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WEST COAST SYRAHS
A Blind-Tasting Comparison
October 20, 2004

Notes by
Gerald Weisl
wine merchant

We typically prefer to taste wines from a single vintage to have a rather level playing field.  However, some producers are just releasing their 2001s and one currently has a 2000 vintage available, so we have multiple vintages on display.

Syrah, much like Cabernet and Pinot Noir, has quickly escalated in price.  There are dozens of new, small brands on the market vying for shelf space and serious money.  Critics such as Robert Parker have heaped lavish praise on many of the wines being produced in California.  These 90+ point scores help fuel the escalating pricing.  Combine the "scarcity tax" many vintners levy on their rare wines and you can understand how $40 or $50 becomes the standard price for a bottle of Syrah.

Our set features wines from diverse areas: Oregon's Walla Walla appellation south to Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara.

One wine resembled an Amarone or Late-Harvest Zinfandel.  This amateurish effort comes from a vintner who is highly praised by wine critic Robert Parker who says this fellow's wines are "not for everybody...these are unique, individualistic offerings from a revolutionary winemaker marching to the beat of his own drummer."

We are sad to read such glowing reviews of so many over-the-top wines from Mr. Parker.  The Wine Advocate has long praised wines from France's Rhne Valley.  We find it a bit depressing that young California vintners are being encouraged to make 15-16+% alcohol wines merely for the numerical point scores.  Further, wine drinkers are encouraged to spend fantastic sums of money on these monuments to extreme winemaking under the guise they'll be drinking well if they can find some of these limited bottlings and micro-productions.

One well-established Rhne Ranger vintner told me he was "sick" when he saw the reviews for various wines.  "This fellow's wines are too hot and have no character, let alone finesse," he explained.  "This other guy's wines are frequently oxidized, reduced or volatile, yet his wines get great scores.  I almost thought to write to Parker to set him straight, but I don't think it will do any good.  It might even reduce the scores for my wines."

We encountered an interesting set of wines.  Three of them resembled big, perfectly ripened Zinfandels.  Two of them, made by Pinot Noir specialists, had a Burgundian note to them.  One, as mentioned above, was a late-harvest, raisiny red wine, while one wine was so muscle-bound, it was remarkable more for its power and intensity than for being especially complex.

Here's what we found:

The Wines Gerald's Rank Ellen's Rank Bob's Rank GROUP RANK Total Points 1sts/2nds/
Lasts
BEHRENS & HITCHCOCK
2002 Mendocino
Alder Springs Homage to Ed Oliveira
$53.99
3 6 2 6 48 0/1/1
CLOS MIMI
2000 Paso Robles
Bunny Slope Vineyard
$55
8 8 7 8 66 1/0/5
COPAIN WINES
2002 Walla Walla Valley (Oregon)
Cailloux & Coccinelle
$41
5 3 5 7 52 0/1/1
JC CELLARS
Non-Vintage Cuvee Gaillard
50% Ventana (
Monterey ,California)
50%
St. Joseph
(Rhone Valley/France)
$39.99
1 7 3 2 37 1/1/0
RICHARD LONGORIA WINES
2001 Santa Barbara County
Alisos Vineyard
$37
4 5 6 4 41 2/1/0
The OJAI VINEYARD
2001 Santa Rita Hills
Melville Vineyards
$59.99
7 4 4 3 39 1/2/0
RADIO-COTEAU
2002 Russian River Valley
Timbervine
$40
6 1 8 5 48 3/0/3
VERAISON WINERY
2002 Napa Valley
Stagecoach Vineyard Black Bart
$47.99
2 2 1 1 29 2/4/0

