Ridge Zin

3 Valleys. Well not just a zin, they had 5 other grapes in there. Carignan, and maybe grenache, franc, syrah, not so sure. Anyway, a nice zin character, softened and somewhat stiffened by the Carignan. Tasted like California. A good buy by M at $12. *

Don Melchor '03

OK, so my favorite wine of *all time*, back for another round. Boy, is it different! Where the '01 was perfectly balanced, all smooth dark raspberry balanced perfectly by tobacco & a hint of leather and finish from here to Montana, this starts out aggresive, if not huge, with some blackberry and somewhat unstructured tannins evident. Over the hour is gradually smooths out into a balanced, if not excessively character-full Bordeaux. But I know there is something fine in there (WS and RP agree, FWIW.) The range of notes and the conviction with which they are delivered has me sold on another to lay down for 8-10 years.

With very good lamb dish at Blu. Well conceived and executed, missing that sparkle that we get at our favorites, like Culinariane, Nouveau Sushi and Fascino...

Black Cherry Extreme

Ercavio; an Eric Solomon presentation from three Castilian (chick) vintners. Complex! Nose is alcoholic, Zinfandel-ish. Medium-light bodied, with a huge black cherry presence; this is not sweet, its savory. Tastes unbalanced at first, set off wonderfully by moroccan olives, then its intriguing. Ends as a very characterful glass of organic goodness. I think it will age well. And super easy to lay down at $8 ***