http://www.cellartracker.com/list.asp?Table=Notes&iUserOverride=18620 These are my recent CellarTracker tasting notes. © 2003-10 CellarTracker! LLC. All rights reserved. "CellarTracker!" is a trademark of CellarTracker! LLC. No part of this website may be used, reproduced or distributed without the prior written permission of CellarTracker! LLC. eric@cellartracker.com http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=431193&iNote=1353733 1353733 Tasted by yeastbeast. Dinner with Molli's spinach and mushroom quiche. Opened this as part of my "drink up" experiment for 2005 California wines. Nose and fruit are subdued, tannins still quite robust and not yet fully integrated. Let's check back in a year. (84 pts.) - Tasted 1/30/2010. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=489703&iNote=1347795 1347795 Tasted by yeastbeast. Saved this one for Snorri's visit--- had it over a dinner of baked whole red snapper in a saffron, tomato and potato gratin (very Portuguese). The wine was superb--- extremely dark purple, vivid berry and cassis nose, intense fruit with a mellow well-balanced tail end. Highly concentrated. Would buy again at $22.50. (88 pts.) - Tasted 1/26/2010. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=686776&iNote=1287657 1287657 Tasted by yeastbeast. My grandaunt bought this for family holiday party. She has no clue about wine and was working on the advice of the Safeway "sommelier," so I had very low expectations, especially as the low-end Forestville label is synonymous with plonk. And yet, I was pleasantly surprised. Though the fruit is indistinct, the extensive extraction and oak treatment gives this wine a robust structure that puts it into the drinkable table wine range. The flavor is fairly straight-forward--- oak, oak and more oak, with a subtle hint of oak. If you like that kind of thing, it's probably a good bargain. I would buy it at $10. (84 pts.) - Tasted 12/17/2009. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=467533&iNote=1221399 1221399 Tasted by yeastbeast. A splendid example of a more fruit-forward Alentejo red. Tart fruit, coats the mouth with velvety, nicely tamed tannins. Among the better bottles I've had from this region, though perhaps not as good a bargain as others (it was $25 at K&L). (89 pts.) - Tasted 10/24/2009. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=656915&iNote=1160214 1160214 Tasted by yeastbeast. Had it with a three dish Indian dinner at home with Molli. Sweet and tangy, nothing too complicated but quite pleasing. A good pairing. (83 pts.) - Tasted 8/25/2009. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=712712&iNote=1145014 1145014 Tasted by yeastbeast. I admit that for once I was seduced by the label and bought it just to show Molli. The wine itself proved unremarkable.... very light-colored and light-bodied, with a modest Pinot Noir-like nose. At 14% alcohol, it's a bit too hot for its modest tannin. Basically, it tastes like an overly fruity California-style Pinot Noir. I don't regret buying it at Costco for $15, but I wouldn't do it again. (82 pts.) - Tasted 8/10/2009. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=610280&iNote=1069303 1069303 Tasted by yeastbeast. Had a glass of this unusual varietal at Urban Tavern. Lovely floral nose, light and fruit body with a surprisingly tannic structure. Would buy at $15 but retail is probably more. (85 pts.) - Tasted 6/5/2009. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=597456&iNote=1035695 1035695 Tasted by yeastbeast. I returned the previously noted bad bottle and Bi-Rite unquestioningly gave me a fresh one. A world of difference! Molli and I had it with a homemade dinner of saag paneer and masoor dal, though not so spicy as to drown the wine's flavors. A tangy, fruity wine with a robust acidity and firm tannins. Flavors of sour cherry, pepper. Like a young tempranillo. Would buy again at $14 (84 pts.) - Tasted 5/4/2009. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=597456&iNote=1026506 1026506 Tasted by yeastbeast. Picked it up at Bi-Rite on a recommendation from Sarah, the understudy to Josh the wine buyer. It was pitched to me as an oddity, an unfamiliar varietal that deserves attention. If so, this is hardly the specimen. Despite a tolerably fruity nose, the wine is horridly unbalanced, with overwhelming acidity masking wan fruit and bland tannins. Supposedly mondeuse improves with age, but it's hard to see what's here to improve. Maybe it's just not my style, or maybe it's a bad bottle, but I'm relegating the rest of this bottle to cookery. (flawed bottle) - Tasted 4/26/2009. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=306300&iNote=969975 969975 Tasted by yeastbeast. Drank it with Molli over a dinner of leftover lamb chops. This was a stray bottle that wandered into my hands at a nearby "bargain" wine clearance shop, though I think the $19 price tag was not necessarily marked down. Well-tempered with even-keeled dark fruit and nicely integrated medium tannin. No especially distinct flavors to note, but a pleasingly solid heft. Would buy again. Drink now. (89 pts.) - Tasted 3/2/2009. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=460276&iNote=955189 955189 Tasted by yeastbeast. Molli and I had this at Harris Ranch (we brought it ourselves) on the way back from LA. Rich and velvety, mouthcoating blackberry and coffee fruit, smooth tannin. Drinking excellently right now. Wish I had bought more. (88 pts.) - Tasted 2/16/2009. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=212644&iNote=929019 929019 Tasted by yeastbeast. Randomly chosen by Molli from the cellar as a representative cheap '05 Bordeaux. I was quite pleased... intense but not overly sweet cassis fruit, strong tannin, overall good balance. I don't remember what I paid for it, but I would buy it again at $15. (84 pts.) - Tasted 1/23/2009. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=610437&iNote=878456 878456 Tasted by yeastbeast. Brian and Kathy brought this over for Sunday dinner. An incredibly extracted, concentrated wine... one of those that I call 2X (double strength) wines. Extremely bold yet balanced, with strong tannins well integrated behind spicy fruit. Ordinarily, I'm not a fan of this super-oaked style, but this time it worked for me. If I had a case of this, I'd cellar it for another decade. Will keep an eye out. (90 pts.) - Tasted 12/7/2008. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=578524&iNote=817398 817398 Tasted by yeastbeast. Drank with Karl at Cafe du Soleil, along with a perfect sirloin steak. A delightful young wine, with sweet and light fruit and a jaunty balance. Drink now. I was surprised by how good it was at this price (a mere $40 at an uptown restaurant). If I see it, I would buy it at $20. (89 pts.) - Tasted 10/4/2008. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=16675&iNote=817389 817389 Tasted by yeastbeast. Had it at my so-called birthday party, attended by Gaius and Sabrina, who gave me this bottle earlier this year. Good, well-rounded, but not great. My recollection is that it was a bit hollow around the middle. (82 pts.) - Tasted 10/4/2008. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=105791&iNote=817384 817384 Tasted by yeastbeast. I love dining with Dave and Karen, my generous employers. They love good wine and do not balk at bottles that I wouldn't dare allow myself. Moreover, they often leave the picking to me. At Chatham Bar Inn restaurant we with a glass of a overextracted and plonky Carr pinot noir, we opted for something with more heft. This cab/merlot/cab franc blend more than fit the bill. An hour after decanting, the acrid nose was gone, revealing rich and mysterious dark fruit and cassis with a robust body of indeterminate but appealing flavor, with a bracing, manly grip. It's incredible how well this legendary vintage is holding up... I often drink '05 Stags Leap cabs that pale in comparison. I'll be looking for this bottle for deep storage once my vow of wine buying abstinence lapses at the end of the year. (94 pts.) - Tasted 10/4/2008. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4985&iNote=786047 786047 Tasted by yeastbeast. A gift of Dr. Frechet which Molli and I enjoyed with a dinner of pan-fried sole and Lebanese couscous. Complex nose of leather and lavender nose. Prominent intact fruit with satisifying tannins; flavor of leather and gelatin (?). Excellent structure for an older CdP, drinking very well with several more years in it. One bottle left. (88 pts.) - Tasted 8/26/2008. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=497282&iNote=743316 743316 Tasted by yeastbeast. Drank it with Molli at Alborz Persian restaurant, then the rest at home the next day. Intense nose of tart blackberry and oak. Very full body, still quite young, with excellent balance. An exceptionally good wine, which is high praise for me as I generally avoid merlot. Will lay down half a case if it turns up. (90 pts.) - Tasted 7/2/2008. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=370718&iNote=736557 736557 Tasted by yeastbeast. Drank it with Steve, Amy and Jenny before dinner as the lighter-bodied of two Fortitude bottles. Fairly fruity and floral, seemingly random assortment of grapes and flavors. A good quaffing wine, but maybe not at this price. (83 pts.) - Tasted 6/24/2008. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=413772&iNote=736554 736554 Tasted by yeastbeast. Drank it with Steve, Amy and Jenny with BBQed ribeyes and corn. Good structure, lots of red fruit, good grip. Great match for the beast. (85 pts.) - Tasted 6/18/2008. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=231348&iNote=604755 604755 Tasted by yeastbeast. Had this with Molli and Sabrina at the Grand Cafe, off of the wine list. Excellent, easy-drinking, mellow Bordeaux with a gentle, pleasing nose of ripe plums and vanilla. Not overly oaked, smooth tannins. A treat. (88 pts.) - Tasted 2/1/2008. