Just before a recent cruise, I was busily scurrying amongst the streets
of San Francisco looking for a wine shop so that I could have a few
bottles to open while on board. I ran across the Cannery Wine Cellar on
a recommend from the hotel. There I met Suzanne Vigil, one of the most
idiosyncratic people that I have ever met.

I explained my wine preferences and got three bottles of totally unkown
stuff. All in all it was a good experience two were clear winners that I
would buy again the third was good enough, but nothing to get excited
over, though she certainly raved on about it.

Wes Mar 2002 Pinot Noir Russian River $35

Deep bright red color, cherry nose, velvety on the palate with bright
red fruit and well integrated oak. Soft tannins on the finish. Benefits
from an hour's breathing. I would buy this one again it was very
impresseive.

Kalin Cellars Livermore Valley Semillion '94 $24

This was the disappointment, althoug to be honest I thought it was a bit
old to be going into my purchase. all in all it came across like a full
bodied Pinot Grigiot. It was meant to go with Lobster and one taste led
me to remark, (with my wife echoing) I should have gone with the
Chablis.

Icaria Creek Winery Alexander Valley '99 $28.50

Long finish well integrated oak deep red dense soft velvety texture but
definite Cabernet flavors. This wine too was very nice and I certainly
could not have touched it for the $40 that I had invested with the
corkage fee (which went directly to the sommelier (as such)).

Both of the reds would merit purchase, the Semillion gets a pass.

How disappointing. I just had a bottle of that last night and really
enjoyed. Kalin wines are some of my favorites. All of their wines are
released after prolonged cellaring. They are just releasing the 1994
Chardonnay, 1996 Pinot Noir and 1995 Semillion.

In article >,
jcoulter > wrote:

> Just before a recent cruise, I was busily scurrying amongst the streets
> of San Francisco looking for a wine shop so that I could have a few
> bottles to open while on board. I ran across the Cannery Wine Cellar on
> a recommend from the hotel. There I met Suzanne Vigil, one of the most
> idiosyncratic people that I have ever met.
>
> I explained my wine preferences and got three bottles of totally unkown
> stuff. All in all it was a good experience two were clear winners that I
> would buy again the third was good enough, but nothing to get excited
> over, though she certainly raved on about it.
>
> Wes Mar 2002 Pinot Noir Russian River $35
>
> Deep bright red color, cherry nose, velvety on the palate with bright
> red fruit and well integrated oak. Soft tannins on the finish. Benefits
> from an hour's breathing. I would buy this one again it was very
> impresseive.
>
> Kalin Cellars Livermore Valley Semillion '94 $24
>
> This was the disappointment, althoug to be honest I thought it was a bit
> old to be going into my purchase. all in all it came across like a full
> bodied Pinot Grigiot. It was meant to go with Lobster and one taste led
> me to remark, (with my wife echoing) I should have gone with the
> Chablis.
>
> Icaria Creek Winery Alexander Valley '99 $28.50
>
> Long finish well integrated oak deep red dense soft velvety texture but
> definite Cabernet flavors. This wine too was very nice and I certainly
> could not have touched it for the $40 that I had invested with the
> corkage fee (which went directly to the sommelier (as such)).
>
> Both of the reds would merit purchase, the Semillion gets a pass.

Lawrence Leichtman > wrote in
:

> How disappointing. I just had a bottle of that last night and really
> enjoyed. Kalin wines are some of my favorites. All of their wines are
> released after prolonged cellaring. They are just releasing the 1994
> Chardonnay, 1996 Pinot Noir and 1995 Semillion.
>

The late releasewas explained and it could just be that I am not a fan
ofthe varietal, I have never had it alone before. Though golden in color it
did not seem over thehil so mujch as too buttery (do they do malo lactic?)
for my tastes.

To m y knowledge yes they do malolactic fermentation.

In article >,
jcoulter > wrote:

> Lawrence Leichtman > wrote in
> :
>
> > How disappointing. I just had a bottle of that last night and really
> > enjoyed. Kalin wines are some of my favorites. All of their wines are
> > released after prolonged cellaring. They are just releasing the 1994
> > Chardonnay, 1996 Pinot Noir and 1995 Semillion.
> >
>
> The late releasewas explained and it could just be that I am not a fan
> ofthe varietal, I have never had it alone before. Though golden in color it
> did not seem over thehil so mujch as too buttery (do they do malo lactic?)
> for my tastes.
>