And Some More from the Last Two Weeks

Stephen Ross Chardonnay Bien Nacido 2005
A light green-gold color with nice, pretty floral green citrus aromas. On the palate the wine has bolder pear, apple, and butterscotch flavors with a racy acidity and vibrancy that might erupt even more at a later date. This is very good and strikes a pleasant balance between the syrupy, buttered popcorn California Chards and the more vibrant and pure expressions from the Cote Chalonnaise. Very good. 89 Points

Adelsheim Pinot Gris 2006 (Willamette Valley)
Slightly yeasty, nutty aromas that are reminiscent of a Pinot Gris from Alsace. Pleasant citrus, pear and yeasty notes on the palate. Perfectly pleasant, but incredibly boring. 85 Points

Ceretto Blange Arneis 2005
A light gold/straw color with slightly smoky, yeasty aromas. On the palate there are notes of green apple, mineral, and lemony citrus flavors. The CO2 gives this wine a bright, refreshing and quaffable quality. On the second day the CO2 had dissipated and aromas and flavors of dry butterscotch dominated the wine revealing glimpses of the heritage of Arneis as a grape vinified to make sweet wine? 83 Points

Robert Sinskey Vineyards Pinot Noir 2005
A light burgundy red color with purple highlights. A very interesting nose, almost reminiscent of a Barolo, with grilled herb, licorice, and spice aromas. On the palate the wine displays slightly rustic, earthy tannins, light berry fruit and leather notes. 89 Points

Stephen Ross Pinot Noir Bien Nacido 2005
Nice black cherry, medicinal notes with earthy blackberry, leather and roasted meat. On the palate the wine is smooth and supple, displaying black cherry, blackberry fruit, and melted licorice. This is very good with a nice mineral pop on the finish. I guess some people in California actually do know how to make nice Pinot! It has a pleasant weight and formidable concentration. 91 Points

Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red 2005 (Columbia Valley)
This is a bit of a field blend, though it comes from a multitude of locations. It is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot with some Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Carmenere, and Malbec. It is a deep ruby/purple color with a smoky nose of grilled herb, graphite, and smoked meat with a full/rich palate feel bursting with muddled meaty flavors of berry and cherry fruit. 80 Points

Gargiulo Vineyards Money Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
A red cola color with aromas of stewed plum, herb (incredibly herbaceous)—dill, tobacco, rosemary, thyme. Stewed plum, cherry medicine, sweet American oak, and a surprising amount of mineral. This is drinkable, but a bit overpriced at $70+ a bottle. 85 Points