The nose has ground espresso and cocoa powder, blackberries, and some leather. The palate comes at you with waves of flavors. Blackberries and coffee, plums, all make up the attack. Fruits sweeten on the mid-palate, adding some blueberry to the-read more-
Tannic and tight, this still seems young. There is a lot of black fruit, and espresso and dark chocolate are trying to peek out from behind the leather and stems. Tannins and acid seem to be in balance, so put-read more-
Rich but well-balanced dark fruit, an acid spine the gobs of fruit could hang from in comfort. It drew oohs and ahs from the crowd. WHO: Star Lane Vineyard WHAT: Cabernet Sauvignon WHERE: Santa Ynez Valley, California WHEN: 2005 HOW-read more-
A huge Syrah, exploding with roast meat, herbs, and overwhelming savory umami, dark fruit slathered in teriyaki sauce. WHO: Foxen Vineyard WHAT: Syrah WHERE: Santa Maria Valley, California WHEN: 2006 HOW MUCH: $46
Give this wine some time to open. It starts one-dimensional, but as it opens it offers more Pommard than Russian River, deeply bruised plum and black cherries, earthy mushrooms still dirty with rich loam, all balanced by a hint of-read more-
A wonderfully rich and balanced Chardonnay, this offers up complex flavors of pink lady apples, honeydew melon and toasted english muffins with butter. Tart lemony acids balance the sweet fruit. Pair this with greek sea bass. WHO Grgich Hills Cellar-read more-
A delicious, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc in the Sancerre style, clean grassiness, green melon and white grapefruit, bright acid backbone and a lingering finish. There are no New Zealand cats or gooseberry bushes to be found in this Santa Ynez jewel.-read more-
The nose is a lovely combination of asian pear, hibiscus and slate. It has more citrus on the palate, lemon, plus pears and shortbread. Jerk chicken would be a perfect match. WHO Weingut Josef Leitz WHAT 91% Riesling, 9% Spätburgunder-read more-