redwinegulper

My favorite is Cinghiale (wild boar). I have had it grilled which was amazing, but more commonly I see it in a ragu over pasta.

August and September are prime for my favorites out on Long Island Heirloom tomatoes, and the basil is perfect at that time too Also corn that was picked only hours before

Mark, sounds like an outstanding evening. And it is even more special to be able to taste such great wines. I'm in awe of people who will spend so much on a bottle of wine (I am too cheap), but I can understand if they truley appreciate great wine. What I hate are the idiots on huge expense accounts that buy expensive wines, but are clueless and just want to impress someone.

I wonder how many wineries actually ship direct eventhough it is still prohibited. I did some work with a Long Island winery last year and they would ship to any state. Basically they ignored the law and were going to plead ignorance. I bet there are many smaller wineries that do this, small enough to fall under the radar. But this doesn't help the price, they sell at the suggested retail price and pocket the profits.

I liked this wine about a year ago, I am guessing the 2000 vintage. Then the vintage changed (2001?) and I was less impressed.

hmmm, I would have guessed this would have been tasty. I guess that is why we taste.

I've liked this wine. Seems like my favorites out of California these days are the blends (meritage) wines. And although this keeps climbing in price, it is more fairly priced than most.

Sounds like fun. I will be on vacation till August 3rd, but after that I am in. I can appreciate that it is easier if people only need to open one bottle per night, but I think it is more fun to compare wines side by side. To keep costs within line we could compare 3 whites or 3 reds. Keeping wines in the $10-15 range would help. I like comparing new world wines, I also like the wines of Italy, or perhaps southern France. Perhaps give people a week to taste the wines, then post the results on Tuesday (for instance).

I am off to Capri and Positano on Friday and I am already building up an appetite. Any wines of the region that I should try? I drink mostly red...yes even in the summer with fish....I never said I was normal. But I am open to both reds and whites. I have had Greco di Tufo and enjoyed, but do not know any producers. I've also had a Taurasi, but it was not memorable, but I believe it was not a top producer. I'd love to try some new things rather than focus on wines of Tuscany, Piedmont or the Veneto.

Craig, I love their Vino Nobile. That is why I was so excited to try this Rosso...and at $10 I was so eager to have it become a house wine. But alas, I was disappointed.

Thanks for the insight. It certainly makes sense that the predominent grape in the Rosso is a clone of the sangiovese. What was unusual is that the wine had a very low acid level, which you would not expect with so much sangiovese. I think I need to try another bottle!

Bud. Don't laugh, it is hot outside. I just want something cold, light, refreshing...then I switch to WINE.

I am not an expert on Italian wines, but thought I heard of all the grapes from Tuscany. Obviously not. I recently bought a bottle of Avignonesi Rosso 2000, and the blend is 40% Prugnolo Gentile, 30% Cab and 30% Merlot. I never heard of the PG grape, and would love to hear some insights.

Ch. Petrus is merlot, and I don't hear anyone calling that a crappy wine. Yes there are a lot of ho-hum merlots, but there are also some good ones. As some of the above posters said, if you find a merlot that you like...drink it and enjoy!

Bouchaine never got any respect in NY, bt they make some decent wines, and then have to give them away.

The point system has its place; but what I think JR is saying is not to base you opinions soley on that. As a wine gets 90+, it should be giving you an indication that it is above average. Buy a bottle, taste it and then form your own opinions if it is a good value. A lot of people in the trade hate the WS because revenues/ads can sway reviews....but it can give us some ideas. There is definately some subjectivity in the reviews, not all palates are the same, some people like old world wines and some like new world style...neither is wrong, but both are different.

What a shame, I used to like Arrowood. I still have a couple bottles of the '94 Cab, but have not tasted any of there wines for a couple years.

I rarely hear anyone pronouce it correctly. I happen to be a fan of meritage wines, I prefer them to the straight cabs. But as far as the Assoc goes....I don't think it does spit.

Some people will buy it, but not me. If someone else is buying, I'd love a sip to see what the fanfare is all about.

Mark, you make a valid point. I think so many people abused the system, therefore I think you have no choice. I think if someone has a special bottle for a special occasion...then cook up a great meal at home and enjoy it. Otherwise it is fun to experiment off a wine list, just don't use excessive markups. There is one exception to the above.....I will no longer go to one restaurant on Long Island because they have no corkage fee. It is a steak restaurant, but the owners are Greek and they only serve one Greek wine...I am real flexible but this stuff was horrible.

I would take Quintessa & Insignia over Opus & Silver Oak. But I have never been impressed by Opus which I feel has always been overhyped and overpriced.

I agree. Ten years ago I remember Silver Oak being a favorite. I have not done extensive tastings on Silver Oak lately, but maybe had 5 bottles over the last 5 years. My conclusion is that the wines are much lighter. That is not necessarily a bad thing if there are layers of flavor...but I did not see that either. So it is not a bad bottle...but it is not worth over $30. I think out of the Alexander Valley, that Ch. Souverain is a better cab, and that is close to $20.

As Craig was mentioning, some of the wines are a bit old, and old is not a good thing with many less expensive wines. Therefore I get the feeling that someone is just trying to dump off some wine on you...and it your wedding. I would go to the biggest wine shop in the area...tell the manager you are having a wedding, and what would he recommend in your price range. Ask him to keep it simple, and no obscure wines. But 3 different whites and reds in your price range. Get your spouse to be and a couple close friends...and pull some corks...if you like buy it.

I have been drinking the 2000 Perrin Reserve (on sale for $7.50) and an Umbrian Rosso 2001from Poggio Muralto.

I have steered away from the Napa Cabs the last few years. My favorite wines out of california are the blends (meritage), but many of those are getting pricey. Just think how many chiantis I can buy instead of the blockbuster cab.