Vinos de Espana
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Flight 1
2006 Jiménez Landi Méntrida Pielago (Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Méntrida) - 91 Points The nose had lots of game mixed with blueberry and bacon. There was also some raspberry, earth, and spice. The palate was thick and soft, and had blueberry, game, earth, spice, and a black currant finish.
2007 Bodega Numanthia Termes Toro (Spain, Castilla y León, Toro) - 91 Points A great nose of mocha, plum, cherry, spice, and milk chocolate. The palate was very rich, and had chocolate, plum, spice, and an espresso finish.
2008 Bodegas Avanthia Valdeorras Avanthia (Spain, Galicia, Valdeorras) - 90 Points The nose had peach, pear, floral notes, spice, and a little grass. The palate was rich and slightly sweet, with peach, apple, pear, spice, and a floral finish.
2005 Celler Vall Llach Priorat IDUS (Spain, Catalunya, Priorat) - 90 Points The nose had smoke, tobacco, blueberry, cherry, black currant, and some sandalwood. The palate had lots of dark fruit, some smoke and oak, and tobacco and perfume finish.
2005 Bodegas Luzon Jumilla Alma de Luzon (Spain, Murcia, Jumilla) - 90 Points The nose had black cherry and game, smoke, spice, and a bit of tar. The palate had sweet cherry mixed with smoke and tar. The finish had some spice, but it was a little hot.
2007 Marques de Valparaiso Ribera del Duero El Encinal (Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero) - 88 Points The nose had cherry, raspberry, earth, spice, and a little oak. The palate was rich, and had cedar, cherry, raspberry, spice, and an earthy finish.
2005 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja) - 86 Points The nose was very nice on this wine, but the palate was way too tannic. It may be too young right now. Right now the nose is really good. Earth and tobacco, plus some cherry, cedar, and raspberry. Outside of the tannins, the palate also had cherry, raspberry, cedar, and a little earth.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Obama seizes on Arizona law to push repressive immigrantion overhaul
The attack on immigrant workers serves two interrelated purposes. Under conditions of mass joblessness and increasing poverty, singling out immigrant workers is a time-honored means of dividing the working class. At the same time it serves as a pretext for a vast expansion of the police power of the state.
Whatever the immediate impulse behind the bill in Arizona, there is a logic to the policy of the American ruling class. There are sections of the political establishment that are well aware that their policy of bank bailouts and social austerity will inevitably provoke mass social opposition. The attack on the rights of workers and the turn to authoritarian forms of rule is their response.
Goldman Sachs executives defend deceptive marketing of securities
Testifying Tuesday before a Senate investigative panel, Goldman Sachs executives defended their deceptive marketing of mortgage-backed securities and denied any responsibility for the global economic crisis.
These actions, which helped precipitate the global financial collapse, have led to the loss of jobs, homes, and life savings, and resulted in untold misery for masses of people. The criminal practices that transpired at Goldman Sachs were not an aberration, but were repeated in banks and financial firms across the country.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Obama preaches reconciliation with coal bosses
The remarks, filled with religious and patriotic rhetoric, were aimed at concealing the criminal responsibility of the mine owners and the complicity of federal and state agencies that allowed miners to work in a deathtrap.
Obama’s remarks make clear that there will be no attempt to hold accountable those responsible for the deaths of the 29 miners, including Massey Energy and its CEO Don Blankenship. The investigation launched by the federal government will merely be another whitewash.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Staff Favorites
Staff Favorites
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, April 24, 2010
Flight 1
2008 Viña Cobos Cabernet Sauvignon Felino (Argentina, Mendoza) - 88 Points This wine has a lot of licorice on the nose. Mixed with that is some black fruit and espresso. The palate was very soft, with black currant and black cherry, some coffee, and a licorice finish. It was a little hot, but other than that a pretty nice wine.
2005 Tor Chardonnay Two Rivers Ranch (USA, California, Napa Valley) - 88 Points This wine had a load of lychee fruit and peaches. There was also pineapple and citrus. At the end was some honey. The palate was thick and buttery, but not too much. It had the same flavor profile as the nose. Tasty, but not much going on besides fruit.
2006 Quinta do Portal Douro (Portugal, Douro) - 87 Points The nose had lots of cedar and cherry, a little pepper and roasted meat, and some rose petals at the end. The palate was very soft, with dark fruit and cedar, a little meat, and some floral notes on the finish.
