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March 3, 2001
17/20 points. 1997 Buena Vista Carneros Cabernet Sauvignon. Price $10.99 at Costco. Inky black at the core, going to a dark purple at the rim. The nose started off with black licorice and black cherry. After 10-15 minutes of airing, the scent changed to raspberry and wood. Now, at only $11.00, this is one heck of a Cabernet! Very good flavors of cassis, herbs, and sweet black fruits. It has a very nice medium to long finish. The tannins and acids levels are bit tough, read "rustic", but I think with a bit of cellaring this may really come around. At this price it's hard to beat.

March 4, 2001
7/20 points. 2000 Campello Pinot Grigio. Price $3.99 at Trader Joe's. Very clear, almost like dirty water. No nose to speak of, just a very faint white grape impression. There's not much on the palate either, just some herbal qualities and very low acids. Even at four bucks, I can't recommend this one.

March 7, 2001
15/20 points. 1999 Domaine De Verquiere, Rasteau. Price $7.00 through K&L Wine Club. Fairly dark purple to brick red at the edge. This has a good nose of black fruits and leather. My palate tells me that this wine is too young to drink now and needs some cellar time (1-2 years or so). Very tough tannins almost overwhelm the raspberry, plum, and sour cherry flavors. At this price, it's a pretty good wine and it would be interesting to see if it mellows out with some time.

March 9, 2001
14/20 points. 1998 Chateau De Montfaucon, Cotes Du Rhone. Price $7.00 through K&L Wine Club. Here's another "club" wine that is pretty good for the money. Bright ruby red with a slight nose of wild cherry. The palate comes around much better with the same cherry with wood and herbs added in. The acids and tannins aren't very strong suggesting this is a "drink now" wine. This is very pleasant, if simple wine. It should do well with lighter foods.

March 12, 2001
15/20 points. 1999 Indian Springs Viognier, Nevada County. Price approx. $11.00 at the winery (http://www.indianspringsvnyrds.com/) Straw gold color, very good nose of honeysuckle and mineral, and just a tad bit of lemon zest. Apricot, grapefruit, and mineral flavors follow. There's just a touch of sweetness balanced by crisp acids. I haven't been able to taste many Viogniers, but to me this is one of the better ones that I have had. I think this is one of the more interesting white wines that I have tasted lately. Oh, and by the way, no oak! :)

March 18, 2001
7/20 points. Weibel, Green Hungarian, Non-Vintage. Price $5.99 at Safeway. Very pale gold with just a hint of green! Not much on the nose to speak of and the palate is just as disappointing. More like sweet sugar water than anything else. It doesn't really offend, there's just not much to it.

March 19, 2001
11/20 points. 1999 Luna di Luna, Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio. Price $5.13 at Winco Foods. I was almost loath to try this, with it being in a cobalt blue bottle and all, but I was pleasantly surprised! It's a dirty water color with a pleasant citrus nose with just a hint of lychee. The nose follows the palate and doesn't add much else. It's a tad flabby and one-dimensional. It's still very acceptable, especially at this price. Being widely available at local supermarkets, it would be a good choice at a summer event, especially with guests who are wine novices.

March 24, 2001
14/20 points. Rolonari Cabernet Sauvignon, Delle Venezie, Italy. Price $3.99 at Mac Frugal's. Here's another wine my wife picked up at a really cheap discount store chain. Ruby red becoming pink at the edge. Light nose of raspberry and wood. A little light in the body category, but it surprised me by being more complex than I would have thought at this price. Good flavors of cassis, berry, licorice, and herbs are followed by crisp acids. It went well with pizza. If you've got a Mac Frugal's nearby, check it out. You might be pleasantly surprised.

March 25 - March 31, 2001
Well, I finally got the bug that's been going around so I have not been able to do any reviews of late. I apologize and hope to have taste buds again soon.