Weingut Niklaserhof Sudtiroler Lagrein 2005. My first real experience with lagrein. Darkish red-black in color. White pepper and plum on the nose. I need to expand my "repertoir" of tasting note descriptors, because I'm not sure what fruit I would name here! I'm going to say "red plum," with refreshing acidity and that wonderful white pepper providing a nice touch. Slight bitter note on the finish. This is one of those wines, like some Cru Beaujo Saint Joseph, and even, in my humble experience, better Malbecs, that can be best described as very "juicy" in character. quite mouthwatering and delicious. 90 points.
Ah...I see on K&L wines they use the term "resinous" to describe another Lagrein. That fits!
2005 Darioush Napa Valley Merlot. Bleh. Too, too much for me. I can appreciate the quality of the fruit, but it is just too ripe-definitely the black plum side of things. Falling off the plum trees ripe. Oak. Lots and lots and lots of oak, with a somewhat harsh woody note coming through. Also, the wine is just too sweet. Very sweet, with the vanilla shining through beneath the woody notes. Not my cup of tea at all, even though it was very popular with others at WineStyles last night. It's also quite expensive-someone has to pay for the Temple to the Supermarket Owner's Ego on Silverado Trail.
79 points.