Home 2009/01/29

2003 Maison Louis Latour, Bourgogne. $13.99. ***½

My regular cheap burgundy from Marina Market. need a bit of airing. cherry, roasted nuts, herbs, orange peel, slightly astringent, a long elegant finish. - so - ws

K&L Saturday Tasting: Bordeaux 2009/01/17

2006 Les Tours de Peyrat, Cotes de Blayes. $15.99. ***½

Merlot based. blackcurrants, tart, cherry, robitussin? - so - ws

2006 Haut-Vigneau, Pessac-Leognan. $14.99. ***½

floral, plum, leather, complex, raspberry, hint of earth, lighter body simple finish - so - ws

2006 Kirwan, Margaux. $46.99. ***½

smoke, beef, raspberry, acidic, hint of citrus zest, concentrated - so - ws

2006 Lascombes, Margaux. $79.99. ****

dark chocolate, plum, vanillin, bitter coffee, med to long finish, less exciting and exotic than the previous vintage - so - ws

2005 Puygueraud, Cotes de Francs. $26.99. ***½

espresso, jammy, astringent, balsamic, very new world, chalky, exotic - so - ws

2005 Benjamin de Sansonnet, St. Emilion. $26.99. ***

berry, sweet, hint of cumins, simple - so - ws

2005 Sansonnet, St. Emilion. $49.99. ***½

berry, sweet, tart, good balance, concentrated, new world, some herbs, long finish - so - ws

2005 Quinault L'Enclos, St. Emilion. $56.99. ****½

tight nose, herbs, smoky, very concentrated, blackberry, long finish - so - ws

2005 Mejean, Pessac-Leognan. $30. ***½

toasty, tannic, berry, long but simple finish - so - ws

2005 Bahans Haut Brion, Pessac-Leognan. $74.99. ****

2nd wine of Chateau Haut Brion, blueberry, fine tannins, tobacco, earth, dried plum, long but simple finish, does feel like it has potential to evolve nicely. - so - ws

1996 B.R. Cohn Reserve Cabernet, Sonoma. $59.99. ***½

served blind as mystery wine. olive, herbs, blackberry, new world, sage. Thought it's an 2000 or 1998 Stags Leaps. Rather tired and close to over the hill. - so - ws

Excuse Club January 2009 at Brandywine 2009/01/17

1994 Leoville Barton, St. Julien. $69.99. ****½

chalky, green pepper, acidic, flavorful, black and red currants, tobacco, long finish - so - ws

2006 Chateau de Saint Cosme, Gigondas. $35. ***½

blackpepper, tight, thyme, blackberry, was complex and flavorful but flattened - so - ws

2005 Puygueraud, Cotes de Francs. $29.99. ***½

overripe, cherry, balsamic, oak, new world style, flatten quickly - so - ws

2005 Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet, Columbia Valley. $29. ****

vanilla, spicy oak, very dark, some creamy butter notes, toffee, full body, aroma quite unusual, objectively very good wine. WS95? That's a bit of an exaggeration - so - ws

2005 Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet Day 2, Columbia Valley. $29. *****

One inch left. Vanilla, blackcurrant and plum, very integrated, pencil lead, violet, coca cola, very long smooth finish - so - ws

2006 Justin Justification, Paso Robles. $40. ****½

Cabernet Franc based. Green pepper, tobacco, blackberry, hint of thinner in the beginning, concentrated, full body - so - ws

Home 2009/1/11

2006 Joseph Drouhin Vero Pinot Noir, Bourgogne. $19.99. ***

tight raspberry, balanced, simple but delicious. after Disney Live show. - so - ws

2005 Joseph Faiveley, Bourgogne. $15.99. **½

lean, chalky, astringent, tart cherry, citric zest - so - ws

Home Trying K&L Shipment 2009/01/08

2005 Chateau Saint-Hilare, Medoc. $13.99. ***

K&L Jan Shipment. Tannic, mineral, blackcurrant, dusty spicy oak, simple but pleasant. An interesting combination of new world-ness and old world-ness. A faint hint of Brett - so - ws

Home 2009/01/02

2007 Beringer California Collection Pinot Grigio, California. $4.50. **½

fruity pear, green apple, thinner, fragrant - so - ws

2007 Santa Rita 120 Chardonnay, Aconcagua Valley, Chile. $5.99. **½

pale hay, apple, mineral, light and pleasant, hint of loamy soil. Trader Joe's - so - ws

2003 Raimat Tempranillo, Costers del Segre, Spain. $4.99. **

Black pepper, cheap green dragon well, earth, blackberry, toasty oak, long but not so pleasant finish. Trader Joe's - so - ws

Bryan Family Xmas Dinner 2008 2008/12/25

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
1999	Dom Perignon, Champagne (Retrospective) very concentrated, lemon, almost tropical fruit, bread toast, a hint of shell fish minerality, complex, super long finish, fine bubbles - so - ws	139	*****
2006	Sbragia Gamble Vineyard Chardonnay, Napa Valley (Retrospective) Consistent notes as before. Buttery, pear, tropical, vanilla, deep full body. The previous tasting matches better (with crab legs and melted butter). - so - ws	32.99	*****
2003	Vincent Girardin, Gevrey-Chambertin (Retrospective) blackberry, bacon, hint of mushroom, dusty, black tea, complex. A successful match with Roasted Vegetables In Reduced Beef Broth. - so - ws	54	*****
2005	Vincent Girardin, Gevrey-Chambertin (Retrospective) Mixed berries, hint of orange peel, tangy, floral - so - ws	50	****
2004	Honig Bartolucci Vineyard Cabernet, Napa Valley (Retrospective) Located at the base of Spring Mountain, this cabernet is dusty, has black cherry, licorice, vanilla, Spring Mountain earth, and tannic. - so - ws	75	****
2001	Tenimenti Angelini, Brunello di Montalcino (Retrospective) Reminder: #3 of 2008 mmhwd. Tar, sage, plummy, full body, balanced - so - ws	40	****
2005	Darioush Shahpar Late Harvest, Napa Valley (Retrospective) Limited Edition of Darioush Winery. This is botrytised sauvignon blanc and semillon. Very well made and sauternes-like. - so - ws	n/a	*****

