1994 Galleron Napa Cabernet Sauvignon: Text book sweet juicy California Cab -- in a good way! Rich and delicious, with resolved tannins -- big black cherry fruit with a lot of cream and coconut flakes. Bill commented, "OAK," and Andy responded, "Yeah, oak, but well integrated."

1998 Noon Reserve Shiraz Langhorne Creek, 15.7% alc.: Sweet balsamico/menthol/vanilla cream/spicy oak with some violets and VA on the nose. Surprisingly "easy" on the palate, but simple in a sense, as alcohol, acidity and tannins all work to limit the fruit and/or complexity. "Baaaad." – Andy (right)

1995 Robert Mondavi Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve: Dusty, earthy black fruit/some bread dough/black cherry and tar nose. Silky smooth and balanced… cassis/cedar/a little bit of earth -- elegant and classy. Tastes very young -- acid perhaps hinders the fruit.
"I hate flange top wines!" – Tim Thomas

1994 Plumpjack Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.5% alc.: Lots of black fruit, cedar and a whisper of dried herbs on the nose… maybe some tomato paste; black fruit/cedar palate -- finely honed wood on the midpalate, though not overt -- pretty nice (surprising) acidity/good structure – really pretty and well balanced -- still needs 2-4 years.

1997 Rochioli Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "Three Corners": Red cherries/strawberry/cola/earth/cinnamon stick -- light, ethereal, haunting -- some toasty oak/floral tones/Red Zinger Tea ®… turns a bit gamy and rustic on the nose with a pleasant complexity. Silky mouthfeel against smooth, polished tannins -- light, bright and young -- pretty good dose of acidity -- midpalate showing intense fruit, otherwise elegant. Flowers and bacon on the finish.
"Soaking dried beans" - Amy

1998 Galleron Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Wight Vineyard, 13.5% alc.: Lots of anise/cedar/dust and oak -- black fruit/acid/toasty charred oak -- a bit volatile through the middle -- sweet black fruit/dry wood bark/charcoal finish.
"Tastes like a ’98; lacking" – geo
"Wood shavings" - Amy

1986 Chateau Climens Barsac, 14% alc.: Sweet syrupy sugars outweigh the acids -- sweet and sticky -- long honey finish.
"Brand new shower curtain" – Andy
"Tropical, tart apple, clementine" - Linda (right)
"Pineapple" – Bob G.

1997 Jaboulet Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise, 15% alc.: Big expressive floral nose -- soapy peach and tangerine/honey suckle/lemon oil. Perhaps not enough sweetness, though it does turn sweeter on the finish… great nose but nothing special otherwise.

1975 Bodegas Toro Albalia Pedro Ximenez, 17% alc.: Charred coffee nose -- melted Tootsie Roll ® - intense alcohol/caramel/coffee… rich, thick, viscous chocolate cherry caramel -- great over ice cream. Lots of alcohol on the finish, but really quite nice for a nose searing elixer.
"Touch of raisin; rancio; really smooth" – Bob G.