2007 Ferraton Père & Fils Crozes-Hermitage La Matinière (France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage) - 86 Points This wine had lots of oranges and lemon zest on the nose to start. There was also some floral notes, and just the slightest hint of spice. On the palate it was thick with lots of acidity. The fruit was mainly citrus, but there were also some floral notes on the finish.
2007 Peter Lehmann Shiraz The Barossa (Australia, South Australia, Barossa) - 85 Points The nose had lots of chocolate mixed with black fruit. It had a lot of creamy oak behind the chocolate and fruit. The palate was the opposite of the nose. Lots of creamy oak followed by chocolate and fruit. The finish was very hot.
Flight 2
2006 Vineyard 29 Zinfandel Aida Estate (USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena) - 91 Points Loads of burnt wood and earth on the nose. There was also black cherry and floral notes, and some pepper and baking spice towards the end. The palate was pretty soft, with dark fruit, floral notes, pepper, spice, and a mocha finish.
2003 Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino Vigneto Manachiara (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino) - 90 Points The nose had a bunch of coffee and chocolate, some black currant, and a little cherry. The palate was rich, and had chocolate and black currant, mocha, and a good cedar finish.
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, April 24, 2010
Flight 1
2008 Viña Cobos Cabernet Sauvignon Felino (Argentina, Mendoza) - 88 Points This wine has a lot of licorice on the nose. Mixed with that is some black fruit and espresso. The palate was very soft, with black currant and black cherry, some coffee, and a licorice finish. It was a little hot, but other than that a pretty nice wine.
2005 Tor Chardonnay Two Rivers Ranch (USA, California, Napa Valley) - 88 Points This wine had a load of lychee fruit and peaches. There was also pineapple and citrus. At the end was some honey. The palate was thick and buttery, but not too much. It had the same flavor profile as the nose. Tasty, but not much going on besides fruit.
2006 Quinta do Portal Douro (Portugal, Douro) - 87 Points The nose had lots of cedar and cherry, a little pepper and roasted meat, and some rose petals at the end. The palate was very soft, with dark fruit and cedar, a little meat, and some floral notes on the finish.
2007 Ferraton Père & Fils Crozes-Hermitage La Matinière (France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage) - 86 Points This wine had lots of oranges and lemon zest on the nose to start. There was also some floral notes, and just the slightest hint of spice. On the palate it was thick with lots of acidity. The fruit was mainly citrus, but there were also some floral notes on the finish.
2007 Peter Lehmann Shiraz The Barossa (Australia, South Australia, Barossa) - 85 Points The nose had lots of chocolate mixed with black fruit. It had a lot of creamy oak behind the chocolate and fruit. The palate was the opposite of the nose. Lots of creamy oak followed by chocolate and fruit. The finish was very hot.
Flight 2
2006 Vineyard 29 Zinfandel Aida Estate (USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena) - 91 Points Loads of burnt wood and earth on the nose. There was also black cherry and floral notes, and some pepper and baking spice towards the end. The palate was pretty soft, with dark fruit, floral notes, pepper, spice, and a mocha finish.
2003 Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino Vigneto Manachiara (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino) - 90 Points The nose had a bunch of coffee and chocolate, some black currant, and a little cherry. The palate was rich, and had chocolate and black currant, mocha, and a good cedar finish.
Rhone & Rhone Style Wine Tasting
Rhone & Rhone Style Wine Tasting
Pappas Bros.
Tasted Friday, April 23, 2010
Flight 1
2003 Domaine Monpertuis (Paul Jeune) Côtes du Rhône Vignoble de la Ramière (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône) - 92 Points The nose had cedar and smoke, tar, cherry and raspberry, and a pepper/oak mix toward the end. The palate had a lot of smoke and tar, some cherry and pepper, and a finish of raspberry and meat juice.
2003 Burge Family Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre Olive Hill (Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley) - 91 Points The nose had cedar, black currant, barnyard, cherry, oak, and some pepper. The palate had black currant, cherry, funk, pepper, and some vanilla on the finish.
2007 Perrin & Fils Vacqueyras Les Christins (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras) - 91 Points The nose had cherry, smoke, tar, black currant, spice, and a little oak. The palate had cherry and tar, smoke and black currant, and a spicy oak finish.
