1943 Chateau Haut-Brion, Pessac Leognan $650

Wine was ruby in color with soft red fruit with just a light-hint of VA. On the palate there were load of rust and iron. After 20 minutes or so the VA blew off and left some nice bright red berries and light minerals. Funny thing was that there was a little heat as well. Nice wine being that it was 63 years old.

Tasted 12/06 assessing a cellar.

1969 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue, Musigny-Blanc $800

The picture shows a bottle of 1983, but the one I tasted was a 1969.

Golden yellow in color with it heading toward the cider side of things. Hazelnut on the nose with a hint of astringent. On the palate the acidity was pretty big with notes of lemon peel.

At first I thought it was lousy, then I tasted it again. By the third taste I was in love. I'd pick a few up if they came around, but my wife would kill me.

Tasted 12/06 assessing a cellar.

1975 Peturs, Pomerol $1600

The color of the wine was the color of a fresh Pinot Noir. Port-like nose, possibly slightly oxidized or maybe was cooked. A few minutes later the wine went toward the dried flower side of things with hints of light lead and minerals.

The funny thing was that the tannins came into play toward the end of the palate. Tannins were quick and medium bodied. Funny that Parker gave this wine 98 points, I would have gave it a lot less, maybe around 89 points.

This is the end result of someone trying to auction off wines.

Tasted 12/06 while assessing a cellar.

2005 Crauford Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside $20.99

I'm getting more and more concerned about the wine I taste from Newman. All the wines I tasted seem to be on sale and all of them are rated by J. Newman. The word that all his reps tell me is that he is the biggest buyer of American wines in the US. Why? Which wines?

Wine is deep red in color, almost black. Rich spices and herbs on the nose with good structure. Big tannins and acidity. Wine is full bodied with an OK amount of balance. Dry on the end with notes of nutmeg and cassis.

Tasted 6/24/09 via Newman Wine & Spirits

2008 Kingsford Manor Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley $11.99

Light in color like a fine Champagne. Nose like a nice New Zealand, but the palate is one of a wine from California wine. Light with huge acidity and a nice green apple crispness. Light green bell pepper on the finish with notes of light oak chips.

Tasted 6/24/09 via Newman Wine & Spirits

2007 Mockingbird Hill Chardonnay, Napa Valley $12.99

Lighter than hay in color with a pretty neutral noes. Light scotch-like on the palate with hints of tree fruit and light oak. Wine is light and high in acidity on the finish with nuances on hay and wheat on the end.

Tasted 6/24/09 via Newman Wine & Spirits

2007 Thumbprint Cellars Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $14.99

Wine is light hay in color with a nice citrus and tropical fruit nose. Pretty acidic with light hints of lemon peel on the palate. No oak on this one. The finish was odd though as it had a finish that tasted like yeast, but the wine was not fermented via malo?

Tasted 6/24/09 via Newman Wine & Spirits

2004 Trimbach Gewürztraminer, Alsace $24.99

Almost golden in color, this wine deserve your full attention. One thing you will notice is the nose. That amazing nose of Lichee! That is how you know you have a Gewürztraminer in hand. There might even be a few notes of dried meat hanging around, but that's just me being a dork. Great acidity and balance as this wine on the palate shows you there are a few hints of pepper and spice with just a small note of violets. If you are looking for something to go with your Asian food...this is the wine for you.

2006 Trimbach Riesling, Alsace $15.99

This has a traditional nose of French Riesling. Lots of lime on the nose with hints of peach and minerals that follow. On the palate there seems to be more going on than I thought was going to be. It was like tasting citrus soaked in chalk with a hint of sugar to follow. Soft on the palate with a nice light finish. This is NOT an American Riesling so please ask before trying. Although I love it, you might want to start off slow...or just step up and try a great wine!

2003 Trimbach Reserve Pinot Gris, Alsace $19.99

A bit darker in color as it tends to look like a beer that has sat out for a few days. Looks like it I said! Nice peach and ripe pears on the nose, there seems to be something else hanging around, but I can't nail it down yet. Spicy on the palate as there seems to be a hint of pepper and sea salt. Maybe even a hint of nuts as well. The finish was nice as it tended to leave very slowly and asking the question, "Please sir, may I have some more?"

