OK OK, I know its been a while since the last update. I need to make a living you know!

So, I received two bottles of wine gratis from Walker Family Vinyards. Both wines are 2008 from the Santa Barbara area of Santa Maria. Those of you who know me, know I dont post a review if I dont l like it. I like this wine, both are easy to drink, and represent the varietal well.

The Chardonay had a beautiful golden color, bright  and lively. When I took out of the cooler it was a bit too cold. It was nice to drink but just too cold. After the glass warmed a bit the flavors really came around. The predominate flavor noticed here was of vanilla. It was really a nice treat with the cheese and crackers we had. Using a new scale out of 20 I gave this a 14. Here is a bit on the scale
1-5  Just plain undrinkable, real crap
6-8  Maybe a box wine
9-12 Good enough to bottle but with noticable issues (daily drinker or end of the night bottle)
13-16 Wine that is good no issues all points are hit (share with friends and not worry about price, generally)
17-20 Must be an outstading representative of the varietal (or I just love it!)

The Pinot Noir was better than expected and a true joy to drink. The nose was light, fruits and a smidge of earth tones. The color was a medium redish color. The flavor of strawberry cames to mind most, making for a soft fruit and nose. It opened up well from the bottle and contiued to drink fine through out. This is defnitly a great region for pinot noir and Walker produced a nice one. This wine on the new scale hit 16 on the scale. Not quite outstanding, but will be in on the menu in nicer restaurants and be a great pick at dinner with friends. Its in the mid $30 range and one I will keep in the house.

OK gang this is one big bottle of wine! The deep dark red is just awesome, the big dark, dark black berry, a bit of anise and crazy long tannic finish are really something. This is not for the faint of heart, this is for that person that really like BIG CABS. Sure you could open this up in the morning, decant it, drink with dinner. That could take a bit of the edge off. Maybe lay it down a few years, but who can wait.

I suggest a big piece of meat, maybe a vinturi to take some edge off.But the balance is so good its really worth drinking as it is right now. Its about $60 as a club member, which I strongly suggest.

Yep, this was a great bottle of wine. It came to my wife and I at the end of the evening. Walked in the cellar and pulled out this bottle. I wasnt sure where it came from, I didnt recall buying it. n

What we found was a great ruby red color with a beautiful nose and flavor much like cherry liquor, not hot but had that flavor. The tannins were soft and pretty easy to drink, filling the mouth with flavor and balance. While the ever so soft spice made you know this was pinot.

I have to say we both loved this bottle. So I hit theweb to find the price, and found this bad boy to be around $75 on average some lower some higher. So this is playing in the uperside of pinot's ville. But was awesome. I would put this into the mid 90s on a rating.

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How about this, small productions wines at a reasonable price, that are enjoyable to drink. James David Cellars Syrah.

I was fortunate enough to receive two bottles of 2005 Syrah from James David Cellars. The first is the Central Coast Syrah priced at $21. 350 cases. This was bottled in May of 2009 so perhaps needed to settle in the bottle a bit. I nly say that as there was a hint of green, that disapated with time open. Its a deep dark red, with a slight cherry aroma on the nose. The first taste I got a berry from cherry to boysenberry and just a hint of green apple on the finish. Not a heavy long lasting tannin on the finish, just an easy to drink wine. The balance on the fruit against the acid was great. Making for nice drinking wine. I would let this sit for a while, see what characters come out of the fruit.

The 2005 Eagle Point Ranch Mendocino at $24 120 cases. is also priced great. Much like the first, but the next step forward. Good dark color, the nose pops a bit more with a moss and spice, The fruit is bigger and darker more blackberry. and the tannin on the finish last longer and is more present.

Either bottle would make a great addition to your summer ending events with friends!

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How cool it was to drink this alongside the Bridesmaid. With Pam Starr involved in both, so many saying that the less expensive Bridesmaid was as good. OK, the Bridesmaid is real good. But this is Amazing!

The color is a deep dark purple and ruby color. Perfect. The nose is a beautiful blackberry, a floral hint in the background, just wonderful. When you swirl it, the color and nose just really rings out and you cant wait to get to you mouth. It has this cool, smooth blackberry flavor, the fruit is so well balanced in the glass, it opens up after each glass it got better.

As great as the fruit is, the finish is the key. Its long, deep, dense, mouth covering, perfect tannins even now at its young age, maybe a tinge of minerals. I know I am gushing, but this was just one of those treats. Three of us split a bottle, then another. We couldn't help ourselves.

Yep, its $89. If you ready for a treat and want to spend a little extra on a wine that is getting 93-95 points from more famous wine reviewers, try it.

Here is a true California red wine. The Bridesmaid. This is a blend of wines from Pam Starr and Drew Neiman. Both these winemakers have wine selling near $100 a bottle ( Neiman Cellars, Kongsgaard, Spottswood, Crocker & Starr ) This is a Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc Big stuff here.

Dark Dark Dark color, juicy berry nose, bit of oak. It looks and smells wonderful. The taste is a rich deep dark juicy fruit, licorice and black cherry cola, chocolate. Oak and toast come out of the Napa monster of a wine. The long lasting tannins on this wine are great. All your friends who say they like big, fruity, tannic, Napa Cabs, this is the wine. The price is right on and man is it good.

Bought a couple and they are already gone, this is one of those bottles you have to share.

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Check this out, $12 cabernet! Woo Hoo! I like this price and enjoyed this bottle of wine. I know what your thinking a $12 bottle, it has to be green tasting, pale red, listless. Its not actually. It says Napa, and assume mostly from Alexander Valley area.

It has a great dark ruby red color! OK full points on the look. The aroma is a soft sort of plum and black cherry aroma, leaning more to the plum for me. The tannins are light and a bit tart. The fruit is not big and its also a bit plum like with a bit of berry, I would have liked to have more fruit. There is also a spice to it that is actually quite nice. The finish of this wine is ok, but does not linger.This is one of those wines you can pull out at a party, a case is only like $140.

Your wine snobs will not be thrilled by this. However, your everyday wine drinker will not be offended and your occasional wine drinking friends will be happy with the choice. While this may only score in the mid 80s lets say, its still quite drinkable and one to consider when hosting a dinner party or you just want a simple daily drinker.