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Wine

Favorite Varietals

• Chardonnay
• Chennin Blanc
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Viognier
• Pinot Noir
• Petite Sirah
• Petite Verdot
• Mourvedre

Favorite Wineries

• Callaghan Vineyards (AZ)
• White Oak (CA)
• Papapietro Perry (CA)

Reviews

Krug (Reims, France) "Grande Cuvee Brut NV" - I wanted to start the new year off well so I got a bottle of one of the two best Champagnes I'd ever had. Impressions: pale straw color. The Champagne came off yeasty, but there weren't any other flavors and it got increasingly bitter as it warmed up. This was not at all like the Krug I remember so I think there was something wrong with this bottle.
(12/2007 - $65/375ml)

Callaghan Vineyards (Elgin, AZ) "Syrah Select Dessert 1997" [red, dessert, fortified] - Another wine from the Callaghan library. I didn't notice that the 750ml bottle I pulled for our prime rib dinner was a dessert wine. Opps. Impressions: opaque burgundy color with an intensely fruity flavor followed be a unexpectedly pleasant sweetness (after the first sip I looked at the bottle again to discover it was a dessert wine). It wasn't the best match for prime rib, but it actually wasn't terrible either because the only problem with the pairing was a little alcoholic heat. After dinner was when the wine shined though (big surprise). The flavor changed from sip to sip alternating between chocolate, candied fruit, and ripe fruit. The wine was complex and the longevity of fortified wines isn't overstated; I never would've guessed this wine was 10 years old because it tasted so fresh. I really wish I bought more than one bottle.
(12/2007 - $25/750ml)

Dos Cabezas (Cochise County, AZ) "Viognier 2006" [white, Viognier] - A recent pick up from our last trip to Tucson. Impressions: pale straw color with a scent of tropical fruit and acid. Medium bodied with an acidic flavor that turns to vanilla and cream in the finish. The finish reminded me of a California Chardonnay. Lynn really liked it, and while I thought it was a good wine, it wasn't my sort of thing.
(11/2007 - $20/750ml)

Callaghan Vineyards (Elgin, AZ) "Spirited Red Dessert Wine 2006" [red, dessert, fortified] - A recent pick up from our last trip to Tucson. Impressions: full bodied and sweet without being cloying with light fruit in the finish. It was just tasty.
(11/2007 - $12/375ml)

Callaghan Vineyards (Elgin, AZ) "Syrah 1998" [red] - A couple of years ago Callaghan sold off a lot of their library wines so we picked up a few. I tried to pick wines that had survived the test of time, but there was only one way to find out. Impressions: opaque, deep burgundy color with an alcoholic scent hiding light creamy fruit. The wine was medium bodied with a flavor of cherry and herbs, which were occasionally creamy, and fine tannins. The wine might've been a little past its peak, but if it was it wasn't very far past it. So far I'm glad I took a chance.
(11/2007 - $18/750ml)

Sticks (Victoria, Australia) "Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2004" [red, Pinot Noir] - Impressions: ruby color and earthy scent with a fruit undertone. There was some earth and light cherry flavor with a short finish that was decent. It was a good wine to drink with dinner, but not something I'd sip on its own.
(7/2007 - gifted/750ml)

Domaine Carneros (Carneros, CA) "Le Reve 1998" [white, Chardonnay, sparkling] - We chilled a bottle of Le Reve for New Year's Eve, but by the time we returned from dinner we weren't in the mood to drink anything so we drank it on New Year's day. Impressions: pale straw color with a light apple scent. I don't know how to describe the flavor, but it was quite tasty, and an appropriate wine to start the new year.
(1/2007)

Dos Cabezas (Kansas Settlement, AZ) "El Norte 2004" [red] - We needed a wine for Thanksgiving dinner so Lynn suggested the "El Norte 2004". Since I never tasted it before I didn't know if it would be a good match or not. Impressions: cranberry color with a vinegary alcoholic scent. The wine was full bodied with an assertive short lived flavor followed by an alcoholic burn. I hated it, but Lynn and my mom liked it.
(11/2006 - $20/750ml)

Chateau Ste. Michelle (Woodinville, WA) "Eroica Riesling 2005" [white, Riesling] - Impressions: pale straw color with a lush tropical fruit scent. The wine was full bodied and semi-dry with mild to medium fruit flavor. It was good, but nothing to get excited about.
(10/2006)

Nicolas Feuillatte (Epernay, France) "Premier Cru Brut" [white, sparkling] - Impressions: all I could smell was the gas and all I could taste was the gas. I didn't like the Champagne and Lynn found it gross.
(9/2006 - $32.50/750ml)

Callaghan Vineyards (Elgin, AZ) "Buena Suerte Cuvee 2002" [red] - Lynn wanted a wine to use in a steak marinade. I chose the "Buena Suerte Cuvee 2002" (an unusual blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Petite Verdot) that I remembered liking when we tasted it at the winery. I was curious how it would turn out with some more time in the bottle. Impressions: completely opaque and black with just the faintest ring of purple at the edge. It had an alcoholic berry scent laced with sugar that foretold of its berry flavors. The wine was full bodied with very fine tannins that made it creamy with dark berry flavors and a tannic chocolate finish. Even needing more time in the bottle or exposed to air it was pretty damn tasty. The steak was great, but the wine didn't make a good pairing with it.

I do have to mention that Kent Callaghan wrote on the back label that the wine would be best after 2006. I'd go so far as to say that 2008 should be the soonest it should be drunk unless you're going to decant it.
(8/2006 - $25/750ml)

Callaghan Vineyards (Elgin, AZ) "Vin Gris 2003" [rose, Cabernet Sauvignon] - Impressions: musty strawberry scent and light strawberry color. It had a medium body with a light fruit flavor and a pleasant chocolate undertone. I've never liked roses, but this was enjoyable. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Callaghan made something I unexpectedly liked since they are my favorite winery.
(7/2006 - $12/750ml)

Joseph Phelps Vineyards (CA) "Pastiche 2003" [white] - Impressions: slightly pale yellow color with a creamy tropical fruit scent. The wine had a creamy texture with some oak and acid. It was very close to a typical California Chardonnay, which is a profile I'm sick of.
(6/2006 - $12/750ml)

Rene Junot (Bonnieres-sur-Seine, France) "Dry Red Table Wine" [red] - With Lynn's pregnancy now we open wines for cooking instead of drinking. This is when it pays to have cheap wine around, and this $5 Rhone blend was probably the cheapest bottle I had. Impressions: deep red color with a cherry scent that had some skunkiness to it. It had a medium body with a mild flavor of red fruits. It wasn't bad for a $5 bottle of wine, but it didn't make an impression either.
(4/2006 - $5/750ml)

Chiricahua Cellars (Deming, NM) "Arizona Chardonnay 2002" [white, Chardonnay] - We needed a white wine to make a ragu so I used the Chiricahua Cellars because it's one of the few white wines I have multiple bottles of. Since the bottle was already opened I wondered if the wine would actually taste good with the meat sauce. Impressions: pale yellow color with a great scent. I had this wine with a homemade ragu so the flavors were different than if I had it straight, but it was a surprisingly good match for the meat sauce. The wine was full bodied, and it had a mild creamy lemon flavor that was highly enjoyable. I'm glad I've still got more bottles of the Chiricahua Cellars left.
(3/2006 - $9/750ml)

White Oak (Healdsburg, CA) "Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2004" [white, Sauvignon Blanc] - Impressions: pale straw color with an acidic grapefruit scent. It was light to medium bodied with a mild, acidic grapefruit flavor. It was pretty good, but I wasn't in the mood for it.
(2/2006 - $13.50/750ml)

