so they're above the fog, according to
vineyard dude, Mark Pisoni (one of two of Gary Pisoni's kids).
"Both 2000 and 2001 are really good vintages and they're pretty similar in
terms of growing conditions." Mark Pisoni told us. "Bud break in
2000 was March 8th, while in 2001 it was March 14th. The grapes started to
gain color (called "veraison") on July 4th in 2000, and on July 6th in
2001. We picked our first grapes on September 5th in 2000 and on September
2nd in 2001."
The Pisoni family has a joint venture with their neighboring grower, Gary
Franscioni. That's called "Garys' Vineyard" and is at a somewhat
lower elevation than Pisoni's own property. As a result, the Garys'
Vineyard is a cooler site according to Mark Pisoni. "It's often below
the morning fog and usually is harvested a couple of weeks after our own
vineyards. Further, Pisoni vineyards are on poorer soil; a lot of
decomposed granite and it's a bit more rugged and mountainous. The Garys'
Vineyard soils are a shade richer and slightly less rugged."
Most of the vineyards in this neighborhood are not terribly old. Much of
the Pisoni vineyard has been planted in the past 15 years. Garys'
Vineyard, for example, was planted in 1995. The Franscioni's "Rosella's
Vineyard" was initiated in 1996. If vine age means anything, the best
is yet to come!
We assembled a set of some of the top producers of Pinot Noirs from this
region. The Pisonis charge Napa Cabernet prices and then some for the
privilege of buying the fruit. Over the past few years, the Pisonis have
even stopped selling fruit to some vintners. Others have decided vinifying
the fruit is tricky, explaining "Pisoni vineyards fruit sometimes has had a
tendency to not finish its fermentation routinely. I'm stressed out
dealing with a stuck fermentation and how to get the wine dry. It's far
more work." said one winemaker.
Mark Pisoni explained "Our name is on their labels. We insist the vintners make good
wines. We don't want our name associated with poor quality."
One element in tasting these wines is "Are we looking for these wines to
taste 'Burgundian' or is there a special character of terroir given to the wines
by the Santa Lucia Highlands location?" One taster actually marked
down a wine for being "too Burgundian and not tasting like a Santa
Lucia-grown Pinot."
We told Mark Pisoni of our evening's line-up. "Sounds like a great
tasting!" he replied.
Here's what we found:
Two wines were a bit ahead of the pack, but with a low degree of unanimity,
having a rather "high" score (total points). Third place through
7th place were separated by just 2 points, meaning there was no significant
difference in third place through seventh! And the last place wine was
only 12 points out of 3rd place!!!
| The Wines |
Gerald's Rank |
Ellen's Rank |
Bob's Rank |
GROUP RANK |
Total Points |
1sts/2nds/
Lasts |
MINER
2001 Garys Vineyard
$50 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
62 |
2/5/2 |
MORGAN
2000 Garys Vineyard
$39 |
2 |
7 |
2 |
8 |
90 |
1/3/5 |
The OJAI VINEYARD
2001 Pisoni
Vineyard
Spring 2004 Release |
7 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
80 |
1/1/1 |
PATZ
& HALL
2001 Pisoni
Vineyard
$64.99 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
79 |
2/4/2 |
PISONI
ESTATE
2001 Pisoni
Vineyard
$59.99 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
5 |
78 |
2/2/2 |
ROAR
2001 Pisoni
Vineyard
$47.99 |
8 |
3 |
8 |
5 |
80 |
4/1/5 |
SIDURI
2001 Pisoni
Vineyard
$49.99 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
80 |
1/0/0 |
TESTAROSSA
2001 Pisoni
Vineyard
$49.99 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
63 |
4/1/0 |
Notes compiled by Gerald Weisl, with Bob Gorman
adding his two-cents' worth (when he gets around to it).
8th Place: MORGAN 2000 "Garys' Vineyard"
This was the lone entry from the 2000 vintage and it had 4 tasters rating it
highly and 5 people disliking it. One taster described it as having
"earthy notes and a rhubarb character." A couple of other people
felt it was "really hot" and "high in alcohol and not showing
much fruit." A fourth critic found it "Burgundy-like with a bit
of H2S, it's light in color and has some
funky, Burgundian notes...weird." A fifth critic found it to offer a
"strange after-taste." Someone else described it as having
"the most Burgundian nose, herbaceous, smoky, with good acidity, nice oak
and nice fruit."