The Wine Club Saturday Tasting: Cabernets! 2008/12/20

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2005	Cakebread Cabernet, Napa Valley cassis, plum, chocolate, full body, chalky, hint of mint and licorice - so - ws	65	****
2005	Cain Five, Napa Valley olive, blackberry jam, slightly bitter like orange peel, full body, long finish - so - ws	109	****
2005	BV Georges de la Tour Private Reserve Cabernet, Napa Valley Dusty oak, red plum, concentrated but simple, hollow metallic finish - so - ws	90	***½
2004	Hewitt Cabernet, Rutherford blueberry, lively, currant, chocolate, med finish - so - ws	65	****
2006	Caymus Special Select Cabernet, Napa Valley orange spice, blackcurrant, Earl Grey, long finish, soft tannin, very attractive. Still grapy due to young age. - so - ws	150	*****
2003	Silver Oak, Napa Valley cherry, long but abrupt finish, hint of curry - so - ws	100	****½
2005	Joseph Phelps Insignia, Napa Valley balanced, blackberry, vanilla, spicy oak, med body, med finish, rather simple, disappointing - so - ws	100	****
2005	Provenance Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet, Napa Valley herbal, licorice, vanilla, olive, concentrated long finish, med body. - so - ws	70	****
2005	Palazzo Cabernet, Napa Valley dusty tar, blackberry, eucalyptus, simple - so - ws	65	***
2005	Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet, Napa Valley complex, cedar, blackcurrant, blackberry, hint of dust, licorice - so - ws	125	*****
2005	Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet, Napa Valley chalky oak, raspberry, mint, over oaked, long finish. Not my taste. Second time with same note. I need to refund my remaining bottle and get a ... Groth - so - ws	90	****
2005	Dominus, Napa Valley This is weird. Every time I taste Dominus, it is ... no nose, shut down, complex but unable to judge. I don't know if it will ever open up. I would rahter buy 3 Napanooks (Dominus 2nd wine) with this price (and still have $10 left) - so - ws	132	n/a
2005	Groth Reserve Cabernet, Oakville Wine of the day or perhaps wine of the year... blueberry, beautiful floral nose, chocolate, raspberry, complex, hint of eucalyptus. Need to have a bigger mouthful... this is new vine. They have stopped producing reserve cab since 2000 to wait for the new vines to produce. 2nd time a brand new vine impressed me... remember 2000 Rudd Oakville Red - so - ws	140	*****
2005	Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet, Napa Valley orangle flower, jelly candy, raspberry, astringent, chalky, tannin, long finish - so - ws	113	****½

Steak at Fred 2008/12/06

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2006	Sbragia Gamble Vineyard Chardonnay, Napa Valley Fresh, vibrant and deeply concentrated at the same time. Pear, lime, melon, honey, butter, perfectly balanced with medium toasty oak. Perfect match with my lazy microwaved snow crab legs served with clarified butter and lemon. Memorable. - so - ws	32.99	*****
1997	Freemark Abbey Sycamore Vineyard Cabernet, Napa Valley Well aged. No tiredness. Blueberry, eucalyptus, mildly spicy, chalk, some dark chocolate and earth. Delicious. - so - ws	50	*****
NV	Overture, Napa Valley Opus One's second wine. Non-vintaged but believe to be 1998. Dark plum, prune, vanilla, very good performer consider the cool vintage. Well aged. No tell-tale dried leaves that's too common in 1998 Napa Cabs. Lacking the spicy, clove-like oak that I often find in Overtures and Opus Ones. It demonstrates clearly Overture can age. - so - ws	45	****
2001	Nickel and Nickel Branding Iron Vineyard Cabernet, Oakville I often think 2001 cannot live up to its fame. This wine is unstable, beginning with an excellent blackberry, Oakville fruit forwardness, then becoming green with bell pepper, leaves notes, and finally opens up again becoming more traditional blackcurrent, cherry profile. Ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 stars. Averaging 4. - so - ws	80	****
2005	Lascombes, Margaux Tight, concentrated, earthy, milk chocolate, graphite, blackberry. Multidimensional finish. - so - ws	85	*****
NV	Americano, n/a Fred and Anita made absolutely fabulous Americano (espresso + hot water). He made it on stove top. A very tedious process (including cleaning I imagine). Silky smooth like HK-style milk tea. The Peets Arabian Mocha Java is best, nutty, long, long, long finish. - so - ws	n/a	*****