Magnotta (Ontario, Canada) "Vidal Icewine Niagara Peninsula Limited Edition VQA 2003" [white, Vidal, dessert, ice wine] - Impressions: amber color with a great spiced honey scent. The wine was sweet and slightly thick with some very pleasant fruit flavors. It was one of the better ice wines I've had.
(1/2006 - $9/50ml)

Chateau Haut-Bergeron (Sauternes, France) "Sauternes 2002" [white, dessert, botrytis] - Impressions: pale gold color with a sweet, spicy flavor, medium body, and an overripe banana finish. I thought it was pretty good, and an excellent match for our homemade apple pie, but Lynn didn't like it.
(12/2005 - $20/750ml)

Allegrini (Italy) "Palazzo Della Torre 2000" [red] - Impressions: deep, semi-opaque red color with a mellow fruit scent. The wine was medium bodied with a mellow fruit flavor too. Overall it was an enjoyable wine. lynn hated it.
(12/2005 - $22.75/750ml)

Hartford (Forestville, CA) "Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2003" [red, Zinfandel] - This was one of our favorite wines from our California road trip so I had high hopes for it. Impressions: deep red color with a fruity scent. It had black fruit flavors with a hint of oak and a creamy finish. Occasionally there was some earthiness to it with a sour aftertaste that I didn't care for. With some time in the glass the wine had more red fruit flavors than anything. I enjoyed it a lot with or without time, and I was glad it didn't disappoint.
(11/2005 - $29/750ml)

Saint Vincent Winery (Elgin, AZ) "Sonoita Vino Rosado de San Vicente de Sarragossa" [rose, Cabernet Sauvignon] - Impressions: it was pink and sweet. It was a good sweet wine, but I wanted a semi-sweet wine for what we were serving so this was too sweet.
(11/2005 - $22/750ml)

Chambers Rosewood Vineyards (Rutherglen, Australia) "Rutherglen Muscadelle (Tokay)" [white, Tokay, dessert] - Impressions: amber color with a slighty burnt sugary scent. Distrubingly thin body with a strange sweet flavor. I hated this wine, but Lynn liked it.
(11/2005 - $17.10/375ml)

Echo Canyon (Cornville, AZ) "Estate Syrah 2002" [red, Syrah] - Impressions: sharp flavor with a thin body. I didn't the like the wine on its own, but it was much better with a steak; it tasted like it had more body, some fruitiness, and a certain amount of creaminess.
(11/2005 - $20.66/750ml)

Echo Canyon (Cornville, AZ) "Rojo Roca Rojo 2002" [red] - Impressions: deep garnet color with a scent that reminded me of Sangiovese with a hint of oak. Too bad I don't like the scent of Sangiovese. The wine was light to medium bodied with some cherry, earthiness, and creaminess with a hint of oak. I thought it was alright, but Lynn liked it.
(10/2005 - $16.64/750ml)

Sonoma Valley Portworks (Santa Rosa, CA) "Maduro Port" [red, dessert, fortified] - When I saw "Maduro" I had to check it out because maduro is commonly used to describe a type of cigar wrapper (maduro means mature in Spanish). The description on the bottle said it was a blend of ruby port and 20 year old tawny port which sounded too unique for me to pass up. Impressions: it had a deep red color that faded to amber at the edges with a syrupy scent followed by a lot of alcohol. I wasn't crazy about the scent. The wine was full bodied starting with a hint of smoke followed by a fruity flavor and a buttery finish. Occasionally I'd taste nuts or chocolate. This was a complex, and highly enjoyable, wine that I definitely want to drink again.
(10/2005 - $23/500ml)

White Oak (Healdsburg, CA) "Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002" [red, Cabernet Sauvignon] - We're in White Oak's wine club so they send us four bottles (two red, two white [normally I wouldn't get whites, but I like theirs]) of wine three times a year. Recently they sent us two bottles of their Cabernet Sauvignon, which I didn't remember ever trying before. We're not Cab fans so we figured we might give one of the bottles away, but knowing White Oak I thought we might actually enjoy it. Impressions: the wine had an excellent fruit and cream scent. We have a Riedel "O" Cabernet Sauvignon tumbler so we compared it to our generic crystal glass. The scent was the same in both glasses. The flavor from the "O" Cabernet Sauvignon tumbler was dry with fine tannins, and very earthy. It tasted more like a Syrah than a Cab to me. The generic glass had the same dryness and tannins, but there was a very pleasant fruitiness with only a little earthiness. We both liked the Cab better in the generic glass, and we both liked the wine enough that we'll happily drink our second bottle ourselves instead of giving it away.
(10/2005 - $23.40/750ml)

Belvedere (Sonoma, CA) "Alexander Valley Sangiovese 2000" [red, Sangiovese] - Impressions: almost completely opaque with a scent of sweet fruit, and an undertone of alcohol. It was medium to full bodied with a lightly sweet fruity flavor, and a slightly dry finish. I liked it, but it wasn't as good as it was when we tasted it on our California road trip.
(8/2005 - 750ml)

Baileyana (San Luis Obispo, CA) "Firepeak Vineyard Edna Valley Chardonnay 2000" [white, Chardonnay] - Impressions: I don't remember much about the scent, but initially I felt the acidity followed by tasting a little smoke and a buttery finish. We both thought it was very good. We had this bottle with some Asian food, and it paired well with a carpaccio soaked in lime juice, and an unusually spicy pad Thai. I thought the smokiness in the wine would match well with the smokiness in the chow fun, but all I got from the pairing was sharp acidity. Lynn got an olive flavor, and enjoyed it. The wine tasted terrible at room temperature, but that wasn't a surprise.
(8/2005 - $29/750ml)

Hartford (Forestville, CA) "Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2003" [red, Pinot Noir] - Impressions: sour alcoholic scent with a sharp alcoholic flavor. I was not happy with it at all. After some time in the glass the scent developed some fruitiness and creaminess to it. The flavor of the wine also got better because I noticed it was medium bodied with a creamy texture instead of just alcohol. Lynn had the wine in a Riedel "O" Pinot Noir tumbler, and the scent and flavor developed faster in it (probably because it had a shallower bowl that allowed for greater aeration). The wine was decent, but not as good as that first glass we had at Dry Creek Kitchen during our California road trip.
(8/2005 - $23/750ml)

Citra (Italy) "Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2003" [red, Montepulciano] - I saw this wine at a wine shop and was interested in it, then noticed it was $5. Wanting to keep an open mind I tried it despite its really cheap price. This was also the first wine I tried made from the Montepulciano varietal. Impressions: deep red color with an earthy scent. The flavor was on the earthy side without much else to it. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either.
(7/2005 - $5/750ml)

Foris (Cave Junction, OR) "Rogue Valley Late Harvest Muscat 2002" [white, Muscat, dessert, late harvest] - Impressions: very pale yellow, almost clear, color with spiced honey scent. The texture was thick, but the flavor was light and short lived. While the flavor was good I would have liked it a lot better if the flavor were more intense.
(7/2005 - $14.45/375ml)

