I am going to use this site to keep my notes on wines that I taste.

I don't really use a lot of

descriptors but it will indicate whether or not I like a wine. If I say it sucked then obviously it sucks, if i
say it was fair then i probably got ripped off but not really bad, good means that it is an ok buy for the
quality and price, then excellent, outstanding, phenomenal etc. are reserved for wines that are either
out right great or are great for the price. New to the list will be restaurants with their notes and tips.

White Wine
Chardonnay
Buena Vista Carneros Chardonnay 2004 13.9% alcohol This was a good classic style Chardonnay.
It wasn't spectacular however it wasn't bad at all. This wine actually went well with my turkey.
Winemaker is Jeff Stewart (UC Davis) previously worked at la crema and was on the history channel
for a wine special. It was about $11 Overall Ranking = Fair to Good
Charles Shaw 2004 California Chardonnay a.k.a. 2 Buck Chuck It wasn't as bad as i first expected.
Infact it was a wine that was tolerable. It had a slight fruitiness and alcohol, for two dollars what else
can you ask for? Overall Rating = Fair to Good (Value)
Covey Run 2004 Chardonnay Washington maybe Columbia Valley Who cares because the wine
was between fair and sucky even though it cost 5 bucks on sale at Beverages and More. I
unfortunately bought two bottles of this stuff. It received high marks from other critics, but didn't live
up to the hype. The wine was hot and flatt, and only drinkable when chilled down. Overall Ranking
= Sucky
Fantesca 2004 Los Carneros Chardonnay This wine was expensive for a chardonnay, i forget how
much, but I want to say like $30 or more. Anyways it wasn't all that great, it had a little fruit to it but
more oak and butter flavors. The acidity was good which was refreshing but for an expensive
Chardonnay I wasn't impressed. Overall Ranking = Fair to Sucky (Too expensive and would
compare well to cheaper wines)
Franciscan 2001 Oakville Estate Savage made by Larry Levin who went to U.C. Davis for
enology. It is made by wild yeast and is very smooth with a creamy texture. Nice light toast with
slight butter flavors mixed with some fruity parts of green apple or pear. Much more complex and
elegant than the typical California chardonnay. Kind of pricey at about $18 a bottle but very good.
Overall Ranking = Good
Gina 2004 Napa Valley Chardonnay This was a very disappointing wine. The bottled said cellared
and bottled by Flora Springs so I assume it is a second label. Flora Springs used to known for their
white wines so i had a few expectations. However it failed miserably, very flat and no acidity had
been through ML and had oaky tones which didn't really mesh all that well. For $9 it was not
impressive enough to buy another. Overall Ranking = Sucky
Harding Estates 2005 Napa Valley Chardonnay This was a descent chard if you like an ML and it
tasted slightly oaky. However the acidity was lacking somewhat due to the ML and the hot 05
weather. For $8 it was an ok buy to me there was a creamy or thick texture that just didn't sit well.
Which may have been due to some RS not really sure i may have to try another bottle. Overall
Ranking = Fair
Heitz Cellars 2004 Napa Valley Chardonnay This was a well done chard that had very good acidity
with sharp flavors. This is a good buy and typically costs around $11 at Costco. The winemaker is
David Heitz (Fresno State) he succeeds his father Joe who went to UC Davis. This is one of my
favorite Chards. Overall Ranking = Excellent
However the 05 was made differently. It definitely has been through ML and it's hot and pitiful.
Overall Ranking = Sucked
Meridian 2004 Santa Barbera Chardonnay A "typical" California Chard. It has characteristics of both
butter and oak, while still maintaining some acidity. No overpowering flavors, they were actually
balanced pretty well. If you like a cheap everyday drinking wine this is a winner at $6.Overall
Ranking = Good to Outstanding (good value).
However the 05' is definitely out of balance and isn't as good.
7 Heavenly Lodi Chardonnay Probably 04 but maybe 05. I had this in a restaurant and it was $8 a
glass. Made by the same people as 7 Deadly Zins. This wine had lots of french oak and seemed to
have gone through ML but didn't show a lot of buttery characteristics, actually it had more pear. This
wine had good acidity and would be a good buy at about 10 dollars. Overall Ranking = Fair to
Good
Riesling
Bonny Doon Pacific Rim Dry Riesling nonvintage. Not a typical Riesling as the bottle states it has
much less sweetness than a typical Riesling. Chilled this wine was good with lots of fruit. To me
slight notes of apricot seemed to be the easiest to recall. Not entirely sure about the apricot as i
drank the whole bottle and went to bed. At $9 this was a descent wine. Overall Ranking = Good
J. Lohr 2004 Monterey County Riesling At $8 this wine was ok at best. It was relatively flat and
definitely had CO2 added in an attempt to make it better. Too much was added and the wine is still
flat. Shares similarities with a cheap champagne. There was some apricot flavors but overall this
wine was very disappointing. Overall Rating = Sucked
Sauvignon Blanc
Elena 2005 Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc There was a descent amount of acidity and had notes
of green apples. There were no green grass tones which was definitely a good thing. This wine was
a little pricey at $8 but i didn't feel ripped off either. However Elena's Merlot and 2005 Chardonnay
were horrible. Overall Ranking = Fair
Sincerely 2004 Coastal South Africa Sauvignon Blanc Match stick sulfur aromas, however they
were light. Lemon or citrus flavors, but the finish wasn't great. It was a gift. Overall Ranking = Fair

