The Grid
The grid is the vintage/region chart which says where to injoy and where to avoid. It is meant simply as a summary of the advice given in the Tastings column. I really wish I had the time to try all these wines, but the demands of graduate school prevent me from indulging each night.
(The grid was supposed to be a region/vintage grid, but we'll just make a list for now...)
Last updated March 10th, 2006.
- American Merlot (under $20): AVOID!
- New Zealand Sauvingon Blanc (any price): INJOY!
- German Riesling (over $15): injoy two bottles (for variety).
Notable Notables
Wines that work outside the grid. Unfortunately, you must hunt for these and cannot trust the grid.
- Francis Ford Coppola -- Diamond (Blue) Label Merlot, 2003. $13
- Turning Leaf Vineyards -- "Costal Reserve" (North Coast) Merlot, 2002. $11
- Bonny Doon Vineyards -- "Big House Red." (I don't remember vintage.) $10
Recently Tasted
2006-03-17: Charles Shaw, 2001 Cabernet Sauvingon. Drinkable. Unrefined. Nize with my pasta. This is not a wine to contemplate.
2006-04-05 : Turner Road, Central Coast, 2003 Chardonnay. Eek! Run, don't walk away from this wine. It was like sugar and wood thrown together to make diluted tree sap. I suppose some people like tree zap.