Papapietro Perry (Sonoma, CA) "Peters Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2002" [red, Pinot Noir] - Impressions: ruby red semi-opaque color with a generally red berry and mineral scent. The wine was medium bodied, and the flavor started with berries and had a lengthy mineral finish. It was the mellow, easy-going wine I remembered tasting on their back porch. I chose this wine because I thought the minerality would go well the marinara sauce for our dinner, and it turned out to be a brilliant match. The sauce made the wine taste very creamy and gave it a sweet oak finish. I was happy with the wine both before and after trying it with food. As kind of an interesting experiment we tried the wine in a regular crystal wine glass, and a Riedel "O" Pinot Noir tumbler. Both wines tasted exactly the same, but the scents were dramatically different; the scent in the Riedel glass was of berries and cream with a strong vanilla component. Lynn liked the scent so much she decided that the Riedel glasses were her glasses of choice for Pinot Noir. I'm not a big fan of having to hold a large bowl in my hand so I'm sticking with the regular wine glasses.
(7/2005 - 750ml)

Callaghan Vineyards (Elgin, AZ) "Syrah 2003" [red, Syrah] - Impressions: deep red color that was almost opaque with an herby scent that had a hint of red fruit. Mellow creamy flavor with some fruit and an herby bite in the finish. It also had a bit of alcoholic heat to it. It wasn't bad, but would have preferred it without the herbal bite.
(6/2005 - $22/750ml)

St. Barthelemy (Napa, CA) "Borra Vineyard Barbera Port 2002" [red, Barbera, dessert, fortified] - Impressions: sweet alcoholic scent with a spicy attack followed by a sugary, fruity flavor and a mocha finish. It was pretty tasty, but Lynn didn't like it.
(6/2005 - 375ml)

White Oak (Healdsburg, CA) "Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2003" [white, Sauvignon Blanc] - Impressions: pale straw color with a scent of acid, tropical fruit, and grapefruit. The wine was too warm when I tasted it. The initial flavor was sharp and acidic, but it gave way to a very pleasant grapefruit finish. I didn't like it cool, and I couldn't get it cold when I wanted it. What a waste since I really liked this wine when I tasted it.
(5/2005 - 750ml)

Paraiso (Morgan Hill, CA) "Little Red 1999" [red, Sangiovese] - Impressions: ruby color with a scent and flavor that resembled a wet brown paper bag. The scent and flavor went away with about 10 minutes of exposure to air, and after that it smelled what I can only describe as Sangiovese. It was medium bodied with some fruit, and a peppery finish. I wasn't crazy about it, but Lynn liked it. We had the wine with homemade baked ziti, and it made the flavor a little more peppery, but it also brought out a lot of cherry flavor in the finish. I thought the wine was better with food than without.
(5/2005 - 750ml)

Planeta (Sicily, Italy) "La Segreta 2003" [red] - Impressions: deep ruby color with a plum/dark fruit scent. Medium bodied with a bit of tannin and a mild fruity flavor. I didn't like it that much, and it was terrible with the spicy marinara sauce we were eating for dinner (which I needed something light and fruity for).
(4/2005 - $18/750ml)

Louis M Martini (St. Helena, CA) "Del Rio Vineyard Gewurztraminer 2001" [white, Gewurztraminer] - Impressions: a very light wine with an apple scent, and a sort of spiced apple flavor. It was not at all what I expected from a wine that had a hint of dill when we tasted it at the wine shop. I thought it was very good, but I wasn't in the mood for an apple flavored wine.
(4/2005 - $13.25/750ml)

Dr. Loosen (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) "Riesling 2003" [white, Riesling] - Lynn was making a ham, and I needed something to match. I had tasted the Dr. Loosen before so I knew it was balanced with a pleasant fruitiness so it seemed like the perfect pairing. Impressions: fruity scent with a fruity flavor with just a touch of sweetness. It stood up to the salty and spicy ham just fine.
(3/2005 - $10.75/750ml)

Hedges (Benton City, Washington) "CMS 2001" [red] - I wanted a wine that would be good with a grilled steak. Impressions: it had a fruity scent, and it was slightly tannic with a fruity initial flavor. The flavor was fruitier with the steak, and actually a good match.
(3/2005 - $13/750ml)

R.W. Webb Winery (Vail, AZ) "Barbera Port 1991" [red, fortified] - At the time I had purchased this port I had never heard of R.W. Webb Winery even though I'm familiar with most Arizona wineries. After some research I found out it was because R.W. Webb went out of business some years ago. I was worried this wine wasn't treated properly because I had read how Dark Mountain Winery (the winery that took over the location after R.W. Webb) kept their wines in a room that wasn't chilled before they went out of business. Impressions: ruby color going to rust, and a thick, humid alcoholic scent with that peculiar smell I get from Protuguese ports (which I don't like). The flavor was sweet and decent, but nothing interesting. I'm not going to look for these before they disappear forever.
(2/2005 - $14.70/750ml)

Chateau Recougne (Bordeaux, France) "Bordeaux 1981" [red] - Impressions: ruby color going to rust, and a musty scent. I had this wine with a steak, and the wine tasted very earthy (which is good depending on whether you like that sort of thing or not). When I tried the wine after I was finished with my steak it tasted sort of like rotten meat. Neither Lynn or I could drink it after we finished our steaks. It was disappointing because we had this wine the first time we had dinner at Atlas Bistro, and it tasted much better (which was probably due to the food we were eating with it).
(2/2005 - $16/750ml)

Vigne Regali (Piedmont, Italy) "Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui 2003" [red, Brachetto, sparkling] - Impressions: brilliant ruby color with a musty scent. Sweet red berry flavor with a creamy texture. As sweet as the wine was, it wasn't bad, but I couldn't drink very much of it.
(1/2005 - $23/750ml)

E. Guigal (Rhone, France) "Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2001" [red] - Impressions: strong dusty fruit scent. This was one of the higher rated wines from Wine Spectator, but I missed the appeal. The flavor was a decent medium bodied with red fruits and dusty tannins, but I couldn't get into it.
(1/2005 - $43.50/750ml)

Marques de Grinon (Spain) "Syrah 1999" [red, Syrah] - Impressions: light earthy and red berry scent. The flavor was earthy and herbal, but not too much. I thought it was a decent wine, but not something I'd buy again.
(12/2004 - $30/750ml)

Ancient Coast (Canada) "Vidal Icewine 2002" [white, Vidal, dessert, ice wine] - Impressions: deep gold color with a spiced honey scent. This wine was very sweet with a light spiced honey flavor. I would have preferred more flavor and less sweet.
(12/2004 - $30/375ml)

La Gitana (Spain) "Manzanilla" [white] - Impressions: very light color with a strong creamy hazelnut scent. It had a very light texture with a kind of nasty sour flavor. I think this wine might actually qualify as the single worst wine I've ever tasted. This was the first dry sherry I've ever tried, and this experience was bad enough to make me want to stay away from them forever.
[addendum: I recently saw a description of this wine credited to International Wine Cellar (which I've never heard of).

Very rich, almost painfully intense wine pungent freshness and great subtlety. Incredibly long aftertaste features a hint of almond skin, an intense fruitiness and the tang of the sea. Perhaps the perfect aperitif.

