Vinoyo

I have been very diasppointed with the 1997 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon’s (CS).  I invested a lot of time, money, and space (in my cellar) for the ‘97 Napa Cabs.  I started opening these wines last year and the hits have been few, and far between.  My disappointment is amplified by the fact that the 1997 vintage was the my first major purchase of wines of any kind.  Instead of a bottle here and there, I bought and cellared cases.  Lessons learned…

 I started buying my ‘97 CS when they were released in ‘99 and ‘00.  I  made many of my purchases based on wine scores from the Wine Spectator.  At the time, I thought these were solid recommendations.   Let me tell you something about wine scores and reviews…when I was a child I believed in wine scores, but when I became a man, I put away my childish things, including my faith in wine scores. Read the rest of this entry »

  Wine 101 is an occasional series of blog posts that will introduce novice wine drinkers to the wine culture.  One of the goals of this website is to introduce more people to wine.  In particular, I want to introduce more people-of-color to to the wine world. 

Wine 101 will discuss topics from how to open a bottle of wine, how to order of a wine list, wine glasses, health issues, etc.

In a scene from one of my favorite movies, Do The Right Thing, Da Mayor (Ozzie Davis) says to Mookie (Spike Lee): “Doctor, always try to do the right thing”  This is the first rule/lesson of Wine 101: Do The Right Thing…enjoy responsibily.  I know this is a well-worn advertisers phrase, but it’s well said.  Know your limits.

What am I enjoying  responsibly tonight?  Glad you asked.  Chateau St. Jean, 2005 Fume Blanc (Sonoma).  Fume Blanc is a term coined by Robert Mondavi, essentially it’s Sauvignon Blanc.  This Chateau St. Jean, Fume Blanc has Sav Blanc as well as Semillon.  It’s an excellent wine for the price.  Pale straw color, honeydew/melon nose with a faint mineral note.  On the palate it’s slightly dry, semi-sweet (cantalope) with low/moderate acid.  I have a few bottles of this wine, I do not believe it will hold for more than two years and is unlikey to improve with aging.

 If you have no idea what I am talking about…read Wine 101.

 Always Do The Right Thing

Reg