Showket Vineyards-Cabernet Sauvignon-Oakville-Napa Valley-California-2003-$36.67-A nose of sweet cherry and spice, dark garnet in color. A smooth, medium to full bodied Cab, hard to describe, not a typical Cab, with black cherry, sweet raisins, herbs and veggies, just different. The renowned Heidi Barrett was the winemaker. WE-94 CR-90 Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.
Cramer Ranch Winery-Castlebank-Old Vine Zinfandel-Giulia’s Vineyard-Dry Creek Valley-Sonoma County-California-2008-$12.96-A full nose of sweet juicy dark fruit and spice, a serious Zin nose, dark purple in color. A smooth, medium to full bodied fruit bomb, with black cherry, candied raspberry, toasty spice on finish. A very good QPR. NR CR-89 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.
…DOMENICO CLERICO ARTE 1997 60 Beltramo s 6 Nov 1999 Wow! This Super-Piemonte is mostly Nebbiolo with some Barbera and Cabernet. Lots of new French oak it is a very lush international style definitely not your traditional Barolo. The nose is super rich and super ripe with unique blackberry and licorice aromas. Full bodied with powerful but not overwhelming tannins. Candy-like unique. Smooth.. .NOCETO SANGIOVESE 1997 13 Sonoma Dec 1999 From Sonoma 14.6 alcohol. Very un-Italian in fact it has a super fragrant nose which reminds me of Pinot Noir! High acidity medium bodied with lots of forward fruit. Elegant and balanced. Cherry anise mint and raspberry flavors. Nice finish. Very New World style. Outstanding but a bit out of character.. .VIEUX TELEGRAPHE CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 1997 27 Vintage Wine and Spirits 14 Jan 2000 Surprisingly pale red in color like a Pinot Noir. Cherry fruit on the nose but with a sharp bite softening as it aerates. Very perfumy. On the palate soft rich smooth medium bodied. Great balance soft tannins. Unique strawberry flavors herbal and tobacco notes as well. Good finish. High alcohol but not hot . Reminiscent of Burgundy without the high acid. This one puzzled me… Kevin says this one should be spicy with gamy smoky meat flavors which I didn t get ? .. .CHATEAU SAINT MICHELLE CANOE RIDGE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 1996 23 Mill Valley Market 20 Feb 2000 Clean nose dark cherry and currant. Tight and focused although better the second day. Medium to full bodied young slightly tannic good balance OK finish. Hint of mint herbs. Sawdust. Needs intensity of fruit to become extraordinary. Good but not great.. .CHATEAU CARILLON 1998 10 Trader Joe s 12 Mar 2000 St.