2005 Domaine de Saint Siffrein Chateauneuf du Pape

2005 Domaine de Saint Siffrein Chateauneuf du Pape

An impressive dirty barnyard leather nose covered in deep red fruit. dark berries and cherries persist on the palate with a cocoa and topsoil finish. medium-bodied with many reasons to come back for another sip.

Tasting Tags: barnyard cherry funky leather pape

2004 Domaine Jean-Jacques Cote de Nuits-Villages

2004 Domaine Jean-Jacques Cote de Nuits-Villages

Cranberries and raspberries dominate the palate. soft but persistent finish.

Beautifully translucent ruby coloring.

Tasting Tags: cranberry soft

NV Nino Franco Prosecco

NV Nino Franco Prosecco

Pale, straw-like color. Soft, fizzing bubbles. Fleshy, white fruits on the nose and palate.

"Tasty" is the best word to describe this wine. The slight bitterness in the finish was very welcome to keep the wine balanced.

"Nino Franco Prosecco is the original Prosecco, which was first served at Harry’s Bar in Venice in the early 20th century. It is also worth mentioning that Nino Franco Rustico when mixed with white peach juice provides the authentic Bellini." - Wine of the Month Club.

Tasting Tags: bitter fruit tasty white

2005 Dashwood Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

2005 Dashwood Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Many of the posters here are totally off-base, or they have never tasted a truly new world sauvignon blanc before.

Yes, this is a crisp, zesty crushing-grapefruits-and-lemons-and-limes-in-your-mouth sort of wine, but it is a NZ Sauvignon blanc; this is a perfect example of the new world doing what it does best.

The only question here is whether this is an 89 point wine or a 90 point wine.

Tasting Tags: citrus crisp zesty zingy

2006 Domaine Castera Jurancon Sec

2006 Domaine Castera Jurancon Sec

Aromas of fresh, yellow fruits. Medium to full bodied (definitely not crisp) weight for a white.

long finish with acidic pineapples and yellow tropical fruits. there is a nice slight buttery quality, too, which lends a welcomed decadence to the wine.

The lack of a truly vivacious nose is the only thing really holding this back from a 90 score.

Tasting Tags: acidic pineapple

2004 Hook & Ladder "The Tillerman" Cabernet Blend Russian River Valley

2004 Hook & Ladder "The Tillerman" Cabernet Blend Russian River Valley

One of the most impressive finishes I've had. The front, middle, and end were all quite impressive.

I expected that because of the high (15.4%) alcohol content level that it might run pretty hot and unbalanced, but it was perfectly balanced. quite fruit forward with intense red fruit.

it was a big, new world wine, but it was not overdone at all.

if this is what your'e looking for, then it is beyond good.

I'm thinking of doing this and a Gigondas to illustrate new world v. old world style.

Tasting Tags: abv new smooth world

2006 Petit Paris Bergerac

2006 Petit Paris Bergerac

closed, tight nose with very little aroma. light to medium bodied with a wonderfully long finish.

great tobacco, tar, and bittersweet chocolate flavors present. a bit of highly welcomed tannins.

Not much fruit was present beyond the typical dark berries, but the little bit of wood present was done well.

a very balanced and enjoyable wine though not the most exceptional bottle ever. try it in place of slightly more expensive bordeauxs.

Tasting Tags: balanced

2003 Les Domaines de Collines Regis De Taxis

2003 Les Domaines de Collines Regis De Taxis

Light cherry cola on the nose. Deep, earthy top soil, almost overly ripe cherries and cola in the mouth with a slightly black, herbal tea finish, which was long but not over done. entirely balanced wine. there is a slight bit of brown sugar cedar throughout that makes this bottle really stand out from some other good, but not great Rhone wines I've had.

this is one of my favorite styles/regions of wine so it may not strike your fancy as vigorously, but it is a great representation of Gigondas and the Rhone.

I paired it with Gordon Ramsay recipe for roasted pork chops and a piquant sauce, and it was more than satisfactory. I would suggest something a bit tangier if searching for a perfect pairing. A well done, not-too-spicy slow-cooked barbeque would be fantastic with this. the charcoal or cooked cedar thread that is present throughout the wine could make for some interesting roasted game pairings.

if i could give this a 91.5 instead of a 92, I probably would, but I love Gigondas so it's a 92 for me.

Tasting Tags: cedar cherry cola earthy soil top

2005 Baltos Dominio De Tares Mencia

2005 Baltos Dominio De Tares Mencia

Ripe, red cherries on the mouth and nose. Slight brown spices, too.

It is advertised as full-bodied, but it is medium bodied at best.

There is no astringency or other detractors, but there are also no reasons to get really excited about this wine.

I could have easily mistaken this for a well-done, unoaked ribera del duero coming in at $11 or so.

2005 Hedges Cellars CMS

2005 Hedges Cellars CMS

Dark, candied red fruits on the nose. deep berry flavors with a slightly tannic but still entirely enjoyable body.

Tasting Tags: berries candy caramel