So what are we thinking of opening this weekend?

After the Sangiovese thread, will try the Pike`s from down under ( a blend with cab sauv) as well as the Domini Veneti Valpolicella for Open Mike.

1985 Bertani Recioto della Valpolicella Amarone Classico Superiore Veneto Italy. The third last bottle from a case and a half we bought in 1996 -- it's become a tradition to share a bottle when Day Light Savings time goes away for the year.

Lovely wine, never disappointing.

Round a friends tomorrow night, who's promised a white rhone and a selection of aged cote-roties. Should be good, but most importantly with good company.

I usually let hubby decide but my vote is for a Fielding Hills 2003 Merlot or Reininger 2001 Cab Sauv (both WA State). Dinner is roast pork with garlic & rosemary with root veggies and whatever goodies I pick up food shopping today.

[David M. Bueker]

Big spatlese tasting tonight...all sorts of wines, from dry to very sweet.

usually let hubby decide but my vote is for a Fielding Hills 2003 Merlot or Reininger 2001 Cab Sauv

Ohh, what a coincidence, I just got ahold of some of this. Please let us know what you think!

Tonight it will be a simple one, Masciarelli's Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2002. I try to stay on the very inexpensive side for "daily drinkers". Tomorrow might be a '99 Merryvale Cab when some friends come over for dinner.

Scott

Masciarelli's Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2002. Scott

Nothing wrong with this one weekday or weekend. When in doubt we reach for it.

My boss has a 60th birthday party this weekend, so the wines should be good and varied --Pinot Noir focus as that is what he likes.

The treat is what his wife bought him for his birthday and what we --1963 Graham's Port! I can hardly wait.

My boss has a 60th birthday party this weekend, so the wines should be good and varied --Pinot Noir focus as that is what he likes.

The treat is what his wife bought him for his birthday and what we --1963 Graham's Port! I can hardly wait.

Can you drop off the leftovers at DeVines?!!

--1963 Graham's Port! I can hardly wait.

Can you drop off the leftovers at DeVines?!!

leftovers????The trick will be to not get caught licking out the bottle!

1985 Bertani Recioto della Valpolicella Amarone Classico Superiore Veneto Italy. The third last bottle from a case and a half we bought in 1996 -- it's become a tradition to share a bottle when Day Light Savings time goes away for the year.

Lovely wine, never disappointing.

Thats right Bob, extra hour!! Time to watch some Rachael Ray reruns. Think she was wearing a pink duvet cover today on her show. I have to admit I am becoming a less of a fan!

I'm having a bit of a cull party. Not stuff I let sit in cellar too long, testing some dubious white Burgundy and a couple others I bought for very cheap. 80% are probably OTH, but a few winners will make it worth it. Plus maybe a Piedmont tomorrow. Sunday is a release party for B's CD, will open a lot of good lower end bottles- Les Heretiques, Brun chard, Pepiere Muscadet, etc.

Pepiere and the cello. Good match, let us know about the CD!!!

[James Roscoe]

Chianti tonight, and a Valpo tomorrow.

Airplane wine It least its business class so I might find something okay. Last time I actually had a nice chablis. Tomorrow it will be whatever I can find at the Schiphol Hilton.

Jason

Tonight, I opened 2000 St. Innocent Pinot Noir, Shea Vineyard. Jenise's thread on another St. Innocent reminded me that it was time.
Sunday will be a few 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape at a friend's house. I don't know what he is opening, but I am bringing a Dom de la Charbonniere Les Hautes Brusquieres
Tomorrow is TBD, but I'm leaning towards a 1999 Pelissero Barbaresco.

After the Sangiovese thread, will try the Pike`s from down under ( a blend with cab sauv) as well as the Domini Veneti Valpolicella for Open Mike.

Well, just opened the Righetti and very nice too considering the so-so vintage! Lots of cherry fruit, good balance and acidity. Like the dried fruit tones here, will post on Open Mike tomorrow. Think Mike B is tasting the same wine.

Well on my first weekend back in the Cape-glorious weather.So its a braai round the pool,with a few neighbours and a bottle or two of the wonderful L,Avenir 2001 Pinotage plus perhaps for the faint hearted Rudera Robusto chenin. Life is grand

If I go to San Francisco tomorrow, I might go to K&L Wines-they are having a German/Austrian tasting. should be very educational as I have little experience with wines from these countries. I do like the German Rieselings I've tried.

I had dinner with friends tonight. My one friend brough a 2000 Louis Martini Cab. Round black fruit, very fruit forward, with quite a bit of tannins still. Quite enjoyable, but not a lot of "cabernet" varietal character to my tastes. But, of course, that reflects my somewhat limited range of cab experience. The wine went well with the dinner (ribeye) and was enjoyed by all present. A solid B-.

I brought a Syrah that I discovered the other week-Del Dotto 2003 Napa Syrah. Juicy blackberry, nice rich mouth feel, a bit of "sweetness" from the fruit but an absolutely lovely kick of black pepper at the finish. Delicious, I will definitely be buying this again. Solid A- -one of my favorite American Syrahs I've tried. Even a friend who said "I don't like spicy Syrahs" liked this one.

I meant to open my 1997 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Fay Vineyard (it was a celebratory dinner for a friend who landed another job!) but I brought the wrong second bottle, so maybe next week.

Yesterday: tea and very nice fresh pressed orange juice - you see: sometimes I want fruity drinks!

Tonight: possibly a Cantemerle 2003 if it has already arrived - I seem to remember that this property was recommended to me by Jenise as a very traditional estate, so maybe their '03 will be fine (as was Haut-Bailly's).

Tomorrow: the rest of the Cantemerle 2003 and maybe Acacia Pinot Noir 1982 if my friend Antti decides to come over for a visit. If he does we'll probably open up something more. Whenever I see him, my wine intake seems to rise considerably...

-O-

Well, I had a very good Jumilla...the Altos de la Hoya (monastrell). I also managed to retaste a hybrid I have been so enthusiastic about, the Sovereign Opal from Calona BC. Plus of course the pollycella I posted notes on.