'05 Valdez Family Lancel Creek Reserve Zinfandel

2007 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viogner.

Surprisingly light. At first it smelled and tasted more like a sauvignon blanc. When it warmed up and oxygenated a bit it gained some weight and the spicier notes kicked in, but it was still light and refreshing. Overall an excellent QPR and will be a staple in the lizard house over the summer, thanks to those who recommended.

Looking forward to pairing it with some seafood.

quote:

Originally posted by Dom'n'Vin'sDad:
'05 Valdez Family Lancel Creek Reserve Zinfandel

Is this the same Valdez as the Ulysses Valdez winery? If so, what did you think? I had one of the '05's (forgot which one) and thought it was a bit over-oaked for my taste.

2007 Cloudy Bay SB

With lamb chops:

2004 Ladera Howell Mountain Cabernet
2005 Greenock Creek Seven Acre Shiraz

Each wine will be given 2+ hours of decanting time

2000 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Pessac-Leognan (Bordeaux), France

quote:

Originally posted by Een:
2000 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Pessac-Leognan (Bordeaux), France

Do tell please.

quote:

Originally posted by duckfaninmt:
With lamb chops:

2004 Ladera Howell Mountain Cabernet
2005 Greenock Creek Seven Acre Shiraz

Each wine will be given 2+ hours of decanting time

If you take some notes on the Ladera, I would be interested in seeing what you thought about it.

Last night at a corporate client dinner, which should be banned on Friday nights. Grrr

I tried to order a little of something for everyone.

2005 Kistler, Kistler Vineyard
2005 Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked
2004 Goldeneye Pinot, Narrows Vineyard
2005 Pride Merlot
2001 Mas Igneus Priorat Costers
1999 Palmer

Not hard to guess which bottles were my choices, but the favorite of the night from this group was the Goldeneye. (5 bottles total)

2005 Dominique Laurent, Vosne Romanee, Vieilles Vignes
1997 Pio Cesare Barolo
2004 Langmeil, Shiraz, Valley Floor

This message has been edited. Last edited by: steve8,

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

quote:

Originally posted by Een:
2000 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Pessac-Leognan (Bordeaux), France

Do tell please.

I very much enjoyed this wine. It had grapefruit and some slate on the nose. It tasted of citrus, a wee bit of pineapple and mineral flavors with good acidity. Nice clean finish. It was a very good way to begin my weekend.

Een, thanks.

I'm envious as all I know think it is the star of the vintage!

I bought the '00 Laville Haut Brion and am holding, but think your wine was the one to seek out.

I have more and will save one to share with you and Mrs. W+A.

Hey, let D&M defend for themselves... more for us!

You know, you are SO right. It's ours.

I forgot about the 1999 Fisher Wedding Vineyard I had this week.

This vineyard always rewards holding in my opinion and rarely shows well early due to tannic finish.

It is in the zone now - 2010 imo.

Altos Moncayo Veraton Grenache

Prima Toro 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Keeno:

quote:

Originally posted by duckfaninmt:
With lamb chops:

2004 Ladera Howell Mountain Cabernet
2005 Greenock Creek Seven Acre Shiraz

Each wine will be given 2+ hours of decanting time

If you take some notes on the Ladera, I would be interested in seeing what you thought about it.

Keeno - I'm still very much an amateur when it comes to taking decent tasting notes; I'm admittedly no expert. That said, I did like what the reviewer from Wine & Spirits magazine wrote about this wine and would certainly agreement with that assessment...

"Here's a cabernet with the volume turned up so high it begins to cross over into Howell Mountain zin. There's a pungent floral aspect that seems more typical of zin, and a sense of minerals infusing the tannins. This is powerful, dense and hard to grasp as a young wine, yet it seems comfortable in its giant size."

Personally, I thought it was terrific, and I especially enjoyed the mineral notes on both the nose and palate. Still, I felt that even with 2+ hours of decanting it was fairly locked down and that was confirmed by the fact that I thought it was drinking more smoothly today (Day Two).

With ample decanting time it's definitely enjoyable now and, IMHO, worth the $60-$70 price tag. However, I can only believe it'll get better with 2+ years in the cellar, which is what I'll do with any remaining bottles I have/will purchase.

2004 Novy Family Wines Zinfandel Papera Ranch

2003 Delectus Julia ( a notch below the 02 but still a great wine.

with a 1 pound sirloin and balsamic bella's:

2003 Waypoint Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard

why can't all cali cabs cost $40 and taste like this. it's the way it was meant to be.

With big fat steamed lobsters, 2003 Martinelli Martinelli Road Chardonnay

what, were there 3 for 1 lobsters at the market lately?

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
With big fat steamed lobsters, 2003 Martinelli Martinelli Road Chardonnay

$7.75 per pound regardless of size. I took good advantage of it.

2007 Turkey Flat Rosé. Nice chilled number with my sister, a non-fine wine drinker. Not bad, not bad.