2010 Molly Dooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz $45 (2010 Vintage North American Molly Dooker Release)

Pretty dark in color with a nose of fresh picked berries, candied fruit with some anise and bakers chocolate. On the palate it was more rich flavors with some light java or roasted coffee. Amazed that this Shiraz has the depth that it does. A few different layers going on as it was throwing out things every 30 seconds. Not to shabby. Will need some time in the bottle or will need to be smashed up in the decanter for a few hours.

2010 Molly Dooker Gigglepot Cabernet $48 (2010 Vintage North American Molly Dooker Release)

Wine is purple in color with almost a hint of dark brown on the rim. Pretty serious on the nose with some ripe plums that have already fallen from the tree. Some good current notes and a bit of fall leaf, almost like they have been in the lawn, picked up and crushed in the hands. More spices. On the palate it is pretty rich some tannins and a nice finish of wet spices and herbs. The oak tends sit for a bit on the finish as if it was waiting for something else to do.

2010 Molly Dooker Carnival of Love Shiraz $87 (2010 Vintage North American Molly Dooker Release)

Wine is pretty dark in color. OK it's downright black! Loads of dark fruit with a dose of black spices running around. This is pretty much the rich dark-fruit bomb. On the palate there are hints of dried chocolate, whole pepper with sweet tannins. Pretty long finish in that it was around for more than 30 seconds. Good stuff.

2010 Molly Dooker Enchanted Path Shiraz Cabernet $87 (2010 Vintage North American Molly Dooker Release)

Have you ever shot high speed black and white infrared film and had to use an opaque filter to block all light except the infrared light? That's what this wine looks like! No shit! Wine is black!

This wine has got some balls to it. Rich herbs and black-stone fruit with some solid tannins. Nice spices on the finish with some more solid tannins. Not sure about the alcohol but I'd guess it says 14.9% on the label but is actually around 15.9% This is a wine that either needs some air or needs loads of time in the bottles. I mean this is a 2010 so it has not been in the bottle long.

2010 Molly Dooker Velvet Glove $182 (2010 Vintage North American Molly Dooker Release)

The one thing I learned about this wine is that you don't want to spill it on your white shirt when at a tasting and the second thing is to not wear a white shirt at a tasting.

While the color is more on the lines of purple with some black marker in it the nose was concentrated with rich red/black fruit and some dark herbs with just a hint of tar. Yup I said it...tar. On the palate it was more of the concentrated dark fruit with some serious tannins. Pretty heavy mouth-feel and makes you want to scrape your tongue after you are done. Damn thing wraps your mouth in rich fruit or what they say...like a Velvet Glove...

Not sure how the so-called loss of wine from the dock will effect the current price of the wine.

2009 Domaine Francois Lamarche Bourgogne

When Nicole and I bought this we were told to let it breathe for about 4 hours. Well after only and hour it still has some fumes to it. On the color though it reminds me of someone who was making cherry Kool-aid and added to much water. Not quite deep red but more like a darker Rosé than anything.

Some good notes of red fruit on the palate with light hints of wet leather and prunes on the end. Tannins are hanging around but not like a belly-buster but more like an old time song. At only 12.5% alcohol, 100% Pinot Noir and lingering around $30 for a bottle...It matched up well with the meat on the grill. Next time we will wait another hour. It's already changing on us though. I'd let it sit for a few years then start cracking them. Imported by Free Run Juice, LCC. I know who they are but need to figure out how they are bringing their own wines in!

2006 Columbia Crest Reserve Red "Walter Clore"

The other day I did something I normally don't do...I picked up a bottle of wine from Costco. I saw the price and could not help myself. We were just going in to pick up TP but as Nicole left me alone for a few minutes I found the cart heading toward the wine section. Walter Clore for $19.99!

Amazing wine with a great nose of sweet casis, rich plums and big oak. On the palate it is big but not enough to plow you over. Rich notes of dark tree fruit with hints of pepper and leather. We let it breathe and had it with some meats, cheeses and dark chocolate. Finish was smooth and rich. Going to order a few 6-packs of this for Nicole and I. I love it.

2007 E. Guuigal Côtes du Rhône $15

Yesterday was Sunday which means we grill up fillet mignon but instead of just drinking some sparkling water we opted to crack the 2007 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône.

With a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre, you know this was going to be a treat even though it is not the top echelon of Guigal.

It was dark and spicy on the nose. Matter fact we let it sit for about an hour before we dug into it. Meat was amazing, salad was to die for and the caprese salad was sweet, plus we had put fresh basil on top of the salad that we grew in our hydro garden.

Once we dove in it was amazing. Rich and full-bodied with notes of rich earth, wet leather and some dark tree fruit. There was even some nice spices on the nose. The finish was medium bodied yet seemed to linger around for a bit. We set it down and walked away after dinner only having a glass each. We came back to it around 11pm (it was a late night for us) and then it really opened up and became this delicate, soft, romancing wine. We spent the next hour just sitting in the dark talking, sipping wine and listening to the rain, right until Cosimo let one fly. Damn dog has amazing timing for ruining a moment. I'll get him back.

The Butcher Shop Cafe in Kenmore

So Nicole and I tend to like to eat steak. Oh it was not long ago when I felt out of place ordering a steak because of the company but now I indulge as much as I can, but now rather than going to the grocery store I head to my local butcher...Butcher Shop Cafe in Kenmore.

Now we have all seen Bill the Butcher around town and like a lot of you I thought, "hey a butcher, sweet" until Nicole and I went in and they told us they were out of meat but had some pork. WTF? Prices were pricey and they just seemed to lack the love a "true" butcher. I mean there was a young guy with plugs in his ears that knew a little but nothing I didn't already know.

Then I found out about the Butcher Shop Cafe. It's almost as if you walk back in time to when being a butcher was considered a career choice. The guys working there know their meat. They know how to handle their meat, they know how to cut their meat and most of all they are proud of their meat. Today was a busy day for them but we waited. The lady ahead of us picked up over $140 worth of cuts while we walked out with about $40 worth. As we were leaving a line stretched outside, 12 deep! On Sundays they have a meat sale where from 4-5pm where all meat in the case is 25% off. They'll even go in the back and pull stuff out and keep things stocked. The kid that helped us today went to the back and cut 2 fillets for us. Out of this world.