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=386170&iNote=565108 565108 Tasted by yeastbeast. The other Christmas Eve wine. I've now had a few bottles of this one and am not as crazy about it as the first time around, but it still is quite a beauty. Huge, intense nose of tropical flowers and vanilla. Excellent, mouth-coating unctuous fruit that leads to well-integrated tannins with a mellow finish. Quite a treat. (90 pts.) - Tasted 12/27/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=169720&iNote=565107 565107 Tasted by yeastbeast. Opened it at Christmas Eve dinner with the family and found it wanting at the time. Re-examined two days later, it is still wanting. Understated, light fruit nose. Bright, overly acidic fruit with a flabby middle bit and an unsettling green, over-extracted character. Little to recommend here. (79 pts.) - Tasted 12/27/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=120329&iNote=556086 556086 Tasted by yeastbeast. Opened it along with its 2001 counterpart at the celebratory dinner at the new house, with MEB, Gaius, Sabrina, Karl and Molls. Nobody noticed or cared, as they were already a bit drunk on beer and MEB's plonky Super-Tuscan. Notes are from second day. Funky leathery nose. Bright, vivid cab fruit, like sour cherry and a bit of briar. Tobacco and leather on the finish. Already excellent, I would hazard it will be better in a couple of years. (88 pts.) - Tasted 12/19/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=30565&iNote=556084 556084 Tasted by yeastbeast. Opened it along with its 2002 counterpart at the celebratory dinner at the new house, with MEB, Gaius, Sabrina, Karl and Molls. Nobody noticed or cared, as they were already a bit drunk on beer and MEB's plonky Super-Tuscan. Nose of sweet cherry, leading to somewhat one-note cherry cab fruit on the tongue. Gentle, well-rounded oak, with nicely settled-down tannins. A good accompaniment to the roasted pork loin, but notes are from the second day. An excellent cab, just entering its optimal drinking period. (90 pts.) - Tasted 12/19/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=339982&iNote=499681 499681 Tasted by yeastbeast. Drank it last night with Karl and Heidi to accompany pork chops and mashed potato fritters. As before, an especially rich and bracing Tuscan blend. I would guess mostly Cab Sauv. Great intensity and concentration, a fantastic daily drinker. (90 pts.) - Tasted 10/22/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=350043&iNote=492027 492027 Tasted by yeastbeast. Drinking really nicely about now. Has lost some of its tannic harshness compared to last year, but still quite firm and bracing. Paired well with ham and torta. (87 pts.) - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=365515&iNote=492026 492026 Tasted by yeastbeast. Brought it to Kendal's lavish birthday party, adding it to a vast table of superb offerings. I got a sip but it was as flat as a pancake. The other wines at this party, which took place in a barn outside of St. Helena, were phenomenal and this one was instantly forgotten. (78 pts.) - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=168880&iNote=492025 492025 Tasted by yeastbeast. Not a great specimen of California port. Like so many Lodi wines, it was too sweet and too hot. (80 pts.) - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=351159&iNote=492024 492024 Tasted by yeastbeast. Drank it with David C., who was surprised to see the grapes of his homeland in a California wine. Started off rather astringent, but with a bit of air and time the raisin and dark cherry fruit came out to play. I'm a sucker for unusual blends, but this was nothing to write home about. (84 pts.) - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=288577&iNote=492023 492023 Tasted by yeastbeast. No notes, but a recollection of excessive acidity. (81 pts.) - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=373015&iNote=492022 492022 Tasted by yeastbeast. This was a rare treat. I drank it over the course of several weeks, using refrigeration. A superb aperitif with minty herbal notes. Gaius liked it, which is unusual. Must get more. (88 pts.) - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=164789&iNote=492021 492021 Tasted by yeastbeast. It came and went without an impression. Acidity had long since collapsed. (78 pts.) - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=293233&iNote=492020 492020 Tasted by yeastbeast. Drank it at the Yom Kippur break fast at Steve and Amy's place. My wine palate was marred by ravenous hunger from fasting all day, and the pairing with bagels and lox didn't help (nor did it help to dispel any culinary stereotypes). As fro the wine- by my California standars, meh. (82 pts.) - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=279273&iNote=492019 492019 Tasted by yeastbeast. Drank it with Alexei in a little log cabin in the woods. Earthy and astringent, yet