2001 WRQ Wine Tastings
- Champagnes on Thursday, 13 December 2001
- Bordeaux (Right Bank of Gironde) Wines on Thursday, 15 November 2001
- Spanish Wines on Thursday, 18 October 2001
- Italian Wines on Thursday, 20 September 2001
- Big Alcohol Zinfandels on Thursday, 16 August 2001
- Summer White Wines on Thursday, 19 July 2001
- Oregon Pinot Noir Wines on Thursday, 14 June 2001
- Washington Cabernet Wines on Thursday, 17 May 2001
- Other French on Thursday, 19 April 2001
- Big 3 French on Thursday, 15 March 2001
- South American on Thursday, 22 February 2001
- Bordeaux on Thursday, 18 January 2001
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Tasters:
Robert afSandberg & Surain
Marta Rojas & George
Janet Scott
Signe Olausen & Walter
Shelly Julien
Gus Cardoso
Lorraine Calissi-Corral
Alpa Dave
Christy Barrett
Emily Geballe
John Lockhart
Odessa Swan & Gregory
Jackie Marr
Steve Nesbitt
Ann Testroet
Dave McClellan
Sue Lindsey
Mireille Gotsis
Champagnes:
1) Pol Roger, NV, $28
-Toastiest - Still Yummy
-Very Toasty
-Vanilla is the flavor that I get (Gus)
-Lasts
2) Bollinger Grande Anne, 1992, $53
-Less Toast, more citrus
-Too much nutmeg/Madeira
-Citrus (Gus)
-First tastes smooth; didn't last
-I, for one, loved it! (Alpa)
3) Pommery, NV, Brut Royal, $40
-Not as rich as I expected, but good with a truffle (chocolate).
-Toast
-Didn't like - too bland.
-Very forward, spicy as in cloves (Gus)
-Yuck!
-First one finished.
-Good with chocolate (SueLi)
-Didn't have a problem with this one! (Jackie)
4) Le Reve, Domaine Cavnoros, Tattinger, 1993, $39
-More citrus less toast but good.
-Yes, a fruity citrusy flavor, very nice.
-Light, lemon. (Gus)
-I agree (Janet)
5) Roederer, L'ermitage, 1996, $30
-Toasty (Gus)
-Great especially for California.
-Sous, Sous, Sous
6) Dom Perigon, 1993, $90
-Bland. Not worth the extra.
-Smooth.
-Very dry, refreshing, lots of bubbles - great!
-Too Sweet
-I like it sweet but I don't like the price.
-Yep, it's good, but not in the $90 range.
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Tasters:
Gary Horen & Matt
Robert afSandberg & Surain
Marta Rojas
Janet Scott
Walter Harley
Todd Wells & Katie
Jonathan Pryce
Sherry Johnson
Emily Geballe
John Lockhart
Odessa Swan & Gregory
Jackie Marr
Steve Nesbitt
Ann Testroet
Dave McClellan
Wines:
1) Chateau Marsau, Cotes de Francs, 1997, $14
-Nice structure, but light body and not much fruit.
-Nice wine and very dry (Robert)
2) Chateau La Croix St Andre, Lalande de Pomerol, 1996, $26
-Very oaky, dry.
-Flavors not well integrated.
-Not interesting (Robert)
3) Chateau Norbert, Cotes de Bourg, 1998, $11
-Yuk, too tannic.
-Not interesting (Robert)
4) Chateau Les Grands Marchaux, Premiere Cotes de Blaye, $18
-Dry.
-Tannic.
-Nice. Body, fruit. Not elegant, but adequate.
-Great wine and the best buy (Robert)
5) Chateau Gigault, Premieres Cotes de Blaye, 1999, $20
-Like an American pinot - light, cherry flavor.
-Very different taste. Seemed interesting at first, but ultimitely bad aftertaste (Robert)
6) Chateau des Annereaux, Lalande de Pomerol, 1998, $18
-Hearty
-Good concentration, depth. Nice. Young. Does it have enough acid to age?
7) Chateau La Vielle Cure, Fronsac, 1998, $22
-The best. Cabernet. (But GaryH says: "not much complexity". "tomato soup")
-Great wine and my favorite - but still not like a good Rhone or Bourgogne (Robert)
8) Chateau la Croix de Gay, Pomerol, 1995
-Fruity
-A bit flat, a bit vegetal.