Listen if you want to pay a shitload of money and say you shop at a butcher then go to Bill the Butcher in Woodinville, Redmond or Bellevue. You can brag to your friends about how much you spent and feel like a big shot.

If you want the best cuts of meat from cows, pigs or birds that are grass fed (no corn shit here!) pay less, ask questions on how to prepare it and cook it, know you are getting quality meat then head to the Butcher Shop Cafe! Join the Facebook page and if your name pops up you get a free cut of meat, your choice.

Thanks for letting Nicole and I put your meat in our mouths. Shit is great!!

2002 Betz Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Pére de Famille

Today was a good day to break out the last bottle of 2002 Betz Pére de Famille. We decided to pair it up with a nice Kobe beef fillet mignon's we got from the butcher. The steak was amazing but I'll talk about that in a later post!

The wine was well...out of this world. I can't remember what I paid for the bottle but I can tell you it was worth it! I opened her and gave the first sniff to Nicole as she was talking to her mother. Meat was already grilling so I wanted the wine to breathe a little. Gave her the glass and she just looked at me as if I just shot the dog.

The wine smelled amazing, hints of light coffee, black cherry, rich soil and some kind of candy. On the palate it was slicker than snot on a brass door knob. I mean really, this might have been one of the most balanced wines I have ever tasted. With more red and dark fruit on the palate, very light spices and very soft tannins, this thing was sublime.

The only sad part was that this was the only bottle left. The best part was being able to pair it up with some quality meat and having Nicole to share it with. We finished the bottle which is something we normally don't do. She told me will be bringing all of Bob's wines into the shop and will be making sure people taste them. I have to agree. Bob your wines deserve the utmost respect and this one put a smile on both of our faces.

2008 Catena Alta Reserva Malbec

Right off the bat, this wine is sourced from like 5 different vineyards and being that it is a Catena, they must be great vineyards. Wine was rich. Great earth notes with a light hint of mint. Great balance of black fruit and and sweet casis on the nose and palate. Pretty big tannins but they tend to work out. Finish was like a Rolling Stones show...big, flashy and made you want more. The price tag does draw it down a bit seeing that it is going for about $50, but a few bottles in the cellar are not bad. Good stuff Maynard.

2006 Valle Perdido Reserva Malbec

I believe that this wine was just released in the last few months? Wine saw 14 months of oak via France and American. Pretty wealthy color with a nose of freshly sharpened number 2 pencils. Yup I said it! Black vine and tree fruit is laying around with some sweet tannins on the palate. Letting it breathe would do it some good as it was pretty full-bodied but was still great anyway. I think she was around 14% but can't be sure. Long finish. This was another $20 Malbec which is becoming the norm in these parts. Would buy a case or 2 and let it sit in the collection. Love it.

2008 Benegas Libertad Vineyards Malbec

I've tasted this malbec before so this was nothing new to me. The price was as it was $20 here in WA but rather only $14 in NJ so that was kind of a let down. Damn 3-tier system.

The color is something you don't want to spill on the counter top, it will stain. A very balanced wine in that the acidity, tannins and fruit are working together. It's not a fruit bomb nor is it a tannin fest. Rich black-vine fruit with some notes of light-green leaves. I think it adds to the flavor. Finish was pretty full-bodied yet seems very delicate. Just seemed to roll on for a bit. Now if I could remember if it came in a wood box? Love it.

What if we got rid of wine scores?

Have you ever tasted a 100 point wine? Does not matter who gave it the score, just matters if you have tasted it. What was the price before it was scored and what was the price of the bottle after it was given that 100 points?

I tasted the 2000 Leoville Las Cases at a tasting with some friends. I think I paid about $80 bucks for the bottle. Tasted great and we were all very happy with it. Hell, even the price was great. Sometime goes by and it was scored 100 points. Being that I was working at a retail shop I decided to pick a few extra bottles up. I went to grab them and got yelled at cause they were now 100 point wines and were being sold for over $300 each and even though we have a few cases, they were being sold to only our best customers. This just pissed me off since nothing happened other than someone giving it a score. I bought a few anyway, hell I already had a few cases but I was letting those age. I wanted a few now to drink.

What if the score was never given yet their was only a tasting note? Would the price of the wine still go up? Better yet, what if it was scored by two different people yet got the same score (off by 1 point). Does it matter who tasted the wine? Below are two different tasting notes with only 1 point difference. Could you justify spending $300 on a bottle from these notes or would the score help? What if we just did away with the score and made people read about the wine and let them decide what they like for themselves?

"Absolutely fantastic. This is one of the most exciting young reds I have tasted in a long, long time. It shows intense aromas of berries, currants and minerals, with hints of mint. Full-bodied and packed with fruit and tannins, its long finish is refined and silky. A benchmark for the vintage. Las Cases has always wanted to make first-growth quality in a top-notch vintage, and it certainly did in 2000. Best after 2012."

"This wine has put on weight and, as impressive as it was from cask, it is even more brilliant from bottle. Only 35% of the crop made it into the 2000 Leoville Las Cases, a blend of 76.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.4% Merlot, and 8.8% Cabernet Franc. The wine is truly profound, with an opaque purple color and a tight but promising nose of vanilla, sweet cherry liqueur, black currants, and licorice in a dense, full-bodied, almost painfully rich, intense style with no hard edges. This seamless classic builds in the mouth, with a finish that lasts over 60 seconds. Still primary, yet extraordinarily pure, this compelling wine, which continues to build flavor intensity and exhibit additional layers of texture, is a tour de force in winemaking and certainly one of the great Leoville Las Cases. In another sense, it symbolizes / pays homage to proprietor Michel Delon, who passed away in 2000. Michel has been succeeded by his son, Jean-Hubert, another perfectionist. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040."

Illustration by The New York Times

2010 Mouton Cadet $5.99

About a week ago Nicole and I were at Grocery Outlet and came across this little beauty for only 6 bucks! We decided to snag a few and head home. Last night I went by the Butcher Shop Cafe in Kenmore and picked up a few different cuts for Nicole and I and for some in-laws. Grilled up some top sirloin and cracked a white. Wine was amazing. I know, we should have ripped open a red wine but since I tend to not play by the rules when it comes to wines, what the hell?

The blend:

65% Sauvignon Blanc
30% Semillon
5% Muscadelle

Lighter than hay in color but with a light tropical nose with hints of light hay and star fruit. On the palate the soothing Semillon hits the palate pretty hard but then you can feel the Muscadelle sizzle around. The acidity and mouth feel is very smooth. On the finish we are talking elegant. Smooth and long finish, like a models leg. Perfect summer/spring wine. We will be picking up a case of the white and red!