2004 Betts & Scholl Hermitage (France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage) - 90 Points The nose had barnyard and sour cherry, wild flowers, and some spicy vanilla at the end. The palate was very earthy, with sour cherry, floral notes, spice, and some cedar on the finish.
1999 Tablas Creek Reserve Cuvée (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) - 90 Points A nice nose of cherry and smoked meat, with just a touch of raspberry and vanilla. The palate was soft, and had cherry, meat, raspberry, and a little oak on the finish.
2003 Château Rayas Côtes du Rhône Blanc Château de Fonsalette Reserve (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône) - 89 Points The nose had rose petals, melon, spice, and a little honey. The palate had lots of floral notes, some melon and beeswax, and a slight honey finish.
2006 John Duval Wines Plexus (Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley) - 89 Points The nose had barnyard and lots of black fruit. There was also a little perfume, tar, smoke, and vanilla. The palate had black currant and black cherry, pepper, tar, and smoke. It finished with a bit of oak.
2006 J.L. Chave Sélection St. Joseph Offerus (France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph) - 88 Points The nose had forest floor, cherry, smoke, and a little oak. The palate had cherry and barnyard, smoke, and a vanilla finish.
2006 Gilles Robin Crozes-Hermitage Papillon (France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage) - 87 Points The nose had sweet cherry, raspberry, pepper, and floral notes. The palate had earth, sour cherry, raspberry, and pepper.
2003 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant (USA, California) - 87 Points The nose had black currant and cherry, pepper, oak, and some floral notes toward the end. The palate had cherry and pepper, raspberry, and a bit of oak. It finished a little hot.
2005 Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas Blanc (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) - 87 Points A fairly interesting wine. The nose had lemon and apple, some grass and floral notes, and a bit of petrol at the end. The palate was pretty funky, with citrus and grass. It finished with some petrol.
2003 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) - 84 Points The nose had black currant and smoke, pepper and cherry, and some tar at the end. The palate had bitter tannins. There was some cherry, smoke, tar, and pepper.
Pappas Bros.
Tasted Friday, April 23, 2010
Flight 1
2003 Domaine Monpertuis (Paul Jeune) Côtes du Rhône Vignoble de la Ramière (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône) - 92 Points The nose had cedar and smoke, tar, cherry and raspberry, and a pepper/oak mix toward the end. The palate had a lot of smoke and tar, some cherry and pepper, and a finish of raspberry and meat juice.
2003 Burge Family Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre Olive Hill (Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley) - 91 Points The nose had cedar, black currant, barnyard, cherry, oak, and some pepper. The palate had black currant, cherry, funk, pepper, and some vanilla on the finish.
2007 Perrin & Fils Vacqueyras Les Christins (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras) - 91 Points The nose had cherry, smoke, tar, black currant, spice, and a little oak. The palate had cherry and tar, smoke and black currant, and a spicy oak finish.
2004 Betts & Scholl Hermitage (France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage) - 90 Points The nose had barnyard and sour cherry, wild flowers, and some spicy vanilla at the end. The palate was very earthy, with sour cherry, floral notes, spice, and some cedar on the finish.
1999 Tablas Creek Reserve Cuvée (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) - 90 Points A nice nose of cherry and smoked meat, with just a touch of raspberry and vanilla. The palate was soft, and had cherry, meat, raspberry, and a little oak on the finish.
2003 Château Rayas Côtes du Rhône Blanc Château de Fonsalette Reserve (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône) - 89 Points The nose had rose petals, melon, spice, and a little honey. The palate had lots of floral notes, some melon and beeswax, and a slight honey finish.
2006 John Duval Wines Plexus (Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley) - 89 Points The nose had barnyard and lots of black fruit. There was also a little perfume, tar, smoke, and vanilla. The palate had black currant and black cherry, pepper, tar, and smoke. It finished with a bit of oak.
2006 J.L. Chave Sélection St. Joseph Offerus (France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph) - 88 Points The nose had forest floor, cherry, smoke, and a little oak. The palate had cherry and barnyard, smoke, and a vanilla finish.
2006 Gilles Robin Crozes-Hermitage Papillon (France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage) - 87 Points The nose had sweet cherry, raspberry, pepper, and floral notes. The palate had earth, sour cherry, raspberry, and pepper.