Brian McGuigan Wines (Australia) "Brian McGuigan's Personal Reserve Tawny Port" [red, fortified (tawny)] - Impressions: ruby color that went to amber at the edges with a pleasant sweet scent. The flavor was a little alcoholic and lightly fruity with a buttery aftertaste reminded me of buttered popcorn. I thought this was an above average tawny port, but it's not my sort of thing.
(12/2004 - $15.99/500ml)

Village of Elgin (Elgin, AZ) "Cochise County Syrah 2002" [red, Syrah] - Lynn wanted this wine specifically so she could have it with a steak. Impressions: stinky manure scent with a slight herbal edge. Earthy flavor with a dusty texture. Both Lynn and I hated it by itself. We had it with a steak, and I thought it was pretty decent. Lynn thought the wine was better with the steak too, but we wouldn't buy it again.
(11/2004 - $13/750ml)

Justin (Paso Robles, CA) "The Orphan" [red] - Impressions: deep red color and jammy red fruit scent. Kind of flat semi-dry flavor with a hint of oak and a berry finish. If the initial flavor was better I'd dig this wine.
(11/2004 - $15/750ml)

Chateau d'Arche (Sauternes, France) "Sauternes 2001" [white, dessert, botrytis] - Impressions: yellow color and an interesting scent that I couldn't nail down, but reminded me of Far Niente's "Dolce". It had a thick flavor that seemed to get lighter the more I drank. It was a bit smoky, spicy, and fruity (like apricots). I thought the wine was very good, but I couldn't get enthusiastic about it.
(11/2004 - $34/750ml)

Cakebread Cellars (Rutherford, CA) "Chardonnay 2002" [white, Chardonnay] - Impressions: very pale yellow color with a lemony scent. It had an odd "puffy", but light mouthfeel. There was a buttery oak flavor that I didn't like. Bleh. I guess you could call it the stereotypical California Chardonnay.
(11/2004 - $35/750ml)

Feudi di San Gregorio (Italy) "Greco di Tufo 2002" [white, Greco] - Impressions: pale yellow color with a light tropical fruit scent. It had a light fruit flavor, and a lot of acidity. It wasn't bad, but it definitely needed to be drunk with food (so it was a good thing we were having it with an acidic marinara sauce Lynn made).
(10/2004 - $16/750ml)

Cline (Sonoma, CA) "Big Break Vineyard Late Harvest Mourvedre 1997" [red, Mourvedre, dessert, late harvest] - Impressions: near black purple color and a sweet grape juice scent. Somewhat thick texture, sweet prune juice flavor, and a mild sometimes chocolate/sometimes oak aftertaste with a short finish. This wine was interesting, but not something I'd buy again.
(10/2004 - $21/375ml)

Maison Galhaud (Catalan, France) "Viognier-Muscat 2001" [white] - Impressions: pale yellow color and light tropical scent. It also had a light texture, tropical fruit flavors, and some crispness. I thought it was well balanced, and pretty good.
(10/2004 - $14/750ml)

Dos Cabezas (Kansas Settlement, AZ) "Toscano 2002" [red] - Impressions: deep garnet color with a sweet berry scent. Slightly fruity with with a nice somewhat long finish and a popcorn aftertaste. This was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, and I thought it was actually pretty good despite the fact that those are two varietals I don't care for. This was also the best of the three Dos Cabezas red wines I tried. The other two were French blends, and this was more of a modern Italian blend, so maybe that's the secret to choosing a good Dos Cabezas wine?
(10/2004 - $17/750ml)

Dos Cabezas (Kansas Settlement, AZ) "La Montana 2001" [red, Petite Sirah] - Impressions: deep red color with a rich scent. The wine was full bodied, but the flavor didn't really make an impression. This was the second Dos Cabezas red wine I've tried, and I haven't liked either one of them.
(10/2004 - $35/750ml)

Dos Cabezas (Kansas Settlement, AZ) "El Norte 2003" [red] - Impressions: deep red color with an alcoholic red berry scent. It had a mellow fruit flavor with a bit of sourness and a semi-dry finish with a flat fruit flavor that tasted alright. I didn't want to drink two glasses of it.
(10/2004 - $15/750ml)

Terras Porto (Oporto, Portugal) "Tawny" [red, dessert, fortified (tawny)] - Impressions: ruby color with that odd musty Portuguese scent. The flavor was lightly sweet with a slightly sharp musty type flavor. Do I have to write that I didn't like it?
(10/2004 - 750ml)

Blankenhornsberger (Germany) "Gewurztraminer Kabinett Trocken 2002" [white, Gewurztraminer] - Impressions: attractive gold color with a crisp tropical fruit scent. It had a somewhat thick texture and a sour flavor. It wasn't my sort of thing. As the wine warmed to room temprature it tasted a littler fruitier, but it still wasn't something I wanted to drink.
(10/2004 - $19/750ml)

David Bruce (Los Gatos, CA) "Central Coast Petite Syrah 2002" [red, Petite Sirah] - Impressions: berry and grape juice scent with a hint of oak. I dug the scent a lot, but I didn't like the flavor which was a light berry with some tannin. It had a nice berry aftertaste though. This wine kind of reminded me of Rosenblum Cellars "Gallagher Ranch Black Muscat 2002". I had a La Aurora 1903 Preferidos Maduros (seconds) "Perfecto No. 2" cigar with this wine, and the wine was much better with the cigar (which brought out sweeter, fruitier flavors, and a pleasant toasty woody finish). With the cigar it tasted almost exactly the Rosenblum Cellars "Gallagher Ranch Black Muscat 2002".
(10/2004 - $15/750ml)

J. Lohr (San Jose, CA) "Wildflower Valdiguie 2003" [red, Valdiguie] - Impressions: dense scent with an undercurrent of sugar and berries. Kind of weak start with some acid. I didn't like this wine, but Lynn did.
(9/2004 - $8.70/750ml)

Laetitia (Arroyo Grande, CA) "Estate Pinot Noir 1998" [red, Pinot Noir] - Impressions: ruby red color with a woody alcoholic scent. The texture was very thin and it had a sour flavor with a semi-dry finish. I think this wine might have been mistreated or it's way past its prime.
(9/2004 - $23/750ml)

Treana (Paso Robles, CA) "Central Coast MerSoleil Vineyard 2000" [white] - Impressions: buttery oak scent with a sharp oak flavor followed by a buttery finish. Neither one of us liked this wine at all.
(9/2004 - $18/750ml)

Fort Bowie Vineyards (Deming, NM) "Burgundy" [red] - Impressions: mild fruity scent with a semi-sweet fruity flavor and slightly dry finish. The wine didn't really taste like anything to me. Lynn was the one who wanted me to buy this wine, but she didn't really like it either. A day later she remembered she wanted this wine to use for sangria, which I think it'd be good for sangria too.
(8/2004 - $5.40/750ml)

Veritas Winery (South Australia) "Barossa Valley Tokay 1990" [white, dessert] - Impressions: amber color with a sweet fruity and buttery scent. It had an initial acidic citrus flavor followed by sweet caramel and a long finish. It tasted like a refined version of the Tokaj Kereskedohaz "Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos 1990". I thought this was a great wine, but I couldn't see drinking very much of it. The next day I tried it with some cheese, and it was excellent with a creamy Saint Andre, ok with manchego, and not very good with Point Reyes blue cheese. I ended up drinking a couple of glasses with the Saint Andre so it seemed a good creamy cheese was all the wine needed to become extremely drinkable to me.
(8/2004 - $22/375ml)

House of Nobilo (Auckland, New Zealand) "Icon Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2003" [white, Sauvignon Blanc] - Impressions: sharp herbal scent with a mild sweet fruit flavor that was balanced by an herbal acidity. This was the most enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc I've ever had.
(8/2004 - $13.40/750ml)

Chiricahua Cellars (Deming, NM) "Arizona Chardonnay 2002" [white, Chardonnay] - Impressions: creamy scent with a sweet creamy flavor and a mild oak finish. This is one of my favorite Chardonnays, but it wasn't as complex as I thought it was when I tried it at Fort Bowie Vineyards.
(8/2004 - $9/750ml)