2008 Catena Malbec $21

I've always liked the Catena Malbec, but just don't like the price in WA state. I think in NJ I was selling it for around $16 per bottle.

Rich in color and just as rich on the nose as well. Loaded full of herbs and wet spices with some solid fruit to follow. Great balance with some more intense dark fruit and spices. Finish was big but does seem to mellow a little. I'd love to hold onto a case for another 5 years then start cracking them. I bet they'll age well!

2009 Zuccardi Serie A Malbec $21

The color was well...lets just say dark. On the nose it was more like a bowl of ripe dark tree and vine fruit with hints of soil and toasted oak. On the palate it was more of the fruit but very bold and rich. Was balanced but more on the lines of just being a little bratty! Great wine that would do well with any grilled food.

2007 Luigi Borsca Malbec Reserva $20

I've tried the reserva Malbec from Luigi Borsca a few times before and have come to the conclusion that each time it seems to be getting more rich and concentrated each time. I honestly feel like they are chasing the point band-wagon rather than working with what the land is giving them.

Pretty rich in color and on the nose it has a dose of dark tree fruit. On the palate it was more like sucking on a piece of iron. Hints of light coffee and what I thought was a root but I could not nail it down for sure. Finish was pretty long and decent.

As you can see the wine had only a little taken from it so I'll go with that for now. Would like to re-taste say after an hour or so. I'm thinking that the air-time will let her open up and the fruit will come out.

2009 Fabre Montmayou Malbec $15

Pretty impressive wine for only $15. Rich in color and in flavor. There was a light stink at first but it blew off then got down to business. Rich dark vine fruit with light hints of wet soil. Medium bodied and pretty good balance. Hints of more black fruit. Hopefully they won't jack the price up in the next few years like so many others do. The finish was smooth and very delicate at the end. Damn. Great little BBQ wine.

2010 Icon Cellars Viognier $20

I'll be honest...I know nothing about this winery! I do know one thing though...This wine was amazing. Pretty light in color yet with rich tropical fruit all over. You can really smell the soil on this one. I even picked up a little lime lingering around. On the palate this thing was a ball buster. Light on the mouth feel yet rich in flavor. Hints of candied green apples, light hints of Riesling with a very light touch of flint. Just sweet enough to make you stand up and beg for butter milk!

This Viognier reminds me of when Rulo came out with theirs and it blew us all away. I'd love to do a side by side with Icon, Syncline and Rulo and see what the masses think. Great job and I look forward to stacking this in the shop! This is what the people needed, a decent priced wine from Washington.

2009 Finca Decero Malbec Remolinos Vineyard $17

After tasting the Muga Rose we were given this gem. At first it had something going on with its nose but then it blew off. Rich with black fruits and some candies lingering around. The palate was pretty full-bodied yet seemed to lack the balance. There was some good fruit, herbs and dark tree fruit but it seemed to fall apart at the end. Maybe that's not the word I should use. It didn't fall apart, just didn't stick around as much as I wanted. Seemed a little off but I would buy one anyway cause it was a nice drink. I think a few years would do it some good.

2010 Muga Rioja Rose $13

I love a good Rose and don't care where it's from. Could be Spain, Washington or even out a jug. I just don't care as long as it taste good. This one is great so I was in luck. Thinking I was just going to hit up some Malbec today and this little treat was the starter.

Let start off with the color...It looked like something I used to drink before I was of age to drink. What was it now...Oh yeah, MD 20/20! The nose was something else though. Didn't smell like MD and sure hell didn't taste like MD either. Tropical fruit on the nose with a light hint of fresh sea air. Seemed to have some light peach lingering around as well. On the palate it was refreshing and clean. Very-lightly sweet but not like someone added sugar rather like it was picked at a high brix. Acidity and balance holds this betty in check. Would go great with a fresh salad or just by itself. Hell I could even read a book while enjoying this. I mean the book would be a quick one like Green Eggs and Ham, would still take me a few hours to finish though.

2001 Piero Busso Barbaresco San Stefanetto $110

I really like Italian wines and this is by far I think my favorite one! I first tried this wine at a Vias (past importer) tasting some years back and everyone I was with fell in love with it. Matter fact we bought I think most of it up in the state then sat on it and only told a select few which I thought was bullshit since I wanted everyone to try it. Any who, I picked up a case or so and stashed it throughout the years only to crack one here and there. This was the last bottle I had of the single vineyard 2001 vintage.

Nicole and I had our friend over for dinner last Sunday and I decided it was time to crack this gem. Paired it up with some nice fillet mignon's from our butcher that I BBQ'd with a few other stuff that really is not important.

I let the wine breathe for about ten minutes or less, I mean it is 10 years old and should be perfect right? Right! Once the cork came out Nicole asked what that smell was. It was the smell of dedication and love. Rich cherry notes with a helping of blackberry and some spices. On the palate it was like we were drinking liquid silk with some great fruit notes and light tannins. Perfectly balanced does not sum up the quality of this wine! The finish lasted for around a minute then it was back to the glass. We each got two good sized glasses and it was done.

If Piero Busso was on the stock exchange I would invest my life savings and live of the interest. It is that good. Sadly I just went to his website and noticed that the San Stefanetto was not listed as one of the vineyards used. Although this saddens me, this will not stop me from buying more of his wine. Matter fact Nicole and I are planning on a trip there and will be stocking up on all his reds for drinking in the future (with us tasting before we buy anything of course, just cause I love a producer does not mean I will not taste before I buy. Just a simple rule I live by).

I leave you with this thought...Whenever you try a wine that you like, DO NOT say you will come back to get more or just think about it! You will forget and a once in a lifetime chance of pleasure will skip you by. Don't just buy a few bottles. Somehow pick at least a case for the cellar cause you know you will drink a few bottles by the time you find another wine you need and by then the first wine will be gone. This is not a sales pitch but just some friendly wine nerd advice.

Cheers.

Santo

2008 Northwest Cellars Merlot $18/ Northwest Cellars Tasting

Decent in color and less Merlot to the nose than I normally look for. There was a pretty good amount of olive juice and smoke. I like less oak since it tends to bring out less for Merlot but it was not bad just not my cup of tea. I can see how people would like this and it would go well with a lot of dishes. Hell, I bet if you give a few more years in the bottle it will calm the acidity and tannins a bit. I bet I'd like it more then. Still though pretty decent juice for the price.

