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.

2001 Amici Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

We just started this bottle, over a large dutch oven pot of chicken-sausage cassoulet. The Amici showed its age in the bowl of my class, with the tell-tale light rust color around the edge, and also on the nose: woody currants and blackberries. This was no longer a rich wine, but the way that Cali Cabs used to be more consistently. A little odd and perhaps nearing peak, not astringent, by itself, but with the cassoulet? Oh my. The bit of Merlot and Cabernet Franc helped out the balance, and there's a restrained sophistication to this wine. 2001 was a good year, not a great year, in Napa, and Amici did themselves proud here with this bottling. This was to be a shared bottle with friends (DTR/CTR) but they couldn't make it down here (tongue sticks out).
91/100 -- An outstanding Napa Cab, the way they used to be. Alcohol? 13.4% abv - perfect for food.
Bottom line: I'm glad I bought it, even for around $40, at the Wine Store in Colorado Springs.

2006 Rosenblum Syrah (Lodi) Abba Vineyard

This bottle of blackstrap Syrah was a bargain, discounted from a retail of about $25 to a great price of $11 at the local World Market here in Santa Fe. Since I have not tried many Lodi Syrahs, this was a good chance to experiment on a dime. I was a little concerned about the alcohol level, typical of Rosenblum's love for big wines, but it went nicely with a gnocchi arrabiata-spinach sauce last night. It had good balance, no whiff or back-burn of alcohol. It looks like a Petite Sirah, smells like saddles, cloves, and cigar box, then the dark cherry core emerges a bit in the middle and end. Nice vanillin after-taste, without overwhelming the palate with oak, and the fruity-leather carries through. We really liked this. For us, an 88/100.

Bottom line: If you can find it on discount, well worth a price under $16. Not sure I'd pay retail, but I might!