I'm drinking a 2000 Byington Bates Ranch Cab. This is our local winery. An excellent vintage back then, it is unreal now. Smooth, velvety, rich, complex. I tried to pick some flavors out but the complexity makes it too hard for me. Nothing bad at all, to me. It was about a $25 wine back in '02. Probably all gone now. I have one bottle left.
Cheers!
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Not much action in this thread, so here's my Memorial Day wine for the a smoked lamb shoulder.

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2000 Chateau Colombier-Monpelou
1992 Diamond Creek "Red Rock Terrace"
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I don’t get to drink a lot of CA wines; this was a treat. Merlot has a bad name, but when done right, it’s no wonder why it’s a primary varietal of most Bordeaux. I wash CA would push blended wines further.

Last night we drank a wonderful expression of Merlot; 1993 Stags Leap Napa Merlot. It was really dark in the glass like it could be 2003 vintage. Ripe, perfumed with tobacco and port-like flavors. Hints of eucalyptus, spice, and dark fruit still showing well. This bottle can go another 10+ years without question. The finish was medium length with lightly chalky tannins. 93 points.

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Me too! Although I have about twenty bottles of blends that are some of my favorites.
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Some serious wine there. I would love to sample some older Diamond Creek. Out of Cali, they are a top producer for me.

My recent bottles I've picked up over the last month or so:

2007 Patrick Lesec Les Galets Blonds
2005 Chateau Beausejour Becot
NV Jose Dhondt Blanc De Blanc
1999 Delamotte Brut Blanc De Blancs

I've been picking up some decent bottles of 2007 Cali cabs too. 2007 seems to be a good year, one that I actually enjoy for a change from Cali. Mondavi Reserve, Merus, Rubicon, Kathryn Hall all were very good. I'm very interested to know how the 2007 Diamond Creek red rock cab is.
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I have had about a dozen older Diamond Creeks from the 70's on, and all have been fantastic. Some take a while to open up, but they are all one could wish for in CA Cabs. DC is one brand I buy older wines blind with good confidence.

I bet your Delamotte is going to be fun!
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Delamotte makes it possible to taste a little bit of Salon. Not exactly Salon no, but Champagne Delamotte holds its own to just about any house, in my limited opinoin. The more I drink real grower champagne, the more I respect it and love it now. I really can't wait to pop the 1999!!

Moses, you should really check out the Jose Dhondt. Such a great NV!
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http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=263281
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Has anyone tried the Cosentino Cigarzin? I've gone through a few bottles of these, and definitely recommend giving it a try.
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Drank most of this bottle this morning after work.... great stuff!



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some notable bottles that I have had of late:

1997 Groth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
---this was a great bottle, good juicy dark red fruit, mellowed tannins but still there. This wine could still go for a few more (~3) years.
1993 Ferrari-Carano Tresor
--- opened 2 bottles for a family dinner, this wine is still showing well if you like that aged bordeaux flavor, the fruit is fading, on the pallet it is quite earthy and hints of mushroom came through, huge complex nose. This vintage is on its last legs IMHO, it should be drunk sooner than later.
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Goldeneye Gowan Creek Pinot Noir

yum
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Did some reading one this one, sounds like a great bottle.
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Few months ago I had a bottle of this at a friends house and, taste being subjective, thought it was an excellent drink. So got around to picking up a few bottles. If you can, might want to give it a go. From what I understand stock is pretty low now.

2006 Tomaiolo Morellino di Scansano (95 points)

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Ron
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How much were those selling for?

WS's last review was for 2004 and it was $14 a bottle. Tuscan wines (as are most Italian wines) really underpriced right now, so for sure it is wise to stock up.

Yesterday, I picked up a case and 3 extra bottles of 2007 Dezanni "La luna e le stelle" Barbera d'Asti at Costco. My local Costco has independent wine buyers who pick up a pallet of this-and-that, that sells out stupid quickly at rock bottom prices. I went to Costco to buy coffee beans and walked out with a case of wine! Packaged in wood too for $10 a bottle!

I had one bottle last night at a friend's house and everyone loved it. I have one more to try at my house and one bottle to put in the cellar (to keep me from opening the case) to evaluate its development.


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$12 a bottle - free shipping on six or more.


Ron
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Good score! :-)
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Height-Brown Picnic Red. Its a Connecticut vineyard and runs about $17 a bottle. It has a touch of sweetness, but not too sweet. thats my go to right now
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:-)Mmmmm, wine. That's all.:-)
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