2007 Nothrwest Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon $24/Northwest Cellars Tasting

First off let me say that the price for a nice Cab from Washington State should be around $24. That being said, at first glance this gem was nothing I had not seen before. Red wine, nice legs with little stains in it so good viscosity. Then I put my snout in her. There was a stink that made me want to know more about the wine. The wine itself is 80% Cab, 10% Petit Verdot and 10% Cab Franc and sourced from Les Collines Vineyard out of Walla Walla so this wasn't like I was trying something new yet I was picking up more dried flowers and wet herbs than normal. I did just blow my nose about an hour or so before so I know it was working OK. Cooked rhubarb and loads of dirt were to follow. On the palate it was pretty full-bodied yet not powerful enough to want to put down. If I had to give this any points I'd give it a zero since I don't give point. Finish was nice and even hung around. We are talking about a $24 Cab from home that I was impressed with. Yup its going to the shop. Now why are all the other wines from Walla Walla so much more money? Hmmm...

2007 Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo $14

When I was in NJ and consulting for a wine shop there, I used to buy this wine in cases of 10. For one to get a good deal on it but also because people would buy me out every week. It's been over 3 years since my palate had tasted this and since we were looking for a quick red to go with some BBQ burgers, we decided on it.

As soon as the cork came out I could smell the stink. It was the stink of love. Some nice toasty notes with blackberries and light hints of dried leather. On the palate it reminded me of drinking wine with my grandpa Trino while we were hunting. Rich is flavor yet slicker than snot on a brass door knob. The finish was very easy and begs you to take another sip. Matter fact, right after it was opened I poured some in Nicole's glass, left mine so I could toss the meat on the grill and Nicole yelled out...Great wine babe! Came back in and took a sip. She was right. It was really great wine and at a fraction of the cost. This will be on the shelf at the shop. Hell, I'll take the whole Masciarelli line for that matter.

Maybe I could get some large format bottles for weddings and special occasions?

2009 Urban Uco Torrontes $12

I've actually had this wine many times just not this vintage and since it has been getting hotter in the Seattle area we figured why the hell not? Now my previous notes are ones of joy and delight but I found the 2009 a bit off or just to damn acidic. Nice and crisp but with a thud of an aftertaste of acidity in the back of your throat or in this case mine and Nicole's throat. Did have the pear notes but it was more like an unripe pear and some kind of rhine or peel that was kinda nasty. It was a bit cold when we first dove in and since it was hot out it helped a little but then the aftertaste stuck around. Maybe both of us were having on off day?

2010 Patterson Cellars Late Harvest Roussanne $20/ 375ml

About 2 months ago Nicole and I received this wine as a gift from someone and we had been waiting for a good time to open it. Over this last weekend her family came up for the weekend and on Thursday night Nicole was busy making a cheesecake. It was a toss up between the Single Berry Select and the late harvest Roussanne and Patterson Cellars won the coin toss.

After I cracked her open I could tell there was some good juice in there. The first thing Nicole said was "wow" and I tended to agree with her as did everyone else in the room. On the nose it was like sniffing pears that were not quite ripe yet with some light floral notes. On the palate the pear was there again but this time was ripe and ready to play. Solid structure with great balance and acidity. There was even a little hint of frizzante lingering around. Overall this is a great wine and I'll be bringing this into the shop fo sho! The pair up with homemade cheesecake matched very well and I might even drizzle a little of some ice cream someday. Solid!

2004 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino $96/ Vinifera Tasting

Let me start of by saying how the price I put of $96 is in Washington State but if you do a search for the same wine in another state it will come up as around $56. Oh how we love this three-tier system in this state!

This is a great example of a traditional Brunello di Montalicino. Great nose of dried flowers, light herbs with a hint of vanilla and wild berries. Pretty full-bodied yet could use a year or so in the bottle to calm down. Tannins are firm but with a little air they seemed to mellow some. This is what I'd call the "full belly sit down" kind of wine. Good juice.

Syncline Winery Visit

So after 10+ years, one ex-wife, about 200+ miles, and Nicole driving through the canyons like Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull F1 Racing Team) I had made it or I should say, we had made it. Due to my great map skills we drove past the road that would take us to the winery and instead drove for another 8 miles along the Columbia River. There is a very small sign that tells you the winery is on the right but once you're heading down the road you cant miss it...OK I can miss it.

We were trying to get there on Friday so I could watch James bottle up some sparkling wine but due to us being so tired we decided to take the Saturday visit instead. James and Poppie were in town at a festival but that was OK, we decided to walk around the winery and snap a few shots of the grounds. Goes to show what you can do with a very little winery and a couple who truly loves what they do.

The wines are not in order but you get the idea.

2010 Syncline Rosé $18

I mean you can get a pretty sure shot of light strawberries and light wet rock but is pretty crisp on the palate. The blend is: 33% Pinot Noir/ 17% Grenache/ 17% Cinsault/ 15% Carignan. This is a "real" Rosé.

2009 Syncline Roussanne $30

Have you ever cut a fresh lemon and taken a big whiff? If so that is what you will smell. Not kidding, I don't know what they do in the cellar and honestly I don't care as long as they keep doing it. The Roussanne only lasted 48 hrs.

2009 Syncline Subduction Red $18

This is the daily dinner wine that everyone will enjoy. Rich and juicy with some good tree fruit on the palate. Tannins are smooth and send you wanting more. Really...this is a great table wine. Next time you have dinner guest tell them you have this wine but don't give them the name. Decant it and serve. Then ask what they think. This will blow their minds when they find out it is only a $18 bottle.

2009 Syncline McKinley Springs Syrah, Horse Heaven Hills $30

This thing will stain your clothes. Trust me, it did me in pretty well. Has a great nose of homemade blackberry jam with some good spices and even a little fresh ground coffee. On the palate this thing is soft with loads of character. Really, this is a wine where you buy a case and let it sit and drink a bottle every 6 months. Nicole and I loved it!

