mike volker

TN: '01 IO chairman's selection Made from syrah, grenache, and mourvedre this is just stunning on the nose and in the mouth. I've tried most of the chairman's selections but this could be one of the best. I'm going back for more. Best, Mike

Those label removers don't work on all bottles!!!! Best, Mike

Next time you're in the stste store pick up a bottle of the Senetiner Bonarda. This is the first bonarda for me so I'm not sure what its supposed to taste like, but this is very good. Lots of berry fruit, some smoke, soft tannins. Try it, you'll like it! Best, Mike

Must be the new math. When I was in school 20 x 1.5 = 30. Best, Mike

Can't remember the last time I saw 1 1/2 times retail markup at any high end restaurant. Usually we are seeing 3 to 4 times markup. Best, Mike

TN: '02 Wellington Alicante Bouschet Old Vines "Noir De Noirs" Glen Ellen Ca. Almost black in the glass, this has a wonderful sour cherry taste with an underlying earthiness and good acidity. I'm glad I still have a couple more. Best, Mike

Dee, I meant Robert Young Vineyards. They keep the best grapes for themselves, and sell the other 93% out. Although CSJ's "Robert Young" chard is very good I thought that their viognier was the highlight of the tasting. There are many wineries that make PS, somebody must be willing to do a deal. Highlight of the trip was Ladera Winery on Howell mountain. Carolyn Tillie, who posts on the wine board frequently, works there and gave us a private tour and tasting. I bought a few Cab's and some Malbec. The cab's will be great in another five years or so. Best, Mike

Dee, Its great that the Kim Crawford is coming back, especially in time for the hot weather. Just got back from ten days in Napa/Sonoma, do you think the chairman would like a list of requests? Think "Robert Young" their '00 reserve chard is wonderful. I would also like to see some of the Petit Sirah's that are only available at the winery. Do your magic..... Best, Mike

The trip is about two hours off rushhour. There aren't many wineries more worth visiting than Phelps, some of the best juice in the world. Make a day of it and visit a few more while you're there. Best, Mike

We attended the Marchesi di Barolo dinner at the Joseph Ambler Inn. Appetizers were served on the patio (froze our you know what's off for an hour). Grilled portobellas, ahi tuna, three kinds of sausage, and stuffed calimari were served with a nice Gavi and Barbera d'alba. Finally inside(warm) the next course was semi-smoked salmon with a dolcetto d' alba. Second course was three pizza's with entirely forgettable toppings and another Barbera d'alba. Third course was roast beef with onion something and pickled ramp with a '00 and '90 Barolo cannubi. If you've never had ramp count yourself lucky. Dessert was three cheeses with honey, biscotte, and something else, served with a '99 barolo. All in all a very nice evening. The food was interesting and the wine was nice. It was just a tad long with a 6:30 start and 11:15 finish. My problem is that I just don't get Barolo. Nice wine, but for those kind of dollars give me a Bordeaux anytime. Best, Mike

Dined there eight years ago in august. Temp was 115 degrees and no air conditioning. Needed a serrated knife for the lobster. This was the most regreted $1300 ever spent on food and wine. Best, Mike

With the seemingly endless reports on the glut of french wine, what are the chances we will see some french chairman's selections? Best, Mike

Had the '99 Selvamaggio last night. Great QPR at $18 chairman's selection. Best, Mike

Deidre, One last question. Why are the prices different for the wine festival depending on geographiy? Nobody likes Philly, some people like Pittsburgh, and all the pols are in Harrisburg(like they need a price break). Best, Mike

Deidre, Is the Kim Crawford coming back again, or do your "levels" not work? There doesn't seem to be much in the state. Can I nominate the Collegeville store for super premium so we can get distribution on all the chairman's selections? Did I miss the chairman on the board answering questions? Sorry I'm such a pain, but I still love yuh. Best, Mike

Winebid is right there in Napa. I think I would approach them about helping you out and running it for you from a technical standpoint. Think of the liability involved in running an internet auction with no expertise. Best, Mike

'01 St Supery CS: lots of dark berry, licorice, casiss, spice,and earth. Not nearly the oak I expected. This probably needs some cellar time yet, but actually drinks pretty well with a couple hours of decanting. Try it you'll like it. Best, Mike

It was the '96 Opus that started me on the road to ruin. Best, Mike

check wine-searcher.com someone will ship it to you. Best, Mike

I knew I should have bought more of the Kim Crawford when it was around. They got more Trilogy in Collegeville in case anyone missed it. I picked up the last five bottles of the '01 Ridge Home Ranch today. I'll post when we open one(can't hardly wait). Best, Mike

I was shocked the first time that I heard a friend refer to me as a "Wine Geek", mostly because I surely did't see myself in that light. All I could think of was how much I didn't know. Best, Mike

'01 Trilogy at 12th and chestnut must be the second time around. Collegeville has been sold out for two weeks. Has anyone seen or tried the soliloquy yet? How did it compare to the Kim Crawford?Keep those TN's coming. Best, Mike

I'll second the suggestion for wine and region. While I would like to participate, I don't want to have to chase all over for a particular bottle we probably don't have it in Pa anyway. Best, Mike

'00 Cambria Bench Break Vineyard PN: Some of that pinot funk on the nose, cherry berry and spices on the palate, spices and dust on the finish. Better than the Saintsbury. Very very nice. Best, Mike

I think that I liked the Vision PN better than the Saintsbury. Also bought a case of the Cambria so I can't wait to try that. Best, Mike