Wines by the Fire Pit

•2005 Robert Foley Claret - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District (1/8/2011)
Hedonistic, chewy and loaded with black and blue flavors. Right amount of oak works well with blueberry compote and black cherry pie. Nice vanilla, cinnamon and baking spices on finish. Outstanding. (95 pts.)

•2000 Monte Faustino Amarone della Valpolicella Classico - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (1/8/2011)
Mature cherry and raisin nose with a slight port like mouthfeel and finish. Some glycerin slides this beauty in the mid palate. Great food wine. In a very good place. (93 pts.)

•2005 Saxum Broken Stones - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (1/8/2011)
Drank with dessert. Went well with chocolate. Blueberry is the main profile with a thick chewy feel that carries a finish for a full minute. Alcohol level did not get in the way. (93 pts.)

•2006 Booker Vineyard The Alchemist - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (1/8/2011)
Followed the 05 Saxum Broken Stones and it did not skip a beat. Testament to the wine making ability at Booker. Blackberry, blueberry and an awesome gamey texture. I think it brings so much pleasure as a young wine. Why wait for the next. Popped and poured. (92 pts.)

•2006 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Pommard Clones - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (1/8/2011)
Great place for this wine. Purity of bright red fruit. Strawberry and raspberry blast. Nice acidity and soft tannins. Solid. (92 pts.)

•2007 Torrin The Maven - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (1/8/2011)
Purety of fruit and slightly lighter profile than the Booker and Saxum before it. It held up to those big boys. Really nice way to finish a night. (90 pts.)