2008 Syncline Mourvedre $30

So this was the chicken dinner winner for us. On the nose it was mind blowing. Spices all over the place, coffee and ground black pepper with a huge mouth feel but not enough to turn it into a Parker wine but that layered stuff. It kept changing and once I looked over at Nicole and she said we needed some of these I knew I was in trouble. Why it is when ever Nicole tastes a grape that is grown in the CDP region she all of a sudden needs that wine? It's like a drug. Being that James and Poppie know how to handle this grape, that would make them a drug dealer right? OK kidding. The wine is great and I grabbed 1 bottle of the 12 or so they had left. When I got home and looked on their site www.synclinewinery.com and the Mourvedre was all gone. It was that good.

2004 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcno $100/ Vinifera Tasting

This is one of those wines you want to try with friends. You will be the hit of the party as you should for opening this beauty. Although the price in the State of Washington is a bit much due to the 3-tier system, it is still one of those wines that makes your head spin. On the nose there was some pretty rich tree-fruit with a helping of spices. Palate-wise the tannins were still pretty firm yet had a sweet style to them. Seemed to last for over a minute until the next sip. I sometimes regret bringing Nicole to these tastings with me as she has a great palate and tends to like wines like this. I can almost see her writing '6-pack' next to her notes. Oh well, I keep telling myself it is an investment that I will never see a return on cause we'll drink them all up. This is a beauty.

2004 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Riserva "Madonna del Piano" $276/ Vinifera Tasting

**Please note that these are Washington State retail prices.

All I can say about the beauty is that it is big, full of dark-vine fruit, chewy, with great acidity and firm tannins. For some reason though it is very soft on the finish and just amazing. It will age for at least 10+ more years though. I will try to get a few of these but not at the current retail price!

2008 Deux Montille Cote Chalonnaise, Rully $30/ Burgundy Tasting

This is how we started off the tasting. A nice Rully to get us introduced to Montille. I think we all pretty much knew we were in trouble after we tasted it. Very light on color, almost clear actually. Very light hints of honey and butter with just a touch of minerals. I thought it was a little nutty but that could just be me. Very soft on the palate with a quick spritz of citrus and light floral finish. It was going to be an interesting tasting.

2008 Deaux Montille Cotes de Beaune 1er Cru, Saint-Aubin $44/ Burgundy Tasting

Clear in that it was just a little lighter than one of my fly fishing lines (I know you all know what color that is). Hints of butter and light hairspray on the nose but also had a fresh sea air to it. On the palate it was more like a granny smith apple with some nice citrus notes. Very soft on the palate as the finish lasted quite a bit. I would have liked to pick a few bottles up but then I heard there were only 2 cases brought into the State of Washington so I think my options are limited now as the importer brought one case to the tasting. Nicole wants more of it. Guess we'll be getting more of it some how.

2008 Domaine de Montille Meursault, Aux Narvaux du Dessours $70/ Burgundy Tasting

I know that some people might scream when they hear that you would buy a $70 white wine but would you rather by a $3 piece of crap wine that is high in alcohol, nasty and huge tannins and is unbalanced so bad you have to force your way to finish it or spend a few pesos and buy a bottle that you will truly enjoy and look back after you are done and say "That was Amazing"?

If you are like me you will do that latter. There was a light-hint of hair spray but in a good way with lots of citrus and soft green apple notes. On the palate it was citrus-spicy with some wet minerals and a nice smooth finish. I know tons of people who would enjoy this and yes it is kind of a lot of money for a white (I don't think so cause I know what you are getting) but when it comes to quality, you are paying for a top-notch Meursault. What else do you want? Love it!

2008 Domaine de Montille Nuit St. Georges. 1er Cru, Les Saints Juliens $55/ Burgnudy Tasting

I was pretty surprised how light this wine was. Just a hint darker than a Rosé. I mean it was beautiful! Very soft on the nose, almost making you sniff harder just so you could get all she had to offer. There are some nice violets and the traditional red fruit but damn was she delicate. On the palate there was some nice soft red fruit and even a little spice at the end while the tannins were just there to round things off. A very light tea bag finish but nothing that would offend anyone, especially not myself or Nicole.

2008 Domaine de Montille Beaune, 1er Cru, Les Greves $70/ Burgundy Tasting

Rich herbs with a slight spice and cedar on the nose with loads of red fruit. Pretty supple on the palate with some crushed fall leaf and a little more cedar to round it out. This wine really is amazing when you are just wanted to spend a little more cash but not blow the wad. It would be worth picking up a six-pack of these and letting them sit for maybe 10 years, that is if you can. I can't. Matter fact Nicole squeezed my arm and whispered to me...six!

2008 Domaine de Montille Colnay, 1er Cru, Les Champans $96/ Burgundy Tasting

Right of the bat you can tell this is going to be great. This is by fare more delicate than the Pommard Les Pezerolles but still has that great taste, nose and finish. When I say delicate I mean if the Les Pezerolles is a dog it would be black lab while the Les Champans would be the poodle.

Loads of fruit on the nose with some nice wet spices and a hint of fall leaves. Seemed to have some fresh cured cigar wrapper plus a nice gamey or even soil lingering. Very soft on the palate with some great cedar notes. This is why I love what I do.

2008 Domaine de Montille Pommard 1er, Les Pezerolles $99/ Burgundy Tasting

Do you know what it's like to have perfection sitting in your mouth? OK that sounded bad, let me try that again. Imagine having something soft yet chewy and full flavor in your mouth. I give up.

This beauty from de Montille was the tops. Young and full of life but still soft enough for the Burgundy lover who wants something nice and soft passing through their gums yet with a kick. Very light red in color with almost a clear rim.

This is what a REAL Pinot Noir should taste, look and smell like. Not that over extracted, high alcohol, over-oaked California crap.

Rich cherry notes with a dose of red-vine fruit added. Did have a hint of dried leaves or maybe spent tea bags as fellow wine nerd Kristen pointed out. Going to have to use than one more often. Rich soil notes seemed to linger on and on. That was just the nose to boot. Very soft tannins with more red fruit but very subtle. Not in your face stuff, this makes you work for it then all of a sudden it's right there presenting its life for you. Then the power kicks in like your down-shifting on an M3. All of a sudden the power goes away and leaves this light mineral note with a very light brown sugar finish and more fruit. Where the hell did all that come from. Needless to say the importer (Elaine) had a smile on her face cause she knew she was pouring some top notch juice. If you get a chance...pick up a bottle. I know it is kinda spendy at $99 per bottle but you will not be unhappy!

