TNs with a local distributor at Guy's Wines

•2005 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/18/2010)
This is a teeth licker. At first the nose was muted but then the flavors explode on the palae - cassis, blackberry, dark cherry. This is a monster/huge wine. Like it but didn't love it for the price tag. I think it is not in the league of the $200ish wines. At half the price, worth a shot. (92 pts.)

•2006 Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosemary's Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley (8/18/2010)
Showing a touch of age on the rim already. Candied fruit of strawberry and rasberry. Heavy weight body, nice mouthfeel. Definitely in the Cali pinot/fruit bomb category. (91 pts.)

•2008 Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (8/18/2010)
Nice balance, great acidity, classic chard. Rich, opulent with interesting minerality mixed with vanilla and bright citrus/lemon. A lip smacker. Unfined and unfiltered. (91 pts.)

•2005 Lindstrom Wines Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District (8/18/2010)
Nose of violets and blueberries. A nice wine but lighter in style than I would have expected. Didn't have the depth or power that I was looking for. Really interesting flavor profiles of cocoa, coffee and red cherry. Somewhat green on the finish for me. Once again, it was more of a crowd pleaser than I liked. (88 pts.)

•2007 Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Mount Carmel - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills (8/18/2010)
Nice oak (uses old oak barrels) and vanilla. This is a big chard that packs a punch. Mostly lemon opil on palate with nice bright acidity. Somewhat tannic (maybe from the stem inclusion). Edgy. (88 pts.)

•2008 Chateau Souverain Chardonnay - USA, California, Sonoma County (8/18/2010)
Smoewhat green but creamy. Sweet lemons with nice acidity. Iam conflicted if I like this or not. (86 pts.)

•2007 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Scallop Shelf - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (8/18/2010)
Nose of strawberry and cranberry (as well as on palate) with a very tight finish. Sour mid-palate. Lean style. Doesn;t do it for me but was a crowd pleaser at the tasting. (85 pts.)

•2001 Mas Igneus Priorat Costers de Mas Igneus - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat (8/18/2010)
Pruny and tannic. I just don't get it. Not the nice balance and power that I would have hoped for from this Priorat. (84 pts.)

TNs from Guy's 59th Winefest

•1994 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Proprietor Grown - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/13/2010)
Nose of cake spices, black tea, chocolate and rich cherry fruit. This wine is regal and elegant. Palate expands to a very long finish with richness of fruit and finesse. Slides all the way to the bottom of your stomach. Damn is that good. (97 pts.)

•2003 Romano Dal Forno Amarone della Valpolicella Vigneto Monte Lodoletta - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella (8/13/2010)
Who needs dessert? Seemless, sweet but amazing. This is a big by wine for sure. Licorice and dark chocolate spread over dark red fruit. Port like without the extra sweetness. Very memorable. (97 pts.)

•2005 Futo - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (8/13/2010)
This wine held up to the big boys: Maya, Harlan, Bryant and Pride. Highly extracted, hedonoistic, fruit bomb. Black cherry with a drizzle of vanilla and cocoa that explodes in the mouth. Ooff! (96 pts.)

•1999 Harlan Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/13/2010)
Schwing. This nose was loched and loaded for pleasure. Licorice, road tar, and huge dark fruit on the nose. A tough of kerosene but not obtrusive. Flavor profile was amazing: Asian spices, coffee, clove, soy and cinnamon. Very exotic and smooth. Well balanced. Crazy, stupid delish. (95 pts.)

•2005 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (8/13/2010)
Elegant, great acidity, lemon peel and lemon oil. Ample oak, great mid palate. (95 pts.)

•2005 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Campo de Borja Aquilon - Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja (8/13/2010)
Huge, thck wine. Great viscocity. Fills your whole mouth. Everything a grenache should be and more. Plums, plums and more plums were my primary fruit in this monster. Wow. This is good stuff. One of best grenaches to date. (95 pts.)

•1997 Dalla Valle Maya - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (8/13/2010)
Rose nose with allspice at front of tongue. Dark color, showing no age. Primary flavors were mocha and mature cherry. Huge backbone. Tghis is a cool wine at its present stage. (94 pts.)

•2007 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (8/13/2010)
This was my first encounter with the Frog. Nose of Road tar from Rt 66. Pure syrah fruit flavors. Cherry, plum, and a bit of blackberry. Some blood sausage and smokiness rises fromt he fruit. At first smell, my brain hurt. This wine is nirvana, pure, inviting and edgy. Have been on the list for a few years but haven't graduated to the Frog allo yet. Can't wait. Addicitive. (94 pts.)

•2005 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/13/2010)
Very floral nose, great entry, no mid palate though. Not a ton of weight to this wine. Smoky cassis and bright cherry. A lot of vanilla with smooth, sweet tannins. (90 pts)

•2002 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley (8/13/2010)
This wine underperformed since last tasting. Has the normal Alban funk which I have grown to love. Like sitting in a barn. Decent amount of tar on nose and palate. Somewhat closed at first. Needs food which made the fruit show up a bitmore. Didn't hold up tot eh other wines of the night though. (88 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker

TNs of Wines on a short NYC stay

Bought this at Crush Wines and had with great Greek food at Trattorria Akra.
2008 Scholium Project Naucratis Lost Slough Vineyards - USA, California, Central Valley, Clarksburg (8/4/2010)
Great pairing with Greek food. Great lemon oil and citrus on the palate. Crisp but not crispy. Had a very nice mouthfeel and a heavier weightt than I would have expected. (91 pts.)

Had with a superb lunch at Mark Hotel
2007 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir San Andreas - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (8/4/2010)
Rhubarb, rasberry, licorice, cranberry and forest floor. A bit of a green stem finish. Nice backbone and structure. Bright acidity. (90 pts.)

Bought at Crush. A wine to look for. Very different.
2008 Bedrock Wine Co. The Bedrock Heirloom - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (8/3/2010)
Freakishly fun with zin black flavors that are dark fruit with a guttural fruitiness. Heavy but not overbearing. Still really young. Needs a few hour decant. Other grapes create an interesting conversation around blackberries and saddle leather. (90 pts.)

Bought off the list at Tbar Steakhouse. Great meal.
2008 Turley Zinfandel Juvenile - USA, California (8/3/2010)
Somewhat disappointing. Decent red fruit but a bit of a sour and tannic finish. Don't think time helps this one. Just average. (86 pts.)

Drink the best while the kids are at camp! Only 2 weeks left!!

•2009 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (8/1/2010)
Great lemon and pineapple on the nose with a touch of tropical life savers and freshly cut grass. Great balance and acidity that keeps it all together. Reminds me why I don't start with SB more often. A Winner. Bought at Whole Foods for under $50/ (95 pts.)

•2005 Star Lane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Astral - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley 8/1/2010
Great bright cherries fruit with a hint of chocolate. Delivered with a punch. Think this is a drink em young wine that has hedonsitic tendendacies. Not a long term ager in my opinion. Doesn't have the structure or backbone. Great now. Carpe Diem. (94 pts.)

•2004 Justin Vineyard Isosceles - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles 8/1/2010
Somewhat smokey with dried cherries. (87 pts.)