8th Place:  CLOS MIMI 2000 Paso Robles "Bunny Slope" SYRAH
One critic described this as being reminiscent of "pomegranate juice and it's borderline 'sour,' with prune overtones."  Someone else likened it to a "barbecue sauce," while another critic found it "peppery on the palate, with notes of sage, cedar, cherry and berry and some cocoa.  It is not as in-your-face as some other wines."  One panel member found notes of "charcoal, black pepper and vanilla.  It fell apart in the glass, showing overly-cooked notes and a sharp, alcohol quality.  It's definitely not a keeper."
I found the wine to be dull in appearance, in contrast to 7 other brilliantly clear wines.  On the nose, there are notes of chocolate-covered raisins, Amarone, over-ripe blackberries and a note of rubber.  It may have a hint of residual sweetness, along with Christmas spices, mulled wine and its attack is much like some New World "Port-styled" wines.  I can't imagine paying $50 for what I consider to be an amateur wine.


7th Place:  COPAIN WINES 2002 Walla Walla SYRAH
One fan described this as "well made, as it's reminiscent of a good Crozes-Hermitage with some gamey and peppery notes."  Someone else mentioned black pepper, along with "burnt popcorn and some caramel notes."  A third taster found a note of "rhubarb."  Another person found "cassis like crazy!"  Someone encountered notes of "bubblegum and it's oddly peppery.  There's no Rhone style here and too many odd qualities."   Someone else found it to be "over-ripe and burnt," while another critic described is as being "smooth to flat."
This was one my two picks as a Pinot Noir-styled Syrah.  It has woodsy and herbal notes, along with a gamey quality I associate with some Burgundy wines.  There's a floral note which reminded me a bit of a wine from Alsace, though there is a spice quality here.  The balance of the wine is nice, as it doesn't assault the palate with oak or alcohol.  A gentle, rather "well-mannered" wine.  Nice.  I gave it a one-and-a-half star rating on my three star scale, no stars being a standard quality wine.



6th Place:  BEHRENS & HITCHCOCK 2002 Mendocino "Alder Springs" "Homage to Ed Oliveira" SYRAH
One panel member felt this is "tannic to the point of being tarry."  Another found notes of "blackberry jam."  Someone else encountered notes of "wet hay and dark currant aromas, with red currant fruit on the mid-palate and some blueberry fruit.  It shows more wood than the others.  Not as intense, but there are some nice black pepper notes."  Bob found "nice earthy tones and an herbaceous quality...it's a juicy mouthful." Someone else detected "nail polish character...this is truly odd."
I felt this wine was in the camp of "Zinfandel-styled" wines.  There's a lot of brambly and blackberry notes with a hint of sweet cedar.  The flavors are a bit chalky with some candied violets...a bit of berry-like fruit and some astringency suggesting additional cellaring (5-8 years).  One-and-a-half to two stars.  Very nice.



5th Place:  RADIO-COTEAU 2002 Russian River Valley "Timbervine" SYRAH
One Rhne fan likened this to a good "Saint-Joseph."  Another taster found it "shrill, with some candy-like notes and plum skins bitterness.  There's no complexity, though."  Someone else felt it's "very Syrah-like with a bitter edge recalling the bitterness of dandelion greens."  One person said it reminded her of "an inexpensive Syrah, like Rosemount Shiraz which can give you a headache."  Another participant said it showed a "promising nose, with coffee and oak and a bit of blackberry fruit.  It's a bit simple on the palate, though."  One panel member found some "floral notes on the nose and a bit of SO2 to start.  Balanced and medium-light but nice blackberry fruit and a bit of chalky tannin.  It does have some Northern Rhne notes...elegant wine."
This was my other "Pinot Noir" candidate.  It's a Burgundian-styled red with some gamey notes on the nose and some woodsy tones.  The wine is a bit more powerful than most Pinot Noirs, though and the combination of tannin and heat is not especially graceful.  It may last for a few more years.  I gave it a one star rating. 