2005 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Two Barns Vineyard $120

This was an amazing Pinot Noir! I mean a bit darker than burgundy with a nose of rich cherries, red fruit and some nice spices. On the palate it was like having liquid silk in your mouth. Light notes of coffee and chocolate as well. Finished very smooth and soft. I don't like the price but I love the wine. If I had a few bottles of this they would not last long. I don't have the will power to say "no I'll wait till later" nor would I want too. WOW!

2005 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Renegade Ridge Estate $120

I'm a huge fan of Pinot Noir and have been since before the movie Sideways came out. I mean I'm glad they brought Pinot Noir to the attention of others but now it seems like the prices are so screwed up that nobody can even touch them. I mean this wine from Oregon is around $120. ITS FROM OREGON PEOPLE!

If this was from Burgundy then yeah I might drop that much on a bottle and I actually have many times but not from the US! I really need to do a side by side to see if they really are as good as wines from Burgundy.

That being said, my notes. Deep red in color with a great nose of cherry and blueberries. There was even a bit of pepper and some light floral notes. On the palate this thing was rich. Good minerals but the fruit was not showing as well as one might want. Good fruit, don't get me wrong but it will need a bit more time in the bottle before she is ready. Slightly sweet on the end but nothing like it should be. It was just a bit closed up. Cellar time will show this beauty what it takes to be a prom queen. Right now she is just a runner up. Maybe this Pinot does have what it takes to be a $120 bottle.

2003 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Monatalcino Tenuta Nuova $60

Pretty dark in color but what really made me stand at attention was the amount of dark cherries and blackberry that I was picking up on the nose. There was even a light-hint of wet herbs and licorice. Very full-bodied on the palate with many layers showing every 5 seconds. I know this was aged in 600-liter barrels for like 30 months but one can hardly tell. I believe it was also 35% new oak but again, with the balance and finish on the wine, who cares? Great wine.

2001 Enrico Santini Montepergoli $60

This is a really nice Super Tuscan style wine. I think this is like the 6th or 7th vintage for this producer and it seems to be going well for him.

Garnet in color with a pretty good stink on the nose. I mean it smells like a nice barnyard and wet leather, does not taste like that on the palate though. Nice notes of dark-vine fruit with some more earthy flavors. This thing really pulls the terroir out and drops it in the glass. Tannins were a bit chewy but then mellowed out. Great acidity and balance. Rounds itself out pretty nice. I'll take it!

2009 Broglia Gavi di Gavi la Meirana $19.99/ Vias Tasting

First off let me explain the label a bit to you. Unlike wineries in the US, old world winemakers expect you to know how to read the label. This might be why so many people buy shitty wines from California, cause they just don't know what they are drinking so they pick up something they can understand. For me this is part of the fun I get is understanding the label and being able to educate people.

Winery name: Broglia

Region: Piedmont

Grape: Cortese

Vineyard: La Meirana

So what we have now is: 2009 (vintage) Broglia (Winery) Gavi di Gavi or Cortese di Gavi (Grape Varietal) La Meirana (Vineyard). That being said, onto the notes of me suckin and spitin. This wine has almost a light hay-like color with this tint of light green on the rim. Nice flowers and citrus on the nose. No oak on this baby. Dry on the palate but still has that nice refined finish. Would be great with grilled trout.

2007 Cantele Primitivo $10.99/ Vias Tasting

I love the price of this wine as much as I love the rustic palate. 100% Primitivo, malo in stainless steel and aged in oak for 6 months. Color wise this wine is almost a shade less than iodine. On the nose this bitch has some spice and some dried herbs. The mouth feel is a little sharp yet still has a nice rustic taste to it. Almost rust-like as well on the palate. I actually love it. Great little daily driver to keep the heart red.

2006 Castillo di Melato Chianti Classico $19.99/ Vias Tasting

This is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot that was aged in oak for 12 months with 80% in Slavonian oak while the rest was in French oak.

Man this thing is rich in color with a nose that is to die for. I mean this is a Classico for only $20! Great nose of rich cooked cherries, herbs and light vanilla. On the palate this thing is chewy. Tannins are nice but will hold up to a nice beef stew.

2008 Produttori Barbaresco Nebbiolo Langhe $21.99/ Vias Tasting

Wine is actually medium bodied with good floral notes. Hints of spices and white pepper on the palate. This was actually the least favorite of the wines I tasted but it was still pretty good. Gives you an idea of how great the wines were.

2005 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino $45.99/ Vias Tasting

Then we come to this mutha! I've tasted every wine that Argiano has and have never been unhappy with what they have in the bottle. Amazing in color in that it is light burgundy in with a light brown rim. Notes of cooked brown sugar and light mocha on the nose while on the palate it was like drink liquid silk. The fruit actually comes out on the palate while the spices hang around on the nose. About 20 seconds later it was all over and all I had left was a smile on my face like a school boy who fell in love with his teacher.

2009 Marenco Strev Moscato d'Asti $15.99/ Vias Tasting

So to finish off the tasting I was given this juice. 100% Moscato d'Asti paired up with a pumpkin cheesecake.

I wish more Americans would drink these types of low alcohol wines. This is a great before or after wine for any occasion. With a tropical nose and rich tree-fruit like ripe peaches, this is a wine that all should enjoy. I should also mention that if you smell something that reminds you of the paste you used to eat in grade school, you are smelling the correct wine. I love this wine! Don't judge me about the paste, you know you did it.

2005 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Auslese Gold Cap $60

I can't even go into details on how much I love this wine. I'm not going to tell you what it is cause if you don't know that by now, stop reading my shit! What region? Figure it for yourself! Really, if you are tasting these types of wines, there is little I can tell you that you have not already sniffed and tasted on your own. All you need to know is that is has a nose of petrol and wet rock that blows off after a few minutes and the honey and orange blossoms creep up. This shit should be used for sex not wine tastings. It's just that sweet. Hold onto your panties and cavities as the juice in this bottle will make any sweet-tooth ache. Could not have asked for a better way to end the day.

2009 Tempus Cellars Riesling, Evergreen Vineyard $17

This was the first time I had tasted anything from Tempus Cellars and I'm glad it was a Riesling. The wine was pretty clear with notes of citrus and light-wet rock. Pretty dry Riesling but tended to fall a bit short or even flat on the finish. I think if the price was around $10 I'd say get a few for those hot summer nights but being that it is $16, a pretty new winery and the wine does fall short...sorry.