K&L 2005 Bordeaux Tasting 2008/11/29

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2007	Grand Village Blanc, Bordeaux 60% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, made by Chateau Lafleur. Acidic, meyer lemon, fruity, hint of vanilla, melon, long finish, like it. - so - ws	17.99	****
2005	Chateau Canon, St. Emilion 55% merlot, 45% cabernet, blackcherry, chalky, spicy oak, plum, very smooth med to full body, long finish, raspberry, tart, a faint flashback of a St. Francis Reserve Merlot - so - ws	119.99	****½
2005	Chateau Meyney, St. Estephe 52% cabernet, 28% merlot, 29% petit verdot. dried plum, pruny, hint of leather, vanilla oak, hollow mid palate, med finish - so - ws	31.99	****
2005	Chateau Duhart Milon, Pauillac 71% cabernet, 29% merlot. bay leaves, wet earth, astringent, blackcurrant, well balanced, hint of tobacco, med body, med finish - so - ws	59.99	****
2005	Pichon Lalande, Pauillac 45% cabernet, 35% merlot, 12% cabernet fanc, 8% petit verdot. red currants, very closed, astringent, majoram, hard to judge - so - ws	159.99	****½
2005	Chateau d'Armailhac, Pauillac 60% cabernet, 29% merlot, 10% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot. smoky plum, leather, a bit hollow, leaves - so - ws	49.99	****
2005	Cos d'Estournel, St. Estephe 78% cabernet, 19% merlot, 3% cabernet franc. tight, chalky, toasty, cummin, blackberry, plum, vanilla, long finish, absolutely stunning wine, has a lot of stuff in it but closed. Easily best of this line up. new world style. a hint of Cardinale in it. - so - ws	249.99	*****
2005	Chateau Leoville Barton, St. Julien 72% cabernet, 20% merlot, 8% franc. blackberry, caramel, butter, pencil shavings, black currant, spciy, acidic, very very good and quite ready to drink although it may shut down for development soon. Very Insignia like. And now cheaper than Insignia! Boycott Joseph Phelps. - so - ws	128.99	*****
2005	Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac 81% cabernet, 14% merlot, 1% franc. cassis, licorice, violet, mineral, toasty bitter oak, hint of orange flower, super long finish. Good. But not as good as Leoville Barton and not even close to the Cos d'Estournel. $699? Laugh out loud. #$*@?&%! - so - ws	699.00	*****

Thanksgiving at KK/Crystal 2008/11/27

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
NV	Kalinda Riesling Sekt Dry, Pfalz K&L found a great sparkling riesling from Germany. Made by Fitz-Ritter. Sekt means sparkling, I guess. Smooth, creamy but not as sharp and explosive as a champagne. Peach and rose. Complex and refreshing. - so - ws	12.99	***½
2006	Landmark Overlook Chardonnay, California 77% from Sonoma, 14% from Santa Barbara, and 9% from Monterey. vanilla, oak, pineapple, butter, caramel. full body. - so - ws	20.99	****
2004	Far Niente Chardonnay, Napa Valley Fabulous wine with great elegance. Fuji apple, honeysuckle, melon, pear, lemon peel. med to full body, long lingering finish. - so - ws	45	*****
2003	Pio Cesare, Barolo The 2004 vintage of this wine is #6 of wine spectator's top 10 this year. black cherry, rose, sandalwood, med body, elegant long finish. Available at Costco, Foster City. - so - ws	45	*****
2001	Beringer Cabernet, Howell Mountain tar, mushroom, toffee, plum, very dark fruit, chalky, smooth full body, very well aged. - so - ws	70	****½
NV	Epicuro, Salice Salentino Reserva jammy plum, fruit punch like, pleasant, simple - so - ws	n/a	**
2006	Kosta Brown Pinot Noir, Sonoma It starts with elegance, strawberry, herbs but evolves into jammy sweet later in the evening. Long finish. - so - ws	n/a	****
2005	Chateau Corbin, St. Emilion Blackcurrants, herbs, raspberry, hint of coffee and cedar. med body, med to long finish - so - ws	35	****
NV	Chateau Langoa Barton, n/a Not available. I have forgotten whether the last bottle was Langoa Barton or what... I have forgotten why it was brought out and opened... I did ask for a Bordeaux because the line up lack an earthy French red, upon which KK took out the Corbin. I thought the Corbin was still half full when I noticed they were pouring a Langoa-Barton look alike to my glass... and I seem to have lost some memory right there... an indication of serious good time! - so - ws	n/a	n/a

K&L Saturday Tasting: Gigondas and Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2008/11/15

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2007	Domaine de la Becassonne, Cotes du Rhone Blanc lemon, hint of nut and butter, simple - so - ws	13.99	***
2005	Raspail-Ay Reserve, Gigondas meaty, sherry, plum, chalky, pepper, complex flavor, simple finish - so - ws	24.99	***½
2006	Chateau du Saint Cosme, Gigondas closed nose, pepper, tightly knitted, tannic, blackcurrant, mint, long finish, hint of thyme - so - ws	34.99	****
2005	Moulin de la Gardette Cuvee Ventabren, Gigondas closed nose, fruity, elegant, hint of meat, berry, herbs - so - ws	31.99	***½
2006	Cecile Chassagne IDS-Image du Sud, Chateauneuf-du-Pape raspberry, strawberry, cherry, chalky, short - so - ws	24.99	***
2006	Chateau Fortia Cuvee due Baron, Chateauneuf-du-Pape cherry, robitussin, astringent, candy, lavender - so - ws	32.99	***½
2006	Grand Veneur, Chateauneuf-du-Pape spicy red plum, fruity, peppery, olive, long finish - so - ws	34.99	****
2005	Domaine la Barroche Reserve, Chateauneuf-du-Pape sherry, astringent, closed, raspberry, alcohol - so - ws	39.99	**
2006	Domaine Olivier Hillairem, Chateauneuf-du-Pape cherry, Petz candy, strawberry, astringent, long finish - so - ws	44.99	***½
2006	Domaine de la Charbonniere "Brusquieres", Chateauneuf-du-Pape plum, complex, astringent, tight nose, spicy, orange peel - so - ws	49.99	****
2006	Vieux Telegraphe "La Crau", Chateauneuf-du-Pape strawberry, hint of vanilla, tight, short - so - ws	69.99	***½