Rosenblum Cellars (Alameda, CA) "Gallagher Ranch Black Muscat 2002" [red, Muscat, dessert] - Impressions: sweet grape scent with a light texture and grape flavor followed by a pleasant mild oak aftertaste. It was pretty well balanced. I enjoyed it, but Lynn didn't. I'm not sure if I'd buy it again though; it had a little too much grape flavor for me.
(8/2004 - $13.50/375ml)

Rosemount Estate (Denman, Australia) "Hill of Gold Shiraz" [red, Syrah] - Impressions: potent scent with a somewhat tasteless, somewhat nasty flavor. This is the second Australian Shiraz I've had from Cost Plus that I don't think tasted like it should have. If I notice this a third time I'm going to stop buying for that location.
(8/2004 - $9/750ml)

Cline (Sonoma, CA) "Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2002" [red, Zinfandel] - Impressions: amazingly deep scarlet color and a heavy Zinfandel scent. Fruit flavor with a peppery finish. There was also a popcorn aftertaste. I'm not exactly sure why, but I dug this wine.
(7/2004 - $15/750ml)

Rosemount Estate (Australia) "Show Reserve Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2002" [white, Chardonnay] - Impressions: acidic, slightly oaky scent with an acidic flavor with a hint of oak. I didn't really like this wine, but Lynn really enjoyed it.
(7/2004 - $11.99/750ml)

Dry Creek Vineyard (Healdsburg, CA) "Clarksburg Dry Chenin Blanc 2002" [white, Chenin Blanc] - Impressions: light mango (or papaya) scent when the wine was cold, and very floral when the wine was only cool. Floral, acidic flavor. Good flavor, but too acidic for both Lynn and I. After a while I noticed the flavor itself was too strong for me too (just like every wine I've ever had made from Symphony grapes, which proves you can have too much of a good thing).
(7/2004 - $7.99/750ml)

Rosemount Estate (Denman, Australia) "Shiraz 2002" [red, Syrah] - Impressions: olive scent, light body, and an unusual meaty-olive flavor. I liked it. It was also a perfect match for my steak. After the steak the scent was heavily briny black olive with almost no noticable initial flavor and a peppery olive finish.
(7/2004 - $7.15/750ml)

Yalumba (Angaston, Australia) "'Y' Series Shiraz 2001" [red, Syrah] - Impressions: musty cork scent. The mustiness was also apparent in the flavor. Neither Lynn or I liked this wine.
(7/2004 - $9/750ml)

Justin (Paso Robles, CA) "Obtuse 2002" [red, Cabernet Sauvignon, dessert, fortified] - Impressions: musty sweet and potently alcoholic scent. Cloying flavor with syrupy texture and a musty alcoholic finish. It was the weirdest port I've ever had, and I almost couldn't stand it. [Addendum: a week after I opened this bottle the musty scent went away and it disappeared from the flavor too. The texture was still syrupy so I still didn't like this port.]
(7/2004 - $14.50/375ml)

Cline (Sonoma, CA) "Contra Costa County Ancient Vines Mourvedre 2002" [red, Mourvedre] - Impressions: sweet fruity scent and burnt peppery flavor. It actually tasted better than it sounded, but I'm not sure if that was the normal flavor because I could see where some of wine leaked around the cork.
(7/2004 - $10.50/750ml)

Leonardo Family Vineyards (Lodi, CA) "Knoll Ranch Mataro 2002" [red, Mourvedre] - Impressions: fruit scent with a light body and fruit flavor. There was a short cranberry finish and a mild popcorn aftertaste. I really dug this wine.
(7/2004 - 750ml)

Charron Vineyards (Vail, AZ) "White Merlot 2003" [white, Merlot] - Impressions: slightly chilled the scent was slightly musty with mellow fruit and moderately sweet flavor. The cigar I had smoked less than 20 minutes earlier affected the flavor, but in a nice, toasty way. This wine was a little too easy to drink.
(6/2004 - $15/750ml)

Jackson-Triggs Vintners (Ontario, Canada) "Proprietors Reserve Vidal Icewine 2002" [white, Vidal, dessert, ice wine] - Impressions: bright yellow color and spiced scent. The flavor was intense with light fruits and lots of spice (not hot spices, but dessert type spices). I thought it was very tasty.
(6/2004 - $19.95/187ml)

Yalumba (Angaston, Australia) "Antique Tawny" [white, dessert, fortified (tawny)] - Impressions: beautiful amber color, and a buttery sweet scent. The flavor was sweet and alcoholic followed by a toasty, nutty flavor. I didn't like it as much their "Museum Muscat". I noticed that there was some alcohol that had seeped through the cap when it was laid on it's side so I wonder if it had oxidized.
(6/2004 - $19/375ml)

Moet & Chandon (Epernay, France) "Nectar Imperial" [white, sparkling] - Impressions: same Nutella scent and flavor as last time. Lynn insisted that we try the "Nectar Imperial" one last time, but even she's done messing with it.
(6/2004 - $12/187ml)

Cline (Sonoma, CA) "Red Truck 2002" [red] - Impressions: fruity scent with a light fruity flavor and a semi-dry finish. A decent, easy to drink wine.
(6/2004 - $9/750ml)

Tokaj Kereskedohaz (Hungry) "Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos 1990" [white, dessert] - Impressions: at room temprature the wine had a light scent that was a combination of orange and caramel, but it wasn't appealing. There was almost no initial flavor, then it was sweet and slightly sour with a short kind of burnt caramel finish. I don't like it a all. I tried the wine chilled and it had almost no scent, and the burnt scent went away, but I still didn't really care for the flavor.
(6/2004 - $25/500ml)

Yellow Tail (Yenda, Australia) "Chardonnay 2002" [white, Chardonnay] - Impressions: when the wine was chilled the scent was oaky and subtly apple. The flavor was a little oaky and quite buttery. When the wine warmed the scent was citrus and floral, and the flavor was citrus. I pretty much enjoyed this wine any way I could drink it. Lynn didn't like the wine.
(6/2004 - $5/750ml)

Alexander Valley Vineyards (Healdsberg, CA) "New Gewurz 2003" [white, Gewurtztraminer] - Impressions: fruity, kind of funky scent. Kind of funky flavor that I didn't like. I had the wine with some red beans and rice, and the flavor was fruitier. It wasn't bad with food, but I didn't like the wine.
(5/2004 - $8/750ml)

Chateau Souverain (Geyserville, CA) "Alexander Valley Merlot 2001" [red, Merlot] - Impressions: scent of berries, oak, and alcohol. Once again I experimented with the serving temperature of the wine. I started with the wine at room temperature and I got a berry melange sort of flavor with a moderate dry oak finish. I thought it was pretty boring. Slightly chilled the berry flavor was slightly emphasized and the oak slightly deemphasized. The change in temperature didn't have much affect on this wine, but I'll still experiment with slightly chilling reds.
(5/2004 - $16/750ml)

Schmitt Sohne (Germany) "Piesporter Goldtropfchen Spatlese Riesling 2002" [white, Riesling] - Impressions: slightly musty scent and beautiful pale yellow color. I had read an article that said that wine should be served between 65 to 68 degrees because that temperature range emphasizes fruitiness. I decided to give it a try with a white wine because I've noticed that I like my whites better cool than cold. I started with the wine slightly chilled and the flavor was fairly subtle and reminded me of Gala apples (sweet and juicy). It was good, but I think you'd have to be in the mood for it. I then served the wine cold and it was less sweet, but the fruit flavor was diminished too. Lynn liked the wine better cold because she didn't like the apple flavor, but I preferred it slightly chilled.
(5/2004 - 750ml)