2003 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant (USA, California) - 87 Points The nose had black currant and cherry, pepper, oak, and some floral notes toward the end. The palate had cherry and pepper, raspberry, and a bit of oak. It finished a little hot.
2005 Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas Blanc (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) - 87 Points A fairly interesting wine. The nose had lemon and apple, some grass and floral notes, and a bit of petrol at the end. The palate was pretty funky, with citrus and grass. It finished with some petrol.
2003 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) - 84 Points The nose had black currant and smoke, pepper and cherry, and some tar at the end. The palate had bitter tannins. There was some cherry, smoke, tar, and pepper.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The populist charade
The claim that the Tea Party protests represent a grassroots movement is a fraud
To the extent that the GOP has regained momentum and the tea party movement does get a hearing among ordinary people, it's most of all because Obama and the Democrats have given up so much ground.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Catholic Church's web of deceit
Revelations about the role of Pope Benedict in the covering up the sexual and physical abuse of children within the Catholic Church.
As new allegations continue to emerge, it becomes clear that the pattern of evasion, obstruction and cover-up reflects the instructions of the Vatican, and specifically of the Pope. The case against Benedict for collusion in child sex-abuse is much stronger than the case against a number of Irish bishops who have been forced to resign.
Confederate (Distortion of) History Month
It's criminal that Virginia's governor could promote a version of the state's history that neglects to mention the horrific crime of slavery
In the conservatives' claims that the Civil War was about "independence" or "states' rights," the "rights" they defend are the rights to own other human beings, to torture them into performing labor, and to kill them if they tried to resist or run away.
The Goldman Sachs indictment
This particular Goldman Sachs shake-down operation was by no means an aberration. It was only a fairly flagrant example of the criminality that pervades the American financial and corporate elite.
CEO Lloyd Blanfein and other Goldman executives, as well as John Paulson—who was not named in the SEC indictment—are, in fact, criminals. They should be criminally prosecuted and held legally accountable for their violations of the law and their crimes against society.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Sparklers and Pinot
Sparklers and Pinot
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, April 17, 2010 by mmurry (Edit)
Flight 1
NV Duval-Leroy Champagne Brut (France, Champagne) - 90 Points The nose had fresh baked bread, apples, floral notes, and some spice at the end. The palate was very juicy, with apple, yeast, citrus, floral notes, and a good spicy finish.
NV Jean Lallement Champagne Brut Grand Cru (France, Champagne, Verzenay, Champagne) - 90 Points The nose had burnt rubber and flowers, spice and berries, and some yeast at the end. The palate had quite a bit of weight for a Champagne. It had spice and earth, some apple and citrus, and a very floral finish.
NV Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley (USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley) - 89 Points The nose had nuts and pear, some spice, and just a touch of yeast. The palate was crisp and clean, with very nice acidity. It had pear, bread, spice, and a nice nutty finish.
NV Sant Sadurní d'Anoia Cava Vega Barcelona Brut Reserva (Spain, Catalunya, Cava) - 89 Points The nose had apple and bread, but it was pretty tight. There was a tiny bit of spice at the end. The palate was crisp and clean, with very good acidity. It had a bunch of apple and yeast, some spice, and nice citrus finish.
2008 Pine Ridge Pinot Noir Forefront (USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley) - 86 Points The nose had pomegranate and raspberry, cherry, and a little forest floor. The palate was rich and fruity, with cherry, raspberry, and a slightly bitter finish.
Flight 2
2006 Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Le Corton (France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru) - 93 Points The nose had lots of forest floor and red berries, earth and herbs, and a lots of game finish. The palate had loads of sour cherry, some earth and game, and a good raspberry finish.
2000 Colin Champagne Grand Cru (France, Champagne) - 91 Points The nose had fresh baked bread and lemon, some spice and pear, and a little citrus at the end. The palate was rich and crisp, with apple and citrus, yeast, and a good spicy finish.
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, April 17, 2010 by mmurry (Edit)
Flight 1
NV Duval-Leroy Champagne Brut (France, Champagne) - 90 Points The nose had fresh baked bread, apples, floral notes, and some spice at the end. The palate was very juicy, with apple, yeast, citrus, floral notes, and a good spicy finish.