-Good at first but aftertaste not too good (Robert)
9) Chateau Grand Pontet, 1996, $31
-Again very dry, but more well integrated than 1 or 2. What 1 or 2 aspire to be.
-Decent - more like left bank. Not great.
-Another good one (Robert)
10) Clos des Templiers, Lalande de Pomerol, 1997, $21
-Fruitier, but still not striking.
-Yecch. Thin, pale, no flavor. Bad bottle??
11) Not a right bank wine!
-Softer, more balanced than 1 or 2, but not a lot of character.
-Very soft. But oaky and harsh with more air.
-Also pretty good (Robert)
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Tasters:
Mireille Gotsis
John Lockhart
Emily Geballe
Robert afSandberg & Surain
Jackie Marr
Dave Coder
Dave Wright
Mike Slass
Alpa Dave
Odessa Swan & Gregory
Walter Harley
Gary Horen
Ann Testroet
Jonathan Pryce & Sherry
Gus Cardoso
and many more
Wines:
1) Marques de Riscal, 1994, Rioja, $35, Gran Reserva
-A bit on the thin side for a Rioja.
-Loved it!
-Thin, light, but just enough! (Gus)
-Dishwater!
2) Baron de Ley, 1994, Rioja, $28, Gran Reserva
-Much nicer...richer than #1.
-Rich in flavors, leathery finish! (Gus)
-My favorite (Alpa)
-Full bodied and light spice - Yum!
3) Viņa Mayor, 1994, Ribera del Duero, $26, Gran Reserva
-Not much taste at first, second taste had nice oak.
-Initial taste was oak with no finish. (Gus)
-Good taste.
4) Tinto Pesquera, 1998, Ribera del Duero, $23
-Very dry, but no finish.
-Nice flavors, but no finish. (Gus)
5) Torres, 1997, Gran Coronas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Penedes, $19, Reserva
-Adolescent cabernet but with promise.
6) Mas d'Aranyo, 1996, Segura Viudas, Temperanillo, Reserva, Penedes, $16
-My favorite.
-Full bodied, I could drink this all night. (Gus)
-Very palatable.
7) Pasanau, 1998, Finca La Planeta, Priorat, $40
-Really nice in 3 to 5 years.
-What the heck is this stuff made of???
-Very tart on initial taste; needs to age quite a bit. (Gus)
8) Dehesa, La Granja, 1998, Zamora, $20
-I like this. Good fruit, soft tanins. Very drinkable now. (Gus)
9) Gorrondona, 1999, Bizkaiko Txakolina, $17
-A bit tart, tangy, like a granny smith.
-Young Cabernet Sauvignon like a young Irish setter.
-Smells like cocaine.
-Tobacco nose, nice finish. (Gus)
-I have only one word...Yuck! (Alpa)
-Very organic aroma like something you'd come across in the garden in fall.
10) Vina Pomal, Gran Reserva, Cosecha 1991, Rioja
11) Montecillo, $11, Rioja, 1997
-Lighter...I liked it...easy sippin.
12) Marques de Caceres, 1990, Rioja, $18
-Strong, spicy, robust.
-Rich, full-bodied, balanced.
13) Casa Castillo, 2000, Jumilla
-Disappointing.
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Tasters:
Robert afSandberg
Marta Rojas
Alpa Dave
Todd Rentschler
Jonathan Pryce
Todd Wells & Katie
John Lockhart
Emily Geballe
Jackie Marr
Wines:
1) Carbio, 1998, Colli Amerini Rosso Superiore, Formole - Amelia, $20
2) Sangiovese di Romagna, 1998, Umberto Cesari, $16
-Great blast of fruit right after opening (Gus)
-Very good, earthy flavors (Alpa)
-Don't like it; not sure why (ToddW)
3) Chianti Classsico, 1997, Banfi, Montalcino, Tuscany, $15
-Tannins and nice spicy notes (Gus)
4) Barbera D'Alba, 1998, Serra Boella, Paitin, $20
-I liked this one (ToddW)
-Good fruit, good finish (Gus)
5) Barbaresco, 1997, Serra Boella, $43
-Yum! Deep flavor with just right amount of spice (ToodW)
-Ditto that - better over time
-My favorite!
