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2003 Rocking Horse Zinfandel
(2007-06-18 04:02:49 UTC) buddy icon 2003 Rocking Horse Zinfandel 90/100

A very fine wine for the sub-ten price range. Well balanced and flavorful. Elegant bottle too. Very satisfying to sip and taste -- good with food. Blackberry with soft tannins.

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2005 Francis Coppola Diamond Pinot Noir
(2007-03-13 16:07:39 UTC) buddy icon 2005 Francis Coppola Diamond Pinot Noir 82/100

Soft and warm chocolate velvet with a silky cherry, raspberry dessert sauce finish.

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2002 Viansa Piccolo Sonoma Valley Sangiovese
(2007-03-12 15:13:14 UTC) buddy icon 2002 Viansa Piccolo Sonoma Valley Sangiovese 82/100

Nice strawberry nose. Initial taste highlights the acidity with notes of tart plum. We tried this with a spicy red sauce over pasta, and it was good. Not super heavy and subtle complexity, but the high acidity pretty much defined this wine. Piccolo has citrus highlights that seemed designed to be enjoyed with food.

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2003 Cantino Del Pino Barbaresco
(2006-12-09 17:27:53 UTC) buddy icon 2003 Cantino Del Pino Barbaresco 90/100

Very dry -- extracts all liquid from the mouth instantly. This makes it very nice with food, but a bit extreme on its own. Light in color. Food is mandatory with this one. Very chewy with a piece of chocolate.

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2004 Preston Barbera
(2006-12-02 16:06:25 UTC) buddy icon 2004 Preston Barbera 90/100

I'll back up the high review for this one.

A very drinkable, heady red with a furry glove of tannins. The nose is solid and comfortable. At first I was almost tricked into thinking this was somewhat normal, but the glass keeps getting better with time and air.

The guy at Sonoma Cellars first said "sorry no Barbera" then realized that he had to leave the Italian section to find this Barbera from California. I love that a Cali grower decided to go crazy with an Italian varietal. He also said that "some guy comes in here regularly and buys four at a time". Could that have been witort indulging? I wonder...

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2004 Beringer Founder's Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
(2006-12-01 17:45:59 UTC) buddy icon 2004 Beringer Founder's Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 75/100

Decent, but not spectacular. Definitely tastes like a California wine. Dry; not very fruity. Tastes economical, but cost $11.

2005 Echelon Pinot Noir
(2006-11-20 13:48:03 UTC) buddy icon 2005 Echelon Pinot Noir 82/100

This is a classic Pinot for the price. Light, cherry fruit, great with food -- doesn't dominate the flavors of fine dining.

2005 Vinum Petite Syrah - PETS
(2006-11-19 18:37:08 UTC) buddy icon 2005 Vinum Petite Syrah - PETS 75/100

An older year of this received a very polarized review at our wine tasting party last year. A few people gave it a 10, many others 1 or 2. The 2004 was really summarized as a "fruit bomb". Someone said they tasted "tuna" deep inside the glass... The 2005 is not quite as fruity, more tannic and deep. I think petite syrah is a tough varietal to love. Very french and earthy.

2002 Benziger Syrah
(2006-11-19 18:22:15 UTC) buddy icon 2002 Benziger Syrah 75/100

Been very partial to syrahs lately. This one is good, but not fabulous. Perhaps this is why the winery sells this well aged wine for 40% off their typical price. The initial sip doesn't jump out at you, but the middle of the glass is good with cheese -- sophisticated.

NV Mission Park Red Cuvee
(2006-11-12 13:20:27 UTC) buddy icon NV Mission Park Red Cuvee 90/100

Pretty good! Nice structure, has a toned down form of the syrah plum pepper, but nice grenache character as well. The combination is a really nice mix -- the best of both varietals comes out. This is a win win of price, flavor, value, and finesse.