NV Jean Lallement Champagne Brut Grand Cru (France, Champagne, Verzenay, Champagne) - 90 Points The nose had burnt rubber and flowers, spice and berries, and some yeast at the end. The palate had quite a bit of weight for a Champagne. It had spice and earth, some apple and citrus, and a very floral finish.
NV Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley (USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley) - 89 Points The nose had nuts and pear, some spice, and just a touch of yeast. The palate was crisp and clean, with very nice acidity. It had pear, bread, spice, and a nice nutty finish.
NV Sant Sadurní d'Anoia Cava Vega Barcelona Brut Reserva (Spain, Catalunya, Cava) - 89 Points The nose had apple and bread, but it was pretty tight. There was a tiny bit of spice at the end. The palate was crisp and clean, with very good acidity. It had a bunch of apple and yeast, some spice, and nice citrus finish.
2008 Pine Ridge Pinot Noir Forefront (USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley) - 86 Points The nose had pomegranate and raspberry, cherry, and a little forest floor. The palate was rich and fruity, with cherry, raspberry, and a slightly bitter finish.
Flight 2
2006 Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Le Corton (France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru) - 93 Points The nose had lots of forest floor and red berries, earth and herbs, and a lots of game finish. The palate had loads of sour cherry, some earth and game, and a good raspberry finish.
2000 Colin Champagne Grand Cru (France, Champagne) - 91 Points The nose had fresh baked bread and lemon, some spice and pear, and a little citrus at the end. The palate was rich and crisp, with apple and citrus, yeast, and a good spicy finish.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The myth of the selfish workers
It's not enough that we win; everyone else must lose.
...the system of private property is seen as natural under a capitalist society. But in the feudal societies that existed in Europe until a few hundred years ago, it was "natural" that property should be claimed by a hereditary monarch and assorted aristocratic hangers-on. And when explorers from those societies journeyed to the "New World," they encountered Native American societies that couldn't comprehend why control of property should be anything but collective.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
V.I.P. Spanish Tasting
V.I.P. Spanish Tasting
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Sunday, April 11, 2010
Flight 1 (11 Notes)
NV Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Unico Reserva Especial 1990 1991 1994 (Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero) - 95 Points The nose had lots of perfume, some burnt forest, minerals, spice, and black fruit. The palate was very smooth, and had blackberry and spice, burnt wood, smoke, and a finish of black currant and spice.
NV Bodegas Hidalgo Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Amontillado Viejo Pastrana (Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry) - 95 Points The nose had caramel and chocolate, nuts, and a little raisin. The palate was extremely nutty, but also had chocolate, caramel, and a little citrus on the finish.
2005 Celler Vall Llach Priorat IDUS (Spain, Catalunya, Priorat) - 92 Points The nose had tobacco and smoke, and a lot of dark fruit. The palate had a sweetness to it, with good acid and heavy dark fruit. The tannins were a little harsh, but it had a nice chocolate flavor that brought it all together.
NV Emilio Lustau Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Very Rare Oloroso Emperatriz Eugenia (Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry) - 92 Points The nose had raisin, caramel, and nuts. The palate had a load of hazel nuts, caramel, and a little raisin.
2004 Costers del Siurana Priorat Clos de L'Obac (Spain, Catalunya, Priorat) - 92 Points The nose had pencil lead and plum, black currant, and a good amount of spice. The palate was soft, with black currant and spice, graphite, and a heavy shot of vanilla on the finish.
1990 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja) - 91 Points The nose had berry and citrus, plus a little stone. The palate had lots of minerals, citrus, and a nice minty finish.
2005 Bodegas y Viñedos Alión Ribera del Duero (Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero) - 91 Points The nose had blackberry and cherry, smoke, and a lot of mushroom and earth at the end. The palate was very rich, with blackberry, cherry, funk, and a big shot of oak on the finish.
2008 Bodegas Avanthia Valdeorras Avanthia (Spain, Galicia, Valdeorras) - 90 Points The nose had citrus, peach, orange, and a little stone at the end. The palate was very fruity. It had pear, peach, citrus, stone, and a great orange finish.
2004 Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja) - 90 Points The nose had cherry, spice, mocha, and a little leather. The palate had cherry, espresso, pepper, and a good earthy finish.
2005 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, Rioja) - 89 Points The nose had cedar and tobacco, cherry, earth, and just a touch of vanilla at the end. The tannins were a little harsh, but the palate did have good fruit, some minerals, and a nice earthy finish.
