Sunday Betsy was working, so I puttered around house before going over
to sisiter-in-law's for a party (I had dropped off my pickled shrimp
appetizer earlier). When I arrived, I spotted an almost empty Riesling
on the counter, and had the last of the 2004 Eugen Muller Forster
Mariengarten Kabinett (Pfalz). Too warm, but one could still spot an
excellent value wine. Lime and tropical fruit, good acidity in spite of
temperature, nice clean finish. B+/A-

Sadly, that was the wine of the afternoon, beating out

2004 Santi Pinot Grigio
OK for cheap PG, dry and crisp, but a bit dilute. B-

2004 Vina Alarba
Bigger and riper than say the equivalenty priced Borsao, ripe raspberry
and red plum fruit. Fruit-forward and party-friendly, but a little
short on finish. B

2003 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel
Good concentration, but overly sweet vanilla oak notes and jammy
blackberry fruit. Maybe a little hot. Popular with those that like
their wines to slap them in the face, though. Not badly made, just not
really my style. B

2004 Cortijo III Rioja
Light strawberry and cherry fruit, not much there. C+

I looked longingly at the Bourgogne Rouge that I brought, and someone
else's 2001 Damilano Barolo, but bad manners to open when host has
several bottles open.

With afternoon noshing, we had a late dinner last night, with roast
chicken with thyme butter, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and
salad. Wine was the 1998 Cap de Faugeres. I've seen reports that this
had gone to the great recycling bin in the sky, but reports are
exaggerated. Certainly mature,but not over the hill. Mouthfilling
blackcurrant and black plum fruit,
round lush fruit. A little cedar and earth, but this is really about
the fruit. Tannins are fully resolved, a nice wine that has done well
for the under$10 category. B+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.