2007 Five Star Cellars Merlot, Walla Walla Valley $32

I think I've come to the conclusion that if the wine is from Walla Walla it will be over priced. I remember a few years back when this wine was about $15 per bottle yet now it's hanging around $32 and for what? The quality might have improved a bit but not at a 100% increase. The color was more on the sides of lighter than brick red but the nose smelled like someone opened up a fresh box of ALL washing soap. As for the palate it was more rustic maybe irony with a hint of iodine. Not something I was expecting when I saw that it was oak-aged in 160% new oak. Pass.

2008 Five Star Cellars Quinque Astrum, Walla Walla Valley $28

To me this seemed like another blend that was taken from a few different vineyards and thrown together for the masses. Kind of light on the nose with hints of red vine fruit and hollow in the middle. The finish was nothing to scream over as it just floated away. Sometimes I wish people would just say they had left over juice they did not want to waste and decided to make a blend so they could make a few extra dollars. Drop the price down to around $10 and call it the daily drinker. Something to keep the heart red.

2007 Five Star Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley $30

This was the only wine that I actually liked. Even though I think the price was about $10 more than it should have been it was a decent Syrah. Pretty rich in color with a nice dark red rim. Notes of black pepper, light coffee and a hint of dehydrated plums. On the palate it kept you guessing but had a nice light mint going on with some nice soft tannins. The finish was pretty fast and left with a medicinal coating.

2007 Five Star Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley $34

Color was your basic red. On the nose though it was pretty juicy with red vine fruit. Notes of brown sugar and spices yet it was hollow in the middle and the finish was short and sharp. The tannins were present but nothing that was going to add structure to the wine.

2006 Five Star Cellars "Stellar" $48

Other than being a blend of 5 different grapes, 5 different vineyards and seeing 100% new oak, that's all this wine really has to offer. Pretty heavy on the oak when it comes to hitting the nose. There were a few hints of cola and black-stone fruit but oak was the heavy hitter. On the palate it was big at first but lacked the fruit I was looking for. From what I was told it was oak-aged for 28 months then bottle aged for 12-19 months. That's a lot of oak! Light white pepper on the finish but lacking fruit and was kinda hollow in the middle. Then the price comes into play.

2008 J Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay $25.99

First bottle that was cracked seemed a bit flat. No fruit and just bland. Decided that it was corked but I don't think it was.

Second bottle was a little better but still nothing impressive. Nose was there but not really. The palate had some citrus and a little fruit but still...nothing. OK, I'll just say it. This wine really sucked shit! This is a pretty decent producer but for some reason the two bottles we opened were almost alike. They tasted like shit.

Tasted on 11/20/10

2009 Selbach Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Mosel $11.99

Attention all Riesling nerds....Go buy this.

Clear in color with some light citrus and green apples. Even that trademark mineral note was there. It was a bit flat on the palate but this is a good thing. OK maybe the word flat should not be the word of choice, let go with delicate. Good fruit notes on the end and again minerals. Just a great little Riesling for the price. I think someone gave it 92 points but I really don't give a shit about points.

Tasted on 11/20/10

2007 J Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $34.99

So it has a bright nose with some light cherry notes but seems to be aged in new french oak. Hints of herbs and light dried flowers but again..oak. Seems like a lot of oak for a Pinot Noir. California is not impressing me with its lacks of respect for a grape that deserves it.

Tasted on 11/20/10

2007 Januik Kilipsun Vineyard Merlot $30.99

I've spoken about Januik wines before. His merlot is what I would think is the textbook merlot out of Washington State and possibly the world. Yup, I said it people..The World!

Rich and full-bodied, notes of ripe red fruit with notes of chocolate and a light hint of dried herbs. On the palate it seems a little large at first but let it get some air. She needs to open up a bit before you take her down. On the finish it is a true dream to taste. Soft yet rich tannins with a nice soft finish. Oh and one of the best things is that you are drinking a single vineyard wine that is just a pubic hair above $30. Thank you Mike!

Tasted on 11/20/10

2007 Abeja Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $43.99

Can I just say that six years ago when I moved to the East Coast this wine was around $20 per bottle. Are you telling me that in six years inflation has made this wine jump almost $24? Something has got to be done in this state or people will never buy Washington wines again.

Great looking color in that it is darker than burgundy. Rich nose of red and black fruit with some good spice and cedar. On the palate it is pretty sharp and right to the point. Full-bodied with rich currant and solid tannins. Funny though it's kind of soft on the finish. Very nice wine but the price needs to be dropped.

Tasted on 11/20/10

1999 Friggiali Brunello di Montalcino Riserva $85

Although I have read that some feel this wine should be consumed by 2010, I think they are off by a few years. This Brunello still has enough tannins and fruit in her to make it last another 5 years. The color of the wine is shedding a bit but it still has that nice bing cherry color. Nose is pretty rich with vanilla, overripe strawberries and light dried flowers. Tannins are still pretty firm and the finish can still hold its own. Strange aftertaste of nuts but that could be me. I really like it.

1999 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino $100

I would say almost brick-red color with hints of dried roses on the rim. I picked up lots of fennel and cherry on the nose. Pretty full-bodied even at this late stage in the game. Tannins are soft and smooth. I did pick up a little fresh cigar tobacco and some slight cedar on the finish that also lasted a good 30 seconds. I know this vintage was good but damn!

1999 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino $180

Color is brick-red but damn does she have some legs. With a nose of fresh roasted Foldgers and light oak, this bitch is amazing! Light hints of anise and fennel with a slight chocolate on the finish. What the hell are they doing at the winery? Pretty full-bodied but very silky-soft tannins with a smooth finish. Perfect structure and balance. Some have compared this to the 1997 vintage but I think that vintage was more hype than anything. I love this wine!

1982 Toro Albala Gran Reserva Don PX 375ml $34

So the picture I took with my phone does not do the color justice as this is black as a crayon with hints of brown on the rim. I was actually about to pick up a 1977 Madeira instead but knowing that this vintage is sold out and Nicole had never tried it I figure I could always go back and pick up the 77.

Imagine trying to press raisins until they squirt out juice. That's what is done in order to get the juice for this wine. The grapes are 100% Pedro Ximenez, dried then pressed. I've already told you about the color as you can see for yourself it is dark. On the nose it is amazing. Loads of rich raisins, hints of caramel with some licorice hanging around. On the finish..well let us just say this thing hangs around. Pour it over ice cream and drink it with some nuts or nice fresh fruit. Onc should always have a few of these on hand for special occasions.

