Everything thing else Q4 2006

It is annoying that when I update an older blog, it doesn't rise to the top. But I guess this makes sense for most blogs, but not mine... I don't want to start a new post for every damn wine I try, so I keep updating existing blogs. Sigh.

This will be my catch all for various wines....

As of Nov 2006, I've decided to keep my notes in a spreadsheet, so that I can sort and reformat the data more easily. Publishing directly in Google Spreadsheets was the initial goal, but it's not quite ready for that, so I'm storing the data locally in OpenOffice (http://openoffice.org) and uploading it Google Spreadsheets. The benefit to me is speedy updates and a well-featured spreadsheet. The downside is that publically visible updates will only occur sporadically, say every 2-4 weeks. Of course if there were any readers, I might update more often...

See my spreadsheet for 2006 Q4 tastings so far.

Chateau Puygueraud 2000 George ($20, WC) : WS 91. A bit closed. Medium bodied with dark fruit, dirt, and a dark twig taste. Moderately smooth with some tannins. I neither liked it nor disliked it. A friend liked it alot initially, especially the nose. Probably should have had another year or so. [C+].

Cameron Hughes 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon ($9, CC) : Solid California Cabernet flavor. Medium bodied with a solid taste of cabernet and oak and none of the flavors of a cheap wine. . A good value at $8 but not at $20. [B to B+].

Bodegas Conte Valdemar 2001 Reserve, Rioja ($?, ?) : I don't remember where I got this Tempranillo blend, but I'm guessing the WC for $10. Light-medium bodied, with restrained flavors of dark fruit, and a bit of spice. Short, slightly acidic finish. Not for me. [C-]. Cambe back to this the next afternoon, as I wanted a glass to go with the left over meatloaf from the work. Nose of earthy fruit with bit of sharpness. The flavors had rounded out a bit and the acidity helped a bit with the food. But still just a [C].

St Francis 2003 Red ($9, CC) : A blend of various red varietals: Cab, Zin, and others. Started out closed, tasting like a simple hearty red, but after 30 minutes, had developed nicely with oaky vanilla along and a richer feel. Medium bodied. Others liked it too after breathing. At this price I'll have to try 1 more bottle [B-].

Georges Duboeuf 2005 Brouilly Chateau du Nervers ($11, WC): RP 91. A Beajolais, so it was juicy (acidic) in style. I didn't care for it much by itself, but it should go nicely with food. I don't have the palate to distinguish good from poor Baujolais, so it tasted fine. [C].

Falesco 2004 Umbria, Valesco ($9, WC/BM) - WS 90. A perennial favorite of some critic, this Italian red has never been a favorite of mine, but the critic's comments keep me trying it. I think I've had one bottle out of 4 or 5 I've liked over the last 2 years (the 2003 was a WS 88). Started out tart and "racy" (acidic) with red fruit. Medium bodied. By the next night in an open bottle, a lovely aroma of violets, minerals and red fruit. It had softened a bit and tasted like it smelled. Better with food than on its own. Yet, I'm just not that fond of it. [C+ to B-]

Pepperwood Grove, 2001 Merlot ($4-8, TJ) - WS 88. The first few bottles in 2004 were quite nice and I found it at TJ's for $3.99 so I bought a bunch more [A-]. But for the last year or so, it has been not very good. [C-] Opened a bottle tonight and it was bad. Like it was a tiny bit burnt and not meant to be aged this long. Terrible. [D].

Rosemount 2003 Merlot-Cabernet ($5-7 all over). I think I picked this up on the cheap and it tastes like it. A hard metallic nose. Austere fruit with a metallic finish. Blech. [D]

Scherrer 2000 Cabernet ($20/375ml, restaurant) - A lovely massive California cabernet. I thought it was just great though others at the dinner table preferred the lovely Seghesio 2005 Sonoma Zinfandel. Had the classic cab taste in spades. A wall of fruit and oak. At this price it is only a [B+].