2005 Finca Sandoval Manchuela (Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Manchuela) - 89 Points The nose had blackberry and floral notes, dry earth, and crushed rock. The palate was very tannic, but had blackberry, oak, spice, and a nice earth finish.
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Sunday, April 11, 2010
Flight 1 (11 Notes)
NV Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Unico Reserva Especial 1990 1991 1994 (Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero) - 95 Points The nose had lots of perfume, some burnt forest, minerals, spice, and black fruit. The palate was very smooth, and had blackberry and spice, burnt wood, smoke, and a finish of black currant and spice.
NV Bodegas Hidalgo Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Amontillado Viejo Pastrana (Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry) - 95 Points The nose had caramel and chocolate, nuts, and a little raisin. The palate was extremely nutty, but also had chocolate, caramel, and a little citrus on the finish.
2005 Celler Vall Llach Priorat IDUS (Spain, Catalunya, Priorat) - 92 Points The nose had tobacco and smoke, and a lot of dark fruit. The palate had a sweetness to it, with good acid and heavy dark fruit. The tannins were a little harsh, but it had a nice chocolate flavor that brought it all together.
NV Emilio Lustau Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Very Rare Oloroso Emperatriz Eugenia (Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry) - 92 Points The nose had raisin, caramel, and nuts. The palate had a load of hazel nuts, caramel, and a little raisin.
2004 Costers del Siurana Priorat Clos de L'Obac (Spain, Catalunya, Priorat) - 92 Points The nose had pencil lead and plum, black currant, and a good amount of spice. The palate was soft, with black currant and spice, graphite, and a heavy shot of vanilla on the finish.
1990 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja) - 91 Points The nose had berry and citrus, plus a little stone. The palate had lots of minerals, citrus, and a nice minty finish.
2005 Bodegas y Viñedos Alión Ribera del Duero (Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero) - 91 Points The nose had blackberry and cherry, smoke, and a lot of mushroom and earth at the end. The palate was very rich, with blackberry, cherry, funk, and a big shot of oak on the finish.
2008 Bodegas Avanthia Valdeorras Avanthia (Spain, Galicia, Valdeorras) - 90 Points The nose had citrus, peach, orange, and a little stone at the end. The palate was very fruity. It had pear, peach, citrus, stone, and a great orange finish.
2004 Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja) - 90 Points The nose had cherry, spice, mocha, and a little leather. The palate had cherry, espresso, pepper, and a good earthy finish.
2005 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, Rioja) - 89 Points The nose had cedar and tobacco, cherry, earth, and just a touch of vanilla at the end. The tannins were a little harsh, but the palate did have good fruit, some minerals, and a nice earthy finish.
2005 Finca Sandoval Manchuela (Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Manchuela) - 89 Points The nose had blackberry and floral notes, dry earth, and crushed rock. The palate was very tannic, but had blackberry, oak, spice, and a nice earth finish.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Beauty and the Blend
Beauty and the Blend
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, April 10, 2010
Flight 1
2006 Burge Family Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre Olive Hill (Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley) - 91 Points The nose had earth and leather, spice, and some cherry at the end. the palate had blueberry and cherry, spice, leather, and a nice pepper finish.
2004 Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) - 90 Points
The nose had smoked meat and blackberry, coffee beans and chocolate, and some cherry towards the end. The palate was soft and juicy, with espresso and blackberry, smoke, cherry, and some dark chocolate on the finish.
2007 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Girard (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) - 90 Points The nose had fresh herbs and smoke, cherry, and some raw meat. The palate had a lot of pepper and cherry, with small amounts of smoke, herbs, and meat juice.
2007 Duckhorn Vineyards Decoy (USA, California, Napa Valley) - 89 Points The nose had mocha and blackberry, cherry, and a hint of vanilla at the end. The palate had a good amount of acid and tannins. It mainly had fruit, with just a little chocolate on the finish.
2006 Orin Swift Papillon (USA, California, Napa Valley) - 89 Points The nose was a bit tight. There was a little strawberry and vanilla, but not much else. The palate was very rich, with strawberry, cherry, spice, and a lot of tannins on the finish.
Flight 2
2007 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) - 92 Points The nose had blackberry and spice, earth and forest floor, and a bit of pepper at the end. The palate was rich and thick, with blackberry and pepper, earth, and a big shot of oak at the end. This wine is way too young and tannic, but still tasty.
