DAILY WINE DISPATCH | Tasting Notes



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BANG FOR THE BUCK

This list will include every wine that's passed my lips, at dinner, in class or at a tasting. I've always wanted to see how many different wines I've tried in a year. All will be rated. Most will have full reviews (titles in red) in their appropriate section. My guess is at least 500.

JANUARY


1/1/08	NV Domaine Chandon Etoile, Napa Valley, CA – $28	***
1/3/08	2002 Marquis des Risqual Reserva, Rioja, Spain – Gift	**
1/5/08	2002 Fralich Vineyard Syrah, Paso Robles, CA – $15	**
1/6/08	2005 Cameron Hughes Lot 42 Shiraz, Barossa Valley – $18	**
1/7/08	2006 Arroyo Robles Syrah Rosé, Paso Robles, CA – $21	**
1/8/08	2005 Renato Ratti Dolcetto d'Alba Colombe, Piedmonte, Italy – $15	*
1/10/08	2005 Pierre Sparr Pinot Blanc Reserve, Alsace, France – $12	**
1/10/08	2004 Andrew Murray Estate Syrah, Santa Barbara, CA – $20	**
1/11/08	2002 Shanti Graciano-Garnacha, Navarra, Spain – $10	**
1/11/08	2005 Dona Paula Los Cardos Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina – $8	**
1/12/08	2006 Martin Codax Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain – $11	**
1/13/08	2003 Rio Seco Winery Cabernet Franc, Paso Robles, CA – $24	***
1/14/08	2004 Twenty Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA – $20	**
1/15/08	2005 Antinori Santa Christina, Tuscany, Italy – $11	*
1/16/08	2005 Buehler Vineyards Zinfandel, Napa Valley, CA – $16	**
1/17/08	2006 Dr. Heyden Oppenheimer Sacktrager Spätlese, Rheinhessen, Germany – $16	**
1/18/08	2005 Cass Vineyards Grenache, Paso Robles, CA – $28	***
1/18/08	2004 Rio Seco Late Harvest Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA – $18	***
1/19/08	NV Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut, North Coast, CA – $18	**
1/19/08	2006 Mirassou Pinot Noir, California – $8	*
1/19/08	2006 Kendell Jackson Pinot Noir, California – $15	**
1/19/08	2006 Queen of Hearts Pinot Noir, Central Coast, CA – $12	**
1/19/08	2005 Westrey Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR – $18	**
1/19/08	2006 Pepperwood Grove Pinot Noir, California – $8	*
1/19/08	2005 Cambria Pinot Noir, "Julia's Vineyard", Santa Barbara, CA – $21	***
1/19/08	NV Rex Goliath 47lb Rooster Pinot Noir, Central Coast, CA – $8	*
1/20/08	2004 Pra Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy – $12	***
1/20/08	2005 Cameron Hughes Lot 40 Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, Australia – $12	**
1/22/08	2004 Moonstone Cellars Merlot, Paso Robles, CA – $18	**
1/23/08	2004 Garretson Wine Company Mourvèdre, Paso Robles, CA – $30	**
1/24/08	2004 Beckmen Vineyards Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA – $36	***
1/25/08	2006 Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France – $16	**
1/25/08	2006 D. Virginie Carignan, Languedoc, France – $8	*
1/26/08	2004 Cass Vineyards Rockin One, Paso Robles, CA – $34	***
1/27/08	2004 Veramonte Primus, Casablanca Valley, Chile – $18	**
1/30/08	2005 Palmina Dolcetto, Santa Barbara, CA – $20	**
1/31/08	2005 Blackstone Merlot, Sonoma, CA – $9	*

FEBRUARY – 1st - 6th. None so far. Battling terrible head cold. Can't taste anything. Very depressing. Ruining my tally. Hope to be back off the wagon by the weekend.


