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