6) Palazzo della Torre, 1997, Veronese, Allegrini
-Very palatable, strong flavors
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Tasters:
Jackie Marr
Henne Queisser
Signe Olausen & Walter
Janet Scott
Marta Rojas
Todd Wells & Katie
Robert & Surain
John Lockhart
Emily Geballe
Alpa Dave
Gary Lichtenstein
Ron Grevink
Gus Cardoso
Odessa Swan & Gregory
Diane Camber
Ann Testroet
Mireille Gotsis
Christine Nitzsche
Dave McClellan
Dave Coder & Barbara
Jonathan Pryce & Sherry
and many more
Wines:
1998, Rodney Strong, Knotty Vines, 14.5%
1998, Marr, Sonoma County, 14.5%
1997, Kempton Clark, Cucamonga, 14.5%, $21
1995, Ridge, Sonoma Station, 14.4%, $18
1998, Bernard Griffin, Columbia Valley, Hellsgate Canyon, 13.1% (Outlier)
1997, Sobon Estate, Shenandoah Valley, 14.6%
1998, Grgich Hills, Napa & Sonoma Valleys, 14.5%, $27, (Two bottles)
1997, Peachy Canyon, Paso Robles, 15.2%
1998, Peachy Canyon, Paso Robles, 15.7%, (Two bottles)
1999, Seghesio, Alexander Valley, Home Ranch, 14.7%, $26.50
1999, Seghesio, Sonoma Valley, 13.2%, (Outlier)
1999, Rosenbloom Cellars, Sonoma, 15.2%, $38
1995, Pedroncelli, Dry Creek Valley, 14.4%
1998, Ferrari-Carano, Dry Creek Valley, 14.2%, $20
1999, Trinity Oaks, California, 13.5%
1999, Rancho Zabaco, Sonoma, 14.5%
Rosenbloom Cellars, Vintners Cuvee XXII, 13.2%, (Outlier)
1998, Dry Creek Vineyard, Sonoma, Old Vines, 14.5%
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Tasters:
Todd Wells & Katie
Marta Rojas
Jackie Marr
Emily Geballe
John Lockhart
Christy Barrett
Henne Queisser
Gus Cardoso
Odessa Swan
Gary Horen
Walter Harley & Ann
Ann Testroet
Veronica Skeels
1) Pascal Jolibet, Sancerre, 1999, $17.50
-Tart, citrus, aftertaste (Henne)
-Perhaps not bone dry, but parchment-like.
2) Mission Hill, Pinot Blanc, 2000, $9
-Hint of sweetness, fruity.
-Very fruity, nose-like Thompson green grapes! - but nice light and tart flavor.
-Tastes like a Gewurtz. Nice!
3) Bott Freres, Gewurtztraminer, Reserve Personelle, 1998, $19
-Very sweet, spicy.
-Aroma of roses and apricots, sweet. Might almost go with desserts - Pavlova perhaps.
-Acidity and sweetness not well married.
-The most glorious aroma of the evening.
4) Fitz-Ritter, Riesling, Spatlese Halbtrocken, 2000, $13
-Katie liked it!
-Tart, but with a lot of flavor.
-Smooth, but becomes sweet very soon.
-Nice wine. Lots of flavor. Good balance. (GusC)
5) Coteaux Du Languedoc, Picpoul de Pinet, 2000, $6
6) Tualitin Estate, Pinot Blanc, 1998
7) Portal do Fidalgo, Alvarinho, 1999, $16
-Very green, but I can still see it with a paella.
8) Vionanta, Albarino, 1999, $17
-Clean tasting, not too sweet.
-Can't decide , but I think I like this more than #7 - both were great & definitely cried out for Mediterranean food - (Katie)
-Nice wine, crisp and clean on the palette. Easy drining on a hot summer day. (GusC)
9) Montmore Vineyards, Pinot Gris, 1999, $12
-Loved it. Very smooth. (ChristyB)
10) Bergerie de L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee, 2000
-Dry
-Not much to it, but pleasant as far as it goes.
