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lamarr's Review:

1.1999 Cepa Lebrel Gran Reserva - Rioja - Color: not a deep red, traces of aging, Nose: Strawberry, maybe cherry, Taste: vanilla qualities, smooth, long finishLamarr: A- (very nice)Hector: A-

lamarr's Review:

[Later tasting: Perhaps it's age, experience, or slight inebriation from a previous bottle of Petit Verdot, but we found this Cab Franc to be much more delectable than previous recorded.]3.2007 White Hall Vineyards Cabernet Franc - Monticello (13%) - Color: a slightly dark ruby, Nose - (I had an allergic reaction to Taz and Bandit at Rachel's this weekend, so no nose notes from Lamarr), Taste: (ha, even this is clouded by my allergies), raspberries, "Chocolate covered strawberries" -Hector, not as velvety mouthfeel as the White Hall Petit Verdot, smokier than the Petit Verdot, medium length finish, no tannins (yet decanted for at least a half hour)Lamarr: Low A-Hector: A-Alastor: B+ (I know, he's a dick when it comes to ranking)Ramon: (Chomping at the bit to do a tasting, yet is slightly ill, so refuse to sully our journal with false, speculative judgment)[Sidenote: just learned how to make the glasses sing, following 5 minutes were filled with the soundtrack of "Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind" courtesy of Riedel.]

lamarr's Review:

1.2007 White Hall Vineyards Petit Verdot - Monticello (13%) - No time for those boring, structured, establishment-loving notes, this is the real deal. This Petit Verdot was outstanding. Bold yet smooth, lively yet velvety. The finish was long lasting, yet subtle. For such a young red, it needed zero decanting. Full, immediate, lasting pleasure.Lamarr: High AHector: A (it was really f-ing good, "Rich, ripe, dark berries with a velvety mouth and a white chocolate finish. Absolutely no bite.")Alastor: A-Margot: A+ (compared to what I've tasted before)Pearson: A (mellow, mid-length finish, subtle, not gonna smack you around, yet a pleasure to drink)

lamarr's Review:

16.2006 White Hall Vineyard Petit Verdot - Color: dark ruby, Nose: musty, Taste: at the point not tasting anymore.Lamarr: Everyone gets an A! (courtesy of Wanda)

lamarr's Review:

3.2006 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz - South Australia (14.5%) - [decanting], Color: very deep, can't get any light through, Nose: pretty fantastic, oaky, almost cedar, very woody, blackberries, perhaps a bit of chocolate, Taste: woody in the mouth, a lot of chocolate in the finish, maybe like a chocolate covered strawberry or other fruit, zesty, a little espresso, light to mid tannins (thanks to the cab!), Lamarr: A- (Now, hold up. Just because I usually give wines higher grades than my peers does not mean that I'm easy in any way...a little drunk perhaps, but not of a lower standard. I give this a high grade because I am a fan. Rock on Penfolds, rock on).Hector: B+ (he likes vanilla in wines. Argues that this has wood, but not oak. I say he's crazy)Alastor: B+Margot: B+ (what's with the b-pluses? Gah!)

lamarr's Review:

2.2008 Pollak Vineyards Pinot Gris (13.0%)- Color: pale yellow, Nose: mango, tropical fruit, Taste: very fruity, sweet, Lamarr: A (a big fan)Hector: B+ (nice citrus flavors, sweet, perhaps too sweet)Alastor: B (I don't like it, too sweet)

lamarr's Review:

1.2008 King Family Vineyards Chardonnay - Color: pale yellow, very pleasant, Nose: apples, pears, supper buttery/creamy,Lamarr: B (decent)Hector: B+Alastor: A- (hates following Hector because he never likes to follow. He can't order the same thing that other people get at restaurants. I know, ridiculous)

lamarr's Review:

1.2007 Orin Swift The Prisoner - Napa Valley (15.2%) - Color: perfect (interpret as you will), Nose: ooo, a bit hot, time to decant....("Smells like a winner! -Alastor), Taste: Ahh, just dances on the tongue...like Pop Rocks, very strong chocolate notes, cloves, cinnamon, subtle, plums, solid lasting finish that reminds me of home.Lamarr: A, strong A (a very good wine, yet could by a wine of similar stature for much less, low 20s. Interested in the '04 through '06 vintages, as I'm told those blow this out of the water)Hector: A, 94 (It was good, not what I expected, so perhaps I'm a bit disappointed, yet is quite delicious)

lamarr's Review:

1.2005 Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon - Alexander Valley - Color: ruby, Nose: ("Cedar Mulch" -Hector, and I agree), a little hot, a little raspberry, Taste: medium bodied, a little on the lighter side, light tannins, ("I would have imagined a Virginia wine based on White Hall. Tastes like Cedar Mulch, chewing on wood chips." - Hector), like sticking your nose in a mulch pile, decent finishLamarr: B+ (quite pleasant, better than I expected, you can get better Cabs for the same price, but good for a blind purchase)Hector: very high B ("Smells like a woodworker's dumpster" [goes into anecdote about his dad and sawdust])

lamarr's Review:

2.2007 Cline Ancient Vines Mourvedre - Contra Costa County (15%) - Color: deep garnet with a purple tinge, Nose: ("Caramel...eraser shavings. I'm serious about the eraser shavings...and blueberries, that's what I'm getting" - Hector), a little must, Taste: strong chocolate notes, nice finish, very nice finishLamarr: low A- (really digging this, would buy again!)Hector: 89, the highest B+ I can give