4th Place:  LONGORIA 2001 Santa Barbara County "Alisos Vineyard" SYRAH
One taster encountered notes reminiscent of "Riesling...it's got this apricot skins sort of character.  A bit strange!"  Another taster found "Pepper and fig notes with some licorice."  Someone else detected "Grapefruit juice and shellac," while another taster found "grapefruit and anise." One person found it to have "gritty tannins."  Another person found "pomegranate and pepper notes."  One palate found it "forward and spicy" and they wondered if it had been co-fermented with Viognier.  "It's big, rich, dark, ripe and shows lots of blackberry fruit."
This was one of my three Zinfandel-like Syrahs.  It's very brambly in the manner of Zinfandel and it's a far cry from wines made in the Rhne Valley, although there is some black pepper spice here.  It's big, deep, dark and spicy.  Rather hot, too.  I characterized it as a Zin-Syrah.  One-and-a-half stars.  Rick Longoria calls this "Rex" on the label, finding it to be the "king" (rex in Latin).




3rd Place:  THE OJAI VINEYARD 2001 Santa Rita Hills "Melville Vineyards" SYRAH
"This is big, powerful and well-structured.  Intense!" said the first critic.  Another taster described it as "A thick wine.  Dark chocolate notes with some herbaceous tones."  One panel member found it to be "Dark and rich, rather closed on the nose but nicely spicy and full-bodied. It's a huge red wine."  One taster found it to show "Mega-oak and it's mega-ripe with notes of treacle (a British term for 'molasses.') and bacon.  The tannins are a bit tough here."
I found this to be a muscle-bound red wine.  It is very dark in color and saturated with purple hues.  The nose is closed in...there's something there and it's huge but it may need hours of aeration (or years in the cellar) for this to emerge and blossom.  The flavors show more definition, with power and spice notes.  It is hot and aggressive though.  The wine is mouth-drying and a bit out of balance, but will find fans who appreciate its fasten-your-seatbelt character.  Maybe a one-star wine today, but it's going to need time to evolve.




2nd Place:  JC CELLARS Non-vintage CUVE GAILLARD (Half Ventana Vineyard Syrah and Half SAINT-JOSEPH from France)
One critic felt this had a lot of "Big Brettanomyces aromas."  Someone else detected "Big, chocolate and red berry notes with heavy oak.  It could be any sort of red grape variety, but I can't say for certain it's Syrah."  Another panel member found it to be "grapey and young."  Someone said 'It's a big red."  Another taster found it the most "noticeably American-oak aged red with some black pepper and charcoal notes."
This was my lone "Rhne" wine in the tasting and, of course, it's 50% Rhne Syrah!  I liked the cherry, berry and mild pepper spice notes.  It's also one of the most drinkable wines of the tasting, not overwhelming the palate with tannin or alcohol.  The texture is nice and the wine has fruit all over the palate.  I gave it two+ stars.  Lovely!!!




1st Place:  VERAISON 2002 Napa "Stagecoach Vineyard" (Black Bart) SYRAH
"Sweet red fruit notes and intense berry elements...strong entry but a hot finish." said one critic.  Another found it "Heavy and tannic, with blackberry fruit and toasted oak.  In fact, it's very oaky.  I thought it fell apart on the mid-palate and it's simple."  One critic said "It got worse over the course of the tasting, showing green herbal notes and a grapiness.  It's not well-balanced."  Ellen described it as showing "dark plum notes and a bit of pencil lead with some red and black fruit flavors."
I detected a lot of sweet red fruit notes on the nose with hints of berries and violets and light wood.  The wine seemed better balanced in the context of this tasting than when I first tasted it (where I thought it totally hot and sharp).  There's not much Syrah spice here, but it's a very pretty wine. In fact, it's another of my three Zinfandel candidates. Complete red, though.  Two stars.  Stylish.  Can go 5-8 years in the cellar.

 

 

 

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 VINO-FINO TASTERS
(A private tasting group that's been meeting for more than 48 years!)

MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO  August 2023

SPANISH TEMPRANILLOS   July 2023

2020 LEFT BANK BORDEAUX  June 2023

WEST COAST 2019 CABERNETS  May 2023

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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