Fall Winemakers Event Part I

The following wines were tasted as part of the Fall Winemakers Even Part I & II

This weekend is something of a cluster fuck of tastings in the Seattle area. So on Friday and Saturday I have the winemakers event where World of Wines brings in winemakers for people to taste all their wines. This happens again on Saturday. All weekend long DeLlille Cellars is having their release weekend and on Sunday Ross Andrew is having a release on Sunday. The Hawks are playing Sunday and if that does not suck enough, I am supposed to be going fishing on Sunday but with the amount of rain pissing from the clouds above, that could be canceled as well. Oh well.

N/V PrimaTerra Prosecco $9.99

You know it was not a bad Prosecco but it was not a great one as well. Seems a little bland for my taste in that it had a great nose of light citrus and some soft cream notes but on the palate it was pretty simple or even hollow in the middle. Nothing special.

2008 Grande Reve Collaboration V Grenache/Syrah $55.99

This is a wine that is made by Chris Gorman and every year they pick a new winemaker to make their wines. Kind of like the Long Shaddows project but with WA winemakers instead.

Wine is pretty rich in color with some nice brown sugar and black vine fruit on the nose. On the palate there are loads of tannins but really good acidity and balance. Hints of wet stone linger in as well. Wine sees 100% new french oak. Wine was actually pretty refined for what it is. The price needs to come down in my book. This is their 5th vintage so again I ask why they are charging so much. Fruit is from Red Mountain I believe.

2008 Betz Family Winery Bésoleil Grenache $54.99

This Betz wine is a blend of 82% Grenache, 9% Mourvedre, 9% Syrah from Ciel du Cheval, Olsen and Alder Ridge Vineyards. The first thing you'll notice is the color of the wine. Pretty dark but heading to a delicate ruby rim. Some good sweet fruit on the nose with notes of blackberry, strawberry, anise, and just a hint of herbs like thyme. Pretty big on the palate. Well-balanced yet there was a slight metallic note that kept popping up. Wine needs a few years before it starts to show its true style.

2007 Stevens Winery Merlot $37.99

Grapes come from DuBrul Vineyard so you know it has to be good. Pretty clear in that is was rich in color and has a nose of spices and loads of cherries that have fallen off the tree. Pretty full-bodied on the palate but not enough to push me away. It was funny cause people would come up and ask for a tasting. Tim (winemaker) would start to pour the Merlot and people would say "oh no Merlot please", like it was some kind of swill that was mixed together. At one point I actually told someone to try it. He liked it.

Wine sees 50% new french oak and %50 1-year-old french oak. On the finish it was refined yet still had some nice acidity and earth notes. Tannins were just right.

2007 Stevens Winery XY Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $41.99

Pretty rich in color with blue and black ripe fruit on the nose. There was a spice that I could not pull out. On the palate this thing was HUGE! I mean it was like a fat lady sitting on your chest! The tannins and acidity are perfectly balanced but there is so much more going on it makes you really think. Pretty good spice on the finish. Damn!

2008 Smasne Cellars Rosella Rose $16.99

Very light pink in color with a great nose of strawberries and a light muscat hanging around. Interesting so far. Hints on white pepper on the palate with good acidity and balance. Finish is pretty crisp as well. This is a nice fucking Rose! And the price is just about where I like it.

2007 Smasne Cellars Carmenère $27.99

Almost purple in color with a nose of dirt/soil. Pretty rich on the palate with loads of black fruit and spices. Pretty chewy and rich. Nice.

2006 Smasne Cabernet Sauvignon $29.99

Deep red in color with a garnet rim. Pretty good chocolate and herb notes with a hint of cherry and some light earth. Pretty firm tannins with decent acidity. Finish was nice but it seemed to be missing something.

2008 Smasne Block 3 Syrah $31.99

Almost purple in color with rich notes of earth and dark fruit. There was something like a light nail polish as well. Red fruit on the palate with some herbs and spices. Pretty soft on the finish with good acidity and tannins. Really nice Washington Syrah.

2009 William Church Viognier $ 19.99

Clear with a nice floral note. After a few seconds I noticed that there were some nice honey and citrus notes. Pretty clean on the finish and it was even a little flat. What I mean was not loud and flashy on the end. It just sat there and said "hey, hope you enjoyed me but I think I'll walk away now." I love it!

2008 William Church Bishops Blend $17.99

From what I was told this is a blend of a few different grapes. OK like 5 or 6, I think. Pretty soft on the nose as I felt it was a bit muted. The palate though was/is huge and firm like a porn stars talent. On the finish it was like someone all of a sudden added black pepper on the tip of my tongue.

2008 William Church Malbec $31.99

First off this is a Malbec, that is 100% Malbec. Yup, she is an interesting one. Magenta in color with notes of black pepper and black vine fruit. There are even some floral notes lingering around. On the palate though it was rich with earth notes, spices and a touch of mint. Very nice but the one drawback is the price. Love the wine, don't like the price. It is good but I tend to look at Mabec's as around $10 or so. I'd still pick up a few for shits and giggles though. I'm a wine slut what can I say?

2008 Gorman Winery Evil Twin $59.99

I have known Chris Gorman since he was my wine rep and he was always talking about the wines he was making. I think most of us just said sure whatever but hey he makes good wines. The Evil Twin is a blend of Syrah and Cabernet. Aged in new French for 20 months. Wine is dark with a nice garnet rim. There is a slight mint on the nose with hints of cassis as well. On the palate it is pretty rich and intense. Wine will knock you down with the amount tannins it has. Some good spices and more mint on the palate. Good wine but I am getting tired of seeing the prices on the rise. Remember when wine was actually affordable?

Porto Kopke Bianco Lagrima $17.99

Pretty decent for a white port. Kinda spicy with a nutty character. Not bad to cook with or for a nice after dinner drink.

Porto Kopke 10 Years Old Port $24.99

This is a great little tawny. Hints of roasted nuts with a bit of honey and caramel candies. Just a nice little tawny and at a great price.

1994 Porto Kopke Colheita Tawny $44.99

Amazing color of light caramel with notes of nuts, nutmeg and dried figs. There is even a nice finish of lightly roasted coffee that has been sitting out for a day. Again, amazing.