Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc: Well, I guess I'm feeling the alcohol, sure, but I was kind of hoping for just a little bit of pleasure in the taste before the onset du buzz. I suppose this is an ideal fraternity wine.
New Zealand riesling (Omaka Springs): Why is it that after all the Rieslings I've tasted, I keep returning to either Lingenfelder or Bonny Doon? Are they the only two wineries that know how to produce a decent Riesling? Or are they using a specific clone that is somehow more closely aligned with my tastes? OK, the Schloßgut Diel Dorsheimer Goldloch was fine, but too spritzig and overpriced. Am I doomed to forever try new Rieslings only to keep returning to $8 bottles that impress no one but myself?
Cline Côtes d'Oakley Vin Blanc: Well, this sure ain't a match for their red wine. $6 is a great price but I don't think they've left out any grape from this mixture, and it winds up tasting like a very sophisticated "My First White Wine by Kenner". I'd be happy to get drunk on this, but I was hoping to enjoy it before inebriation set in. At least it didn't give me a headache, that bottle. I can't say that for some of the crap I've downed this year.
Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon: I'm really sorry, but $30 California Cabernets just aren't my thing. Useless unless someone can see the label while you're drinking it; if they can't, just stick with the $4 Viña Tarapaca and enjoy more flavor for less outlay of capital. What a drag.
1999 Bonny Doon Pacific Rim Riesling: At some point last night I gave up and stuck this in the ice bucket. I'd opened three bottles already looking for something satisfying, and, well, those bottles are still in the fridge with less than a glass missing from each. The Riesling, however, is kaput. Empty. Gone. It didn't get as cold as I like it, and I was somewhat numbed by the Mumm, but at least I went to bed having drunk something I actually liked.
