2007 P2 Wine Pinot Noir Cargasacchi-Jalama Vineyard

**2007 P2 Wine Pinot Noir Cargasacchi-Jalama Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County)** The nose had black cherry and pepper, a little earth and brown spice, and a touch of vanilla towards the end. The palate was juicy, and had sour cherry, earth, pepper, spice, and a bit of oak on the finish. (91 pts.)

2007 P2 Wine Pinot Noir Aubaine Vineyard

**2007 P2 Wine Pinot Noir Aubaine Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley)** The nose had cherry, forest floor, raspberry, nutmeg, and vanilla. The palate was soft and juicy, and had earth, raspberry jam, spice, and a great cherry finish. (91 pts.)

You Call This Change?

It looks like any investigation of the Bush administration's war crimes will be [behind closed doors](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/apr2009/pers-a27.shtml).

>The result is the spectacle of a US political establishment—where the White House and both houses of Congress are controlled by the Democratic Party—that is incapable of enforcing its own laws, despite ample public evidence of violations that were sanctioned by the highest levels of the state.

2007 Dain Wines Syrah The Smart Set White Hawk Vineyard

**2007 Dain Wines Syrah The Smart Set White Hawk Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County)** The nose had black currant, tar, pepper, smoked meat, vanilla, raspberry, and some floral notes. The palate was big and rich, and had black currant, pepper, smoke, raspberry, vanilla, and a very good smoke finish. (92 pts.)

Staff Favorites

Here are the [wines](http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=7417) I tasted today:

* **2006 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Syrah Kalen's Big Boy Blend - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley** The nose had blackberry, pepper, tar, herbs, and vanilla. The palate had blackberry, raspberry, spice, cedar, pepper, and vanilla. (93 pts.)
* **2004 Domaine de Courbissac Minervois - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois** The nose had rosemary and sage, raspberry, and black currant. The palate was soft, and had spice, herbs, cherry, and raspberry. (90 pts.)
* **2004 Sunset Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Sun Ray Newsom Vineyards - USA, Texas, Texas High Plains** The nose had black currant, plum, spice, and oak. The palate was rich, and had black currant, spice, plum, and oak. (89 pts.)
* **2004 Gianni Paoletti Malbec - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had roses, tar, raspberry, and plum. The palate was soft, and had cedar, violets, spice, raspberry, and plum. (89 pts.)
* **2004 Michele Castellani "Seral" Veronese IGT - Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT** The nose had raspberry, strawberry, and vanilla. The palate was soft, and had spicy oak, raspberry, and strawberry. (87 pts.)
* **2005 Robert Keenan Winery Cabernet Franc Spring Mountain District - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District** The nose had blueberry, raspberry, mint, spice, floral notes, and oak. The palate was smooth, and had spicy floral notes, raspberry, and blueberry. (93 pts.)
* **2005 Clos Les Lunelles - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Côtes de Castillon** The nose had lots of minerality, along with black currant, raspberry, and floral notes. The palate was rich, and had black currant, stone, black raspberry, and a nice floral finish. (92 pts.)

This Is A National Embarassment

Criminal actions as [policy](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/apr2009/pers-a24.shtml).

>The reference to “policy disagreements” is a political canard. At issue are not questions of political judgment, policy preference or legal interpretation, but barbarous crimes against humanity, actions universally condemned around the world—torture, abduction and “disappearance” of prisoners, incarceration in secret prisons, outright murder.

2007 Radio-Coteau Syrah Las Colinas

**2007 Radio-Coteau Syrah Las Colinas (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)** The nose had black currant, tar, grilled meat, cherry, pepper, and some toasted oak at the end. The palate was smooth and rich, and had tar, black currant, cherry, pepper, and a tasty meat finish. (91 pts.)

2007 Roar Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands

**2007 Roar Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands)** The nose had black cherry and forest floor, a little rhubarb and spice, and some toasted oak at the end. The palate was velvety smooth, and had rhubarb and cherry, a little earth and spice, and a wonderful toasted vanilla finish. (92 pts.)