Gerald found this to be a nicely Burgundian-styled rendition. "Lots
of sweet, sweet fruit notes and a bit of a vegetal tone. There's a vague
hint of a mushroomy quality on the nose and some nice vanillin tones from the
wood. The wine displays a lovely cherry fruit flavor of Pinot Noir and
nice oak. Not a wine for cellaring, but very pretty right now.
One-and-a-half stars on my three star scale, no stars being a standard or
ordinary quality wine."
7th Place: SIDURI 2001
"Pisoni"
One taster felt this was, like a number of these wines, "a little bit
sweet, almost cloying sweet. I couldn't stand the sugary character.
It does offer some spice and dark cherry fruit...a hot wine." Another
taster pegged this a being reminiscent of "cherry cough syrup. It
also has a resiny, menthol-like character. Not very pleasing, though I
moved it up in my rankings." Someone else found this wine to blossom
with aeration, saying "It grew in the glass." But another person
felt it "was stilled closed in." One panel member said this
"has more opulent flavors than the others, with blackberry and
tangerine-like flavors."
Gerald said the "nose on this starts out rather shyly, but you get a sense
of some nice fruit. It reveals a bit of vanillin, too, being moderately
Burgundian in style. The wine is a bit tannic, though, having nice
vanillin notes and some woodsy, charry flavors. One star now...perhaps
this will blossom with a year in the bottle and warrant a higher rating."
6th Place: OJAI VINEYARD 2001 "Pisoni"
This was the darkest colored wine, appearing more like a Zinfandel than
Pinot Noir. One taster felt it had a "yeasty note on the nose and
also on the palate. It's less fruit-driven than some of the other wines
and is somewhat understated." Another critic agreed, finding this to
be "muted on the nose, but big, over-extracted, hot and hard to
swallow. It does open up a bit, showing some spicy tobacco notes and an
earthy, dusty quality." A third panel member described this as being
"more like a barrel sample than a finished wine! It's overly
extracted, too!" Another critic encountered "an okay nose and
woody flavored wine with a big, full mouth-feel."
Gerald ranked it down, not for being of poor quality, but for not being very
reminiscent of Pinot Noir. "The color is more deep and
ruby-like. On the nose there's a big, berryish, almost briary quality
which reminds me of a ripe Zinfandel. It is impossible to take a sniff and
find anything Burgundian or Pinot-like on the nose. On the palate it's a
monster! Big, ripe, plummy fruit notes with a fair bit of alcohol
providing heat. I would never imagine this to be a Pinot Noir."
5th Place: ROAR 2001 "Pisoni"
Here's a wine that had 5 people ranking it highly and 5 people hating it.
One taster described this as "Zinfandel with volatile acidity."
Another naysayer found "SO2 on
the nose and it was sort of spritzy. Something is off here."
One panel member found it to display "chocolate, coffee and cherry notes
but it lacks finesse. It's also a little light." A fourth
person characterized this as "a guilty pleasure." A fifth person
found it "pleasant, but not very exciting." Someone encountered
"jammy fruit," saying "I can see why people would like
this." A final voice said this has "especially supple tannins
and great spice with notes of morello cherries and loganberry."
Gerald was put off by the "almost nutty notes reminiscent of an old
wood-Port. The aromas offer hints of the rancio
"nuttiness" one finds in old Sherry or some tawny Ports. It also
hints at being sweet, so perhaps this wine was subjected to being coaxed through
a 'stuck fermentation.' It shows a fair bit of alcohol and tastes more
like a dry Port-styled wine than anything to do with Burgundy. It is
most strange!"
4th Place: PATZ & HALL 2001 "Pisoni"
One taster found notes reminiscent of "tomatoes!" in this
wine. Another person found "good balance and it's very smooth and
rich." But a third person described it as being "a dessert
wine!" A fourth agreed, saying it's a "late harvest Pinot Noir
dessert wine." Someone else felt this "had the best nose.
