Blandy’s Madeira 5 Year Old Malmsey nv
This wine is quite consistent in displaying complexity, sweetness and balancing acidity.  Again today’s bottle wraps caramel and butterscotch into a good value fortified dessert wine. For me it’s so good with Rocquefort. Produced and bottled by the Madeira Wine Company in Funchal 19% $23 for a full bottle [...]

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Fratelli Revello Barolo DOCG 2003
This is the Revello’s regional bottling and it’s no slouch. Tasted earlier in the year, I wrote: spot on for the price, with new world styling of chocolaty oak and ripe fruit along with massive tannin and classic licorice. Now in September this wine still shows its licorice in a very [...]

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Barbera can deliver berry flavor with the acidity to keep up with acidic dishes. This flight featured two examples from either side of the Atlantic. The first time the California offering was from Seghesio. Tonight we line-up a wine from Jeff Ruquist.
Andrea Oberto Barbera d’Alba DOC 2006
Recent bottles of this estate’s Dolcetto and [...]

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Gewurztraminer has its detractors out there, yet I remain a fan. This flight features two regions that embrace this variety, Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley and sunny Alsace in the eastern reaches of France.
Handley Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer 2006
This wine radiates roses and parfume, in a light-bodied format with a hint of RS, classic touch of bitterness [...]

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Domaine Weinbach Alsace Reserve Pinot Blanc 2005
This is a gem.  There is fresh citrus, stone fruit and floral notes to smell.  In the mouth there is a moderate+ amount of acidity and the taste of citrus.  This is a very refreshing Pinot Blanc. The Faller family has been a leader in biodynamic viticulture in Alsace. [...]

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Zenato Delle Venezie IGT Pinot Grigio 2006
This regionally-labeled bottling has been a good value high-acid white. The 2005 emphasized citrus notes. The 2006 tasted in this class showed fruits ranging from citrus to tropical. There is a new world freshness, with a healthy dose of acidity and a little phenolic grab and minerality. This [...]

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