2006 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle (USA, California, Napa Valley) - 89 Points The nose had cherry and coffee, chocolate and earth, and some vanilla at the end. The palate was a bit tannic, but did have cherry, earth, and a big hit of oak on the finish.
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, April 10, 2010
Flight 1
2006 Burge Family Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre Olive Hill (Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley) - 91 Points The nose had earth and leather, spice, and some cherry at the end. the palate had blueberry and cherry, spice, leather, and a nice pepper finish.
2004 Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) - 90 Points
The nose had smoked meat and blackberry, coffee beans and chocolate, and some cherry towards the end. The palate was soft and juicy, with espresso and blackberry, smoke, cherry, and some dark chocolate on the finish.
2007 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Girard (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) - 90 Points The nose had fresh herbs and smoke, cherry, and some raw meat. The palate had a lot of pepper and cherry, with small amounts of smoke, herbs, and meat juice.
2007 Duckhorn Vineyards Decoy (USA, California, Napa Valley) - 89 Points The nose had mocha and blackberry, cherry, and a hint of vanilla at the end. The palate had a good amount of acid and tannins. It mainly had fruit, with just a little chocolate on the finish.
2006 Orin Swift Papillon (USA, California, Napa Valley) - 89 Points The nose was a bit tight. There was a little strawberry and vanilla, but not much else. The palate was very rich, with strawberry, cherry, spice, and a lot of tannins on the finish.
Flight 2
2007 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) - 92 Points The nose had blackberry and spice, earth and forest floor, and a bit of pepper at the end. The palate was rich and thick, with blackberry and pepper, earth, and a big shot of oak at the end. This wine is way too young and tannic, but still tasty.
2006 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle (USA, California, Napa Valley) - 89 Points The nose had cherry and coffee, chocolate and earth, and some vanilla at the end. The palate was a bit tannic, but did have cherry, earth, and a big hit of oak on the finish.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
New US nuclear doctrine targets Iran, North Korea
The new Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) issued by the Pentagon Tuesday is being hailed by the Obama administration’s apologists as a step towards global nuclear disarmament. It is nothing of the kind.
The document lays out a rationale that would justify the use of nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear state for the first time since the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Iran and North Korea are singled out as potential targets.
The New York Times fingers whistleblower WikiLeaks
The release of video footage Monday showing cold-blooded murder committed by US military forces on the streets of eastern Baghdad in July 2007 has evoked widespread outrage and horror.
The New Yorker posted a piece April 5 by Raffi Khatchadourian which points out that the operation contravened the army’s rules of engagement on at least four grounds: proportionality; positive identification of the targets as combatants; “command culture” (the helicopter crew falsified the situation on the ground, exaggerating or inventing threats, and their commander accepted their claims without question); and the firing on the wounded.
All this may be very well, but the New York Times has other concerns. Its article is headlined, rather ominously, “Iraq Video Brings Notice to a Web Site.” It might be entitled, “New York Times Fingers a Web Site.”
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Oil companies 1, Environment 0
The Obama administration has given the go-ahead to offshore oil drilling--despite the risk to the land, water and wildlife along hundreds of miles of U.S. coastline.
However heavily considered the decision was, the Obama administration has given the go-ahead for what could be a tremendous danger to millions of acres of U.S. coastlines.
When miners' lives come last
Alan Maass reports on the West Virginia mine blast that killed at least 25 miners.
But like the other big mining companies, Massey rarely pays the full value of these penalties--if they pay anything at all.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Easter Wine
Easter Wine
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, April 03, 2010
Flight 1
2005 Domaine Rieflé Pinot Gris Steinert (France, Alsace, Westhalten, Alsace Grand Cru AOC) - 90 Points
The nose had honey coated tropical fruits, some peach, and a little spicy citrus towards the end. The palate had a smoky, honey flavor on top of the tropical fruit and orange. The finish was somewhat spicy and had good acidity.
2007 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Italy, Tuscany, Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) - 89 Points
The nose had a bunch of leather and cherry, with some spice at the end. The palate had lots of cherry with some leather, licorice, and spice on the finish.
2005 Ferraton Père & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Le Parvis" (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) - 89 Points
The nose had tobacco and wet earth, plum, and some burnt wood. The palate was soft, and had plum and earth, and a good tobacco finish.
