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Title and summary Date/time
1
Aquinas, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005
It was my son's birthday, and he loves to go to Sal's restaurant. So off we went. The server said that the Sal's on Killingsworth had closed (bummer), so the NW location was swimming in extra wine; so much so, that they were blowing out some of it for ... 		Sep 13, 2008
2
Titus, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004
We followed the Berringer Cab (see other review) with this one. Some liked this one better, but for me, the Berringer was clearly better. The nose was plum, and the oak was much lighter than the Berringer. However, it was also much less earthy, though ... 		Sep 9, 2008
3
Beringer, Private Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002
As I've mentioned in recent posts, I recently went on a fishing trip to Crater Lake with family. And one of those family members runs a Bed & Breakfast down in Napa Valley. And he likes wine. So he generously brought quite the powerhouse in this ... 		Sep 8, 2008
4
Miner Family, 'Simpson Vineyard', Viognier, 2007
I usually like Viognier, and this was no exception. The nose was all kinds of stuff: papapya, mango, lettuce, lemon, and cantaloupe. The nose was herbal (lavender?), lemon, but mostly very floral! The finish retained the floral elements, but also with ... 		Sep 5, 2008
5
Niebaum-Coppola Estate Wines, Cabernet Franc, 1997
We had this bottle right after the Ken Wright, Shea 06 -- a hard act to follow. But this one really stood its ground. Cab Franc? Really? Yep, this was very good. The nose was wild: bark, vegetable, mushroom, spice, pepper, nutmeg, asparagus, moss, ... 		Sep 2, 2008
6
Cuvaison, Chardonnay, 2006
We had my aunt and uncle over, and they like a good Chardonnay. However, and despite the volume of wine I drink, I really don't drink all that much white wine, let alone Chardonnay. So this wine was recommended by a guy at Zupan's. And it turned out ... 		Jul 18, 2008
7
Stags Leap, Petite Syrah, 2000
Oak -- smells like oak and heavy, heavy wood. There are cinnamon, nutmeg and cedar tastes. Then dirt and manure. This wine is quite gamey and earthy with a hint of black cherry. A heavy vegetable flavor emerges. Kale. This wine tastes like earthy, gamey ... 		Jun 15, 2008
8
The Rematch: Oregon versus California Pinots
Back in January, I participated in a competition of sorts: Oregon versus California Pinots. I was at a business dinner, and the other company is from California, and mine is based in Oregon. So you can guess where my allegiances lie. Anyway, I lost in the ... 		Apr 10, 2008
9
Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004
Smell: Peat, river bank, cinnamon, oregano, pine needles. Plum. Taste: Plum, raisin, currant. Really tight for the first 20 minutes; and then, it was smooth and yummy. Finish: Currant. And a very subtle granny smith apple -- not that apple dryness, ... 		Mar 24, 2008
10
Cima Collina, 'Cedar Lane', Sauvignon Blanc, 2006
Smell: Mustiness, pears, and grape skins. Fresh, pungent, and rich top soil mixed with lemon. Taste: Citrus--lemons and kiwis. Smells much stronger than it tastes. With eyes closed, it tastes like a ladybug on a rainforest leaf. Finish: Fades fast. ... 		Mar 1, 2008
11
A Rafanelli, 'Dry Creek Valley' Sonoma, Zinfandel, 2005
Smell: Overwhelmingly pepper! Oak and orange. Taste: Plum and black cherry. Finish: Cherry lingers. Later, hints of bark and a very slight lime sourness. Cost: Rating: 8.0 		Jan 17, 2008
12
Papapietro Perry, Russian River 'Leras Family Vineyards', Pinot Noir, 2005
Smell: Very strong cayenne. Pepper, papaya, cinnamon, curry and/or paprika. Taste: Plum is predominant. Hints of cranberry and pomegranate. Finish: Raisin. Smooth with a slight sourness at the end. A 2% milk consistency. Cost: Rating: 8.0 		Jan 17, 2008
13
Gustave Niebaum, Captain's Reserve, Pinot Noir, 2005
Smell: At first, a strong sweat aroma (in a good way). Cinnamon and then candy strawberry. Taste: Raisin and plum. Tannic textures and bark flavors. Very slight oak. Interesting that the candy strawberry smell was nowhere to be found in the taste. In ... 		Jan 17, 2008
14
Morgan, Santa Lucia Highlands 'Twelve Clones', Pinot Noir, 2005
Smell: Cedar, pepper, orange sherbet, star fruit. Super peppery! Pungent, perfumey and floral. Taste: Cayenne, Granny Smith apple, boysenberry. Grapey tasting. Chocolate cuts it down and is a good compliment. Finish: Sort of a burnt plus berry ... 		Jan 16, 2008
15
Cima Collina, 'Chula Vina', Pinot Noir, 2005
Smell: At first, a heavy alcohol smell--difficult to discern much else. A hint of vanilla under sharp turpentine. Then smoke and leather. Taste: Cherry, citrus, pomegranate and tobacco. A shot of cayenne (comes on quickly and then vanishes). A ... 		Jan 2, 2008
16
Our Daily Red
Smell: Vegetable, dirt, artichoke and earth (tannins). Taste: Currant and a hint of blackberry. Finish: Currant and red cherry. A 2% milk consistency. Cost: Rating: 7.0 		Dec 15, 2007
17
Estancia, Meritage, 1999
Smell: Asparagus, green beans, dirt and bananas. Taste: Citrus, peach, fig, almond and banana. It's the tropical jungle wine. For as many fruits that explode in the mouth, this wine is not sweet--pretty amazing. An excellent and exquisite bottle of ... 		Dec 1, 2007
18
Hop Kiln, 'Russian River Red', California Red Wine (Rhone blend), 2005
Smell: Oak and vanilla. Taste: Chocolate, licorice, anise, marionberry and a hint of kiwi. Very rich--buttery and carmelly. Finish: Metallic--a bit of tannins. Cost: Rating: 6.0 (86% Syrah, 14% Grenache) 		Nov 10, 2007
19
Ventana, Monterey, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003
Smell: Hits hard with the oak, but mellows out quickly and the fruit comes forward. Dark berry--like dried cherries. This is a "walk the plank" kind of wine--there's an immediate pirate hit. Smells like pirates: cane sugar, white sandy ... 		Oct 16, 2007
20
Spellbound, Petite Sirah, 2003
Smell: So intense that after one sip, it was calming. Smells like an Oregon forest--ferns and moss. Taste: A sweet opening. There are a lot of tannins to it, but not nasty tannins--pretty balanced. That Oregon forest reappears--earthy and mossy. ... 		Oct 14, 2007

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