Probably the best inexpensive Pinot I have had lately would be the A to Z pinot from the Willamette Valley. It's a simple Pinot but a great value, I think I paid 9.99 for it and bought a case.

i have heard good things about black mountain being a high value for a cheap wine.

opened a freemark abbey pinot the other night. very nice. cherry, current, rassberry, and a little spice. was about $25.

Recently we've been buying and enjoying Rex Goliath Pinot Noir... for about $9.99 a bottle.

2002 Domaine Drouhin - Pinot Noir - $39.99
The fleshy, medium to dark ruby-colored 2002 Pinot Noir Laurene displays an aromatic profile of sweet black fruits. On the palate, this broad shouldered, concentrated, medium to full-bodied wine offers plummy black cherries, blackberries, and hints of tar. Its finish is slightly rustic, with loads of tannin that reveal some bitterness.

Well, I haven't posted notes from my weekly wine drinking lately because I've been sticking to a bunch of the same ones....A lot of Shea, Lemelson, etc.

The other day, Bier mentioned Francis Tannahill winery. I'd never had anything from the winery but recognized the Tannahill name as the former winemaker of Archery Summit. Well, after a little research, it is the same person. Sam Tannahill was the winemaker at Archery Summit during the late 90s and early 00s during a stretch of great wines for the winery. From there he went to Shea vineyards. Thats a hell of a resume' right there. He married the winemaker from Chehalem and they started Francis Tannahill winery, while still making wines for other wineries as well. They are also the heads of A to Z wineworks, which many view as the best budget Pinot label in the NW.

Fast forward to this evening: we arrive at our regular Wednesday night wine bar and I happen to notice a couple bottles of 04 Francis Tannahill Hermit Pinot Noir on the shelf. I grabbed them both quick and got them opened. At first sniff, I thought the first bottle was corked. I set it back down, chatted a bit, and took a whiff of the other...similar smell. I figured I'd never be hearing the end of getting these two bottles.

From there it got interesting. If you want to experience a wine opening up a couple hours, I've never found a better example. When I went to take the first sip, the wine reached out, slapped me around, and called me a bitch. At that point I realized what a HUGH young wine this was. Over then next 90 minutes, it came around to one of the most enjoyable Oregon Pinots I have had in a long time.

During the late 90s and early 00s, the only real criticisms of Archery Summit's wines were the Oak forward, strong tannins overpowering the wine a bit. I don't agree with it as a criticism but as a positive characteristic and could see the same in this wine. The 04 vintage in Oregon is typically more earthy than the fruit forward vintage of 03. This wine certainly met that and as the night went on the the decanter worked its magic, we got a very balanced wine with deep dark fruit, characteristic Oregon soil, and plenty of leather.

Unfortunately, we drank the last two bottles at the wine bar or I would have been coming home with some. This is definitely a wine that could be saved for 5-7 years. Thanks Bier....You definitely chose your classmates well.

The rosenblum vintner's cuvee would be a great zin for such an occasion. under $10 but the wine drinkers will enjoy it.

The winery is Juslyn. I tasted the 02 Perry's Blend (Parker 91 pts) likely about $60 retail, the Vineyard Select Cab (Parker 93) likely about $80, and the Estate Spring Mtn Cab (Parker 94) likely about $95. All of them were very elegant but profoundly extracted. They really did get better up the line, which is somewhat uncommon. I liked the Perry and will likely pick it up mostly because it fits in better with the price point of my list. However, for personal choice, I was really down with the other two. The vineyard select was pretty but still and some grip and tannin. The Estate was freaking awesome if a bit better for the long haul. None the less, any are assured to please.

If you like that, there's something special about the Lodi area. We've been digging up all of the Zins from that area and many are better than the 7 Deadly Zins. The same winery that produces the 7 Deadly Zins also produces an Earthquake Zin which I love. They also produce an Earthquake Cab which I buy a case at a time. Great if you like them big and fruity. Windmills Zin is the least bold of the bunch. Talus has the same character as the 7 Deadly Zins but is somewhat thinner and less fruity, but at half the price it is an excellent wine.