Cinnamon and dark cherry fruit are displayed here." Another taster
said "the fruit is very sweet here." Sounding a less positive
note, someone said "It's got some SO2
and mercaptan on its aroma and palate." Someone else encountered
"red and black raspberry fruit but it's too sweet."
Gerald found the nose to be "berryish with lots of sweet cherry
notes...very stylish and pretty aromas. It's off dry, though, having a bit
of residual sweetness. The combination of residual sugar and alcohol makes
for a curious combination: the alcohol gives a hot, harsh note while the sugar
placates some of the heat from that alcohol. It might warrant a one star
rating if you can get by the sugar. Perhaps serving it with something like
duck with a sweet cherry or orange sauce will take the edge off this wine?"
3rd Place: PISONI ESTATE 2001 "Pisoni"
One taster felt this "is not very Pinot Noir-like. Blueberry
fruit notes here." Someone else described it as having "an oily
texture." A third critic found a "bunch of berries, bramble and
it's elegant." Someone else said it's "not classic Pinot Noir,
but does have some vanilla, raspberry fruit and it's rather monolithic.
Tasty." Another panel member found notes reminiscent of
"rhubarb." Someone else said it's ""got nice fruit, a
bit lighter with cherry notes, red raspberries and nice acidity." A
final voice said it displays "rich, cherry fruit and is a bit tart on the
finish."
Gerald found the fragrance of this to be "very sweet...hints of cherries
and cherry cola with some toasty qualities and a woodsy note on the nose.
It has a slight sweet point on the palate being rather robust and rich. Big
fruit on the palate followed by a lot of heat and a burning sensation thanks to
the alcohol. Might be worth a one star rating."
2nd Place: TESTAROSSA 2001 "Pisoni"
Virtually tied for first place, being a mere one point behind the top wine,
this was characterized as "over oaked" by one critic. Another
found the aromas reminiscent of "auto exhaust fumes." A third
taster felt it's "flat on the palate." Another taster detected
"cotton candy, sweet cherry notes with some pomegranate and pineapple
mint...some cherry Coke flavors and gritty tannins on the finish."
Someone else found "a multi-dimensional nose with nice blackberry
fruit." Another taster found this to show "young, cherry notes
and it has good fruit on the palate with a long finish."
Gerald described this as being "somewhat along the lines of a good
Burgundy/ Nice Pinot fruit with cherry and vanilla fragrances.
There's nice body and richness here and I felt it didn't show the heat of some
other wines. One star."
1st Place: MINER 2001 "Garys' Vineyard"
"This really grew in the glass." said one critic. Another
detected some "barnyard notes, being rich and the most interesting wine of
the tasting." Someone else found "big, minty notes...it's very
much a good Pinot Noir with phenolic, cherry and spice notes. It's a sweetie
pie of a wine!" Another person said "It's too Burgundian and not
enough showing Santa Lucia Highlands character!" Someone else felt
the "acidity is a bit strong at first, but it mellows with
aeration." Another critic found "dusty notes with burnt sugar
fragrances and a lilac perfume. Nice weight, smoky, sweet fruit, a
buttery, oaky quality." Someone else "liked the fruit. It
almost has enough stuffing." A final panel member found this as being
"softer with rose petal fruit notes."
Gerald found "nice, bright fruit. Sweet aromas are very pretty and
remind me a bit of a Chambolle-Musigny or Morey-Saint-Denis on the nose.
Lovely. The flavors display sweet vanillin qualities, sort of in the
direction of Burgundy. Pretty wine. One-and-a-half to two
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 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
VINO-FINO TASTERS
(A private tasting group that's
been meeting for more than 44 years!)