Moet & Chandon (Epernay, France) "Nectar Imperial" [white, sparkling] - Impressions: slightly skunky scent, and a toasty, sweet flavor very much like Nutella (hazelnut, chocolate, and marshmallow). I would have liked the flavor if it was subtle, but as strong as it was it was cloying. The odd thing is in the three bottles of "Nectar Imperial" we've tried, all three of them have tasted different. I don't know if it's a consistency issue, or if the champagne was mishandled at the different shops, but this may be the last time I buy the "Nectar Imperial".
(5/2004 - $12/187ml)

Kim Crawford (Auckland, New Zealand) "Marlborough Unoaked Chardonnay 2003" [white, Chardonnay] - I tried this wine specifically because it said it was "unoaked", and I was curious about its flavor. Impressions: green apple scent. Bitter apple flavor with a vanilla finish. I would have liked if it weren't for the apple flavor. When the wine warmed up the apple flavor mellowed out, but the texture was odd; it was kind of light, but dense at the same time. I wasn't sure I liked it, but Lynn definitely liked the wine better warm.
(5/2004 - $15/750ml)

Chateau Souverain (Geyserville, CA) "Sonoma County Chardonnay 2002" [white, Chardonnay] - Impressions: custard apple scent and a oaky start followed by a custard apple finish. This was similiar to the White Oak Chardonnay, and very tasty.
(2/2004 - gifted/750ml)

McIlroy Cellars (Sonoma County, CA) "Late Harvest Gewurtztraminer 2000" [white, Gewurtztraminer, dessert, late harvest] - Impressions: spiced honey scent and a vivid yellow color which Lynn described as "piss yellow". After the experience with the Fetzer "Gewurtztraminer" I expected a late harvest Gewurtztraminer to be intense, but this one wasn't. The flavor was a little spicy and good, but for the money and flavor I preferred the Fetzer.
(2/2004 - $13.50/375ml)

White Oak (Healdsburg, CA) "Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2002" [white, Chardonnay] - Impressions: custard apple and a hint of oak in the scent. This was one of the wines we tried when we were in Napa, and enjoyed it a lot (which is saying a lot because we don't normally like Chardonnays). I was hoping it would taste just as good at home as it did at the winery, and it did. There was a little oak in the start, but it quickly disappears into the custard apple flavor I like so much. It makes me wish we bought more than one bottle.
(2/2004 - $20/750ml)

Fess Parker Winery (Los Olivos, CA) "Santa Barbara Viognier 2001" [white, Viognier] - Impressions: light, crisp green apple scent (not at all what I expected for the scent). The wine was sweet and acidic at the same time, and the flavor was difficult to describe. I could make out a hint of oak. I liked the wine better warm than cold, but I ultimately didn't really like it, and neither did Lynn.
(1/2004 - 750ml)

Nissley Vineyards (Bainbridge, PA) "Concord 2002" [red, Concord] - Impressions: odd grape scent, and sweet grape flavor without a hint of alcohol. Wine coolers should taste this good.
(1/2004 - gifted/750ml)

Marques de Caceres (Rioja, Spain) "Red Crianza 1999" [red] - Impressions: slight oak scent, and a flat oaky flavor. I didn't really like it.
(1/2004 - $9.99/750ml)

Moet & Chandon (Epernay, France) "Nectar Imperial" [white, sparkling] - Impressions: Everything about this champagne was skunky. I don't know what happened to it, but the scent and the flavor were way off.
(1/2004 - $38.99/750ml)

Fetzer Vineyards (Hopland, CA) "Echo Ridge Gewurztraminer 2002" [white, Gewurztraminer] - Impressions: our first experience with Gewurztraminer, this wine was recommended to us by an old wine enthusiast. The scent reminded me of the Pine Ridge "Chenin Blanc-Viognier 2002", which smelled like tropical fruit. The flavor was sweet with peach and other fruit flavors. This was definitely one of the better white wines I've had.
(12/2003 - 750ml)

Joel Gott (Oakville, CA) "Zinfandel 2002" [red, Zinfandel] - Impressions: great fruity scent that was deceptive because the flavor was sharply oak. I couldn't stand the oak, and neither could Lynn.
(12/2003 - $14.99/750ml)

Chiricahua Cellars (Deming, NM) "Arizona Chardonnay" [white, Chardonnay] - Impressions: custard apple and oak scent. It had a hint of oak and a very nice custard apple flavor with a long, pleasant finish. It was everything I found interesting in the Duck Pond "Chardonnay" without the uncomfortably intense oak making it easily the best Chardonnay I've ever tasted. I'm going to have to go to Fort Bowie Vineyards sometime and get a few bottles.
(10/2003 - 750ml)

Trimbach (Alsace, France) "Riesling 2001" [white, Riesling] - Impressions: pale straw color, and sour apple scent. Slight apple flavor with more bitterness than I cared for.
(8/2003 - 750ml)

Chateau Dubraud (Bordeaux, France) "Premieres Cotes de Blaye 2000" [red] - Impressions: deep red color, and alcoholic scent. It was very dry with a hint of oak. It wasn't bad, but I didn't really like it either.
(7/2003 - $13.99/750ml)

Yalumba (Angaston, Australia) "Museum Muscat" [white, Muscat, dessert] - Impressions: beautiful amber brown color, and a scent that was highly alcoholic with butterscotch and raisins. The flavor was also alcoholic, sweet, and had a long, sweet, buttery finish. I liked the wine, but it wasn't as good as the one I had in Flagstaff. [Addendum: a couple of weeks after I opened the bottle I tried the wine again, and it was much improved. The alcoholic scent and alcoholic flavor practically disappeared, and the flavor opened up. Now it tastes just like the glass I had in Flagstaff.]
(6/2003 - $19/375ml)

Yalumba (Angaston, Australia) "Old Sweet White" [white, dessert] - Impressions: enticing amber brown color, and a prune scent. Light, almost fluffy texture with a sweet prune flavor and a long buttery finish. It was a very good wine, but I prefer Yalumba's "Museum Muscat". Lynn didn't really care for this one at all because of the prune flavors.
(6/2003 - $18.99/375ml)

Francis Coppola Diamond Series (Oakville, CA) "Black Label Claret 2000" [red] - Impressions: red color so deep it appeared black, and a very alcoholic scent. It had a sort of fruit flavor that was very alcoholic. I think I should give up on red wines.
(5/2003 - 750ml)

Edgefield (Troutdale, OR) "Ice Block Pinot Gris 1999" [white, Pinot Gris, dessert] - Impressions: deep honey color, syrupy texture, and a very nice flavor. I didn't pay as much attention to this wine as I should have (I was doing something at the time), but I would drink it again.
(5/2003 - 375ml)

Louis Jadot (Beaune, France) "Beaujolais 2001" [red, Gamay] - Impressions: ruby red color, and a scent that reminded me of beer. All I could taste was alcohol so I'm still looking for a red wine I actually like.
(5/2003 - 750ml - $8.49)

Rosemount Estate (Australia) "Merlot 2001" [red, Merlot] - Impressions: deep red color, and a berry scent with barely a hint of alcohol. There wasn't much to the flavor, and I didn't care for what little was there.
(5/2003 - 750ml)

Francis Coppola Diamond Series (Oakville, CA) "Red Label Zinfadel 2001" [red, Zinfadel] - Impressions: deep purple-red color, and a berry scent with a slightly bitter edge. The flavor consisted of some sort of fruit, a little spice, and a little wood. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't crazy about it either.
(4/2003 - $9.99/750ml)