pleasing. We both preferred it to the other Cline syrah, a more pedestrian Sonoma version. (86 pts.) - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=376915&iNote=492018 492018 Tasted by yeastbeast. Drank it with Dr. Janet at dinner in Mekong, the vegan Vietnamese restaurant. Perhaps a poor pairing with the spicy food, but a fond recollection of the wine as a remarkably well-balanced meritage-style blend. (85 pts.) - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=309665&iNote=492017 492017 Tasted by yeastbeast. Gone and forgotten. - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=95956&iNote=492016 492016 Tasted by yeastbeast. All I remember about this bottle is that it was rough, tannic and didn't get finished. i really hope that I didn't pay $28 for it as noted. (80 pts.) - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=61866&iNote=492015 492015 Tasted by yeastbeast. I drank this several weeks ago over the course of several days and forgot to write a note. My recollection is that it was holding up remarkably well, with intense herbes de provence and licorice flavors. I would definitely get more if there were room in the cellar. (87 pts.) - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=416250&iNote=492014 492014 Tasted by yeastbeast. Todd and I drank this over a dinner of porcini ravioli and collard greens. An excellent, full-bodied cool weather syrah... zingy, not overly sweet, prominent cassis and blackberry notes. A good QPR. (87 pts.) - Tasted 10/13/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=278124&iNote=480548 480548 Tasted by yeastbeast. Much better than the last bottle... was it the mood or the food? Zin-tastic but not excessively sweet.... firm tannin but prominent fruit. More depth than the typical zin at this price range. (84 pts.) - Tasted 9/24/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=383739&iNote=480545 480545 Tasted by yeastbeast. Surprisingly yummy for an obscure odd bottle that somehow ended up in the Cave. Mellowed tannins bring out the dark plum and oak flavors. Drank it with Phil prior to a Chicken dinner. (86 pts.) - Tasted 9/17/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=208368&iNote=471810 471810 Tasted by yeastbeast. Karl and I drank it last night with brownies, pears and politics. Rich, mouth-coating ruby style vintage port with a big, satisfying grip. Coffee and tobacco discernible under the plum fruit. I'm quite pleased (89 pts.) - Tasted 9/15/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=341593&iNote=471805 471805 Tasted by yeastbeast. Drank this over the course of two nights this week. Very pleasing, highly concentrated fruit-forward blend, all California-style ripeness and robust structure. Stood up well the to the very spicy lamb sausage dish and the subsequent charred chicken chunks. I would definitely buy more if I come across it. (88 pts.) - Tasted 9/15/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=405634&iNote=468768 468768 Tasted by yeastbeast. Tasted at winery. The last in a long tasting of extremely heterogeneous wines. Smokey with herbal notes (rosemary? sage?). Good concentration with firm tannin. Will be great in a few years. (88 pts.) - Tasted 9/11/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=405633&iNote=468765 468765 Tasted by yeastbeast. Tasted at winery. Remarkable, completely unexpected wine made from some kind of mutant Chardonnay clone. Powerful musky and spicy nose, akin to icewine. Not a hint of oak or malolactic, instead a gentle sauv blanc-like nectary quality. I hate Chardonnay but this is a happy exception. (88 pts.) - Tasted 9/11/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=376613&iNote=468758 468758 Tasted by yeastbeast. Tasted at winery. Very young, Burgundian-style pinot, currently too raw and tannic to savor. Give it five years. (86 pts.) - Tasted 9/11/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=289987&iNote=465554 465554 Tasted by yeastbeast. Drank it with Molli at Ooma. The meal was mediocre, but the wine was superb. Intense, zingy berry flavor with a spicy, long-lasting finish. A clever blend that plays to the strengths of the Zin, Syrah and Mourvedre. (90 pts.) - Tasted 9/7/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=228887&iNote=463592 463592 Tasted by yeastbeast. Blech! Clearly a tainted bottle. (flawed bottle) - Tasted 7/31/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]> http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=24005&iNote=463589 463589 Tasted by yeastbeast. My second bottle of this sherry was shared with a crazed feminist who didn't know anything about wine and thus poured each of us a tall glass. Too much! This should be enjoyed in thimble-sized drams. It seemed too sweet and raisiny this time around. Maybe it's the unpleasant memory of the companion that mars the recollection of the wine. I'll try it again. (80 pts.) - Tasted 8/14/2007. $ FIND THIS WINE on WINE-SEARCHER.COM $]]>