Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2004 Johannisberg Riesling

(approx. $11/Bottle US)

My favorite White Wine

This one's for you Mark

Now, I'm definitely NOT into dry wines. This one, is an amazing white, crisp and fresh, a bit sweet but not too much.
I discovered this wine about a year ago, and it's wonderful in the summer, chilled while relaxing.

Here's what the winemaker has to say about it:

Winemaker's Notes
Our Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2003 Johannisberg Riesling has charming floral and fruit aromas and crisp, lightly sweet flavors. Enticing hints of spice and minerals mingle with the jasmine, pear, apple and melon notes. This grape variety develops its broadest spectrum of flavors in cool grape growing regions, such as Monterey County in California’s Central Coast appellation. Delicate and fragrant, our Johannisberg Riesling is a refreshing match to Pacific Rim cuisines, especially slightly salty or smoky dishes such as chicken teriyaki skewers. In its homeland, Germany, Johannisberg Riesling is classically matched with smoked trout. We also love it with salads, such as baby greens and prawns tossed with Roquefort dressing. In the summer, enjoy a chilled glass of Johannisberg Riesling with fresh strawberries and cheeses.
More notes can be found here.

Enjoy!

Chateau Prieure Lichine, 1999 Margaux

(approx. $24/bottle US)
This is my all-time favorite wine.
As I am a Bordeaux fan already, it should come as no surprise that a Margaux would be my favorite as they are so close in variety.
While 2000 Bordeaux's were the best, this 1999 is outstanding in flavor, texture and palate.
The story of how I got my first bottle may interest you:
My wife and I were going to Paris, and I knew I was going to see a friend there who collects an incredible amount of wine, I brought with me, a Merlot made here in Connecticut by the Haight Vineyards not far from where I live.
In return, my friend (Hubert) gave me a bottle of this wonderful wine to take home with me.
Well, when I got home, and my wife and I opened this bottle of ambrosia, both of our eyes bugged out! This wine took our breath away it was so good. Thus began my web search for this wine (unbelievably hard to find in the US). In the meantime, we opened a second bottle of the Haight Merlot that we had bought.
It was awful. I felt so bad, that I gave Hubert such an awful wine, and he gave me nectar from the Gods.....
This wine is made up of 34% merlot, 10% petit verdot, 56% cabernet sauvignon and displays red licorice aromas with hints of mocha and spice.

Well, a short time later, I found a place on Manhattan that had 3 cases of this wine. Though it was pretty expensive, my friend Aaron and I drove down there, picked up a case and brought it home.
I made myself a promise, not to drink more than one bottle a year, and so far... I've kept that promise!
This wine, if you can find it (and there is some in the US still available), sells for about $25 per bottle.

A wine taster online says about this wine:
First tasted Mar-00: dark deep purple. Ample black cherry fruit on nose. Quite elegant. Good balance with attractive smoky fruits. Firm structure. A bit fore-square but a pretty wine - pure and classy. (19/25) Tasted again in Nov-03: the nose is more austere than expected with smoky black fruits. Lacks a little vigour. The palate is very sweet with redcurrant and raspberry fruits. Chewy tannins.
More information about Chateau Prieure Lichine Margaux

Keep in mind, the tasting above was done when the wine was extremely young. This is an excellent wine for aging, as it gets better and better with each passing year. At about 20 years old, this wine will reach full maturity.

I hope you get to try some of this someday.. it's my #1 wine.
Here's a great link to information on Chateau Preiure Lichine

First Post

Well, this is a place where I'll begin (soon) posting about the wines I enjoy, as well as some my friends do too.

Keep in mind, wine tastes are subjective.. what I like, other people may not. On the other hand, I may just enjoy a gem that you might also find wonderful.

Enjoy, and feel free to leave a comment.

Dave Champagne