Wines scored out of 10 points.
BYO: Free For All
September 2019 – David
8.5 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2009 $90+
Rich, smooth and filled with dark fruit flavors, soft tannins, long finish, delicious
8.0 Ridge Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel 2016 $50
Fruity nose with prominent cherry flavors, smooth and rich
7.0 Bastide Miraflors Cotes du Rousillon 2017 $20
Floral and spicy with hints of plum
7.0 Finca Villacreces Pruno 2016 $23
Barnyard bouquet, quite tannic with medicinal notes
6.5 Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red Lot #66 $23
Plums and black currants, very tannic
6.0 Domaine du Grapillon D’Or Gigondas 2016 $35
Burnt sugar on the nose, somewhat sweet, probably too young
Rose
October 2019 – Ellen
7.5 Tenuta Sant’Antonio Scaia Rosato Rose 2018 $18
Aromas of tangerines and strawberries, medium-bodied with tangy acidity.
7.5 Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel 2018 $29
Prominent strawberries, medium-bodied and a little sweet.
7.0 Hidden Bench Locust Lane Rose 2018 $24
Strawberry and rhubarb nose, dry and crisp acidity, peachy flavors.
7.0 Oyster Bay Rose 2018 $20
Fruity and acidic but a little watery.
7.0 Bodegas Muga Rioja 2018 $15
Flavors of guava and grapefruit, medium-bodied, quite acidic.
6.0 Domaine des Carteresses Tavel Rosé 2018 $19
Rhubarb and strawberry tones with a hint of cream soda. Freshly acidic.
Cabernet Sauvignion
November 2019 – Louise & Neil
8.5 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $105
Rich cocoa and mint on the nose, loads of mocha and blackcurrant aromas; delicious
8.0 Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 $60
Rich plum and caramel flavors in the bouquet, supple tannins and long finish; delicious
8.0 Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 $35
Green pepper and black fruit notes, rich and tannic
7.5 Gran Lurton Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $25
Blackcurrant and raspberries on the nose, cocoa and plum flavors
7.0 Creekside Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $50
Cigar box and tobacco notes, tannic and quite closed
Seasonal Sparklers
December 2019 – Don
8.0 Pol Roger Reserve $70
8.0 Krug 2004 $420
8.0 Benjamin Bridge Brut $75
8.0 Chapel Down $50
8.0 L’ormarins Brut Classique $13
8.0 Krone Brut 2016 $20
Spanish Reds
January 2020 – Nicole & Chris
8.0 La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva 2009 $55
Bouquet of cassis, dill and oak; rich and smooth with flavors of vanilla, blackcurrant
8.0 Alvarez De Toledo Coleccion De Familia Mencia Do Bierzo 2015 $24
Aromas of licorice and raspberry; rich, black fruit and smokey flavors
7.5 Prieto Pariente La Provincia 2015 $21
Grapefruit and cherries on the nose; vanilla, chocolate and minty notes
7.5 Potente Do Montsant 2016 $19
Earthy aroma, raisins and plum flavors, moderately tannic
7.0 Buil and Gine Gine 2016 $30
Smokey and earthy bouquet; rather tannic with cherry flavors and moderately acidic
7.0 Dominio De La Vega Bobal2014 $23
Lighter and a little dilute; blueberry and cherry notes
GSM – Australia vs France
February 2020 – Michele & Ted
8.5 Torbreck Old Vines GSM 2017 $25
Herbal and mint on the nose; rich and spicy, soft tannins, long finish
7.5 Kennedy Sons of Eden GSM 2016 $25
Vanilla and oak bouquet; chocolate and raisin flavors; strong tannins
7.0 Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone 2016 $16
Bouquet has notes of cherry and liquorice; spicy with plum flavors
6.0 Chateau La Grande Gardiole Chateauneuf du Pape 2016 $48
Spices and chocolate, strong tannins, too young
6.0 Chateau Cazal Viele Vieilles Vignes 2016 $20
Musty nose, chocolate and red fruit flavors, tannic
6.0 Schild Estate GSM 2016 $20
Jammy, skunky nose; rich and smooth; ugly label
March Wine of the Month
March 2020 – E-tasting
8.0 Vina Tarapaca Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 $18 (Ellen)
Purply red with an aroma of tobacco; black berries and spices on the palate.
7.0 Rustenberg John Merriman 2006 ~$20 (Don)
Slightly brown edges, nose of dark red fruit; tasted of dark fruit, with cherries. Long finish.
7.0 Domaine La Roquete Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007 $50 (David)
Deep inky purple, plums and leather on the nose, soft tannins with chocolate, dark fruit and hints of leather. Well-balanced and long finish. A decent du Pape, albeit not one from the top shelf.
Early Spring Whites
April 2020 – E-tasting
8.0 Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2019 $20 (David)
Intense pineapple bouquet, mildly grassy, nicely acidic, delicious spring sipper
8.0 Chateau Val-Joanis Rose 2018 (Neil & Louise)
7.5 Domane Wachau Weissenkirchen Gruner Veltliner Federspiel 2018 (Chris & Nicole)
Fresh citrus on the nose, tastes of lemons and limes, salinity on the finish; perfect for oysters
6.0 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (Don)
Bouquet of faint grapefruit and grass, slightly herbaceous with faint melon flavors