2002 Barnett Vineyards Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Valley Chardonnay

September 8, 2004
2002 Barnett Vineyards Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Valley Chardonnay $15
This was highly recommended by Sonya and Richard, so I picked up a couple of bottles. It lived up to their comments. It very much reminds me of the 1999 Ridge Monte Bello Chardonnay that I love. (See here)

It has nice fruit and minerals, without the big American Oak that many have tried to get us to swallow these last few years. This is a keeper.

Rombauer

August 12, 2004

Rombauer

2002 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay $24
Light yellow color, very clear. Typical nice Chardonnay aroma with a touch of oak and minerals (perhaps a little flint), and a little caramel or butter. Flavors include butter, oak and flint. The finish was a little harsh.

2000 Rombauer Napa Valley Merlot $25
Very dark red, nice color, no brown at all. Smoke and cherries in the aroma. Nice, smoky flavor. Not a lot of fruit, but not wimpy like the typical Merlot. The finish was better than most but not great.

2000 Rombauer Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $28
Beautiful dark color. Leather aromas with a touch of black cherry and a touch of mocha. Flavor starts mild with lots of oak characteristics, leather, cedar, touch of chocolate, and a bit astringent. Keeps getting better on the finish.

2001 Rombauer El Darado Zinfandel $23
Clear dark red but not quite perfect. Ripe fruit, prune, raspberries and a lot of alcohol aromas. A bit harsh in the mouth, with a lot of alcohol, very ripe, perhaps too ripe. The finish is a bit unpleasant making you feel every taste bud. (Some folks out there really like this style, if so, go for it!)