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.)