11) Muersault, Chateau Genot, Boulanger "Les Vireuils", 1997, $34
-Superb Muersault.
-I usually don't like oakey whites, but this must be just the right amount - Loved it! (Katie)
-Very nice wine. Thanks Walter! (GusC)
12) Facelli, Fume Blanc, Columbia Valley, 1998
-Nice wine, good fruit and tannin combination. (GusC)
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Tasters:
Alpa Dave
Marta Rojas
Todd Wells & Katie
Odessa Swan
Bruce Bissell
Barbara Bree
Sue Lindsey
Jackie Marr
Emily Geballe
John Lockhart
Gus Cardoso
Ann Testroet
Gary Horen
Ge Boelders
1) Vidal, 1999, New Zealand
-Leathery. (Gus)
2) Adelsheim, 1998
-Floral Notes (Gus)
-The taste is all in the nose. (OdessaS)
3) Willakenzie, 1997, Aliette
-Good blast of fruit. (Gus)
-Rich, has a lot in common with #9 (Mystery Burgundy)
4) St. Innocent, 1999, Temperance Hill, $20
-Earthy, leathery (Gus)
-Much headier, earthy aroma, bigger flavor, my #1. (OdessaS)
5) J.K. Carriere, 1999, Willamette Valley, $33
-Big fruit. Will age nicely. (Gus)
-Luxurious. (OdessaS)
-Yum! Very Tasty!. (ToddW)
6) Torii Mor, 1999
-Nice sweetness, hint of cherries. (Gus)
-On second taste, more subtle, good balance between fruit and tannins. (Gus)
-Softer bouquet, bigger flavor. (OdessaS)
7) ElkCove, 1998, Willamette Valley, $20
-Tasty. (Gus)
-Thin, but spicy. (OdessaS)
-Disappointing. (Toddw)
8) Evesham Wood, 1999, Willamette Valley
9) Brown Bag Wine - Savigny Les Beaume, 1er Cru, 1996, Burgundy
-Exceptional. (Gus)
10) Selvapian, 1998, Chianti Rufina
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Tasters:
Robert AfSandeberg & Surain
Marta Rojas & George
Jackie Marr
Emily Geballe
John Lockhart
Gus Cardoso
Odessa Swan
Dave McClellan
Jonathan Pryce
Ann Testroet
Walter Harley & Ann
Gary Horen
1) Columbia, 1996, Red Willow, $22 @ Pete's
-Bouquet is more promising than the taste.
-Pretty good, one of the better ones. (Robert)
2) Covey Run, 1998, Yakima, $15 on sale @ Safeway
-Ready to go out of the bottle.
-Not very good. (Robert)
3) Nelms Road, 1999, Columbia Valley, $26.50
-I like it not sure what fruit that shines through Tannins well balanced. (Gus)
-Fruity almost sweet.
4) Woodward Canyon, 1998, $39
-This is jammy. (Gus)
-Seemed flat to me.
-My favorite! (Jackie)
-Great wine with lots of tannin and long taste. (Robert)
5) Sandhill, 1998, Columbia Valley, $27 @ Esquin
-Smooth tannins and well balanced fruit. (Gus)
-Smooth.
-Better on second taste. (Gus)
-Nice. (Robert)
6) Reininger, 1998, Walla Walla, $27.50
-Big Chewy. (Gus)
-Better on second taste. (Gus)
-Really Big! Not as spicy as I'd hoped, but nice balance between fruit and tannins.
-Also, very good, although not as good as #4.
7) Seven Hills, 1997, Klipsun Valley
8) Quilceda Creek, 1991 (Walter's cellar)
-A lovely wine get more. (Gus)
-Ditto. And perfectly balanced.
-Great combination of dry and spicy.
-Yum.