Wanna be Uncle So: Tasting with Mike Kwok, Vincent and Fred 2008/10/27

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2006	Flowers Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast Combination of power and elegance, herbs, citrus fruit, peony, evolving to extreme glycerin like full body with peachy/nectarine notes especially when less cold. Long finish. Great match with oven-baked buttery prawns with garlic herbs. - so - ws	44	****½
2002	Domaine des Comtes Lafon, Monthelie-les-Duresses Clos de la Barre Incense, floral, mineral, raspberry, sour cherry. Simple but enjoyable. - so - ws	n/a	***
2002	Louis Latour, Corton Grancey I bought 3 bottles of this in a K&L clearance without tasting. First time and glad it showed up well. Dark quiet nightfall feeling, good sign when a burgundy evokes feelings other than aroma and flavor. Tight. Dark fruit, tannic, bay leaf, forest. Still tight towards the end. Attract you to keep going back. - so - ws	59	****
2004	Domaine G. Roumier, Morey Saint Denis Clos de la Bussiere Fantastic nose of spice, strawberry, mild earth, like a combination of Gwevrey Chambertin and Chambolle Musigny. Flavor is a mismatch with the nose. mixed berry, lighter body and med finish. Nose is 5 star. - so - ws	n/a	***½
2001	Torre Muga, Rioja I would have guessed this is a Brunello by the nose. tar, truffle, chocolate. Flavor is a different story, blackcurrant, roasted oak, mildly earthy, has chalky body. Exotic and unusual. This wine should be tasted alone. It's a mismatch to follow 3 burgundies unless you have 3 riojas to back it up. - so - ws	n/a	****½
1989	Domaine des Baumard, Coteaux du Layon demi-sec a chenin blanc. No notes taken. From memory: honey, botrytis type of mushroom, soy aroma, sweet, a bit dusty in the palette - so - ws	n/a	****
2005	Pontet Canet, Pauillac This is really indistinguishable from a good Cal Cab, say a nice non-over jammy Cardinale or Mondavi Reserve. vanilla, plum, blackcurrants, mocha, and some Alexander Valley earth (really), baked cake. This is classic description of a young Mouton Rothschild. I wonder if a good Mouton produced say in the 19th century would be exactly like this when tasted young and somehow the Bordeaux mens room earth developed more recently? Tannic but wrapped in velvet. Super long finish. - so - ws	150	*****
2006	Lewis Mason's Cabernet, Napa Valley Disappointment. Recently I have tasted 3 wines with the same description: Del Dotto has a cabernet with Missouri Oak, Kalinda's 2006 cabernet, Kirkham Peak's 2006 cabernet. Kirkham Peak and Kalina are one and the same thing. K&L's own label. The description is a one dimension super strong fresh american oak aroma and taste. with some powerful plum and anise in the background. The oak is actually a very nice touch if it were used sparingly. This is way too much and in my opinion will not go away with age. This is not corked meaning you will probably get the same in the next bottle. I am not going to risk. I did try two Kirkham Peaks to confirm this. This is like covering a perfectly cooked filet mignon with a bottle of spice. - so - ws	56	**
2000	Grand Pontet, St Emilion Great integrated wine. A gentleman bordeaux with elegance. Milk chocolate, green pepper, cedar, tobacco, a hint of curry and coffee, very balanced. Memorable. - so - ws	n/a	*****

K&L Saturday Tasting: California Cabernet 2008/09/13

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2005	Castle Rock Reserve Cabernet, Napa Valley ripe, plum, tea leaf, simple, slight bitter tar finish - so - ws	15.99	**
2005	Tenacity SWRA Red, Oakville oak, chalky, plum, blackberry, chocolate, hint of licorice, pleasant, proceeds go to fund a campagne to allow wine retailers to freely ship wines across state borderlines. - so - ws	19.99	***
1993	Burgess Vintage Selection Cabernet, Napa Valley bbq smoke, hint of mushroom, blackberr, thin med body, med finish, reasonably well aged - so - ws	29.99	***½
2001	Mayacamus Cabernet, Mount Veeder-Napa Valley blueberry, chalky, sour plum, med body, long finish - so - ws	64.99	***½
2005	Ridge Cabernet, Santa Cruz Mountains blackberry, hint of meat in herbs, tight, elegant nose, tea leaves, full body, long long finish. One of the best non-Montebello Ridge cabs. Supposedly larger proportions of Montebello fruit was used in this blend. - so - ws	34.99	****
2005	Lancaster Estate Cabernet, Alexander Valley smoky grilled bell pepper, nutty, licorice, super long finis but with a slight hollow feeling - so - ws	59.99	****½
2004	Petit Batard Cabernet, Napa Valley old room dusty aroma, dark plum, dark chocolate, jammy sweet in the palate - so - ws	27.99	***½
2005	Wolf Family Phaedrus, Napa Valley pomegranate, guava, jammy, concentrated, herbs, long finish, different - so - ws	3.5	n/a
2005	Nickel & Nickel Sullenger Vineyard Cabernet, Oakville Eucalyptus, blackberry, very chalky, astringent, hint of earth, med to full body, long finish, closed - so - ws	79.99	****
2005	Continuum, Oakville 58% cabernet, 23% cab franc, 19% petit verdot. Tim Mondavi's new wine brand after leaving Robert Mondavi. Chocolate, violet, pencil lead, plum, chalky, very well balanced, elegant, have an almost Stags Leap like silky-ness. Lacking a strong finish, a 5-star wine otherwise. - so - ws	129.00	****½

K&L Saturday Tasting: Bordeaux 2008/08/16

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2006	Lynch Bages Blanc, Pauillac 40% Sauvignon blanc, 40% Semillon, 20% Muscadelle, smoky, acidic, herbs, citrus, strong - so - ws	54.99	***
2005	Domaine du Bouscat "Gargone", Bordeaux Superior raspberry, simple - so - ws	14.99	**
2005	Bad Boy, Bordeaux 95% merlot, 5% cab franc. jammy, full body, hint of earth, blackberry, long finish - so - ws	19.99	****
2005	Rocher Bellevue Figeac, St. Emilion 80% merlot, 20% cab franc. elegant, blackberry, silky, hint of tobacco, slightly sweet - so - ws	29.99	****
2005	Les Trois Croix, Fronsac complex, earth, saffron?, wheat, mildy astringent - so - ws	24.99	***½
2005	Senejac, Haut Medoc cassis, hint of pesticide, sour, blackcurrant, hint of toffee - so - ws	29.99	***
2005	Reserve de la Comtesse, Pauillac 49% merlot, 27% cabernet, 13% cab franc, 11% petit verdot. Second label from Pichon Lalande. tight, green pepper, blackcurrants, med to full body, interesting sugary finish - so - ws	54.99	***½
2005	Pagodes de Cos, St. Estephe 50% cabernet, 50% merlot. Second label from Cos d'Estournel. green peppe, blackberry, chalky, sweet, long finish - so - ws	53.99	****½
2001	Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac Leognan 50% cabenet, 35% merlot, 15% cab franc. chocolate, plum, finishing short, med body - so - ws	79.99	****
1997	Du Tertre, Margaux 60% cabernet, 20% merlot, 15% cab franc. mushroom, raspberry, past prime, ok to drink but terrible to sell this at $39.99 - so - ws	39.99	**

