2011 Sparkman Lumiere Chardonnay +++ $17

Lean, firm & well defined. Young D'YQuem gold. Delicious 

2011 Tessellae Carignan +++ $11

Generous fruit up front. allspice, plush texture. BBBargain

Francis says....2012 Bedrock North Coast Syrah ++++ $19

Beautiful French/American soul, white pepper, plum, tapenade.

Whistlepig 10 year Straight Rye ++++ $60

Intoxicating caramel. Rich, bracing, unctuous. 100 proof hi-test!

Oana says....2010 Chateau Mont Redon Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc +++++

Let’s not save any for our guests tonight!

2010 Januik Lewis Vineyard Syrah +++ $28

Bright, juicy, friendly it is. CdP it aint.

2011 Khalkhal-Pamiès Minervois Loriza ++ $17

Needs a wax, and a day but pleasurable

2012 Vale Do Homen Vinho Verde +++ $9

Bracing, refreshing, lovely, effervescent. Ideal roast chicken sedan.

2011 M. Chapoutier Roussillon Domain de Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem +++ $25

Another stinky, Earthy hairy lengthy Chapoutier bargain. Reliable

Lenotti Amarone Classico 2009 ++++ $78

Dark, rich, brooding yet bright. Excellent, elegant, ethereal.

2010 Joseph Drouhin Côte de Beaune Villages +++ $25

Soft gamey notes, with earthy cherries, beef blood

Markus Molitor 2011 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spatlese ++++ $29

Delicate sweetness throughout,  lovely viscosity. A mouthfilling delight.

2011 Plaisir Des Lys Minervois +++ $16

Middle earth nose, hermitage beef palate, chewy pleasure

Francis says....2011 Joseph Swan Vineyards Chardonnay Saralee's Vineyard ++++ $32

Lychee, Asian pear, spiced, ripe, succulent and generous.

1999 Azienda Agricola Sant'Elena Tato 3L ++ $120

Stank and punky. No fruit. A sad disappointment.

Francis says....2010 E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane ++++ $89

Pure ripe peach, spice, oily, round and soft. 

2010 Guigal La Doraine Condrieu ++++ $89

Hauntingly beautiful aromatics. Luscious lychee, honeysuckle. Beautiful

Surly Furious ++++ $5

Deceptively hoppy nose, sturdy, big and delicious

2008 Annapolis Pinot Noir ++ $19

Sadly tired & flabby presence hiding promise at youth

2012 Schram Vineyards Marquette ++ $26

Dead nose,  friendly, soft. Pleasant if simple fun

2009 Domaine De La Janasse Chaupin CdP ++++ $90

Majestic and entrancing. A stunning mouthful of lusciousness.

2007 Mollydooker Maitre D' Cabernet +++ $25

Dropkick Murphy's wine. Juicy beast. enjoyable 16% rightcross 

2008 Ridge Buchignani Ranch Zinfandel +++ $28

Expected richness, generosity. Still a babe in arms

Scott says....2004 Whitehall Lane Silver Anniversary Napa Cab +++ $60

Sinful smooth note playing on the mid-tongue. Easy 

2009 Long Shadows Feather ++++ $75

Heady pencil lead, currants. Beefy, tannic, hairy goolies

2012 M Chapoutier Luberon +++ $23

French Department store nose, Puegeot spice, Chapoutier value.

Francis says....2011 Wine By Joe Pinot Noir $14 +++/++++

Pretty, proper, Pinot, berry, rose, earth and acid.

Francis says....2007 Ridge Petite Sirah Dynamite Hill Spring Mountain District ++/+++ $28

Sturdy but serviceable. Cherries, vanilla, spicy oak and...

2009 Quilceda Creek Palengat ++++ $90

70's Martha's incarnate. Eucalyptus, currant, stunning character. Youthful

2011 Booker Fracture ++++ $65

Charlize Theron bottled. Racy, sexy, versatile, elegant, gorgeous 

2011 Sans Liege Groundwork Grenache +++ $18

Juicy, round, chewy, rich and delicious. Satisfying simplicity. 

Francis says....2010 Baer Winery Callisto Red Wine ++++ $45

Graphite, cedar, soil, minty smoke, blackberry, velvety deliciousness.

10,000 Hits 10/26/2013

Exciting! If only we had 10,000 more friends

Auntie Sharon says....1999 TATO Sant'Elena 3.0L $130

 buttery, round, chewy, complex,expressive, finesse, supple, and Paul Bunyanney

2010 L'Ecole Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard ++++ $45

Spice box, pencil lead. Deftly balanced, prepubescent tannins.

2011 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc ++++ $34

SB litheness, Semillon heft marry nicely. Very pretty

2006 Crane Brothers Brodatious Crane Ranch Napa Valley +++ $25ish

BB with Syrah for spice. Bold, Tannic, Chewy

2012 Staete Landt Annabel SB ++$17

Over Ripe Grapefruit nose backed by big aggressive fruit

Josh D says....2010 Pine Ridge Onyx ++++ $55

Deliciously deceptive, richly flavorful, sweet autumn in Napa

Josh D says....2009 Cliff Lede Cinnamon Rhapsody Stags Leap ++++ $100

Wine equivalent to sunset, colorfully smooth... Simply delicious!

2007 Mordoree Lirac La Dame Rousse ++++ $20

Rich Beef blood, sweet tannins, generous but youthful

2011 Bodegas Riojanas Rioja Canchales ++ $5

A shallow one-dimensional effort reflecting its nominal tariff

2012 Sparkman Lumiere Chardonnay ++++ $25

Haunting, luxurious nose. Unctuous,racey and delicious

2011 Bodegas y Vinedos Valderiz Valdehermoso ++ $6

 Simple, satisfying, sturdy and affordable as a Beetle.

2010 Mas Donis Barrica OldVines Cellar Capcanes +++ $10

Licorice nose, Smartly extracted, hefty tannins. Very satisfying

2011 Sparkman Wonderland +++ $36

Your Granache is a Wonderland. Soft. Pinotish, pleasant.

Bombay Sapphire East ++++ $25

Great addition of Peppercorns & Lemongrass. Excellent Tonic Gin

2011 Sans Liege The Adversary ++++ $34

Hefty, sturdy, excellent fruit, juicy and enjoyable. Superior.

2010 Villacreces Pruno Ribera Del Duero +++ $20

Sporty heady nose. Thick, unctuous, tannic. Really enjoyable.

2008 La Valentina Spelt Montepulciano D'Abruzzo +++ $20

Wish the fruit was haunting as the nose