-Great wine that disappeared too fast! (Robert)
9) Gordon Brothers, 1998, Columbia Valley
-Good. (Robert)
10) Katerina, 1997, Columbia
11) Lecole 41, 1998
-Great! Almost as good as their '94 and '95 and much better than their '96 and '97. (Robert)
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Tasters:
Robert AfSandeberg & Surain
Gus Cardoso
Marta Rojas
Todd Wells & Katie
Jackie Marr
Emily Geballe
Dave McClellan
Jonathan Pryce
John Lockhart
Alpa Dave
Todd Rentschler
Signe Olausen
Maureen Kamali
1) Domain Richeaume, Cuvee Tradition, Provence, 1998, $16
-Chewy - Gus
-Nice smooth, fairly long - Robert
2) Clos La Coutale, Cahors, 1998
-Always liked Cahors, A bit tart, a bit ruff, but still pretty nice - Robert
3) Chateau D'Aqueria, Tavel, 1998, $14
-Easy drinking, great for a summer day - ToddW
-This is a nice sipping wine for a hot day or a terrific wine with Thanksgiving turkey - Gus
4) Chateau Puy Castera, Bordeaux, 1997 (Outlier)
-Pretty sour, not real bad, but not a favorite - Robert
5) La Grande Vignole, Loire, Samur-Champagne, 1999
-Light - Gus
-Light for my taste - Robert
6) Les Petites Tourettes, Cotes du Luberon, 1999, $9
-Great value for price, what a deal! - Gus
7) Le bastides Alquier, Faugeres, 1996, $19
-Great tanins, long lasting - Robert
-Terrific wine - Gus
8) Chateau Bas, Provence, L'Avernegue, 1999
-Scent of vanilla, better after open a while
9) Domaine de Montepezat, Vin de Pays D'oc, 1997
-Nice, heavy, but a bit sour - Robert
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Tasters:
Robert AfSandeberg & Surain
Gus Cardoso
Marta Rojas
Terry Dievendorf
Shelly Julien
Jay Nelson
Jackie Marr
Emily Geballe
Christy Barrett
Lynn Marquis
Walter Harley
Gary Horen
Dave McClellan
Jonathan Pryce & Sherri
1) Chateau Larose-Trintaudon, 1996, Haut-Medoc, $17.50, Cru Bourgeois, Bordeaux
-No fruit, cardboard. - Surain
-Quite good, not heavy on cabernet. - Robert
-Nice & well-balanced, not wimpy but not overpowering. - JGM
2) Chateau LaTour be By, 1997, Medoc, $16.50, Cru Bourgeois, Bordeaux
-Not as good as #1, a bit better after pallete cleaning. - Robert
3) Chateau Domeyne, Saint-Estephe, 1996, $21, Cru Bourgeois, Bordeaux
-The fullest of the Bordeaux. Complex textures and lingering bite. - Surain
-#1 is still the best Bordeaux, but not too bad. - Robert
4) Cote-Rotie, Tupin-Semons, 1998, $31, Rhone
-Pleasant surprise on the tongue, full & complex - Surain
-Great! Best of the Rhones and better than any of the Bordeaux - Robert
-Splendid wine, great balance of fruit & tannin - Gus
5) Rochecourte, Saint Joseph, 1998, $24, Domain Alain paret, Rhone
-Good Rhone, but not as good as #4. Syrah? - Robert
6) Gigondas, Piere Aiguille, 1998, Paul Jaboult Aire, $21, Rhone
-Exciting flavors - soft & full. The first taste is fruit, then raisin rolls in. Nice - Surain
-Very interesting Rhone, not quite as good as #4. Grenache? Somewhat lighter after siting for a while. - Robert
7) Nuits-Saint-Georges, 1997, Domaine Robert Arnoux, $28, Burgundy
-Aaah - this dances on my tongue with taps on its heels - fun & exciting - Surain
-Great - heavy, very interesting. Slightly better than #4 and better than any 1-6. - Robert
8) Morey-St-Denis, 1st Cru, 1997, Armand Demorey, $28, Burgundy
-Aaaaah - this is it! Smoothness, full, deep. Later - 9 & 10 were good but 8 is still far & away Wow! - Surain
-Incredible -even better than #7. Deep, long taste - Robert
-This is fabulous! Full of flavor and satisfying finish - Gus