2/7/08	2005 Martin Codax "Ergo" Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain – $12	*
2/8/08	2005 Minassian-Young Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA – $18	**
2/8/08	Medici Ermete Lambrusco Bocciolo, Emilia-Romagna, Italy – $12	**
2/9/08	2005 Beckmen Vineyards Estate Syrah, Santa Barbara, CA – $24	***
2/11/08	2004 Calcareous Vineyard Twisted Sister, Paso Robles, CA – $28	**
2/12/08	2004 Bouchaine Chardonnay, Napa Valley, CA – $25	**
2/13/08	2004 Stolpman Poetry in Red, Santa Barbara, CA – $22	***
2/14/08	2005 Vietti Barbera d'Asti "Tre Vigne", Piedmonte, Italy – $18	**
2/15/08	NV Monasteriolo Cava Brut Rosé, Catalunya, Spain – $7	**
2/15/08	2002 Summerland Odyssey-Thurlestone Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, CA – $40	***
2/15/08	2004 Stony Ridge Malvasia Bianco, Livermore, CA – $18	**
2/16/08	2005 Scott Harvey Barbera, Amador County, CA – $20	**
2/17/08	2005 Au Bon Climat Pinot Gris/Pinot Blanc, Santa Barbara, CA – $15	**
2/17/08	2005 Cass Winery Mourvedre, Paso Robles, CA – $34	***
2/17/08	2005 Casa Cassara Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, CA – $34	**
2/19/08	2005 Minassian-Young Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA – $20	***
2/20/08	2006 Beckmen Vineyards PMV Whole Cluster Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA – $45	***
2/21/08	2005 Las Rocas Garnacha, Calatayud, Spain – $10	**
2/22/08	2003 Garretson Mon Amie Syrah, Paso Robles, CA – $45	***

WINE TASTING WEEKEND #1 – February 23-25th
Day 1: San Luis Obispo County
Tasting Fees $5 per winery – Bottles purchased highlighted in Green/Those that have been drunk and reviewed are in red.


2006 Kynsi Winery Chardonnay, Edna Valley, CA – $25 2005 Kynsi Winery Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, CA – $28 2005 Kynsi Winery Zinfandel, Barn Owl Vineyard, Edna Valley, CA – $26 NV Kynsi Winery Merrah, Edna Valley, CA – $22 2004 Kynsi Winery Syrah, Edna Valley, CA – $32	** * **

2006 Tolosa Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Edna Valley, CA – $16
2006 Tolosa Winery Chardonnay (No Oak), Edna Valley, CA – $18
2005 Tolosa Winery Pinot Noir Central Coast, Edna Valley, CA – $18
2005 Tolosa Winery Estate Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, CA – $30
2004 Tolosa Winery Merlot, Edna Valley, CA – $20
2004 Tolosa Winery Syrah, Edna Valley, CA – $22
2004 Tolosa Winery Mission V Blend, Edna Valley, CA – $18

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2006 10knots "Beachcomber", Paso Robles, CA – $21
2006 10knots Chardonnay, Santa Barbara, CA – $21
2006 10knots "Passage", Paso Robles, CA – $26
2006 Sextant Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA – $26
2005 10knots "Moonraker" Rhone Blend, Paso Robles, CA – $26
2006 Sextant "Wheelhouse" Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA – $20
2005 Sextant "Holystone" Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA – $29
2006 Sextant "Holystone" Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA – $27
2005 Sextant "Kamal" Bordeaux Blend, Paso Robles, CA – $39
2005 10knots "Atlantis" Rhone Blend, Paso Robles, CA – $32
2006 Sextant "Nightwatch" Zinfandel Blend, Paso Robles, CA – $49
NV Sextant "Genoa" Blend, Paso Robles, CA – $79

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Day 2: Downtown Paso Robles
Tasting Fees $5 per winery – Bottles purchased highlighted in Green/Those that have been drunk and reviewed are in red.