Vieux Chateau Haut Beard (Bordeaux, France) "Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2000" [red] - Impressions: red color so deep it was almost black, and a scent of alcohol and oak. It was dry with a highly alcoholic flavor and short oak finish. When I tried the wine with a cigar the scent improved noticeably; it had a great berry scent. The flavor turned a little bitter. Either way I didn't really care for the wine, but Lynn liked it.
(4/2003 - $19.99/750ml)

Bleasdale (Langhorne Creek, Australia) "Pioneer Port" [red, dessert, fortified (tawny)] - Impressions: red color with some amber, and a sugary scent. The flavor was sweet and a little spicy with a sugary finish. It was pretty tasty stuff.
(4/2003 - $15.99/750ml)

Rancho Zabaco (Sonoma, CA) "Dry Creek Valley Reserve Zinfadel 2000" [red, Zinfadel] - Impressions: red color so deep it was almost black. Strong oak scent. Bold oak along with some subtle berry flavors with a spicy finish. Not a bad wine for sipping I think it would probably be better with food.
(3/2003 - $12.99/750ml)

Leacock's (Madeira, Portugal) "Rainwater Madeira" [red, dessert, fortified] - Impressions: amber color with just a hint of red. Sugary sharp scent. Semisweet flavor followed by an odd flavor and a dry finish. I didn't like it.
(3/2003 - $14.99/750ml)

Nissley Vineyards (Bainbridge, PA) "Naughty Marietta 2001" [red] - Impressions: deep red-purple color with a fruity scent. Slightly dry, and a flat sort of flavor. I didn't really care for it, but Lynn liked it.
(3/2003 - 750ml)

Kokopelli (Willcox, AZ) "Zinfandel" [red, Zinfandel] - Impressions: a deep red color with a hint of amber and an alcoholic scent. The wine was smooth, but the flavor wasn't really anything worth talking about.
(3/2003 - $10.99/750ml)

King Estate (Eugene, OR) "Pinot Gris 2001" [white, Pinot Gris] - Impressions: a light scent that reminded me of Sauvignon Blanc. The flavor was a little dry, and very subtle, and a little like Sauvignon Blanc too. After eating some stromboli the scent and the flavor was a lot more like Sauvignon Blanc. It was a little too subtle for me and I thought it was only ok, but Lynn liked it.
(3/2003 - $10.99/750ml)

Monchhof Robert Eymael (Germany) "Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett 2001" [white, Riesling] - Impressions: very light apple scent. There was an apple flavor was just a little sweet and a little tart at the same time. It was very mellow and very nice. I liked the Spatlese version of this wine a little better, but Lynn preferred this one.
(3/2003 - 750ml)

Mildara Wines (Victoria, Australia) "Benjamin Port" [red, dessert, fortified (tawny)] - Impressions: a maroon color going to amber with a praline-caramel scent. The flavor started out sweet and buttery followed by fruit with a pecan finish. It was very smooth and a little mellow, one of the best tawny ports I've had. I still like the "Galway Pipe" the best, but Lynn thought the "Benjamin Port" was better.
(2/2003 - $10.49/750ml)

Burgess (Napa Valley, CA) "Lodi Zinfandel 1999" [red, Zinfandel] - Impressions: deep red color, almost black. The scent started with a little fruit followed by oak and alcohol. The flavor was full of oak with a long wood finish that seemed to attack my tongue. Lynn and I didn't like the flavor at all.
(2/2003 - $13.99/750ml)

Piper-Heidsieck (Reims, France) "Brut" [white, sparkling] - It's been a while since I've had champagne, and this one reminded me why. I didn't like the taste of it at all; sort of musty tasting with a long, bitter finish.
(1/2003 - $24.99/750ml)

Ficklin Vineyards (Madera, CA) "Ficklin Tinta Port" [red, dessert, fortified (tawny)] - Impressions: ruby red color, and the scent of something sweet that I couldn't quite place. The flavor was nice, and also something I couldn't place with a strong alcoholic finish. I might have actually enjoyed it if it weren't for the very strong alcoholic finish. [Addendum: 1/2004 - A year after I opened this bottle the scent changed into something that smelled a lot like peanut butter. The flavor started spicy and ended with a short nutty finish. The flavor seems to have diminished, but what's left is pretty good. I like the port much better now than when I originally opened it. 7/2004 - This port is still going strong. It had a dry peanut scent with a spicy peanut flavor that was pretty tasty.]
(1/2003 - $13.99/750ml)

Ramos Pinto (Portugal) "Porto Superior Tawny" [red, dessert, fortified (tawny)] - Impressions: ruby red color, and the scent of sugared raisins and alcohol. The taste was similar, except that it had a dry finish. This bottle ranked up there with the Fonseca "20 Year Old Tawny" as my least favorite tawny port. Maybe I should just stick with Australian tawnies?
(12/2002 - $11.99/750ml)

Rose Bank Winery (Newtown, PA) "Cayuga" [white, Cayuga] - Impressions: scent was a weird mix of fruit and alcohol. The flavor was actually impressive; sweet without almost any syrupy texture. As the wine warmed to room temperature it got a little bitter, but the fruit became a little more pronounced too. I like this wine a lot, too bad the only way to purchase it is to be in Pennsylvania. [PA state law have changed and I can now order it in through the mail. -5/04 I need to remind myself to order this. -10/04]
(12/2002 - 750ml)

Monchhof Robert Eymael (Germany) "Erdener Treppchen Spatlese Riesling 2001" [white, Riesling] - Impressions: fruity, almost syrupy scent. Sweet flavor without tasting syrupy, I totally dug this wine. Still the most drinkable white wine I've ever tasted.
(12/2002 - 750ml)

Yalumba (Merbein, Australia) "Clocktower" [red, dessert, fortified (tawny)] - Impressions: ruby red color with a hint of amber, and a sugary, alcohol scent with the occasional wiff of oak. The flavor was sweet. There's more to it, but I can't really pick out any specific flavors to describe it. Lynn says it's fruity. It was different from the tawny ports I've tried so far. I liked for what it was, but even though Lynn liked it she liked the "Galway Pipe Port" better. For me it would just depend on what I'm in the mood for.
(11/2002 - $9.99/750ml)

Yalumba (Merbein, Australia) "Galway Pipe Port" [red, dessert, fortified (tawny)] - Impressions: light red color changing to amber, and a light, butterscotch scent. The flavor starts with smooth alcohol, then butterscotch, then there's the lingering flavor of hazelnuts in the long finish. This is the best wine I've tried so far. It proves that my decision to pursue tawny ports instead of champagnes was a good one.
(11/2002 - $22.99/750ml)

Iron Horse (Sonoma County, CA) "Blanc de Blancs 1991" [white, Chardonnay, sparkling] - Impressions: scented with apples, bitterness, and something I couldn't recognize, the flavor was crisp apple and bitter. Neither me or Lynn liked it. After drinking a few Chardonnay's and Blanc de Blancs I've determined that I don't like Chardonnay, and I'm tired of champagnes. It'll be a while before I touch another one again.
(11/2002 - 750ml)

Beringer (Napa Valley, CA) "Napa Valley Chardonnay 1999" [white, Chardonnay] - Impressions: scented with apples and some bitterness, the flavor started bitter then became very oaky. I thought the oak flavor was too prominent. Neither Lynn or I liked it.
(10/2002 - 750ml)