9) Morey-St-Denis, 1st Cru, 1997, Domaine Ferreira-Peirzeau, Burgundy
-Great - almost as good as #8 - Robert
-Starts out sweet - a surprise - JGM
10) Chateau Valcombe, 1998, Cotes Nimes, $11.50
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Tasters:
Jackie Marr
Marta Rojas
Gus Cardoso
Robert AfSandeberg & Surain
Signe Olausen & Walter
Odessa Swan
Brad McGuire
Gabriel Ramirez
Bruce Bissell
Alpa Dave
John Lockhart
Emily Geballe
Christy Barrett
Todd Wells & Katie
Terry Dievendorf
Dave Coder
Christine Nitzsche
Ann Testroet
Linda Wight
Mireille Gotis
1) Primus, 1998, Carmenere/Cabernet, $20
-Nice and smooth - Jackie
-Excellent, deep cab - Robert
-Super sipping wine - Gus
-Very drinkable - Alpa
2) La Playa, 1998, Claret (55 Cab, 40 Merlot, 5 Malbec), $14
-Disappointing - Robert
-Ditto - Emily
3) Montes Alpha, 1998, Cabernet, $17
-So-so - Robert
-I liked it - Emily
-Drinks very well now. 5-6 years will be great. - DaveCoder
4) Viu Manent, 1998, Merlot
5) Medalla Real, 1998, Cabernet, $18
-Great, heavy, oaky, almost as good as #1. - Robert
-Very, very good structure; fruit with light tannins to match - Dave
-Very good - really full - Alpa
-Works for me - Jackie
6) Montes, 1999, Merlot, Reserva
-Spicy, good fruit, moderate tannins; but some odd things in the bouquet. - Dave
7) Casa Lapostolle, Cuvee Alexandre, 1997, Cabernet, $20
-Quite good, cab tastes pretty similar.
-Moderate body, fruit & acid balanced; light tannins; elegantand will drink better in 3+ years. - Dave
-This one wins - if only for that great berry smell!
-Very, very good. Good body. - Alpa
8) Calina, 1998, Merlot
9) Los Vascos, 1999, Cabernet
10) Norton, 1998, Malbec
-Malbec is interesting, but a '98 Malbec wasn't as appealing as a '98 Merlot or Cab - Kinda rough.
11) Santa Rita, 1999, Cabernet
- Always a good value. - Jackie
12) Navarro Correas, 1994, Cabernet
-Same Cab flavors, but a bit rough. - Robert
-Very unusual; spicy & full flavored - Alpa
13) Casa Lapostolle, Cuvee Alexandre, 1998, Merlot
-A bit spicy - Robert
-End of bottle sample had great color, fruit with body, but at mid-taste collasped. Curious. - Dave
-Very good Merlot - very spicy & full bodied. - Alpa
14) Casa Lapostolle, 1997, Cabernet
-Cab, but rough - Robert
-A bigger heavier version of its more elegant cousin #7. Lots o'fruit and tannins. Bring on the beef. - Dave
15) Santa Ema, 1998, Merlot
-One word: Chocolate! or Chocolata! - Dave
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Tasters:
Jim Stout
Linda Wight
Gus Cardoso
Marta Rojas
Robert AfSandeberg & Surain
Signe Olausen & Walter
Jackie Marr
Sue Lindsey
Dave McClellan
Reid Larson
Alpa Dave
1) La Demoiselle de Sociando Mallet, Haut-Medoc, 1996
-Nice Balance of fruit and tannins, very drinkable.
-All of them are good.
2) Chateau Belregard Figeac, Saint Emilion Grand Cru, 1996, $29
-Silky
-Stonger tannin compared to one. Good balance of fruit and tannins. A taste of oak.
-My favorite (Alpa)
3) Chateau Boutisse, Saint Emilion Grand Cru, 1998, $22.50
-Leather
-Good. Similar to two. Good balance between fruit and tannins.
4) Cru Bourgeois, Chateau Puy Castera, Haut-Medoc, 1997, $15
-Lighter than 1 through 3, but dry. Almost bitter.
5) Chateau Canon-la-Gaffeliere, 1995, Grand Cru Classe
-Dry
-Strongest tannins of all wines. Oaky.
-Very spicy (Alpa)
-Bottle with most drips (Gus)
6) Chateau Vienxtailefer, Pomerol, 1996
-Light Dry some fruit easy to drink.
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