Alaska Cruise

Went on a 7 day Alaska cruise with my wife, my parents, wife's parents, my grandparents and my aunt and her "friend". Before we went on the cruise I had HAL send me a copy of thier wine list. Unfortunately it was very unimaginative. Decided to bring along the wine for the 10 of us. Each day is broken out below.

• NV Scharffenberger Brut

  USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County

  (6/3/2006)

  Very dry. Pleasant to drink. Wife likes Gloria Ferrer better. Would purchase again. Two bottles.

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• 2003 Januik Merlot Columbia Valley

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  (6/3/2006)

  Oaky, Complex, Smooth. Needed an hour to open up. Would purchase again

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• 2004 Rulo Combine

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  (6/3/2006)

  Decent. Not nearly as mind blowing as the Chardonnay/Viognier mix from the 2003 vintage. Better whites out there for the price...At least for this vintage.

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• 2001 St. Supéry Cabernet Sauvignon

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (6/4/2006)

  Tight. Needs more time in the bottle or a minimum of three hours decanting to mellow. I like their wines a little older. Two bottles.

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• 2002 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay Belle Terre Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

  (6/4/2006)

  Smooth and Buttery. Similar to the basic blend, but a little softer. Really enjoyable wine. Not sure if the extra money for the vineyard designate is worth it? Two bottles.

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• 2003 Penny's Hill Shiraz

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  (6/5/2006)

  Great, wonderful, yummy. Decanted 30 minutes prior to dinner. Cherries and Strawberries. Good amount of oak, but not overwhelming. Tannins were well integrated. Need to buy a case of this. Plus...Have read that this was a down vintage. Can't wait to try my 2002. Three bottles.

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• 2005 Woodinville Wine Cellars Sauvignon Blanc

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  (6/5/2006)

  Good. Pineapple and hay. Would purchase again.

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• 2004 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma County

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  (6/6/2006)

  Needs lots of time to open up. Spicy. Good potential, but tight right now. Not as much of a fruit bomb as past vintages. Would purchase again. Two bottles.

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• 2004 Soléna Pinot Gris

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  (6/6/2006)

  Fabulous. Melon and citrus. Classic example of what I think of when I drink Pinot Gris. Would purchase again. Two bottles.

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• 2000 Terra Blanca Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

  (6/7/2006)

  At peak but possibly starting down the other side. Still very tasty. Recommend that you start drinking them if you got them. Would purchase new vintages. Three bottles.

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• 2004 Rulo Chardonnay Sundance Vineyard

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  (6/7/2006)

  Steely, no butter here. Needed food to balance out the acidity. Not really my style of Chardonnay.

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The Spring Valley Merlot was an extra bottle I brought along for my wife and I to drink in the cabin.

• 2004 Rulo Syrah Columbia Valley

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  (6/8/2006)

  Rulo syrah just never lets me down. Dark and brooding. Still a bit young, but opened up nicely with an hour of air. Heavy(in a good way) with a touch of spice. Would purchase again.

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• 2004 Cougar Crest Viognier

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  (6/8/2006)

  Can see why this winery is getting some good press. One of the best whites of the cruise. Reminded me alot of the 2003 Rulo Combine. Tropical fruits that last and last. Good balanced acidity. Would purchase again. Two bottles.

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• 2002 Spring Valley Vineyard Merlot Mule Skinner

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  (6/7/2006)

  Much drier than I remember at the winery. The fruit is hiding more in the background now. Could use a nice fatty steak to open up. Tasty...But...Think that there are other better choices at this price point.

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• 1985 Porto Rocha Porto Vintage

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  (6/8/2006)

  Cork broke in half, then the bottom crumbled as I was trying to get it out. Did not decant. Poured very slowly and the cork fragments stayed in the bottle. Was not showing well tonight. Have had this on three other occasions and it sang. Felt a little flat and gritty tonight. Very dry and not alot of fruit to be found. Hope that this was just an off bottle.

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• NV Scharffenberger Brut

  USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County

  (6/9/2006)

  Consistent Notes. Two bottles.

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• 2001 Terra Blanca Merlot

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

  (6/9/2006)

  At peak. Great everyday or special occasion wine. Smooth. Nice dark fruit flavors. Paired well with a porterhouse. Would purchase more, but only for near term drinking. Three bottles.

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• 2004 L'Ecole No. 41 Sémillon

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  (6/9/2006)

  Great wine year in and year out. Heavy wood flavors but in a way that doesn't taste over powering. Has the mouthfeel of heavy cream. Would purchase again.

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From now on I always bring my own wine along on cruises. Other than the hassle of carrying aboard three cases of wine it was great.