Try some Pillar Box..It's made by the guys who make Henry's Drive, Parson's Flat and Dead Letter. It 's a blend of Cab, Shiraz and merlot. The fruit is very forward and there is a little burn but a great value at 7.99 at Cosco! Let it breath for awhile. I think I have the 04'.

You know, the Coppola Rosso (Zin 47%, Cab 32%, Syrah 21%) is a really decent bottle of wine for $7. Usually if I'm just looking for some table wine at home I pick up 1 or 2 of these in the store. I've also been drinking the Rabbit Ridge Zinfandel lately, it's $8.

2002 Barrel Select - Silver Ridge - Cab Sauvignon - $13.99

2003 Mas Carlot - Cuvee Tradition - Blend (Syrah/Grenache) - $8.99
The deep ruby/colored 2003 Grenache/Syrah Cuvee Tradition (a blend of 45% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and a touch of Mourvedre) offers blueberry, blackberry, and cassis notes in an uncomplicated, exuberant style. This medium-bodied red displays good grip on the palate, fine purity as well as ripeness, and slightly austere tannin in the finish. Drink it over the next 1-2 years.

2002 Kilikanoon Medley - $25.99
The 2002 Medley is a classic GSM, meaning 50% Grenache, 40% Shiraz, and 10% Mourvedre sourced from old estate vineyards in Clare, Barossa, and McLaren Vale. Its dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by a big, peppery, earthy nose possessing sweet cherry, blackberry, truffle, and licorice scents. With superb purity, medium to full body, and a fleshy mouthfeel, it should drink well for 4-5 years.

2003 Bodegas Castano Solanera Yecla Vinas Viejas

8.99 to 11.99

A Monastrell ( a local Spanish grape) and Cab blend...

It's been a while since I have had this wine, but it always seems to be an exceptional value from year to year. It has a great nose of blackberry jam and saddle lather. The tip of your tongue and mid palate is coated with blackberries with a bit of dark chocolate and broad tannins that give a smooth and silky finish. I find my tongue searching for blackberry seeds stuck in my teeth!

Not as complex as the 98 Remeriz de Ganuza, Reserva (Rioja)we had with dinner tonight (Pimientos Rellenos: Small red peppers stuffed with minced elk tenderloin, then dipped in batter, fried & cooked in a wine & tomato sauce.) But it was a nice wien for after dinner!

2003 Las Rocas - Garnacha - $8.99
This is the second vintage for the ambitious project of importer Eric Solomon, who discovered these ancient high altitude Grenache vineyards (70-100 years old), and brand named his offerings Las Rocas. The 2003 Grenache has just been released, and it’s another winner. Moreover at $8 a bottle, it’s a steal. Aromas of sweet black cherries, raspberries, pepper, and loamy soil soar from the glass of this medium-bodied, surprisingly elegant, personality-filled red. Soft tannin and good depth suggest drinking over the next 1-3 years is warranted.

Delicato is a great line of very inexpensive wines. The Shiraz actually scored something like a 90 from Wine Enthusiast a few years back despite the fact that it costs like $7 per bottle.

Opened a bottle from Honig (and am finishing it as I type). I'm no wine elitist but I do know when I enjoy a bottle. This is one of those bottles. Not bad for $14.

Honig makes a great Sauv Blanc. Napa does a good job with that grape. It is certainly it's own style and not what i typically look for from the grape (I tend towards Loire Valley styles) but it can be great.

House Wine:
Busch Light.

Goes well with every meal and social situation. AND, it won't break your budget. Expect to spend around $13.00-$15.00 per 30 pack. Starts off smooth and finishes smooth. Best served ice cold.

And this was why I kept it locked.

House Wine:
Busch Light.

Goes well with every meal and social situation. AND, it won't break your budget. Expect to spend around $13.00-$15.00 per 30 pack. Starts off smooth and finishes smooth. Best served ice cold.

good work Richard wine sucks ...

House Wine:
Busch Light.

