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White Wine Served before the Formal Wine Tasting
2002 Margan Family Winery Semillon Hunter Valley (Australia) - Semillon grape
"No doubt Australians would think the 2002 Semillon needs a bit more age, but I prefer these wines fresh and lively, before they become waxy and herbal, with mothball-like flavors. Loaded with citrus, lime, and melony fruit, this medium-bodied, exuberant, zesty, lush, pure white is a total hedonistic as well as intellectual turn-on. While Australians might consider it infanticide, I recommend drinking it over the next 1-2 years."
Rated 90 The Wine Advocate (WA) - $13.00
Red Wine Served before the Formal Wine Tasting
2002 Neyers Zinfandel Contra Costa County Pato Vineyard (California) - Zinfandel grape
"A truly exotic wine, with lush cherry, wild berry, tar and peppery flavors. Shows some heat but also richness and depth, finishing with a pleasantly earthy aftertaste." Rated 87 by Wine Spectator
Vin de Vin (VdV): "Try this wine with a juicy steak." - $28.99
Formal Wine Tasting - White Wines
2001 Schoffit Tokay Pinot Gris Alsace Cuvée Caroline (France) - Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio grape
"Rich and off-dry, exuding apple, nut oil and earth notes in a ripe, plush style. It's balanced toward the alcohol today, but should settle down with a few months of aging." Rated 88 by Wine Spectator Vin de Vin (VdV): "Try this wine with spicy fish." $18.97
2003 Napa Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley (California) - Sauvignon Blanc grape
"Napa Wine Company is a small group of terrific winemakers throughout Napa producing some real exciting wines. This Sauvignon Blanc is no weakling. It is rich and vibrant with a crisp texture and a palate filled with pineapple and pear. Enjoy now with shrimp and sautéed green beans." Grand Harvest Wines VdV: "This wine would go well with shrimp salad." $20.99
2002 Gunderloch Riesling Jean-Baptiste Kabinett Rheinhessen (Germany) - Riesling grape
"Funky aromas of petrol and earth give way to a rich, dense passion fruit- and mineral-laden white. It's smooth and vividly structured, with a lingering, mouthwatering finish." Rated 88 by Wine Spectator VdV: "Perfect with Chinese food." $16.99
1996 Beringer Chardonnay Napa Valley (California) - Chardonnay grape
"Ripe, rich and flavorful, with layers of pear, apple, melon, fig and spice. Shows depth, concentration and complexity on a long, lively finish." Rated 90 by Wine Spectator magazine. VdV: "Try this wine with mustard chicken or pasta with butter." $15.00 (originally)
Formal Wine Tasting - Red Wines
2001 Januik Merlot Columbia Valley (Washington State) - Merlot grape
"Containing 4% Petit Verdot, the medium to dark ruby-colored 2001 Merlot has magnificent aromatics of violets, roses, red cherries, and raspberries. Deep, harmonious, and juicy, there isn't an angle to be found in this rich, intense, medium-bodied wine. Loads of black fruits (cassis, blackberries, plums) are interspersed with sweet red cherries in its flavor profile." Rated 92 by WA $25.00
2002 Paringa Cabernet Sauvignon Individual Vineyard (Australia) - Cabernet Sauvignon grape
"The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Individual Vineyard exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color along with a classic nose of crème de cassis, earth, and spice box. Remarkably complex in view of the humble price, this rich, medium to full-bodied, chewy Cabernet is gorgeously textured, rich in fruit, and impeccably well-made. I don't think there are too many Cabernet Sauvignons of this quality for the price. It will drink well for 3-4 years.." Rated 89 by WA $10.50
2001 Argyle Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (Oregon) - Pinot Noir grape
"Light in texture, but the flavors pile up nicely, growing from delicate berry to rich plum and spice as they fill the mouth on the finish. Drink now through 2005." Rated 90 by Wine Spectator VdV: "Try this wine with turkey." $18.00
2002 Kurtz Family Winery Shiraz Boundary Row Barossa Valley (Australia) - Syrah/Shiraz grape "An outstanding as well as fairly priced effort, this flamboyant, exuberant 2002 Shiraz Boundary Row is no shy wine at 15% alcohol. However, that component is well-concealed behind a wealth of licorice-infused blackberry and currant fruit. This chewy, full-bodied, heady Shiraz possesses plenty of glycerin and texture. Already drinking well, it is a wine to drink during its first 5-7 years of life." Rated 90 by WA $24.00
Dessert wine
Ramos Pinto Porto Reserva Collector - blend of five traditional Portuguese grapes
VdV: "One of the oldest and most successful producers of wine in the world. Mostly known for producing Port wine, they have now garnered a reputation for making quality red still wines. This ruby Port tastes fresh and young. Served it chilled with dessert or as dessert!" $15
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