mike dorsey with golden barrel

Milbrandt Merlot Traditions 2007 COlumbia Valley light purple in color, a bit of an alcohol nose, dark fruit on the palate with just a touch of bitter on the finish.. first wine of the day though sometimes has this tendency

Chronic Cellars Purple Paradise Paso Robles 2007 zinfandel 95 and petite sirah 5 %... briary nose, juicy on the palate... a little weird on the label but kinda fun

Tommasi Fiorato Recioto 2004 dessert wine from the Valpolicella region... made of Corvina and other indigenous grapes... round and mouthfilling.. grapey? and yet not cloyingly sweet.. a softer dessert wine than you would find from other regions..

Terra Firma

Bordeaux mostly from 2005...mostly not showing well the second day having been opened.

Chateau Saint Genes Cotes de Blaye 2005 french stink..which all of them had the same first aromas... makes me wonder about the authenticity.. if they were all the same and bottled differently. but this one was a little rounder and more fruit showing..nice finish

La Marquise du Chateau Tour Blanche 2005 stinky with light body and nice enough juice. quick finish

Chateau Laubes...stinky nose, mid palate stronger but quick finish.. getting a little old

Chateau Haut Mouleyre Bordeaux more pleasant on the palate... mocha and red berry with a soft finish

Chateau Guerry french dull stink, light body, light finish with a little spice.. all of the wines were value wines. none over $10 my cost

Wilson Daniels portfolio tasting/Garco

Image of Tardieu-Laurent via SnoothDomaine LeFlaive Puligny Montrachet 2007 rich and luxurious on the palate.. light golden yellow in the glass.. lots of mid palate action... but for $100 it better

Tardieu Laurent Cotes du Rhone Les Becs Fin 2008 dark purple.. a touch of stemminess... chocolate and mocha... lush.. nice the nose definitely does not do the wine justice.. had been open for a short time

Domaine Phillipe and VIncent Jabolet Croze Hermitage Nouvelere
2006 earthy nose, good grip on the palate.. lots of action in the middle.. roasted coffee..

Tardieu Laurent Chateauneuf Vielles Vignes 2006 a touch rust around the edges,.. jucy mouth filling.. needs more time to open up.. but there were a lot of flavors exploding on the palate
Ceretto Monsordo 2004 a super piedmont that didnt do it for me.. cab merlot and nebb... lots of italian stink.. almost ammonia...

Ceretto Zonchera Barolo 2005 light garnet color, some cedar .on the nose, surprisingly soft but it had been open for a day. good grip or texture too...

Excelsior Wines with Peter de Wet/ Amy Halloran/ Major Brands

Excelsior Chardonnay 2009 good expression of fruit. a little bit of a bitter ending but overall pleasant

Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 a touch of sulfur on the nose, but bright red fruit on the palate.. really good color and good finish... in the store soon...

Excelsior Shiraz 2007... the winner of this group.. nose of a rhone red.. good acidity and a touch of pepper.. again nice extraction of color..

a value based wine from South Africa.

maison marques and domaines

First wine tasted in a long time between trip and tooth extraction.

Scharffenberger Brut NV green apples and a hint of cinnamon. 2/3 pinot noir, pleasant mousse and malo on the finish for a smoother finish.

Domaine Ott Les Domaniers Rose... a true french provencial rose, soft red fruits on the nose, very robust mid palate for a rose, and fine finish

Marc Bredif Vouvray 2007... some acidity, not a lot, maybe a product of climate change, a little warmer in the Loire so the grapes lose some of their nervoisity.

Delas Cotes du rhone 2008 not the bomb that 07 was but still a nice drink... good fruit and long finish for the money

Querciabella Camartina 2006... nose typica, or typical for the region, italian stink.. a sangiovese and cabernet blend.. lots of exploding flavors in the mouth.. mocha, dried fruit, round and lush

Marques de Murrietta Rioja Reserva 2005 spanish earthy on the nose, aged in american oak which comes out with the sweet vanilla notes.. good grip on the palate..and nice finish..

Marques de Murrieta Gran Reserva 2001 tempranillo and manzuela.. american oak, a touch of sherry or maderization.. not for me..to off