Goes well with every meal and social situation. AND, it won't break your budget. Expect to spend around $13.00-$15.00 per 30 pack. Starts off smooth and finishes smooth. Best served ice cold.

there is a wine i really like out of washington (can't remember the winery offhand) that sells a "house wine" that is a really nice cabernet blend, and sells for under 10 bucks. the label is sort of a crude looking block black and white thing, you'll know it if you see it.

Tanzer
2004 DARE Cabernet Franc
Good ruby-red. Spicy, ripe, highly aromatic nose combines bitter cherry and blackberry. Silky, sweet and feminine, with a fresh flavor of blackberry. This possesses good fat as well as firm underlying structure. Finishes with broad tannins and a suggestion of nutty oak. In the style of a St. Emilion. Offers very good potential. 90 points.

Wine & Spirits
2004 DARE Cabernet Franc
If further proof is needed that Napa Valley can produce exceptional, elegant cabernet franc, here it is in this second line from VIADER. Finely ripe rather than ultraripe, its soft, red-fruited flavors feel gentle, leaving an impression that’s pretty rather than bold or heavy. The light tannins keep it mouthwatering throughout. 92 points

I would say this wine is a bargain for the age - very elegant and sexy for its age. It's a project of Viader and meant to be drank within 4 years. I paid $46 and it's well worth it particularly if you want to impress a wine enthusiast without blowing the bank.

100% Cab Franc

Dare 2004

ETA: I'm drinking a bottle of it right now and if I could I'd make sweet sweet love to this wine I would. Very impressive.

I would say this wine is a bargain for the age - very elegant and sexy for its age. It's a project of Viader and meant to be drank within 4 years. I paid $46 and it's well worth it particularly if you want to impress a wine enthusiast without blowing the bank.

100% Cab Franc

Dare 2004

ETA: I'm drinking a bottle of it right now and if I could I'd make sweet sweet love to this wine I would. Very impressive.

Went to a tasting tonight organized by Viader. Met Janet Viader and spoke with her about the wines.

They were tasting the 2005 Dare Cab Franc, 2005 Dare Cab Sauvignon, and the 05 Viader.

I'll start off by stating that the Viader was in a league of it's own - by far the best of the bunch. Elegant and refined but at a $70 a bottle price before tonights discount it may be a little steep for some.

The 05 Cab Franc was nowhere near as good as the 04 IMO. It still wasn't bad but the 04 blew me away. The 05 still had some great ripe cherry and subtle tannins.

The 05 Dare Cab was very pleasant and contained your normal vibrant flavors usually associated with Cabs. Like the other Dares, it's meant to be drank within 5 years.

I decided to stock up some more so I purchased an amazing Pinot that the Sommelier let me sample - Shea Wine Cellars Estate. I just so happened to get an email about this from Seattle Lawdawg on Friday so I knew it was going to be good.

In addition, I did a wine flight called soft, sexy, and sassy while I was there and bought those wines as well. The "soft" was a 04 Sinskey - hints of spice, subtle fruit with a cherry finish. The "Sexy" was an 04 Figge - vibrant cherry with an almost "cherry jolly rancher' finish. I actually disagreed with the sexy label with the sommelier. The "sassy" was a 06 Ayres - a little hot right now but should be fairly solid in another few years. Velvety sweet fruit with a long finish. The favorite of the flight.

I haven't met or spoke to Janet but the rest of the Viader family is a very nice outgoing family!

Which Shea Pinot did you sample? They usually put out some pretty good Jesus juice... at areasonable price. Haven't tried the 06 Ayres but will have to give it a try on your recommendation. The 05 seemed to be lacking in body and complexity. To me, it usually runs parallel in taste to A to Z Pinot which is a better buy IMHO....

06 Shea.

SLD can give some great insight on this wine.

I would typically agree with SundayNFL's statement regarding the A to Z. I think its a solid budget pinot for Oregon where budget bottles seem to quickly be disappearing and all producers seem to think they can put the same prices on their bottles as wineries like Archery Summit, Domaine Serene, etc do.

Another shout out for A to Z. We did a wine dinner with them last fall and their entire line-up is very cool. And yes, it's about the last real pinot value out there. I also think their Chard is quite solid, as is their Riesling, Pinot Gris, and even Bordeaux blend called "Night and Day". In fact, the blend might have stole the show at the dinner as I'm rather certain we sold more of that than anything else to the attendees.

