The name Gentil means that the blend has at least 50% Alsace noble varietals (Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat or Gewurztraminer). Maison Willm usually has 80-90% of these noble varietals with the rest Pinot Blanc. Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with peach notes and some minerality.  Light to medium body with a slightly creamy texture.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, this shows sour lemon drops which are quite refreshing.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own and will work with lighter salads and also fish dishes.  Drink over the next few years.  

An unusual blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Tannat, 13% Grenache and 3% Syrah from Paso Robles.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has black raspberries, cassis, char, black cherries and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is deep.  A bit chunky with cassis, black raspberries and black cherries with underlying  char.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Delicious on its own, this would be a great wine with a steak.  It will need big food.  

Impressive showing for this wine which seems to be just getting close to peak.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, dried cherries, forest floor and balsamic.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great acidity.  On the palate, this has layers of complexity.  Cherries, dried cherries, dried leaves, and spice.  Complex.  Delicious.  Long finish.  Lovely on its own, but better with food.  What's your favorite mushroom pasta dish?  It went well with a creamy mushroom pasta.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

The Vouvray's of Huet are my most often opened white wine.  100% Chenin Blanc.  This vintage seems to be not a top vintage but the wine is still excellent and a nice value.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with pears, sea air, some orange peel and slight herbal note.  Medium bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  Crisp acidity.  On the palate, this is dry (Sec) with pears and slight citrus.  Moderate finish.  This improved over the three  hours it took to drain the bottle (two people).  It should drink well for the next ten to fifteen years.  Nice on its own, it is very

This is a mid level offering from the vast portfolio of Tablas Creek.  It is a blend of 43% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 19% Counoise, 5% Mourvedre and seems to be their counter-part to a high level Cotes du Rhone.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, black raspberries, black pepper, char, plums and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  Lively acidity.  On the palate, black cherries and black raspberries with some char and spice.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another seven to ten years.  Nice on its own, i

Obviously way too young, but, this was open and delicious.  For about an hour or so, and then shut down tight.  We recorked and sampled over the next couple nights.  Day 2.  Still shut down.  Day 3.  Drinking well and the bottle was drained.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, gravel, char and spice.  Thick tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, loads of boysenberry fruit with underlying char.  Deep but like looking into a bottomless hole.  Long finish.  Not sorry to have tried it, but the remaining bottles will need a rest.  Ideally, hold for ten years a

One of the few wines I buy b y the case.  Great wine, great value.  It is a blend of 76% Zinfandel, 11% Carignan, 5% Petite Sirah, 4% Grenache, 3% Cinsault, and 1% Assorted Mixed Varieties.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The  nose has black cherries, some black raspberries, spices and some "bramble".  Medium to full bodied.  Lively acidity.  On the palate, this is delicious and easy drinking.  Some depth.  Black cherries, some black raspberries and some char.  Good finish.  This is great on its own and will work well with everything from meat loaf to pizza to Pork Chops.  Drin

This is 100% Syrah from Fair Play, California (El Dorado County) and the Skinner Vineyard.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted meats, and slight black pepper.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Lovely slightly plush texture.  On the palate, this is still on the young side but quite tasty.  Flavors of black raspberries with some spice and earthiness.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and will work for meaty dishes but also roasted vegetables over rice.  Drink over the next seven to ten years. 

Golden/pink in color with a slight mousse of medium bubbles.  The nose  is  nice with minerals, oranges and some apples.  Medium bodied.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate some apple cider notes with a touch of sweetness.  Solid finish.  This is easy to drink and probably a bit better with some fried appetizers. Drink now.  

Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cigars, cherries and dust.  Full bodied.  Drying tannins.  On the palate, this is past peak but still showing a nice complexity.  Layers of cherry fruit with dried tobacco and slight forest floor.  Moderate finish.  Still plenty to like about this.  It would be better with food although somewhat contemplative on its own.  Lamb stew would be a good match.  drink up.