2005 Sea Smoke Southing

Received these off the mailing list about a month ago, and can't resist the urge anymore to pop one. I know it's nowhere near ready to drink yet, but there's 3 more that we'll cellar until 2010 plus, so why not? Opened and decanted for 3 hours. Gorgeous plum/ruby in the decanter and glass. Nose of black cherry, raspberry, blueberry, and a hint of spice and oak. On the palate more strawberry prevalent than anything, with some spice and wood. The finish on this bottle lasted a good 30 seconds, and the tannins definitely need some time to settle down, and the oak needs time to integrate. This wine definitely very young, but I just couldn't resist. This is a big wine, and I look forward to revisiting it in 3-5 years. All in all, currently rated at 91 points, with 94-95 points possible with time in the bottle. If drinking now, be sure to decant at least 2 hours. We'll hold these until our 2010 allocation comes in. As always, Sea Smoke is a must buy for us! Cheers!

2005 Celler Can Blau Montsant

Looking for a great sub $15 red blend? 35% Carignan, 35% Syrah, & 30% Garnacha, this is a great blend, so look no further for that $15 Spanish fruitbomb QPR! Gorgeous purple color in the glass, and the nose was showing well. Tons of dark fruit for a Spanish wine, with blackberry being the most prevailing, with hints of oak. Blackberry, dark cherry, and currants on the palate with overwhelming fruit coming through. This is a fruit bomb! Short simple finish makes this wine worthy of 88 points. Drink now -2009. Cheers

2004 Andrew Murray Syrah Estate Grown

Andrew Murray has these Rhone styled wines down to a science, right here on American soil. We love the wines they are producing, and this is another great example, opened up on the deck with Zelda's parents. Popped and poured right after a 2004 Sanford pinot noir, this showed some nice cherry, pepper, vanilla, and caramel on the nose. The palate showed a very nice creamy texture with tons of cherry and cranberry, with hints of cassis and caramel. All in all a great wine that will only get better in the bottle. Great now, but give it 2-3 years and you'll love it that much more. 89 points. Cheers!

2004 Duckhorn Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

Happy 4th of July, and what better wine than a nice sauvignon blanc, made in the USA, on a warm 4th of July Day! A great example of a California sauv blanc showing a nice green hued straw color in the glass, with a big grassy nose filled with lemon and oak. Hints of pear, green apple, apricot, and oak on the palate make this wine worthy of 89 points. A solid wine, drink now! God Bless the USA! Cheers!