2005 Hice Cellars Chardonnay, Paso Robles, CA – $15 2005 Hice Cellars Tre Blanc, Paso Robles, CA – $18 2005 Hice Cellars Syrah Blanc, Paso Robles, CA – $16 NV Hice Cellars Red Table Wine, Paso Robles, CA – $16 2005 Hice Cellars Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA – $25 2005 Hice Cellars Syrah, Paso Robles, CA – $25 2005 Hice Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA – $30	** * * * * * *


2005 Silver Stone Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey, CA – $15 2005 Silver Stone Rosetta, Paso Robles, CA – $15 2004 Silver Stone Syrah, Paso Robles, CA – $29 2001 Silver Stone Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA – $38 2004 Silver Stone Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA – $24	**


2006 Pianetta Winery Rosato, Paso Robles, CA – $18 2005 Pianetta Winery Sangiovese, Paso Robles, CA – $26 2003 Pianetta Winery Estate Shiraz/Cab, Paso Robles, CA – $24 2004 Pianetta Winery Estate Syrah, Paso Robles, CA – $28 2005 Pianetta Winery Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA – $28 2005 Pianetta Winery Estate "Bilancio", Paso Robles, CA – $36	* *

Day 3: Eastside Paso Robles
Tasting Fees $5 at Bianchi; all others Free – Bottles purchased highlighted in Green/Those that have been drunk and reviewed are in red.

2006 Tobin James Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles, CA – $14
2006 Tobin James Syrah Rosé, Paso Robles, CA – $16
2005 Tobin James Chateau Le Cacheflo, Paso Robles, CA – $12
2005 Tobin James Sangiovese, Paso Robles, CA – $18
2005 Tobin James Merlot, Paso Robles, CA – $16
2006 Tobin James "Ballistic" Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA – $18
2005 Tobin James Syrah, Paso Robles, CA – $18
2006 Tobin James Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, CA – $25
2005 Tobin James Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA – $18
2006 Tobin James Reserve Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA – $28
2006 Tobin James Reserve Cabernet, Paso Robles, CA – $28

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2006 Bianchi Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles, CA – $14
2006 Bianchi Winery Pinot Grigio, Paso Robles, CA – $19
2005 Bianchi Winery Pinot Noir, Paso Robles, CA – $28
2005 Bianchi Winery Pinot Noir, Santa Maria, CA – $25
2004 Bianchi Winery Merlot, Paso Robles, CA – $18
2003 Bianchi Winery Syrah, Paso Robles, CA – $21
2004 Bianchi Winery Syrah, Paso Robles, CA – $22
2004 Bianchi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA – $22
2005 Bianchi Winery Zeb Ranch Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA – $24

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2007 Vina Robles Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles, CA – $14 2006 Vina Robles Chardonnay, Edna Valley, CA – $17 2006 Vina Robles Roseum, Paso Robles, CA – $13 2006 Vina Robles Red 4 Blend, Paso Robles, CA – $14 2004 Vina Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA – $19	**


2004 Mitchella Vineyards Syrah, Paso Robles, CA – $20 2005 Mitchella Vineyards Debutante, Paso Robles, CA – $22 2002 Mitchella Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA – $18 2004 Mitchella Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA – $20 NV Mitchella Vineyards Red Table Wine, Paso Robles, CA – $18 2005 Mitchella Vineyards Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA – $26	* * ** *


2/26/08	2006 Weingut Hofer Auersthal Niederosterreich Gruner Veltliner, Austria – $10	**
2/26/08	2003 Trimbach Reserve Pinot Gris, Alsace, France – $17	*
2/26/08	2005 Domaine Du Bel Air "Les Vingts Lieux Dits", Bourgueil, France – $15	**
2/26/08	2006 Cold Heaven Cellars Viognier, Vogelzang Vineyard, Santa Barbara, CA – $20	**
2/26/08	2005 Becker Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir) Trocken QmP, Pfalz, Germany – $19	**
2/26/08	2004 Daedalus Cellars "Labrynth" Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon – $35	***
2/27/08	2006 Tobin James "Ballistic" Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA – $18	**
2/28/08	2005 Cass Winery Rockin' One, Paso Robles, CA – $42	***
2/29/08	2000 Arroyo Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA – $24	**

→ Go to March

**** Outstanding | *** Delicious | ** Enjoyable | * Drinkable