The Official Wine Thread

Spent the day here yesterday with the girlfriend And also picked up a bottle of 2006 William Selyem Russian River Valley Pinot http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/...e3fd61.jpg?v=0 Not my pics. Will upload later.

Originally Posted by Bartolo

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Which one? Some are too fruit-bomby for my tastes.

The "Southing". At the start, it did have more fruit than I'm accustomed in a PN, but it didn't overwhelm and smoothed out nicely.

Originally Posted by Bartolo

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Which one? Some are too fruit-bomby for my tastes.

Wow. I've heard nothing but raves about Sea Smoke.

Sea Smoke is some pretty serious stuff.

Went with a Dolcetto d'Alba this past weekend, nice pick for $11.

Great trip. Great wine. Some nice surprises and choices compared to Ontario. Spent way to much $$$, but some tasty juice. There are several bottles missing. We drank (not tasted!!) 14 bottles in 5 days. No wine for a month, now! Well, a week. Here are the photos. All prices in Canadian dollars. Nice to have some private wine establishments. Prices higher on average than the LCBO, though. Great choice. There is a Gov option, too. 2007 Blasted Church Syrah Okanagan Valley, BC An outstanding wine and the surprise of the trip. The restaurant wine list said 2006! But this 2007 had class. Great depth and balance. Flavour was superb. $30.00 List 92/100 2006 Hogue Cabernet/Merlot Columbia Valley, Washington State A drinkable Bordeaux blend. Road house restaurant fare. Nice balance and flavour. $30.00 List 88/100 Camaraderie Cellars line. Washington State. Tasting line. I'm going to forgo a review here. They've become friends. 2006 Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, CA A classic wine. Superb flavour, balance and sophisticated. Layers and mystery. $86.00 List 94/100 2005 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, CA Another classic Napa Cab. Brilliant in it's execution. Great now, epic in years to come. $100.00 List 93/100 2005 Nichol Vineyard Syrah Reservare Naramata, BC Suggested by the Everything Wine salesman when the Blasted Church was sold out. Supposed to be a top Okanagan Syrah. Much lighter than the Blasted Church but VG. Good fruits and balance. After a couple of glasses, I may have said this was a heavier Pinot. Good, anyway. $40.00 List 90/100 2004 Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon Carneros, Napa Valley, CA Not bad. Pretty hollow compared to the more beefy, jammy Cabs. Had a fabulous steak dinner and the wine did not man up. Drinkable. $30.00 List 87/100 2005 Osoyoos Larose Grand Vin Okanagan, BC Apologies for crap, low light shot. A famous BC Bordeaux blend. Lots of character, good fruit but a very chewy finish. Needs some aging, but is it worth it? At the price and hype, disappointing. $45.00 List 88/100 2004 Ridgeline Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, CA A very fine Cab, especially for the price. 3/4 of Caymus for less than 1/2 price. Jammy goodness, sophistication and balance. A winner! $40.00 List 92/100 Two bonus, OT pics. My brother's Condo reveal party designed by Inge Ratzinger. A lovely space and much fun. 50 guests, great food and drink. Met some wonderful people, including a very famous actress who was so genuine and nice, when, from stories I hear, many are not! Best wine on the trip: Caymus Cab Best value: Ridgeline Cab Nicest surprise: Blasted Church Syrah

Nice list there, some very well known producers. And quite the trip indeed!! All West coast wines?

I am in Victoria withdrawal. Canada's best kept secret. Med climate, great people, modern city (now -- was called home of the Newlywed and Nearly dead!). Hope to be moving there in three or four years.

The Blasted Church is a dynamite, drink now, don't be scared of 07, well priced, wine!

Yes, all west coast. Nice Finger Lakes review, Gome.

Originally Posted by audiophilia

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Me, too!

Has become my second favourite activity over the past two years!!!

I am a newbie and want to learn more. I do go to some wine tastings.

Any suggestions on how to learn about wine - both red and white - and have fun and meet new people as well?

Just visit and enjoy. Check out some podcasts -- Napa Wine Radio is very good. Read. Hugh Johnson's pocket book is very good.

Ignore snobs. If you like the wine, great. With practice, tho, you should start to see the subtle differences in wine.

It's a lot of fun. Enjoy. Let us know what you drink and how you like them.

My favorite is the Ridgeline...

Mrs. Audiophilia would have been happy to pour you a glass, A!

Originally Posted by mkarim

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Any suggestions on how to learn about wine - both red and white

Wine for dummies - excellent reference.

Here they are. Any good refs to rec?





Here's another good one.

Vino Italiano

Audiophilia - I've been wanting to have a bottle of Duckhorn for a while now. Maybe this weekend...