2007 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast) - 88 Points
A really fruity nose of pomegranate, plum, and cherry. There was also some nutmeg and damp earth. The palate was the exact opposite of the nose. There was earth and upfront with cherry and plum underneath. The acid was pretty strong on the finish.
2008 Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) - 86 Points
The nose had lots of strawberry and chocolate, some cherry and earth, and a bid shot of vanilla at the end. The palate had cherry and mocha, earth, and a big shot of vanilla on the finish.
Flight 2
2006 W.H. Smith Pinot Noir Maritime (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast) - 91 Points
The nose had earthy cherry, spice, and a nice shot of herbs. The palate was soft and had a lot of cherry. It also had earth, and herbs, and a pretty good oak finish.
2007 Livio Felluga Collio Terre Alte (Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Collio) - 89 Points
The nose had apple and pear, and some stone. The palate was crisp with good acid. It had lots of apple, with a touch of pear. The finish had good minerality.
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, April 03, 2010
Flight 1
2005 Domaine Rieflé Pinot Gris Steinert (France, Alsace, Westhalten, Alsace Grand Cru AOC) - 90 Points
The nose had honey coated tropical fruits, some peach, and a little spicy citrus towards the end. The palate had a smoky, honey flavor on top of the tropical fruit and orange. The finish was somewhat spicy and had good acidity.
2007 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Italy, Tuscany, Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) - 89 Points
The nose had a bunch of leather and cherry, with some spice at the end. The palate had lots of cherry with some leather, licorice, and spice on the finish.
2005 Ferraton Père & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Le Parvis" (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) - 89 Points
The nose had tobacco and wet earth, plum, and some burnt wood. The palate was soft, and had plum and earth, and a good tobacco finish.
2007 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast) - 88 Points
A really fruity nose of pomegranate, plum, and cherry. There was also some nutmeg and damp earth. The palate was the exact opposite of the nose. There was earth and upfront with cherry and plum underneath. The acid was pretty strong on the finish.
2008 Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) - 86 Points
The nose had lots of strawberry and chocolate, some cherry and earth, and a bid shot of vanilla at the end. The palate had cherry and mocha, earth, and a big shot of vanilla on the finish.
Flight 2
2006 W.H. Smith Pinot Noir Maritime (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast) - 91 Points
The nose had earthy cherry, spice, and a nice shot of herbs. The palate was soft and had a lot of cherry. It also had earth, and herbs, and a pretty good oak finish.
2007 Livio Felluga Collio Terre Alte (Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Collio) - 89 Points
The nose had apple and pear, and some stone. The palate was crisp with good acid. It had lots of apple, with a touch of pear. The finish had good minerality.
March jobs report points to protracted US downturn
The US economy gained 162,000 jobs last month, the most in three years, according to the latest figures from the Labor Department. Far from a recovery, however, the figures reveal a stagnant economy with mass long-term unemployment and a continual decline in wages.
Far from creating jobs, the Obama administration’s program is to foster an economic environment with high unemployment, low social spending, and falling wages. This is done in the direct interest of boosting the profits of corporations.
Former IAEA chief: Iraq war killed “a million innocent civilians”
The former head of the UN’s chief nuclear agency, Mohammed ElBaradei, said in an interview with the British newspaper Guardian Wednesday that those who launched the war in Iraq were responsible for killing a million innocent people and could be held accountable under international law.
This suggestion that Bush and Blair were guilty of war crimes, coming from a high-ranking former UN official, would ordinarily be considered major news. The Guardian interview was reported by the main British and French news agencies, Reuters and AFP, but the entire American corporate media gave it zero coverage. Not a single major American newspaper or television network mentioned it.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Obama’s Afghan visit: laying down the law to a US puppet
The recent visit by President Barack Obama to Afghanistan, and its subsequent coverage in the American media, have helped clarify the nature of Washington’s relationship to the Kabul regime.
What did the US president tell Karzai during their discussions Sunday night? Did he remind the Afghan leader that the American government and military had installed him in power in December 2001? Did he point to the billions of dollars in US aid that had flown into Kabul since that time, much of it ending up in the pockets of Karzai’s relatives and cronies? Did he threaten the Afghan president, or even hint that he might end up like Ngo Dinh Diem, the Vietnamese president of South Vietnam, and long-time US asset, assassinated in a CIA-organized coup in 1963?
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