8th man-man-has-wine-drink 2008/07/26

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2006	Tormaresca Neprica, Puglia IGT Bag A. Rank 10. Tony's. Red currant, mineral, tight, leafy - so - ws	9.99	***
2006	La Mozza, Tuscany Bag B. Rank 9. I selected this for Dad, never tried this, k&l said RP90. candle, simple, vanilla, meaty, light - so - ws	15.99	**
2001	Gaja Darmagi, Langhe Bag C. Rank 2. This is my wine. This original costs $179 but is on sale at $135. blueberry, cherry, tar, coffee, deeply concentrated, aroma is very pretty - so - ws	135	*****
1997	Icardi Suri di Mu, Barbera d'Alba Bag D. Rank 15. Jason's. earthy, cranberry, tobacco - so - ws	21.99	*½
2003	Casale Triocco, Sagrantino di Montefalco Bag E. Rank 11. Pau's. Strawberry jam, grassy, tannic - so - ws	32	***
1998	Camigliano, Brunello di Montalcino Bag F. Rank 5. Henry's. strawberry, tar, chocolate, chalky, mineral - so - ws	45	****
2003	Mastroberardino "Radici", Taurasi Bag G. Rank 12. Mike Kwok's. earth, sage, long finish, pepper, tannic - so - ws	27	***
2004	Vietti Castiglione, Barolo Bag H. Rank 1. Thomas'. green pepper, tannic, berry, astringent, very well balanced. cabernet-like. - so - ws	40	*****
2001	Tenimenti Angelini, Brunello di Montalcino Bag I. Rank 3. Stanley's. balanced, tar, green pepper, mixed herbs, lavender - so - ws	40	****
2004	Collazzi, Toscana Bag J. Rank 7. KK's. strawberry, simple, vanilla, astringent - so - ws	44.99	**
2003	Querceto, Chianti Classico Reserva Bag K. Rank 8. MMC's. good nose, toffee, tar, simple berry flavor, vanilla - so - ws	23	***½
2004	Epicuro, Salice Salentino Bag L. Rank 14. Best Value Winner. Kevin's. sugary, jammy, inelegant, vanilla, plum - so - ws	4.99	*
1997	Capanno, Brunello di Montalcino Reserva Bag M. Rank 4. Dom's. choclate, earth, mirepoix, complex, tar, chalky - so - ws	79	****
2003	il Molino di Grace, Chianti Classico Reserva Bag N. Rank 6. Herman's. Cherry, generic, astringent, strawberry - so - ws	26.99	***
2006	Friuli Isonzo Cabernet Franc, Italy Bag O. Rank 13. Vincent's. mineral, herbal, green - so - ws	10	*½

K&L Saturday Tasting: Burgundy 2008/07/26

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2006	Domaine Goisot, Cremant de Bourgogne Burgundy blanc de noir sparkling wine. fruity, acidic, a hint of berry, refreshing and surprisingly pleasant - so - ws	14.99	***½
2006	Domaine Anne & Arnauld Goisot, Saint Bris "Sauvignon" The only Sauvignon Blanc appellation in Burgundy. New Zealand like, citrus peel, complex - so - ws	10.99	***½
2006	Domaine Anne & Arnauld Goisot, Bourgogne Aligote, Vieilles Vignes peachy, full body, fragrant, toasty oak - so - ws	11.99	***½
2004	Domaine Anne & Arnauld Goisot, Bourgogne Aligote, Vieilles Vignes not for sale. Nut, mixed herbs, fragrant, buttery - so - ws	n/a	****
2002	Domaine Anne & Arnauld Goisot, Bourgogne Aligote, Vieilles Vignes not for sale. acidic, nut, light, ash - so - ws	n/a	**
2006	Domaine de Bieville, Chablis, vieille vignes grass, lemon, mineral, stone, rounded - so - ws	18.99	***½
2006	Domaine Gerard Tremblay, Chablis, Vieille Vignes acidic, lemon, concentrated, toasty nose, too tart - so - ws	21.99	***
2006	Domaine Gerard Tremblay, Chablis "Fourchaume", 1er cru elegant, lemon lime, pineapple, very full body, long finish - so - ws	29.99	*****
2006	Maison Joseph Drouhin, Chorey Les Beaune smoke, dark berry, balanced - so - ws	22.99	****
2005	Domaine Daniel Rion, Cote de Nuits "Le Vaucrain" mineral, meat, capers, med body, long finish - so - ws	24.99	***
2005	Domaine Henri Delagrange, Volnay, Vieilles Vignes toast, toffee, acidic, berry, plum, med to long finish - so - ws	40.99	****
2005	Domaine Jean-Paul/Stephane Magnien, Morey St. Denis "Faconnieres", 1er cru licorice, plum, full body - so - ws	49.99	***½
2005	Domaine Daniel Rion, Nuits St. Georges "Les Hauts Pruliers", 1er cru coffee, balanced, sweet tannin (water melon???), interesting - so - ws	59.99	*****
1999	Domaine des Chezeaux, Chambolle 1er cru Charmes mushroom, blackberry, fragrant, pickles, long finish - so - ws	81.99	*****

