2002 Peter Michael "Les Pavots"

It's funny that I label this as "Napa Valley" when it's produced in Knights Valley, but it really does have more in common with Napa than Sonoma. Unfortunately this was cloyingly sweet and medicinal when first opened; probably lightly corked. With over two hours of air the funk blew mostly off. The nose is muted but shows prune and sweet cocoa. Semi-sweet blackberry, powdered sugar, and maraschino cherry. Medium-length and medium body. Personally I preferred the 2000 vintage.

2003 Ch. Moulin Saint Georges

Brooding blackberry color and aroma. Fragrant oak, cinnamon, and fruitcake. Traces of pencil and wood shavings. Highly perfumed and pure and very clean on the palate. Delightfully long. Is this a hidden gem? I almost never see it on the left coast...

2004 Dunn Howell Mtn Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep purple/black color. Mellow cherry, cola, briar and oak aromas. This wine has been soft and dominated by sweet jam and oak flavors since released, but now nine, its begun to develop some complexing flavors: iodine, dried flowers, and mellow pencil.

2000 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark rose color. Mellow green note, followed by iris, plum, then mint. Chocolate, leather, and tobacco, but with mildly sweet, soft tannin, and a persistent cherry note on the finish. Light to medium-bodied.

2002 Girard Cabernet Franc

Purple-black color. The aromas are so unusual...charcoal, graphite? Wet earth, sandalwood, turmeric, and musk. A bright, full palate is finished with cherry and tart blackberry.

2010 Dr. Loosen Spatlese

Elegant peach, cherry, and brine. The Urziger Wurzgarten - from some ancient vines - shows a touch more wet earth notes and vinegar; the Wehlener Sonnenuhr is a little softer in the middle.

2000 Peter Michael "Les Pavots"

Deep purple black color. The profile is very Bordeaux: black olive, cinnamon, herby, but also raisins, cocoa, and plum. The tannins are soft, sweet, and full, with good length on the fore-palate. The 2000s have been disparaged over the years, but this shows great class at 13.