We brought this as a nonblind starter to toast Cyndi and Mike's first time as hosts for the Saturday group. Pale straw yellow color. Notes of almond, biscuit, grapefruit, apple and honeysuckle. Apple, almond and stone flavors with racy acidity. An ultra brut, this is bone dry.

Pale color. Aromas of apple, cream, vanilla and honeysuckle with hints of butterscotch. Medium-bodied, with vanilla, toasted butterscotch and tropical fruit tones. I was guessing Chardonnay. I retasted just before unveiling as everyone else said Sauv Blanc, and there was a very subtle grassy note, so I could see it, but certainly not old world.

Deep color. Opens with an odd metallic note, as well as apple, sulphur, and a chemically quality; perhaps a hint of cotton as well. Apple and white fruit flavors with a subtle toasted undertone. Thought this was a Chard as well- not off to a good start today.

Deep yellow color. Notes of apple, banana, butterscotch and toast. The palate follows the bouquet, with a rich, full mouthfeel. Shows just a bit of heat on the finish. Guessed Chardonnay.

Light ruby color. Cherry, cola, spice and perfumed florals- lavender. Medium-bodied with good acidity. Flavors of cherry, cola, white pepper, nutmeg and clove. Guessed Sonoma County Pinot.

Ruby/orange color. Ones with odd notes akin to rubber and Raid bug spray. Tastes better than it smells, with red fruit flavors, bright acidity and medium tannins. Sour red fruit and cherry aromas replace the bug spray and rubber qualities; develops a candied cherry flavor. Medium finish. I thought we had another Pinot here, perhaps from a lesser growing region; no one pegged this as Italian, let alone Barbaresco.

Light purplish/red color. A bit generic at first, this developed nicely in the glass with cherry, red currant and gingerbread notes. Medium-bodied with nice acidity and flavors of red fruit, cherries and spice. Medium finish. Guessed domestic Pinot.

Due to cork trouble, this was served from a decanter. To this point, it had been decanted for about an hour. Deep ruby color. Aromas of iron, red currants, forest floor and cherry. Medium-bodied, with good acidity and flavors of red fruit, cherry and forest floor. Firm; youthful. Guessed Oregon Pinot. 90-91 pts.

By the time dinner was served- maybe three hours after the wine was first opened- this had opened up a bit more on the palate, featuring cherries, earth and florals with a nice mineral streak. Drink now-2017. 92-93 pts.

Purplish red color. Opens with an odd chemical aroma- could be wine B's twin. Aromas turn to pine sap, evergreen, cherry and spice. Medium-bodied, with cherry and spice qualities. Long finish; shows just a bit of heat on the finish. Good underlying acidity. Guessed CA Pinot.

Inky purple color. Notes of blackberry, plum and violets. Vanilla, boysenberry, blackberry and licorice flavors with dense, firm tannins that clamp down hard on the finish. Guessed Petite Sirah.

Dark crimson. Aromas of tar, black fruit, herbs and tea leaf. Full-bodied, with medium-firm tannins and flavors of black fruit, plum and cherry. Turns a bit sour and acidic; almost has a jammy quality. Guessed Shiraz.

Garnet color. Aromas of blue fruit, violets & lavender and blackberry. Massive tannins; flavors of black and blue fruit, caramel too. With air, notes of tar, brown sugar and dill appear- teh dill starts to dominate. Long finish. Guessed Petite.

Inky crimson color, light meniscus. Aromas of leather, black currants, tobacco and spice box, violets and florals. Flavors black currants, leather, tobacco and florals. Medium-bodied and fully-integrated. Elegant, with a long finish. Guessed mid-90s cab.

Inky crimson color with aromas of sour black fruit, herbs and raspberry liqueur. This has softened a bit; flavors of black fruit, boysenberry and plum. Develops an odd sour citrus quality.

Inky crimson color. Notes of black fruit and herbs with a meaty undertone. Full-bodied. Plum, blackberry, roasted meat and vanilla flavors. Chewy tannins; medium+ finish.

Corked.

Notes of forest floor, red currants, plum and roasted herbs. Balanced; flavors of red fruit, plum, herbs, earth and funk. Lovely.

Light color. Aromas of minerals, orange blossom honey, and tropical fruit. Flavors of apricot and peach, with a bit of a tinny, metallic note on the finish.