Volume 33, Issue 1: November 2008
SYRAH SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Syrah sales have slowed down just at the time when thousands of acres of new plantings have begun to come into full production. The result is a bit of confusion in the marketplace that has kept some prices low. But, the wines with good reputations keep succeeding and keep selling out, and Syrah remains a grape much in demand when the quality is right. MERLOT SUBSCRIBERS ONLY We are fond of saying that Merlot's death was greatly exaggerated, and the wines in this review provide evidence that the best claret-type wines for the money are found in Merlot. SPARKLING WINE SUBSCRIBERS ONLY It is fascinating to watch the California sparkling wine set move closer to European balance by using cooler area vineyards, even as France warms up and produces fruitier wines that come closer to California. Here are California's best. We will look at Champagne next month. Schramsberg 1989-2001 SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Tasting through Schramsberg wines going back as much as forty years reveals both that the best of them age quite well, and also show, better than a simple tasting of current wines, how the Schramsberg approach has improved over the years. Best Buys SUBSCRIBERS ONLY We know how to stretch your wine dollars because we have been searching out the best values in the marketplace from our very beginning. In this edition of Best Buys, we find fully recommendable Cabernet Sauvignons selling for less than $20.				SUBSCRIBERS ONLY CONNOISSEURS' FORUMS with edtiors Charles Olken and Stephen Eliot. · Rockblock & Oregon 2005 Swanson Merlot Napa Valley Oakville Big and bold in the nose with a wealth of ripe cherries tied to lots of very rich oak, this very solid Merlot is well-filled at every and all points and finds glimmers of tea-like complexity that are sure to intensify over time. It toughens a bit at the finish with a trim of Cabernet-like tannins taking hold, but this is one meant for keeping and looks to be a good bet for holding upwards of five or six years. $36.00 Score: 90