At home with parents-in-law 2008/06/24

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2003	Blain Gagnard, Chassagne Montrachet Blanc Bought at Marina, Foster City during grocery shopping. After removing cap, there is clear sign of heat exposure: sticky bottle neck, soft cork. But honestly I can't tell any damage. This wine is unbelievable for this price. Extremely full body after airing, concentrated, smoky, honeysuckle, honey, mango, slightly mineral, very long finish. Faint hint of mushroom in the nose perhaps due to the heat exposure, but a well-aged Burgundy would have the same aroma. Lovely. Have to go back and buy all stock. - so - ws	19.99	*****

Afternoon tea(?) with Stanley after Wine Club 2008/06/21

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2004	Allegrini La Grola, Veronese Chocolate, plum, vanilla, concentrated, nice finish with hint of metal - so - ws	25	****
2005	Ladera Cabernet, Napa Valley pencil shavings, spicy, blackberry, faint hint of earth - so - ws	33	***½

The Wine Club Saturday Tasting: Cabernet Blind 2008/06/21

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2006	Justin Cabernet, Paso Robles cassis, chalky, blackcurrant, pleasant - so - ws	22	***
2006	Concha y Toro Casa Marquis Cabernet, Chile dark chocolate, rutherford like earth, menthol, long, blackcherry - so - ws	17	****½
2005	Martin Ray Cabernet, Stags Leap District loamy, green pepper, blueberry - so - ws	34	**
2005	Hogue Genesis Cabernet, Napa Valley earthy, japanese rice tea, blackberry, medium short finish - so - ws	14	***
2002	Leeuwin Artist Series Cabernet, Margaret River green pepper, wisconsin ginseng, plum - so - ws	32	***
2004	Terra Valentine Wurtele Vineyard Cabernet, Spring Mountain chocolate, raspberry, vanilla, long finish - so - ws	50	****½
2003	Ridgeline Cabernet, Alexander Valley stony, guava, cherry, big, dusty, med to long finish - so - ws	40	****½
2000	Godspeed Cabernet, Mt Veeder tight, raspberry, powerful, simple but very long. May be opened up and will score higher given enough air - so - ws	24	****
2005	Long Shadows Feather Cabernet, Columbia Valley My tasting note said "syrupy, two buck chuck". This was the only wine I spit out and poured away the rest. Shocked to see it is a $50 wine produced by famous Randy Dunn. There is no other description but simply Bronco Cheap Wine. They all taste identical: sugary, syrupy, sweet jammy plummy pomegranate. A flawed bottle?? - so - ws	50	*
2005	Hewitt Cabernet, Rutherford full body, mild earth, blackberry, has depth - so - ws	65	****½

At home with Stanley and Hermann 2008/06/07

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2004	Clos du Val Cabernet, Napa Valley soft, blackcurrant, mixed herbs, hint of vanilla oak - so - ws	20	***½
2005	Raymond Reserve Cabernet, Napa Valley blueberry, licorice, american oak, plesant and long with hint of metal. - so - ws	27	****
2005	Oroppas, Napa Valley tight, very powerful, blackberry, olive, herbs, "cool tea", tannic long finish - so - ws	45	****½

Pau did Laundry at KK Home 2008/06/20

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2005	Chateau Belgrave, Haut Medoc Very fragrant, cherry, blackcurrant, floral, lightly earthy, complex. Shorter finish than I thought it should have. - so - ws	30	****
1999	Pichon Lalande, Pauillac Complex, coffee, green pepper, cedar, tight, opening up nicely. Concentrated. - so - ws	80	****½
2006	Carpe Diem Cabernet, Napa Valley Christian Moueix's project. Light but vibrant, cassis, raspberry. Very red... style of Yountville fruit. - so - ws	24	***
2004	Peju Estate Cabernet, Napa Valley Dusty, dark chocolate, plum, very dark and concentrated, vanilla, chalky long finish - so - ws	35	****½

K&L Saturday Tasting: Bordeaux 2008/04/26

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2005	Clos Floridene, Graves Blanc oaky full body, lemon lime, smoke - so - ws	24.99	****
2005	Grand Village Rouge, Bordeaux Superior herbaceous, licorice, blackberry, hot alcohol - so - ws	16.99	**½
2005	La Dauphine, Fronsac hint of caramel, vanilla, new world, even Australian like, hint of earth, blackberry - so - ws	28.99	***
2005	de Sales, Pomerol de Sales is supposedly made by the same winemaking team as Petrus. elegant French oak, vanilla, light airy body, berry, med to long finish, pleasant. - so - ws	24.99	***½
2005	Le Fer, St. Emilion chocolate, vibrant, mocha, full body, plum, berry, cherry, med to long finish. The chateau is right next to Angelus. - so - ws	31.99	****
2003	Ferriere, Margaux candy, blackberry, hot alcohol, simple - so - ws	34.99	***½
2005	Picard, St. Estephe Captain Picard of Star Trek The Next Generation is supposed to have a family vineyard and he opened a few bottles of Chateau Picard in a few episodes (vintage 2347 or something like that). There is a real Chateau Picard that I wanted to try for some time. this wine is tart, berry, has some new playing cards scent, long but sour finish. Not so good. - so - ws	19.99	**
2004	Pichon Baron, Pauillac coffee, blackcurrant, berry, zest, cedar, hint of tobacco, complex long finish - so - ws	76.99	****½
1996	Lanessan, Haut Medoc porcini mushroom, still fruity, blackcurrant, med finish - so - ws	24.99	***½
2005	Coutet, Sauternes coconut, very complex, full body, long finish - so - ws	49.99	*****