2006 Trimbach Pinot Blanc, Alsace $14.99

Light in color this Pinot Blanc smells great. Although not a powerful white wine, Trimbach has made this very beautiful. With a not of light tropical fruit and hints on mineral, this is a great wine for the daily drink in all of us. Sea-salt on the palate, this wine will go great with some nice shell fish. On the palate the minerals come out more than the fruit which makes it perfect for some nice salt water fish on the grill. Good acidity and balance as the notes of white pepper linger for a few seconds. Textbook Pinot Blanc.

2006 Ex-Libris Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley $16.99

I tasted this wine back in mid-February. At that time I thought it was too much money for the times and the economy. This wine is from 2 different vineyards, Champoux and Millbrandt.

Classic Washington State Cabernet. Rich fruits and hints of cedar and spice. Pretty full bodied on the palate with some good Bordelaise structure.

Overall this is a great wine. Big and bold with actual fruit rather than just a bunch of tannins like in most California wines.

Tasted 2/09 via Polaner

2007 Rudolf Müller Riesling Auslese, Mosel $16.99

I'm sorry mister, did you park your semi-truck near my nose?!

Almost hay-like in color. The nose of this $17 beast is to die for! This is why I got into the wine world. The nose is full of petrol notes with very-light hints of tropical fruit, maybe even a bit of jasmine in there.

The sugar level jumps out of your mouth like a bad case of the Hershey squirts! Acidity and balance in the key here. Wet rock, light mandarin and very crisp green apple hit the palate.

The finish is pretty soft yet still carries a bit of spice as it makes you wanting to take another sip. Thirst quenching yet refreshing. I wish more Americans knew about what was in these bottles. I'll will be visiting this winery in the late fall!

2007 Rudolf Müller Riesling Spätlese, Mosel $14.99

A bit darker than the Kabinett, but not by much. Nose of more petrol and lighter on the tropical fruits, this wine is heading to the "true German" side of Rieslings.

More sugar on the palate and even leaves a bit of lemon zest. Great notes of lemon/lime peel and light orange blossom. We are now starting to taste less fruit and more petrol notes. Great little wine. Will do great in the summer time with that fruit salad.

I would call this the getting ready for the true German wines of the world.

2007 Rudolf Müller Riesling Kabinett, Mosel $12.99

The first think you will notice is that it has the color of a Brut Champagne. The nose is to die for. Light mineral notes with a hint of petrol, with the background lingering some nice tropical fruit.

Very juicy on the palate with notes of wet rock and light fruit. At first I thought there was a lack of acidity but then came to the conclusion that this wine has enough acidity to balance out the sugar level.

On the finish there is a light spritz of carbonation as is slowly disappears from the mouth. Medium body, this wine will do great for that summer white. Love it.

3 Alarm Cellars Red, California $9.99

Black in color with a nose of spices and tea. Light tannins and OK acidity and balance. Wine reminds me of a wine that someone is making s they can make a quick buck. Not really impressed.

Tasted 6/18/09 via Gallo

2007 Avery Lane Merlot, Washington State $7.99

Clear with lots of red and black fruit on the nose. On the palate there is some luscious red fruit with hints of brown sugar and cola. Light tannins with a medium plus body. Great little wine for the price. great for a quick dinner fix or something to keep the heart red.

Tasted 6/18/09 via Gallo

2008 Avery Lane Riesling, Clumbia Valley $7.99

Clear with a light wet swifter nose. Rich tropical notes with soft white peach notes. Pretty good acidity with a nice crisp finish. Wines was not all the way chilled. Wine was decent for the price and I'm sure it will move because of the price.

Tasted 6/18/09 via Gallo

3 Alarm Cellars White, California $9.99

Clear with nice mineral notes. Light fresh fruit on the palate but nothing I would stand up and scream about. just another wine made with OK grapes.

Tasted 6/18/09 via Gallo

2008 Starborough Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand $14.99

Light green in color with light hay notes on the rim. Cat pee on the nose with a decent amount of shrubs on the nose. Crisp green apple on the palate with good acidity and balance. I like it but feel that New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs have had their time in the area and are loosing the battle on the shelf.

Tasted 6/18/09 via Gallo