CALIFORNIA
PINOT NOIRS April 2023
CALIFORNIA
CHARDONNAYS March 2023
CALIFORNIA
SYRAHS of MODEST PRICING February 2023
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS January 2023
2022
HOLIDAY WINE & FOOD MARATHON
GIGONDAS
November 2022
ITALIAN
& CALIFORNIA BARBERA October 2022
2021
FRENCH ROSÉS September 2022
2019
BORDEAUX (Mostly Left Bank) August 2022
June Tasting Postponed
WASHINGTON
STATE CABERNETS (of Modest Pricing) JUNE 2022
MOSTLY
NAPA CABERNETS May 2022
ITALIAN
PINOT NERO / PINOT NOIR / BLAUBURGUNDER April 2022
MORE
2018 BORDEAUX (Left Bank) MARCH 2022
ETNA ROSSO
WINES February 2022
MOSTLY
GEORGIAN SAPERAVI January 2022
THE
HOLIDAY WINE & FOOD MARATHON December 2021
DRY
GERMAN RIESLINGS November 2021
MODESTLY-PRICED
CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS October 2021
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE GRENACHE September 2021
CALIFORNIA
CHARDONNAYS August 2021
CHIANTI
CLASSICO 2017 & 2018 JULY 2021
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE PINOT NOIRS June 2021
MORE
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS TASTED IN PERSON! May 2021
CALIFORNIA
CABERNETS Pandemic Mode April 2021
2018
BORDEAUX in Pandemic Mode March 2021
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE CHARDONNAYS in Pandemic Mode February 2021
CALIFORNIA
CHARDONNAYS in Pandemic Mode January 2021
CABERNETS
FROM WINERIES OPERATING IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE VINO FINO GROUP December
2020
CALIFORNIA
SAUVIGNON BLANCS November 2020
NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA ZINFANDELS October 2020
2017
FRENCH WHITE BURGUNDY September 2020
PANDEMIC
PINOT NOIRS August 2020
CABERNETS
of 2016 & 2017 JULY 2020
NEBBIOLO FROM
THE LANGHE February 2020
AMERICAN
RIESLINGS January 2020
THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY WINE
& FOOD MARATHON December 2019
CURRENT
VINTAGES OF GIGONDAS November 2019
2016
RIGHT BANK BORDEAUX October 2019
CHILEAN
CABERNETS September 2019
2015
+ 2016 CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPES August 2019
CHARDONNAYS
(Mostly Californian) JULY 2019
2016 BORDEAUX
(Left Bank) TASTING JUNE 2019
ITALIAN BARBERA
TASTING May 2019
NEW
ZEALAND PINOT NOIRS April 2019
2016
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS March 2019
NORTHERN
RHÔNE SYRAHS February 2019
SAUVIGNON
BLANC-SAUVIGNON GRIS-SAUVIGNON MUSQUÉ January 2019
VINO FINO
HOLIDAY WINE & FOOD MARATHON December 2018
SPANISH
ALBARIÑO November 2018
WEST
COAST SYRAHS October 2018
CHIANTI
CLASSICO MOSTLY September 2018
SOUTH
AMERICAN MALBECS August 2018
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS July 2018
WEST
COAST RHÔNE WANNABEES June 2018
WASHINGTON
CABERNETS MAY 2018
GERALD IN EUROPE IN MARCH/APRIL
NAPA
CABERNET$ February 2018
AUSSIE
& KIWI RIESLINGS January 2018
2017
HOLIDAY WINE & FOOD MARATHON December 2017
FRENCH
WHITE BURGUNDY November 2017
SAUVIGNON
BLANC/SEMILLON BLENDS October 2017
SOUTHERN
RHÔNE REDS September 2017
SONOMA
COAST & RUSSIAN RIVER PINOT NOIRS August 2017
ETNA
BIANCO--WINES FROM THE VOLCANO July 2017
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS June 2017
TANNAT
WINES FROM HITHER & YON May 2017
NEW
ZEALAND PINOT NOIRS April 2017
RIOJA
REDS February 2017
AMERICAN
"RHONE WANNABEES" January 2017
2016
HOLIDAY WINE MARATHON December 2016
GERMAN
AUSLESEN RIESLINGS November 2016
GRÜNER
VELTLINERS Austrian vs The US October 2016
GRENACHE --