Sofa Tasting plus Hermann bday. 2008/04/19

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2006	Pont du Rhone Prestige, Cotes du Rhone peppery, orange peel, some tannic structure - so - ws	4.50	**½
2005	Archeo Ruggero Nero d'Avola, Sicilia Not as good as previous tasting, a hint of cheese. Oxidized? - so - ws	3.99	*
2005	Les Caves Joseph, Bordeaux mild earth, raspberry - so - ws	3.99	**
2007	Zarafa Pinotage, South Africa Cranberry, sparkling, not very pleasing - so - ws	3.99	*
200	Vinas Chilenas Cabernet, Chile loamy, juicy, nice pleasant concentration, guava, cherry - so - ws	2.99	***
2007	Barrio La Boca Malbec, Mendoza hint of earth, bordeaux-like, blackcherry, sweet - so - ws	2.99	***
2006	Yellow Tail Shiraz, South East Australia vanilla, thick, big, juicy - so - ws	5.49	***½
2005	Chateau Bourgneuf, Pomerol blackberry, spice, tight, has nice tannic structure - so - ws	45	****
2004	Chateau Lascombes, Margaux complex aroma: coffee, mocha, meat, earth, blackberry. plummy, spicy. - so - ws	47	****½
2004	Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet, Napa Valley tight, blackberry, very tannic, closed. Classy. - so - ws	125	****½
2004	Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Fay Cabernet, Napa Valley aroma better than flavor: chocolate, spice, musk, perfumy. blackberry, soft, long finish - so - ws	70	****½
2004	Antica Cabernet, Napa Valley Antinori's first Napa wine. Red fruit: cassis, blackcherry. Complex aroma and flavor. Juicy and velvety. Long finish. Drinking great now. Not sure if this can hold for too long. - so - ws	55	*****

Retrospective. Various wines tasted at home recently. 2008/04/14

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2006	Aquila d'Oro, Toscana 4/3/2008. Mixed berries, mushroom, juicy, nice acidity, bay leaf, zest, pleasant - so - ws	3.99	**½
2006	Napa Cellars Chardonnay, Napa Valley 4/6/2008. What a wonderful wine for $13.99 (club member price). This has my favorite melon flavor, concentrated, thyme, vanilla oak, butter, almost full body, very long finish - so - ws	13.99	****½
2005	Vigna de Gelso Malbech, Delle Venezie 4/8/2008. Licorice, green pepper, pepper, blueberry, smooth, med finish. Next day even better! - so - ws	4.99	***
2005	Bogle Merlot, California 4/10/2008. Herbaceous, tea, raspberry, vanilla oak, med finish, light body - so - ws	7	**
2005	Archeo Ruggero Nero d'Avola, Sicilia No detail notes taken, but worth trying again. Some spicy berry characteristics and very pleasant. - so - ws	3.99	***

The Wine Club Saturday Tasting: Napa vs Sonoma. With Wilson 2008/04/05

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2004	Simi Landslide, Alexander Valley blackcurrants, plum, vanilla, hint of flower - so - ws	26.99	***½
2002	Stonestreet Legacy, Alexander Valley blackberry, hint of mint, mature, prune?, sweet long finish - so - ws	49.99	****½
2003	Chalk Hill Estate, Sonoma sweet, cherry, spicy, long finish, somewhat overripe - so - ws	44.99	****
2004	Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages, Sonoma spicy cherry, chocolate, mild earth, pleasant long finish, has Alexander Valley characteristics - so - ws	54.99	****
2002	Arrowood Reserve Speciale Cabernet, Sonoma cassis, dark chocolate, full body, spice, long finish - so - ws	79.99	*****
2004	Volker Eisele, Napa Valley honey, blackberry, chalky, american oak, long finish - so - ws	34.99	****
2005	Cakebread Cabernet, Napa Valley butter, beef, jammy plum, hot, mid finish - so - ws	64.99	****
2005	Parallel Cabernet, Napa Valley "new cult wine", blueberry, raspberry, cherry, super long finish, complex and jammy, excellent wine although I usually prefer darker fruit in Napa cabs. - so - ws	49.99	****½
2003	Flora Springs Rutherford Hillside Reserve Cabernet, Napa Valley raspberry, orange zest, integrated, hint of earth - so - ws	79.99	****
2005	Forman Cabernet, Napa Valley cassis, jammy, ink, long finish - so - ws	74.99	****
2005	Paul Hobbs Cabernet, Napa Valley jammy blackberry, plum, inky, chocolate, super concentration, long finish - so - ws	75.99	*****

Stanley Takes Traffic School for Jenny... with andy, c, hermann 2008/03/15

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2006	Kirkham Peak Cabernet, Napa Valley very strong wine. very unbalanced. extremely oaky. slight oxidization. also fruity. I think this is an off bottle. Worth trying another. - so - ws	13.99	*
1991	BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet, Napa Valley porcini, cardboard, leather, beef, cedar, minty, menthol, raspberry, tea. Awkward but drinkable. - so - ws	29.99	**
1999	Dalla Valle Cabernet, Napa Valley chocolate, blackcherry, very complex, very tight in the beginning with too much oak but fruit exploded in 4 hours. chalky, oak, med to long finish. Need decanting. They all said it smelled like Fuji apples, the powdery kind, and after cut open for some time. I didn't quite get this note. - so - ws	150	****½
2004	Clos du Marquis, St. Julien wet earth, blackcurrant, plum, licorice, spicy, slight hint of orange. - so - ws	39	***½