Red Wine
Cabernet Sauvignon
BV Napa Valley 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon This was a good Napa Cab and had well balanced
tannins throughout the palate. None of which were overpowering. It also had great color and the fruit
was slightly cherry and mostly dark fruit like black berries. At $14 this was a good buy.At times
seemed to have a slightly funky finish which is the only thing keeping this from being a great
wine. Seemed to go away as the wine opened up or as i drank more, not sure which. One of the
winemakers is Bob Masyczek one of a host of UC Davis grads. Overall Ranking = Good
BV Coastal Estates private cellars 2004 California Cabernet Sauvignon Bought 2 bottles for $13 at
Costco however that is over priced. This wine wasn't great by any means. The blackberry flavors
were watery and thin with some frontal tannins. Overall = Fair yet kinda Sucky
Raymond Reserve 2002 St. Hellena Cabernet Sauvignon The first thing to notice is the aromas of
cocoa or vanillian. Then the flavors were almost port like. The fruit was definitely picked ripe. The
palate and tannin structure was very good, well balanced and not too heavy. Cost was about 30
dollars. This was made by a group of UC Davis grads. Overall Ranking = Good (especially if found
cheaper)
Rex Goliath Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon There is no vintage date But buy this wine now,
while it is still good and cheap. Rex Goliath used to be run by Hahn Estates but now is owned
by Constellation. It usually costs below 7 bucks (usually 6) and has some nice dark fruit/jammy
flavors, with a nice medium/full, structure and body that aren't over powering. I would rate this as a
good buy. Overall Ranking = Outstanding Value
Rex Goliath was recently bought out and the quality since has deteriorated and the price went up at
all the locations I've seen. I would say this has down graded to Overall Ranking = Fair
Merlot
Duckhorn Napa Valley "3 palms" 2002 Estate Merlot This is a medium to full bodied merlot. Had
some notes of cherry maybe some vanilla. There was definitely some green vegatative funk (I
couldn't tell what it was). However surprisingly it made the wine more complex not disgusting. This is
a cab lovers merlot as it is very close to a cabernet in body and style. In fact there is actually about
10% cabernet in the mix. The winemaker is Mark Beringer a Fresno State grad. Overall Ranking =
Good (Down graded because of value)
Joseph Phelps Napa Valley 2002 Merlot The wine cost about $40 and had 14.5% alcohol. This
wine had a pleasant, yet slight, vanilla or chocolate on the nose. The body was light and made for an
easy drinking wine. The winemaker is Craig Williams who graduated from UC Davis. Overall
Ranking = Good (Down graded because of value)
King Fish (Delicato) 2004 California Merlot The wine cost about $10 for a box with two bottles worth
in it 1.5L. Slightly over ripe with some prune flavors but smooth. The wine was actually drinkable.
Maybe i felt pretty good about this wine because of my low expectations but i would buy it again.
Overall Rating = Good (for value)
Pinot Noir
Firesteed 2003 Oregon Pinot Noir The wine was about $12 and was not very good. Others thought
there was a little pinot resemblance but overall not very good. Color was off and so were the flavors.
BLah. Overall Ranking = Sucky
Kirkland (Costco) 2003 Oregon Pinot Noir $13 Now this wine for virtually the same price as the
Firesteed and is a very good buy. Probably one of the best relatively inexpensive Pinots. Overall
Ranking =Great overall value
Melrose Vineyards Umpqua Valley (Oregon) 2002 Pinot Noir This was an excellent wine showing
fruit of plums and maybe raspberry. This wine is silky smooth with a nice finish. The wine is made by
the Parkers from Fresno. The cost of the wine is about $30. Overall Ranking = Excellent
Siduri Willamette Valley 2004 Pinot Noir an excellent wine. Definitely some raspberry and lots of
cherry maybe some chocolate mixed in as well. This is a great wine that was a gift. I would have no
problem spending $30 for this bottle. Winemakers are Diana Novy and Adam Lee who didn't get a
degree in enology but both worked their way up through the industry. Overall Ranking = Excellent
Windy Oaks Santa Cruz Mountains 2003 Pinot Noir This was a horrible wine. Completely over
oaked and not fit to be drank. I wouldn't even pay $10 for this $20 dollar wine. Then there is the
reserve which was drinkable but who wants to pay $30 just for a drinkable bottle of wine. Winemaker
is Jim Schultze UC Davis. Overall Ranking = Sucked
Zinfandel
Prospero California 2002 Zinfandel 15.5% alc. Dark Fruits mostly black cherries with a hint of
chocolate and with a full body. Most of the tannins were in the front of the palate. However the
alcohol definitely shines through. If it were $8 or under it would be a good buy, however it was a gift
and I am unaware of the actual cost. Good for everyday drinking wine.

Port
Ficklin Vineyards Tawny Port This wine was aged for 10 years on American oak which helped this
wine become very smooth with nice fruity flavors. A person must be careful with this wine as it is
20% alcohol. There was a nice long lingering finish, which was a bit raisiny but it not overly
done. For $20 this was a very pleasant wine. Overall Ranking = Good

Sparkling Wine
Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs California on sale at Cost Plus for $12. For 12 bucks this is a
good wine, nice and bubbly with fruity notes of strawberry. Goes surprisingly well with pizza. Overall
Ranking = Good