2004 Sanford Pinot Noir

This is one of the wines that changed our wine world forever. The '04 is still such a good wine, and I love the fact that we still have a 1/2 case left in the cellar.

Nice ruby color in the glass, with great hints of red fruits, mainly cherry and strawberry on the nose, with hints of cola and herb. More of the same on the palate, and a finish that is absolutely delicious.

This wine is much better than the 2005 in my opinion. Maybe it is attributed to the weather in 2004 versus 2005. Maybe the fruit was just that much better. Or maybe the '05's just need some more time in the bottle. Regardless, I still swear by the '04's, and look forward to getting my hands on some more! 90 points consistently from 5 bottles thus far. Great pinot for sub $25! Also check out Richard's new project, Alma Rosa!

2004 Peachy Canyon Jester

First tried this wine at Jester's Cafe, and I really enjoyed it, so I picked up a few bottles at the first place I saw it around here. This wine is a very strange blend, almost like a Bordeaux, but a lot like a Rhone wine as well. Grapes used were cabernet sauvignon, syrah, petite sirah, and cab franc. On the nose, hints of raspberry jam, plum, cherry, and cedar shine through. On the palate, tons of blackberry and raspberry, with currants, and lots of wood. Cedar, oak, you take your pick, but they are both there. There is something about this wine that I absolutely love, but I cannot put my finger on it. Maybe it is because it has the same qualities of two regions that we love, Bordeaux and Rhone. Maybe because it's a bigger wine. I only wish I knew. What I do know is that we have 2 more bottles, and I look forward to opening them. In short, a fun wine, worthy of 89 points. Cheers!

2001 Fiddlehead Cellars Pinot Noir Seven Twenty Eight Fiddlestix

Happy Valentine's Day! Zelda and I enjoyed this half bottle tonight at Cafe Kabul, located at Rat's Restaurant at the Grounds for Sculptures in Hamilton, NJ.

This pinot has aged very nicely, and could quite possibly be on the down slope now, but it was still tasty. Lots of red fruits on the nose, with the slightest hint of brettiness. On the palate notes of more red fruits, especially strawberries prevalent, with a nice, not overly complex finish. Hints of plum came on the finish as well. All in all, if you have any of these, I would suggest drinking them in the next 2 years or so, but I think you will enjoy them! 90 points!