Los Planos Syrah 2004

A French wine with a Spanish title ... sort of suspicious like the Japanese waitress bearing a fortune cookie. More to come.

$10 at Western.

2004 Tir Na N'og Old Vines Grenache (McLaren Vale)

This Australian red was recommended to us by the folks at Village Wine Market when we were there for a tasting. It's a nicely balanced wine with medium fruit - very tasty. We opened it last night after consuming the French Pinot Noir in the previous post.

The tasting notes from the website: "The 2004 harvest of these old vines yielded some of the most intensely flavored Grenache you are ever likely to taste. Beautiful fruit and spice notes waft from the glass, and on the palate the wine is lush and intense yet exhibits great balance and extraordinary mouthfeel. This is sexy wine that is sure to provide drinking pleasure for years to come."

Definitely worth a try! About $25.

2002 Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Jean-Luc Joillot

Our friends Tom and Tyler served this last night with sea scallops and risotto. I am used to drinking fruity American PNs and this has a very different character. Mary describes it as bright, perhaps a little thin with a hint of spice. We may have to get a bottle and do some additional research. Tom said it came from Western Supermarket.

Addendum: Mary picked up a bottle today ($20) so I'm trying it anew. I wouldn't call it bright, but not dull either. See Tom's comment. All in all, decent to drink but there are better wines for less money. I would like to try more of this type so please comment with suggestions if you have any.

CMS White by Hedges 2005

This is a Washington State wine from Columbia Valley that is 54% Sauvignon Blanc, 44% Chardonnay, and 2% Marsanne. Rearrange the first letters of those grapes and you get the name.

This wine has seen no oak and is consequently crisp and fruity. Easy drinking by itself or with food (the winemaker suggests shellfish). Excellent choice for summer drinking - more interesting than Pinot Grigio and lower end Sauvignon Blancs. I found it at Western when looking for something already cold. $10.99