Wine Club Food and Wine Matching $35. 2008/03/15

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2004	Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine, Napa wet earth, alcohol, bread, pear, yeast, somewhat volatile. The crab salad on endive is very good - so - ws	26.99	**
NV	Henriot, Champagne bubbly, complex, smooth, citrus peel, long finish - so - ws	36.99	****
2006	Valle Reale Vigne Nouve, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo grass, olive, mineral, loam, nice match with light ham. probably undrinkable without food. earthy, herbal. - so - ws	13.99	***
2005	Vietti Scarrone, Babera d'Alba blackcherry, chocolate, heavily oaked, vanilla, pencil lead, aroma better than flavor, the oak is getting in the way having some cardboard flavor. The ham is heavenly. - so - ws	34.99	***
2005	Neyers High Valley Vineyards Zinfandel, Napa Valley very full body, strawberry, nutty, herbal, quite complex, but doesn't seem to match with the lighter veal tortellini with roasted yellow pepper pesto too well... the latter is under seasoned and over sweet. - so - ws	23.99	***
2001	Pian Cornello Reserva, Brunello di Montalcino raspberry liqueur, mineral, tannic, pepper, olive, herbs, a hint of jam. - so - ws	69.99	***½
2006	Adelsheim Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley vanilla, pomegranate, chalky, fruity, concentrated, a little too much oak. Just had great Burgundy yesterday... not sure if I can ever rate an Oregon Pinot higher than 3.5 stars immeidately after that... sorry for being human. - so - ws	24.99	***½
2004	Artazu Santa Cruz de Artazu, Navarra violet, astringent, blackberry, hint of pepper and thyme. The chicken skewers have a nice light cumin marinate which is rather difficult to match with wine and none of these perfectly matches. Perhaps a burgundy will do better. - so - ws	32.99	****
rhone	Chateau De Saint Cosme "Valbelle", Gigondas plum, herbs, floral, short finish, astringent. - so - ws	44.99	***½
2004	Torbreck Runrig, Barossa Valley orange peel, blueberry, blackberry, lavender, complex, long finish, concentrated but balanced, anise, very difficult to drink more than a glass with such concentration. I think we should have a braised short rib to match. The lamb has no lamb aroma or flavor (which is good for me). - so - ws	169.99	*****

2002 Burgundy with Mike Kwok, Vincent Ng, Fred Leung at Fred/Anita Home 2008/03/14

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2002	Michel Lafarge Aligote, Bourgogne a non-Chardonnay white burgundy. Very cheddar cheesy. We think this is flawed. - so - ws	n/a	*
2002	Laboure-Roi, Chassagne Montrachet white flower, pineapple, celeriac, very very pleasant although flavor is on the simple side, acidic - so - ws	90	***½
2002	Louis Jadot "La Dominode", Savigny-Les-Beaune cloudy probably due to traveling, cherry, raspberry, mildly astringent, herbs, acidic - so - ws	40	***½
2002	Comte Armand "Clos Des Espeneau", Pommard tar, caramel, floral, ginger spice, raspberry, full smooth body, violet, rose, tannic, hint of beef bouillon - so - ws	125	*****
2002	Domaine Forey Pere et Fils, Vosne-Romanee almond, strawberry, musk, mushroom, "balloon rubber", slightly astringent, acidic - so - ws	40	****½
2002	Vincent Girardin "Les Champeaux", Gevry Chambertin wet earth, incense, sandalwood, tobacco, toast, asian spice, intriguing aroma that's constantly changing yet very attractive at all times. cherry, strawberry, coffee, smoke, complex, long finish, aroma better than flavor. - so - ws	65	*****
2002	Mommessin "Greves", Beaune 1er cru tired, sour cherry, chinese pickle, alcoholic. This wine has signs of heat stroke. Should be refundable by K&L. - so - ws	55	**
2002	Walter Hansel The South Slop Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley a new world pinot as comparison. sweet, pomegranate, grassy, bitter finish, not bad, but lacking grace of Burgundies - so - ws	n/a	***½

Hong Kong Days 16 and 17, Daniel treats 1982 2008/03/08

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
1982	Ducru-Beaucaillou, St. Julien Still tight in the beginning, blackberry, wet earth, sandalwood, cedar, slight biting tannic finish, opening up with plum and pencil lead. - so - ws	n/a	****
1982	Angelus, St. Emilion This was tasted on 3/9 before mmhwd. not a very typical Angelus. Not much of mature aroma, flavor is a modest raspberry, cherry. Pleasant. - so - ws	n/a	***

Hong Kong Day 17 - HK Man Man Has Wine Drink 2008/03/09

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2000	Leoville Poyferre, St. Julien Bag A. Owner Ling. #8. older vintage, berry, tight, flavor not coming out but wine seems tired. - so - ws	200	***
2003	Clos Fourtet, St. Emilion Bag B. Owner Dfung. spicy, plum, coffee, pleasant, vanilla, nice body, nice finish. This will be disqualified as it is not one of the 1855 classified growths. But it would have been #2. - so - ws	200	****½
2003	Giscours, Margaux Bag C. Owner Lok. #4. mushroomy, blackberry, well integrated, has a hint of herbal finish. This is an identical wine to Bag D below but the latter will rank #1. The aroma and flavor of this wine is clearly stunned or flattened. This wine has been decanted (duration unknown) before being served. - so - ws	50	***½
2003	Giscours, Margaux Bag D. Owner Venessa. #1 Champion Wine. ginger spice, blackcurrant, cassis, vanilla, long long finish. This wine was opened at my home and served immediately without decanting. Can this wine because of the high no. of new world wine lovers in attendance? - so - ws	80	*****
2001	Pichon Lalande, Pauillac Bag E. Owner Dom. #9. Gamy, leather, incense, grilled onion. The flavor is quite good but the aroma is not pleasant. - so - ws	67	***½
1997	Lascombes, Margaux Bag F. Owner Janine (proxy). #7. Blueberry, well aged garnet color, plum, very pleasant, short finish - so - ws	64	***
2003	La Tour Carnet, Haut Medoc Bag G. Owner Albert. #2. MVP Winner. Chocolate, blackberry, new world style, dusty, jammy, slightly less elegant than Bag D. - so - ws	42	*****
2003	Lascombes, Margaux Bag H. Owner Bryan. #3. jammy, meat, plum, sage, chocolate, coffee, complex, med finish - so - ws	64	*****
2001	Leoville Poyferre, St. Julien Bag I. Owner Sammy. #5. vanilla, plum, tannic, astringent, acidic, licorice - so - ws	96	***
2003	Kirwan, Margaux Bag J. Owner Dad. #6. deep purple color, vanilla, ink, licorice, rather simple. - so - ws	52	***