Having been on sabbatical for the last 2 weeks

[winoweenie]

Well the 4 wines we took were the 04 Tinto Cao. Definately a food wine. Aromas of strawberry and blueberries with loads of floral hints and high acidity. 12 bucks with the max wine club discount. Next came the 05 Grenache. Made from vines over 100 years old planted in the McDowell Valley these small berry, intense grapes, produce some killer wines. Nose highlites berries,straw-blue-and black, with ground black pepper and cinnamon framed around loads of floral notes. Really good stuff. 14.40 WC. Next we did the 04 Wine Club Pinot. Made from 20 year old vines from the Santa Cruz Mtns. this is definately a wione drinkers Pinot. Lots of stuff going on but definately accessible now and should improve somewhat with 24. Berries, cherries, and roses on the nose and the palate gives all of these plus some forest floor. 27.20 WC. Lastly was the 03 SCM Pinot. The last vintage from their original vineyard (Jarvis) these 30 year old vines had become extremely shy-bearing so the vineyard was sold in 04 and the new owners completely re-planted. This 03 SCMV Pinot has it all. This incredible property produced some profound Pinots and even tho this was blended with some juice from a nearby vineyard the end result is one kick-patootie bottle of juice. Decanted for 14 hours then poured back into the bottle the nose was huge. While pouring into the decanter my family room was filled with black cherries, exotic spices, earth and flowers. The decanting gives some idea of the ageing potential of this beauty. 10-15 will bring a wealth of riches. Fun day and what a way to end a sabbatical! 30.40 WC.Oh by the by for you number fellers, the Cao was 12.5%, the Grenache was 13.5% the 04 Piont was 14.4% and the 03 Pinot was 12.5%. Am reordering the last 3 wines today. WW