Graham's Port (Oporto, Portugal) "10 Year Old Tawny" [red, dessert, fortified (tawny)] - Impressions: great ruby color that lightens to amber at the edges, the scent is sweet and full of alcohol. The flavor was also full of alcohol, but it didn't bite. The flavor that followed was light and sweet without being cloying. I thought it was pretty tasty, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. It does make me look forward to the bottle of 20 year old tawny that Lynn has.
(9/2002 - 750ml)

Simi (Sonoma County, CA) "Sonoma County Chardonnay 2000" [white, Chardonnay] - Impressions: how can I put this delicately? We both hated this wine. The sad thing is I couldn't tell you what we hated about it, but neither me or Lynn could even finish a glass.
(9/2002 - 750ml)

Kiona (Benton City, WA) "Yakima Valley Late Harvest White Riesling 1998" [white, Riesling, dessert, late harvest] - Impressions: the scent wasn't really alcoholic, but it wasn't fruity either. The wine was sweet without being syrupy, but I wouldn't say it was especially tasty either. It was a good wine, but it just didn't do anything for me.
(8/2002 - $10.99/375ml)

Sake

Reviews

Nanbu Bijin (Iwate, Japan) "Southern Beauty" [junmai ginjo] - Served: cold. Impressions: banana scent with a very creamy texture and a great mellow flavor. This was one of the best sakes I've had.
(1/2007 - $25/720ml)

Tozai (Osaka, Japan) "Well of Wisdom" [honjozo] - Served: cold. Impressions: almost no scent and almost no flavor except for a little alcohol in the finish. I like my sake with more flavor, but if you like it flavorless it's better to get a cheap nama [draft, but literally raw] sake.
(1/2007 - $22/720ml)

Kikusui (Niigata, Japan) "Junmai Ginjo" [junmai ginjo] - Served: cold. Impressions: excellent light floral scent with a very light, but alcoholic flavor. It smelled a lot better than tasted.
(9/2005 - $9/300ml)

Sho Chiku Bai (Berkely, CA) "Nigori Sake" [junmai nigori] - Served: cold. Impressions: scent of alcohol with hints of rice pudding. Very smooth, creamy, slightly sweet flavor with the occasional toasted rice flavor. Much better than the Momokawa "Pearl", which is the only other nigori style sake I've tried.
(3/2003 - $3.49/375ml)

Ozeki (Hollister, CA) "Dry" - Served: cold. Impressions: a slight banana scent that I enjoyed. Not much to the flavor; slightly dry, but not very dry to me.
(12/2002 - $2.99/375ml)

Sho Chiku Bai (Kobe, Japan) "Kukon" [daiginjo] - Served: cold. Impressions: floral scent and a smooth alcoholic taste with a weird tasteless finish. I liked the Haiku better.
(8/2002 - $39.50/720ml)

Gekkeikan (Folsom, CA) "Haiku" - Served: cold. Impressions: alcoholic flavor with a somewhat mild sweet aftertaste. I liked the sake, but a couple of people said it tasted bitter.
(8/2002 - $4.99/375ml)

Hakutsuru (Kobe, Japan) "Draft" [junmai nama] - Served: cold. Impressions: this is still the smoothest of the sakes I've had, but after a good taste I now realize this sake is bland. It doesn't have a real flavor. After this and the Gekkeiken "Draft" I'm convinced that the draft [nama] sakes are pretty good bets though.
(8/2002 - $2.99/300ml)

Taru (Kobe, Japan) [junmai] - Served: cold. Impressions: this sake was stored in cedar casks that contribute flavor to the sake. I would actually say the cedar casks overpowers the flavor of the sake. The nose of this sake was pungent, and the flavor was very peppery. I hated it. Three out of three people agreed this sake tasted like crap and no one could make it through even one glass. (By the way, this sake was a recommendation of David Rosengarten. This just goes to prove that you can't have good taste 100% the time.)
(8/2002 - $4.59/300ml)

Gekkeiken (Folsom, CA) "Draft" [nama] - Served: cold. Impressions: I didn't expect much from this sake, but it wasn't bad. It was smooth and pretty mellow.
(8/2002 - $1.59/180ml)

Ozeki (Hollister, CA) "Dry" - Served: cold. Impressions: typical sake scent, but a nice initial floral flavor with an alcohol finish. Definitely worth drinking.
(8/2002 - $5/180ml)

Hakutsuru (Kobe, Japan) "Draft" [junmai nama] - Served: cold. Impressions: the smoothest sake I've tasted up to this point. I didn't drink a lot of it so I didn't get a real chance to taste the flavor, but I'll be looking for it again.
(8/2002)

Momokawa (Forest Grove, OR) "Pearl" [junmai ginjo nigori] - Served: cold. Impressions: nigori style sakes are a little more alcoholic than most regular sakes so "Pearl" was not quite as smooth as some sakes, but the sweetness and the somewhat fruity (like banana) aftertaste more than made up for it.
(7/2002)

"Y" Sake (Forest Grove, OR) "Rain" [junmai daiginjo "infused"] - Served: cold. Impressions: this sake was ginger infused, with a little ginger in the nose and a little more in the flavor. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't really good either. We tried warming the sake up a little to see what kind of affect it would have on the flavor, and the ginger went wild. You could smell the sake coming and the ginger flavor was overpowering.
(7/2002)

Moonstone (Forest Grove, OR) "Raspberry" [ginjo "infused"] - Served: cold. Impressions: this is my favorite of the Moonstone infusions. A light raspberry scent and a very subtle raspberry flavor that tastes pretty good.
(4/2002)

Moonstone (Forest Grove, OR) "Asian Pear" [ginjo "infused"] - Served: cold. Impressions: pretty tasty. Like the raspberry it's got a light scent and a subtle flavor.
(4/2002)

Moonstone (Forest Grove, OR) "Hazelnut" [ginjo "infused"] - Served: cold. Impressions: the flavor wasn't bad, but hazelnut is more of a mixer flavor than something I want to drink straight.
(4/2002)

Moonstone (Forest Grove, OR) "Yuzu" [ginjo "infused"] - Served: cold. Impressions: tasted like crap! The fruity taste one, didn't taste good, and two completely interfered with the flavor of the sake. Never again.
(4/2002)

Beer

Favorite Recent Beer: Peroni "Nastro Azzurro" - This beer is light, crisp, and has a pleasant hoppiness. I think this is the perfect summer beer.

Previous Favorite Recent Beer: Four Peaks "Kilt Lifter" - This beer is medium bodied, and has a hint of smokiness to it. I've noticed that the smokiness is missing in the bottled version though.

Resources

Wine

Arizona Wine Growers Association - The easiest way to find the locations and web sites of Arizona wineries.

Food Network Wine & Drinks - My favorite drinker of all time, David Rosengarten, talks about wine and much more (unfortunately it's not updated anymore).

Wine Enthusiast - Interesting articles on more than just wine.

The Wine Anorak - There are a lot of good articles on this wine site.

Grape-Nutz.com - Lots and lots of wine reviews and interesting winery tours too.

Appellation America - They have an amazing varietal index and focus on American wine.

The Kobrand Grape Library isn't exhaustive, but it is very useful and covers practically every varietal you're likely to run across.

Sake

Sake 101 - A little sake education from the folks at SakeOne.

Sake World - There's a lot to be learned from Sake World.

Manners for a Sake Party - Sake etiquette (in case you actually happen to drink sake with people who know what they're doing).

Beer

Beer Advocate - The best beer resource ever. The reviews on there are favorably skewed to hoppy beers so the review section might not be useful to you if you don't like hop monsters.