a taste / three knights 2003 cabernet sauvignon

Sniff: A pale ruby red busied with a full nose of cedar, clove, blackberry, currant, blueberry, green bell pepper, and butter.

Taste: A med-weight, med-tannin Cab whose flavors dance the jig with bell pepper, red & black raspberry, then slowly mellows into a seductive tango of chocolate, pepper, toasty spice, and clove.

Eat: A beef stew proves a perfect partner as it tames the meat into a sumptuous buttery tender bite.

a taste / v. sattui 2001 zinfandel, suzanne's vineyard

Sniff: This dark brick red beauty seduces the senses with spice, earth, cedar, dark currant, chocolate, red raspberry, black cherry - stewed & jammy.

Taste: This vino is another treat from my trip home to Cali, and is from a favorite winery. The med-bodied palate is as delightfully full as the nose and warms with flavors of black cherry, jam, sugared red cherries (like those resting in a pie shell before baking...), and chocolate. Med-tannins keep the finish flowing.

Eat: I am a sucker for a good Zin, it's in my NorCal blood. Would pair well with a roasted herby pork loin, a burger with swiss and avocado, or as a seductive luxury with chocolate covered strawberries.

a taste / alderbrook 2001 gewurztraminer

Sniff: This deep gold white is fully developed. Greets me from an aged comfort with scents of toasty nuts, honey, orange marmalade and spice.

Taste: Light and slightly watery, perhaps I should have opened a year or two ago, but I've been holding on to my Cali wine country tokens like little trinkets of home until I can return. I enjoy the playful tastes of spice, toast, nuts, candied oranges and honey.

Eat: Thai food most definitely. Perhaps a boost of culinary spice is what this wine needs to rekindle its spirit. Is a treat by itself nonetheless.