2003 Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofi (Priorat)

Finca Dofí is a blend of Garnacha, Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and Cariñena. We had this wine on May 9, 2010 (Mother's Day, yes) at the Blue Star on half-price bottle night. What a great wine; all the dense, rocky austerity one would hope for in a great Priorat, and from a notoriously hot year. While the wood was present (knock-knock), it wasn't overwhelming and helped balance some of the torrid black fruit, grilled herbs, and hot slate notes to this wine. There's a sanguine (bloody) iron streak in this wine that emerges late, so it could probably stand to be decanted, frankly.

Our match? A simple hamburger with fries; great juice, and a good pairing.

90/100 for my nose and palate.
Bottom line: Well worth the $60-70 you'll pay retail for this wine. We paid $65! Track it down if you like a dense but classic-style Priorat. Palacios knows what he's doing and it shows, even in this difficult (hot) vintage.

2003 Rippon Pinot Noir (Otago)

This bottle wasn't cheap, at $34, but the age shined through on this lovely New Zealand Pinot Noir from the Otago Valley (south island, folks). Dusty cherries, great acidity, and a lovely orange rim were the main features. On the nose, the same, but with a nice leather-cinnamon component. All in all, another nod to the fact that the Kiwis are making some great bloody juice, and that it should age nicely. Maybe not Bonne Mares quality, but definitely would hold its own against a decent California or Oregon Pinot. Look for it, if you can find it.