Alexander Valley Vineyards Two Barrel Syrah/Cab Sauv 2001 - U.S.A.

The 2001 Alexander Valley Vineyard Two Barrel Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon is true to the Alexander Valley Vineyard style. It is deep, dark, lush, and hedonistic. A hypothetical blend of a top notch Australian Shiraz and a great California Cabernet, its bouquet is redolent with the scents and savor of black fruits, cassis, eucalyptus, wood smoke and vanilla. Dense and masculine, this extroverted charmer is not without backbone. It possesses a substantial strength and tannin, but remains impeccably balanced, with plenty of up front fruit and subtle complexity. Wearing a regal purple robe and a long finish that lingers gleefully in the mouth, the 2001 Alexander Valley Vineyards Two Barrel Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon has everything going for it, including a boatload of flavor, an expressive textured feel, and one of the finest vintages to date in Alexander Valley. This all bodes well for the further development of this outstanding offering, which would repay us handsomely, if we could put in cellar and keep our hands off of it for a few years. Serve it at cellar temperature (55°-60°) or at cool room temperature (65°) depending upon the weather. The warmer it is out, the cooler we suggest you serve this wine.

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Rockbare McLaren Vale Chardonnay 2002 - Australia

With the color of pale straw and a sparkle, the 2002 Rockbare Chardonnay sets the stage for the complex aromatics that leap from the glass. Many on the tasting panel perceive peach, mango, and pear tones in the nose, while others subscribe to lime, passion fruit, and pineapple as the dominant aromatic profile. In addition, a crisp Chablis-like minerality, complete with steel, lemon and hints of tangerine, emerges in the bouquet and on the palate to dispel any notion that subtle complexity is merely elusive. This medium-bodied wine finishes well, too, with just the right amount of acidity and a hint of oak. Rarely, does a Chardonnay elicit so many different perceptions from the tasting panel, but this offering from Rockbare has a lot of good things going on it. It is easy to see why critics have so quickly become enamored of Rockbare wines; recently, the 2002 Rockbare Chardonnay has garnered high praise from all corners of the globe. We suggest serving this versatile Chardonnay fairly well chilled (about 40º F), and then allowing it to warm gradually as it sits in the glass. In this manner, the taster is most likely to catch all of the nuance and latent goodness the 2002 Rockbare McLaren Vale Chardonnay has to offer.

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