Used A to Z Pinot in Coq Au Vin Saturday evening (after spending the day at Quilceda Creek's release party - The 05 Cab is amazing). Sure I could have used the whole bottle but somehow there managed to be a glassful left over.

2005 Bordeaux

Dear Friends,

If you wish to have top-drawer 2005 Bordeaux that few in the US will see, this is your offer.

Somewhere near St. Estephe, the mind of Jose’ Sallette dreams a big dream - to make wine as good as his neighbors to the south: Cos d’ Estournel and even Montrose. While his vineyards are upriver near the town of Civrac, to Sallette they may as well be bordering the great names of the Medoc’s most northerly classified region. His wines are for knowledgeable consumers to drink (and also to age) and he shuns the limelight preferring to allow his wine to speak for him. That was all well and good until the 2000 vintage when Pierre de Montignac came out of nowhere and was awarded the gold medal at the International Wine Challenge - nothing has been the same for the Sallette family since....except the prices.

Fast forward five vintages and the good news is that the 2005 is even better than the 2000 (not a surprise, the vines are five years older and the vintage was basically perfect in Cirvac). This is a special, small estate and only a few thousand cases are produced of the wine (tiny for Bordeaux). The soil is both limestone and clay with gravel in one end of the vineyard (as in Saint Estephe) and they practice an eco-sustainable farming regimen that is very labor intensive. From a classic blend of 50-55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30-40% Merlot and the remainder Petite Verdot and Franc, this is the type of Bordeaux most of us could drink every night. It has presence and breed well beyond its price-point.

The 2005 is deeper than the 2004 or even the 2003 as the even-keeled ripeness and cool-toned skin tannin are outstanding. This wine has personality and intrigue with layers of naturally dense, unmanipulated, mineral rich fruit that has become much harder to find in Bordeaux since 1990 (big fruit and alcohol everywhere - I mean naturally produced real fruit that has not been put through a concentration recipe). Traditionally vinified, the best feature of the 2005 is its balance - it is not overdone, it’s just about perfect (in a everyday sense) and the Sallette family will be so proud that their hard work will have its ultimate resting place with your dinner guests or your private party of one. Cellar a few bottles of this over the next 10-15 years and I think you will be shocked at how well the wine ages.

I don’t have my laptop to cut and past TN’s on this wine, but I think Suckling gave the finished wine an 89 or 90 in his Wine Spectator report last month (with excellent verbiage in the review - you can look up the reviews). Kudos to him for ferreting this out as it is not easy to find and it represents one of Bordeaux’s last great bargains at the everyday level that was never intended to be thought of as “everyday” by the proprietor - this is his best effort and it’s still only $14.83.

This winery is a treasure in the northern Medoc run by a family I hope all of you support as their pricing policy is almost crazy in today’s day and age.

VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for outstanding quality, ageing potential and terrific value in a very expensive vintage.

2005 Chateau Pierre de Montignac Medoc (Grand Vin) - $14.83
(there are a 2-3 different labels of the same wine for the European market, some known as Cuvee Fernand Ginestet - we have a selection of the best barrels in 2005 - his finest wine)

UPDATE:

I just want to say thanks to Paulo for his incredible hospitality last night - a multi-course meal for 10 (all made from scratch over 6 hours) plus an endless array of Champagne magnums, older vintages of Barolo, Chianti, Pinot Noir, 1961 Armagnac, and other treats made this a night to remember. The people were even more memorable than the wines. When a 1990 Quintarelli Amarone remained untouched, you know the conversation alone was enlightening. An old bottle of Selosse Exquise (disgorged in the mid 1990s and cellared undisturbed for a decade) was simply surreal along with a bottle of the sister wine, the Selosse Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru (disgorged around 2001 if I remember?). Exquise is meant to be consumed just prior to the cheese course as an intermezzo between the savory main meal and the fruity dessert. It signifies that the meal is about to end but the imprint of the experience will not fade. It’s not often that two bottles of Champagne and hand made Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe can trump the likes of 1996 Massolino Vigna Rionda Riserva and an aged vintage of Valentini, but, on this night Selosse did just that with two different wines and Paulo’s mastery in the kitchen goes without saying. Who says NV Champagne can’t age? As a side note, those of you that have not yet tasted Movia’s PURO Champagne, a wine in magnum that needs decanting prior to serving, must experience this unique and incredible elixir - we probably won’t have any I’m working on it...