Seavey Vineyard

Here are the [wines](http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=7359) I tasted today:

* **2005 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Caravina - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had chocolate syrup, blackberry, and raspberry. The palate was soft, and had black currant, spice, and fudge. (92 pts.)
* **2003 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Caravina - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had blackberry, mocha, and black currant. The palate was soft, and had black currant, mocha, and blackberry. (92 pts.)
* **2001 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Caravina - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had raspberry, black currant, earth, tobacco, and meat. The palate had black currant, earth, raspberry, meat, and tobacco. (91 pts.)
* **2005 Seavey Vineyard Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had cherry, cedar, earth, spice box, sage, and rosemary. The palate had cherry, spice, cedar, herbs, and earth. (90 pts.)
* **2003 Seavey Vineyard Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had cranberry, coffee, and mocha. The palate was soft, and had plum, coffee, and mocha. (90 pts.)
* **2001 Seavey Vineyard Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had coffee, cherry, and chocolate. The palate was a bit hot, but had chocolate, cherry, and mocha. (88 pts.)
* **1997 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had blackberry jam, smoke, plum, and licorice. The palate was smooth, and had blackberry, coffee, smoke, plum, and licorice. (94 pts.)

2007 August West Syrah Rosella's Vineyard

**2007 August West Syrah Rosella's Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands)** The nose had lots of black pepper, plus earth, black currant, raspberry, smoke, grilled meat, tar, and some plum at the end. The palate was rich and juicy, and had black currant, pepper, earth, tar, raspberry, smoke, and a great plum finish. (94 pts.)

This Just Makes Me Sick

[Obama exonerates CIA torturers](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/apr2009/tort-a17.shtml)

>In closing, the US president declares, “This is a time for reflection, not retribution ... nothing will be gained by spending our time and energy laying blame for the past. Our national greatness is embedded in America's ability to right its course in concert with our core values, and to move forward with confidence. That is why we must resist the forces that divide us, and instead come together on behalf of our common future.”

>What cynical rubbish! As if torture can be stopped by exonerating the torturers and concealing their crimes from the public!

>The message is clear: anyone who demands accountability for the crimes committed under the Bush administration (and continued under the Obama administration) is acting to “divide” the nation.

I Bet They Are Scared Now

A recent Rasmussen poll that shows Americans are more [open to socialism](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/apr2009/pers-a17.shtml), is quite striking.

>The powers that be imagine they have gotten away with their looting of society, colonial wars and other crimes because the rottenness of the trade unions, the so-called civil rights organizations and liberalism has meant no one speaks up for the needs and interests of the population. But the more the social contradictions are ignored or papered over, the more explosive they become.

2007 Dain Wines Pinot Noir Savage Juliet

**2007 Dain Wines Pinot Noir Savage Juliet (USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley)** The nose had black cherry, earth, raspberry, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of floral notes at the end. The palate was velvety smooth, with a slight hint of sweetness, and had cherry, raspberry, earth, floral notes, and a nice nutmeg and cinnamon finish. (93 pts.)

Who Represents Us?

If you want to know why the working class keeps getting screwed, you just have to [follow the money](http://socialistworker.org/2009/04/14/party-of-the-rich-people).

2007 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard

**2007 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills)** The nose had cranberry, cherry, raspberry, forest floor, oak, and a touch of cake spice at the the end. The palate was smooth and sweet, and had cherry, cranberry, raspberry, earth, spice, and a little oak on the finish (92 pts.)

A Little Somali History

The [Somali pirate standoff](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/apr2009/soma-a13.shtml) has more to do with the history of European and American imperialism in the area then it it does with piracy.

