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2010 Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare

Gary Thomas
Tasting Notes
Another wine, a rosé this time, in Randall Grahm’s own idiosyncratic style. Lovely nose of strawberry, melon, and flowers with a hint of vanilla at the back. Very expressive on the palate, especially for a rosé, with sweet but not cloying fruit notes, with a spine of acid and mineral running through it. Finishes long and clean. Not a wuss rosé and may be just the thing for your summer guests who are rosé-shy (if, like me, they’ve been subjected to too much bad rosé). Try with grilled shrimp. Highly recommended.
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2008 Château d’Esclans Rosé

Gary Thomas
Tasting Notes
Summertime, and the rosé drinkin’ is easy. Very pale pink, with a light floral, plum, and oak on the nose. Drinks as one would expect of a decent rosé, with some vanilla and citrus on the palate, although the acidity strikes me as undernourished. Don’t drink chillingly cold as it does seem to tamp down the wine; let it warm up a bit first. Finishes pleasantly but not long. Not terribly striking, but does seem to compel one to reach for the phone to order Thai or Indian carryout. Recommended.
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2007 Les Breteches du Château Kefraya

Erika Szymanski
Tasting Notes
A slightly dusty-looking brickish red. Aroma is of brick dust and freshly tilled earth, dried cherries, and cocoa powder. Rough tannins hover across the early- and mid-palate and linger on the (moderately long) finish. Beneath the tannins, dried cherry and clove notes add to a profile that is surprisingly light and freshened by plenty of acidity. Overall impression is raspy and astringent, but flavorful and reasonably well-rounded. This would be splendid with smoked trout or a substantial grilled fish like mahi or swordfish, or with a vegetarian entree laden with lots of garlic and a bit of cream.
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2009 Bonny Doon Vineyard Clos de Gilroy Grenache

William Allen
Tasting Notes
4
Lively, translucent, light purple color. Gorgeous nose of strawberry and blueberry, pepper, slight smoke, meat, and that classic Grenache hint of hard candy. The red fruit continues on the palate with delightful notes of strawberry, rhubarb, and cranberry, that shine through the oak. Silky in the mouth, excellent body, and delivers front and mid-palate, with a pleasant, lingering finish. Very versatile food pairings—poultry, pasta, grilled veggies.
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Palate Press Wine of the Week: 2007 Ortman Cuvee Eddy, 02 Series

Palate Press
FCG, Tasting Notes
1
Red Rhône blend. Dark red/purple color. Nose of blueberry, black fruit, touch of smoke, and meat. Bright red berry fruit on the palate. There are times when I want something layered and complex, to pull apart and mull over. Other times I want a wine I can just open, quaff and enjoy. Pleasant, fruit expressive, enjoyable red blend that goes down quite nicely alone, sitting on the couch with a book or a movie. Straightforward, easy to drink, and balanced. Its versatility would pair it well with most meats, many pastas, or even a burger or BBQ. Read the extended review on Simple Hedonisms.
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2007 Ortman Cuvee Eddy, 02 Series

William Allen
Tasting Notes
2
Red Rhône blend. Dark red/purple color. Nose of blueberry, black fruit, touch of smoke, and meat. Bright red berry fruit on the palate. There are times when I want something layered and complex, to pull apart and mull over. Other times I want a wine I can just open, quaff and enjoy. Pleasant, fruit expressive, enjoyable red blend that goes down quite nicely alone, sitting on the couch with a book or a movie. Straightforward, easy to drink, and balanced. Its versatility would pair it well with most meats, many pastas, or even a burger or BBQ.
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2004 Domaine de l’Oratoire St Martin Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne Cuvée Prestige

David Honig
Tasting Notes
This is a very nice bottle of wine, and it has improved with time in the cellar. When the first bottle was opened in 2008 the nose was shy, refusing to give up its secrets without several hours of decanting. Now, after two additional years of rest, it sings. Leather and a touch, a light touch, of barnyard cradle layers of different cherries all sprinkled with white pepper and a spray of foam from an Atlantic wave. Hide this wine in a blind tasting of Chateauneufs and nobody will question its place in the lineup. Drink with steak au poivre.