Tsaiberspace

I haven't taken enough wine-tasting classes to be able to give descriptions in sommelier language. So instead, you get a very simple traffic-light-color-coded ratings scheme:

• Good. I would not hesitate to order this again.
• OK. I didn't mind it, but would probably try something else, if weighed against something new.
• Not Good. I didn't like it. I probably wouldn't try it again; there are so many wines and so little time.

Links go to blog entries.

Winery	Location	Varietal	Vintage	Price (750mL bottle)	Tasting Date
Rodney Strong	Northern Sonoma Valley, CA	Cabernet Sauvignon	2002	Giacomo's Restaurant, South End, Boston, MA	Sep 15 2005
Robert Mondavi	Napa Valley, CA	"Woodbridge" Cabernet Sauvignon	2002	$7.99, Shaw's Supermarket
d'Arenberg	McLaren Vale, AUSTRALIA	"The Dead Arm" Shiraz	2002	$72 (½-bottle, 375mL), Mistral Bistro, South End, Boston, MA	May 1 2006
Ridge Vineyards	Santa Cruz Mountains, CA	Cabernet Sauvignon	1998	Lango residence, Mountain View, CA	May 30 2006
Thomas Fogarty	Woodside, CA	Gewürztraminer	2004	Chow-Chen wedding, Thomas Fogarty Winery, Woodside, CA	June 3 2006
Thomas Fogarty	Woodside, CA	Merlot	2003	Chow-Chen wedding, Thomas Fogarty Winery, Woodside, CA	June 3 2006
Enat	Oakland, CA	Honey		$30, Berkeley, CA	Feb 24, 2007
Rosemount	Southeastern AUSTRALIA	Cabernet Sauvignon		$6.75 (glass), Xanh Restaurant, Mountain View, CA	May 30 2006
Gallo Family	Sonoma Valley, CA	Cabernet Sauvignon	2002	$9.29, Shaw's Supermarket	Jul 3 2005
William Hill	Napa Valley, CA	Cabernet Sauvignon	2000
Chicama Vineyards	Martha's Vineyard, MA	Summer Island Red	2005	$14, Chicama Vineyards	Jul 3 2006
Chicama Vineyards	Martha's Vineyard, MA	Chenin Blanc	2005	$14, Chicama Vineyards	Aug 15 2006
Chicama Vineyards	Martha's Vineyard, MA	Cranberry Satin	2005	$14, Chicama Vineyards	Jul 3 2006
Schloss Schonborn		Riesling	2002
Kendall Jackson	Sonoma Valley, CA	"Vintner's Reserve" Chardonnay	2004	$24, Joe's American Bar & Grill, Newbury St., Boston, MA	Mar 3 2006
Sutter Home	Napa Valley, CA	Pinot Grigio	2005	$10, Jim's Package Store, Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, MA	Jul 2 2006
Francis Coppola	Napa Valley, CA	"Blue Label" Merlot	2003	Furuta residence, Topsfield, MA	May 5 2006
Zaca Mesa	Santa Ynez Valley, CA	Syrah	2002	$24, Indian Oven Restaurant, San Francisco, CA	Feb 23, 2007
St. Supéry	Napa Valley, CA	Sauvignon Blanc	2000	$25 (½-bottle, 375mL), St. Supéry Winery, Rutherford, CA	May 13 2006
Glen Carlou	Paarl Valley, SOUTH AFRICA	Shiraz	2003	Olive's Restaurant, Charlestown, MA	Mar 18 2006
J. Lohr	Paso Robles, CA	"Seven Oaks" Cabernet Sauvignon	2003	$30, Martin House, Provincetown, RI	Apr 22 2006
Joseph Drouhin	Cote d'Or, Burgundy, FRANCE	Beaujolais		$14.99, Shaw's Supermarket
Robert Mondavi	Napa Valley, CA	"Private Selection" Cabernet Sauvignon	2002	$12.99, Shaw's Supermarket
Vendage		Cabernet Sauvignon	2002	$5.99, Shaw's Supermarket
Sutter Home	Napa Valley, CA	Chardonnay	2005	$10, Jim's Package Store, Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, MA	Jul 2 2006
Straccali	Tuscany, ITALY	Chianti (DOCG)	2003	$30, Sorento's, Boston, MA	Apr 21 2006
Chateau Greysac	Bordeaux, FRANCE	Cabernet Sauvignon	1994
Hess	Napa Valley, CA	"Select" Cabernet Sauvignon	2002	$13.99, Shaw's Supermarket
Little Penguin	Southeastern Australia	Merlot	2004	$6, Shaw's Supermarket

My general rules of thumb, derived from my observations of myself:

• Northern California (Napa, Sonoma) wines are good.
• Cabernet is good. It has a full, smooth texture, without the tartness or dryness I associate with Merlots, Chardonnays, and Zinfandels.
• "Mixed" wines are only OK. "Mixed" is my non-expert definition of wines that are composed of a blend of grapes and vintages. I think these are often labeled as "select" or "reserve" wines.