- Jon Rimmerman
*******************************
2005 Felettig

Dear Friends,

It seems like I’ve been preaching the significance of youthful changeover for years (i.e. - the next generation taking over from the parents) and we may be in store for the next mercury rising in Chambolle. Gilbert and Christine Felettig appear to be the next in line to break down the Burgundy barrier of the most competitive commune in the Cote d’Or - Chambolle-Musigny. This is the territory of Mugnier, Roumier and de Vogue and the closed club is not open to new members - that is, members who ask for admittance. Christine Felettig should gain admission by consumer vote alone.

After the 2002 vintage, this young team took over the reigns at Henri Felettig and 2005 could not have come at a better time. With outstanding fruit to work with and parcels that would make most in Burgundy drool (just the thought of owning or leasing top Chambolle fruit is a dream at best to the upstart crown in Beaune), this dynamic pair of winemakers is on the road to very big things and 2005 is their coming out party.

As I often say, “if you like to get in on the ground floor”, here is your chance at prices that are about as low as can be:

2005 G & C Felettig (Henri Felettig) Haut Cote de Nuits - $16.98 EXTREMELY LIMITED
(compare at $22-28)
>From fruit around Chambolle-Musigny and declass material form their top 1ers in Vosne Romanee as well, I may be a broken record but, in 2005, there just wasn’t much material to declassify. Almost everything was of good to great quality but the Felettig’s (like so many other vintners) couldn’t say “we’re not making any Hauts Cote de Nuits because the vintage was too good”, instead they made less, much less, but what they did make will have a similar effect to banging a drum next to your head - in a good way of course. Lovely scents of varietal red fruit, spice and a feminine, sultry presence with delicious fine tannins hint at the portion of Vosne fruit in the mix. The fact that this is still $16.98 even after the dollar’s devaluation is silly (not silly for you although). A crazy bargain and one worth cellaring as well as enjoying today.

2005 G & C Felettig (Henri Felettig) Chambolle 1er “Les Lavrottes” - $49.86 EXTREMELY LIMITED
(compare at $60-80)
This is a beautiful, sumptuous wine from a Chambolle 1er parcel that they treat like their Charmes and Echezeaux. We have so little of this that I’m not going to go into detail but if you are a fan of Mugnier’s 2005 Fuees bottling, you may want to give this Chambolle junior version a very close look. Exciting, elegant and ageworthy. VERY RARE.

ONE PARCEL ONLY directly form the winery cellar at about the same price as in France.

I think I've mentioned Garagiste before, but want to give them another mention for those of you looking for some good deals, interesting finds, or just knowledge.

Garagiste is an email buying list. A group of people seem to be constantly travelling around the various wine regions (I'd say 60% France, 40% everywhere else). In meeting with many of the smaller producers, they get limited allocations of wine which they then sell through the email list. Each time, they'll send out an email describing the wine with quite a bit of information. Usually, I get 2-3 emails / day so I set up an email account to use for this. In many cases, they won't actually have the wine in possession yet...it'll be on the way from France, Italy, wherever. If you want any number of bottles (in many cases there is a limitation / person), you simply reply to the email and you're in. You can then have them ship it to you when it arrives (if during proper shipping season), or if you happen to be in the Seattle area, you can pick it up. I tend to wait until I have 1 or more mixed cases until I have it shipped or I drive up to pick it up. As I think you'll be able to tell from the notes below, even if I was never to order any wine through garagiste, I think there's quite a bit of educational value just in the writeups that they do.

