Labelled as Cru Bourgeois, half of this wine's production is typically kosher although this bottle was not so marked.   A blend of 45% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color.  The nose has plenty of barnyard with some cherries.  On the palate, this is soft, but has a nice complexity.  Plums and cherries.  Light tannins.  Moderate finish.  This probably won't get better but should maintain this level for another ten to twelve years.  It will go well with stews and casseroles.  

This is a blend of 85% Merlot.

A blend of  70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black cherries with slight dill.  On the palate, this has a pretty, soft texture.  Black cherries with slight black olives.  A slight complexity.  Light tannins.  This is open and drinking well.  Very up front fruit.  Moderate finish.  This seems to be about as good a it will get.  It should be at this level for five to ten more years.  It will go well with roasted fowl and drinks easy on its own.  

Deep golden on color, not quite brown.  The nose has some slight smoke, slight lime and some walnut.  On the palate, this is slightly oily.  Some lanolin.  Not much if any fruit left.  Slightly bitter on the finish.  I found it drinkable and interesting.  Certainly over the hill, but not dead yet.  Those more sensitive to oxidation had more issues with it.  It certainly was far more oxidized than the 2009 consumed alongside it.  

Light golden in color.  The nose has smoke, lanolin and lemon peel.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, a slightly oily texture.  Limes.  Slight depth.  Slightly bitter on the finish.  At age eleven this is drinking well but probably past prime.  It will last but it seems to be losing its fruit.  Probably best to drink now.  Will work with lighter food, perhaps chicken salad.  

This is always a nice value in Sauternes.  Its good without being crazy priced and in 2005, they rocked.  Light golden in color.  The nose has honey, pineapple, slight peach a ginger.  Slightly viscous.  The palate is sweet without being flabby.  Honey and peaches.  Clean finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for the  next fifteen years.  A nice match with a peach cobbler or less sweet fruit dessert.  

This is a blend of 84% Petite Sirah, 13% Syrah and 3% Viognier from the home winery of star winemaker Helen Keplinger.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, graphite, asphalt and some cherries.  With air some roasted meats come out.  A wonderful lush texture.  Firm tannins.  This has lots of depth but is still young and tight.  It is delicious though.  Black raspberries, with underlying char on the palate.

i don't often drink Chateauneuf's with this much age on them.  This one has held up well.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is earthy with black cherries, slight sandalwood, some dried cherries and a bit of chocolate.  The fruit on the palate is still fresh and lively with some depth.  Underlying earthiness.  Good balance. Some but not a lot of depth or complexity.  This won't get better and probably needs to be consumed sooner than later.  It is food friendly and will work well with stews, roasts and chili.  

Dominus is one of the greats.  The same owners as Petrus in Bordeaux, they make what is generally believed to be the most Bordeaux styled wine in Napa.  But it is also something of California with sunshine and ripeness.  This bottle had been decanted for a couple of hours.  Deep purple in color.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, cigar box and slight earthiness.  On the palate, this has light tannins.  Cassis is prominent with underlying earthiness.  Tight layers that unwind in the glass.  This needs another five years at least to peak but is enjoyable now.  It should last another twenty

Spottswoode has been producing some of the top Napa Cabs for quite a long time now.  Year in and year out, they make some of the best Cabs anywhere.  Drink them young and they are bold Napa Cabs, let them age for twenty plus years and its hard to tell them from the finest from Bordeaux.  This one is very young, but it is delicious.  It had been decanted for a short time prior to opening.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cigar box and pencil lead.  Enticing.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Lots of cassis with some pencil led and nice tobacco.  Thick tannins.  Great balance.  Lon