MOSTLY WEST COAST September 2016
WASHINGTON
STATE CABERNETS August 2016
CANNONAU
DI SARDEGNA July 2016
NORTHERN
HEMISPHERE RIESLINGS June 2016
2013
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS May 2016
CALIFORNIA
PINOT NOIRS April 2016
MOSTLY
CHIANTI RISERVAS February 2016
2012
BORDEAUX--LEFT BANK JANUARY 2016
HOLIDAY
WINE MARATHON December 2015
CATALONIA:
PRIORAT WINES November 2015
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS October 2015
WEST COAST
SYRAHS September 2015
SOUTH
AFRICAN CABERNETS & CABERNET BLENDS August 2015
PINOT
BLANC July 2015
CROZES-HERMITAGE
June 2015
ECLECTIC
SAUVIGNON BLANCS May 2015
NEWLY-RELEASED
CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS April 2015
ALTO ADIGE
LAGREINS February
WASHINGTON
STATE CABERNETS January 2015
2014
VINO FINO HOLIDAY WINE DINNER & TASTING December 2014
MOSTLY
GIGONDAS October 2014
MOSTLY
2010 & 2011 CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE WINES September 2014
2012
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS of MODEST PRICE August 2014
SANCERRES
July 2014
2012
VINTAGE CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS June 2014
MOSTLY
ITALIAN BARBERA, MOSTLY 2011 VINTAGE May 2014
CALIFORNIA
PINOT NOIRS April 2014
VINO
FINO 40th ANNIVERSARY DINNER February 2014
FRENCH
WHITE BORDEAUX January 2014
The
2013 HOLIDAY WINE & FOOD MARATHON December 2013
AUSTRALIAN
SHIRAZ November 2013
MALBECS OF
ARGENTINA October 2013
AFFORDABLE
FRENCH RED BURGUNDIES September 2013
MOURVEDRE
AND MOURVEDRE BLENDS August 2013
ITALIAN
VERMENTINO July 2013
MOSTLY
SPANISH TEMPRANILLO JUNE 2013
CALIFORNIA
GRENACHE & GRENACHE BLENDS MAY 2013
TEMPRANILLOS
(Mostly Southern Oregon) FEBRUARY 2013
PORTUGUESE
REDS Featuring TOURIGA NACIONAL January 2013
2012
HOLIDAY WINE MARATHON at the OLYMPIC CLUB December 2012
FRENCH
& CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS November 2012
WASHINGTON
STATE CABERNETS October 2012
AUSSIE
SHIRAZ September 2012
CALIFORNIA
ZINFANDELS August 2012
RIESLINGS
FROM ALSACE July 2012
2009
PIEMONTESE BARBERAS June 2012
WEST
COAST PINOT NOIRS April 2012
MOSTLY
2009 CALIFORNIA CABERNETS March 2012
WEST
COAST SYRAHS February 2012
PRIMITIVO
FROM PUGLIA AND SONOMA January 2012
VINO FINO
HOLIDAY TASTING & DINNER December 2011
MOSTLY
CHAMPAGNE WITH TWO MYSTERY CONTESTANTS November 2011
VINO
NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO MEETS WASHINGTON STATE October 2011
MOSTLY
SONOMA ZINFANDELS September 2011
LOIRE VALLEY CHENIN
BLANCS August 2011
2008
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS July 2011
MOSTLY
2006 NAPA CABERNETS June 2011
2008-2009
PIEMONTESE BARBERAS May 2011
2008-2009
CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIRS April 2011
MOSTLY
2008 CALIFORNIA CABERNETS March 2011
GERMAN
SPÄTLESE RIESLINGS (Mostly) February 2011
2009
CRU BEAUJOLAIS January 2011
VINO
FINO HOLIDAY DINNER & WINE MARATHON December 2010
MODESTLY-PRICED
OREGON PINOT NOIRS November 2010
MOSTLY
2007 CALIFORNIA CABERNETS October 2010
MODESTLY-PRICED
CALIFORNIA ZINFANDELS September 2010
2007
LEFT BANK BORDEAUX August 2010
WASHINGTON
STATE CABS & BORDEAUX BLENDS
July 2010
2007
BARBERA June 2010
2007
NAPA & SONOMA ZINFANDELS April 2010
2007
CALIFORNIA CABERNETS March 2010
2007 RUSSIAN RIVER PINOT NOIRS February 2010
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
FRENCH
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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