Some background on the company

Just to give an idea of the type of offers, yesterday they sent out 2: 1 for 2005 Burgundies, 1 for 2005 Bordeauxs. If you think there aren't any values out there for these vintages, check out the following offers:

Used A to Z Pinot in Coq Au Vin Saturday evening (after spending the day at Quilceda Creek's release party - The 05 Cab is amazing). Sure I could have used the whole bottle but somehow there managed to be a glassful left over.

went to Pinot Days in SF last weekend and got to try some pretty good juice. highlights included:

2006 August West Rosella's
2006 Benovia - Cohn
2007 Dain "American Beauty"
2006 Auteur Shea's
2006 Anicien RRV
2006 Freeman Keefer
2005 Talisman SC Thorne Vineyard

overall it was a fantastic event. Friday night i had dinner with a great group of people (including a couple of winemakers) and got to try my first SQN (2005 Petition). absolutely wonderful...now i see what all the hype is about. also got to try my first Carlisle Zin (a 2004 but can't remember which one) - aromatics were absolutely amazing...possibly the best zinfandel i've tasted to date.

Awesome! The SQN wines are amazing. Were wineries like Kosta Browne & Loring there?

KB and Loring were not at the Grand Tasting event i attended on Sunday. however, KB did host a dinner on the preceding Wednesday: "A Night With Kosta Browne." tickets were a little out of my range for that one, though it was sold out. i spoke to a couple of different people who attended and they said it was great. fortunately, i'm on the KB list (SVD allocations coming in the Fall!) so i have a little stash of Mike and Dan's wine. just wonderful stuff.

and speaking of KB: one of the assistant winemakers there, Shane Finley, has started his own label Shane Wine. last year was his inaugural vintage, and he's producing syrah. i'll probably open one in the next couple of weeks to see how it's progressing and post a tasting note or two.

Please let us know how that Shane Wine is! KB is certainly a great list to be on. I opened a fairly young KB Rosella's recently and continue to be impressed with their wines. The SVs are automatic buys for me. Did you get the Rose'? That's the only wine I haven't bought from them in the last couple of years.

Did you try any of the Le Cadeaus. I haven't had the new one yet and was curious how it was drinking (Equinox - or something like that I think).

i finally got to open Shane's syrah last week: 2006 The Unknown. while it's still a tiny bit young, it's really drinking well. a very dark, inky color in the glass, it offered a ton of dark fruit on the nose. Blueberry, boysenberry, currant were all there, and a little bit of spice as well. definitely a full-bodied wine, it still had a very silky texture and all of the fruit flavor was well balanced with nice acidity. it also had the distinct flavor of gunmetal, or possibly flint, that i hadn't tasted before. not bad at all....just a characteristic i wasn't expecting. overall a really nice wine, which should only get better in a couple of years.

i also must give a little backstory here: i opened another bottle about week before this one and it was flawed. not corked, but i think oxidized. it had virtually no fruit flavor, and was a tiny bit too acidic. the cork itself was fine - no streaking and not pushed up/out. i wrote Shane an email, describing the wine, and to see if anyone else had experienced anything similar. i also told him i was not asking for a refund or replacement - just to offer him some feedback. Shane was very gracious in his explanation of what may have happened (that's how i came to the oxidized conclusion), and insisted on replacing the bottle. he actually drove to SF from Novato and hand-delivered a new bottle to me. this kind of customer service is absolutely incredible, so i wanted to share it with everyone here. will be back for the 2007s!

Menage A Trois by Folie A Deux

Excellent Cali blend (and most excellent name). Can be found for $7 or so a bottle out here, I've heard it's about $10 a bottle on the other side of the country.

My regular bottle.

Cheers!

After belonging to several FF forums over the better part of a decade, I have yet to participate in one where the wine passion is so strong amongst its members.

I am now home . . . . .

After belonging to several FF forums over the better part of a decade, I have yet to participate in one where the wine passion is so strong amongst its members.

I am now home . . . . .

After belonging to several FF forums over the better part of a decade, I have yet to participate in one where the wine passion is so strong amongst its members.

I am now home . . . . .

AHHHHHH ... maybe another participant for our future "Wine only" FFL.


You guys still interested in getting this going in the fall.

I'm not sure who was in the league that used fine bottles of wine as the prize for the Champion.