This sweet Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley in France so no signs of ageing at all.  Light yellow/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has pears, honey, white peaches, with a bit of crushed shells and salinity.  Full bodied.  Slightly viscous.  On the palate, this is sweet but just a bit, certainly not cloying.  Good acidity.  The honey, peaches and and minerality come thru.  A very long finish.  This wine is deep and stops the drinker in his or her tracks.  It drinks great on its own and might be harder to match with food.  A not too sweet shortbread cookie or a soft goat cheese wo

This is an inexpensive 100% Merlot.  In good vintages, these are great places to look for values and nice wines that are accessible.  And this one, hits all the marks.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has raspberries, plums and slight spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the raspberries continue along with some black cherries.  Moderate finish.  This is a tasty, fruit forward style of Merlot.  It improves with a bit of air.  Drinks fine on its own but will work better with some food.  Roasted veggies or fowl would be a nice match.  Drink over the next three to five

Tasted over two nights, it was better on the second.  This carries the name Pinot Noir on the label as well.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has raspberries, rhubarb and slight cherries.  Also, a slight dill note.  Odd as this sees no wood at all.  On the palate, the red fruits carry thru if a bit thin.  There is a green note especially on the finish.  This was disjointed on opening but with air settled a bit.  It is an easy going Pinot Noir that is unremarkable in most aspects.  It will work better with some lighter food, perhaps chicken salad.  Dirnk over the next couple of ye

This is from grapes that are grown 63% IN Napa and 37% in Sonoma.  It also contains 7% Cabernet Sauvignon.  This was a difficult vintage, yet this is a nice wine.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries and coffee.  Also a hint of clove.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black cherries and cherries with some underlying spice.  A slight green note on the finish.  Nice acidity.  The fruit is not under ripe but just barely.  This drinks well but will work better with food.  Fried chicken might be nice.  Drink over the next few years. 

This is a Zinfandel made from younger vines that have been replanted in 24 different vineyards.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with black cherry fruit and spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the black cherry fruit and spices come thru.  There is some heat on the mid-palate.  Very tasty.  Drink over the next five years.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with barbecue or foods off the grill.  

This bottle was singing with a little air.  Inky purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, a touch of char with an earthy note and a slight menthol note on the back end.  Full bodied with a great texture.  The palate has boysenberry fruit and black pepper with underlying char.  deep yet already accessible.  This is a big hearty wine but compared to prior vintages this seems to be maturing, or at least opening, a bit faster.  Nothing wrong with that especially for Petite.  Delicious.  This should continue to open and mature and drink well for the next ten to fif

This is another very nice value red from Portugal.  Deep garnet in color, ruby at the rim.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries and a dried herbal note.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with good balance.  Tart black cherry fruit.  No hard edges.  This drinks easy.  Nice finish.  This should drink well for the next three to five years.  It will work on its own and go nicely with a burger off the grill.  

This is drinking well for a mature, dry Riesling.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose takes a moment then opens to show pineapple and minerals.  On the palate, the pineapple carries thru along with a vegetarian tzimmes (a jewish dish that involves slow cooking root vegetables and fruits).  This has a nice tartness that gives it plenty of energy.  The finish is long but does have a slightly bitter note.  All in all, this is enjoyable and while it improved over a couple of hours with air, I think it is getting ready to start a slow decline.  Still, it should have at least five to se

This is a white blend of Antão Vaz 40%, Perrum 40%, and Roupeiro 20%.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has golden raisins, slight hay and a bit of citrus.  On the palate, this has a viscous texture.  Nice citrus, lemon balm and some minerality.  Good finish with a bit of lemon candy notes.  This is an easy drinking wine with just enough tang to work on its own or with lighter foods.  It should be consumed voer the next year or two.