I have been remiss in my notes lately due to work and drinking mostly uninteresting wines. Here's a bunch of wines I tried recently.
D'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne 2005 - Cologne nose. Light wine with fairly high acidity. Long but bitter finish. Nothing special.
Torres Milmanda Chardonnay 2006 - Soft, a little leafy. Good fruit. Lengthy, dry finish. Very good balance. Attractive wine.
Arboleda Carmenere 2006 - Very dark. Sweet, ripe fruit. A little spicy and smoky. Medium-rich. Soft on the palate but firms up on the moderately long finish. Ready to go. Not bad.
Chateau Grange-Neuve Pomerol 2004 - Soft. Classic cedar and pencil shavings nose. Barnyardy finish. Well made but unexciting.
Corte Giara Amarone 2005 - Rich espresso and plum nose and flavor. Quite tannic with a bitter edge on the finish. Needs more time. Good wine.
Alexander and Wayne Mille Delices Reserve 2003 - From Santa Ynez. 67% Cab Franc 33% Cab Sauv. Sweet nose. Arnie said it was corn-like. A bit hot. Not all that dark. Spicy and oaky. Needs food, otherwise the oak and alcohol just dominate it. Unbalanced. Not for me.