France vs. Italy: International Showdown

Here are the [wines](http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=7321) I tasted today:

* **2006 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape** The nose had licorice, meat, spice, cherry, raspberry, and smoke. The palate was velvety smooth, and had smoke, cherry, cassis, meat, spice, and a licorice finish. (93 pts.)
* **2001 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo** The nose had earth, smoke, cherry, and spice. The palate had black currant, cherry, tar, spice, and earth. (90 pts.)
* **2005 Lungarotti Torgiano Rubesco - Italy, Umbria, Torgiano** The nose had blackberry, oak, spice, sage, and rosemary. The palate was soft, and had herbs, blackberry, spice, and oak. (89 pts.)
* **2003 Château Frank Phélan - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe** The nose had burnt wood, cherry, and blackberry. The palate had toasted oak, blackberry, and a cherry finish. (88 pts.)
* **2007 Château la Freynelle - France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Contrôlée** The nose had citrus, pineapple, and chalk. The palate was crisp, and had stone, citrus, and berry. (88 pts.)
* **2001 Antonio Sanguineti Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino** The nose had coffee, cherry, and tea. The palate was smooth, and had tea, cherry, and coffee. (94 pts.)
* **2005 Château Lascombes - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux** The nose had blueberry, floral notes, blackberry, smoke, and pencil lead. The palate had blackberry, blueberry, graphite, and a floral finish. (94 pts.)

2007 Dain Wines Syrah Abner Las Madres Vineyard

**2007 Dain Wines Syrah Abner Las Madres Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Carneros)** The nose had loads of tar and meat, along with black currant, raspberry, floral notes, spice, and vanilla. The palate was soft and rich, and had black currant, tar, pepper, raspberry, and a sweet vanilla finish. (92 pts.)

2007 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Rancho La Vina

**2007 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Rancho La Vina (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills)** The nose had raspberry and cherry, a little cake spice, and some creamy oak at the end. The palate was soft, sweet, and juicy, and had cherry, raspberry, earth, oak, and a spicy finish. (92 pts.)

2006 Tres Barcos Toro

**2006 Tres Barcos Toro (Spain, Castilla y León, Toro)** The nose had raspberry, cherry, smoke, spice, and a touch of oak. The palate was soft and juicy, and had raspberry, smoke, oak, cherry, and a nice spicy finish. (88 pts.)

Washington Wines

Here are the [wines](http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=7268) I tasted yesterday:

* **2005 Nota Bene Cellars Miscela - USA, Washington** The nose had BBQ meat, tar, violets, black currant, and blackberry. The palate had black currant, graphite, burnt oak, spice, and a floral finish. (91 pts.)
* **2006 Seven Hills Vintage Red Ciel du Cheval Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain** The nose had tree sap, blackberry, and black currant. The palate was sweet, and had blackberry, black currant, spice, and oak. (91 pts.)
* **2006 Gramercy Cellars Syrah - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley** The nose had pepper, cedar, leather, plum, and blueberry. The palate was soft, and had leather, plum, blueberry, pepper, and some stone on the finish. (90 pts.)
* **2005 Amavi Cellars Syrah - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley** The nose had pork, venison, and blueberry. The palate was soft and had blueberry, game, and sausage. (90 pts.)
* **2005 Saint-Laurent Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope** The nose had mint, blackberry, black currant, and coffee. The palate had blackberry, coffee, mint, and black currant. (90 pts.)
* **2005 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain** The nose had a strong smell of ocean water, along with some cherry, plum, and black currant. The palate was soft, and had black currant, cherry, plum, and an earthy finish. (94 pts.)
* **2005 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley** The nose had coffee, stone, violets, grilled meat, earth, cherry, and black currant. The palate was soft and sweet, and had stone, mocha, black currant, floral notes, and some earth on the finish. (92 pts.)

2003 Alpha Omega Alpha Omega Proprietary Red

**2003 Alpha Omega Alpha Omega Proprietary Red (USA, California, Napa Valley)** The nose had black currant and chocolate, vanilla, cherry, and a hint of smoke at the end. The palate was soft and rich, and had red berries, earth, chocolate, cherry, and a nice creamy finish. (90 pts.)