Dinner in the garden again (no telling how long we'll be able to do it before the autumnal rains begin, so we try to take every opportunity).
Mixed BBQ with the following wines (the starter was a modest Southern French Rose that doesn't warrant a note, but great with assorted munchies):
1997 Mission Hill Oculus - a product of a local large, flashy winery. A blend of 50% cab sauv, 45% merlot and 5% cab franc. Dark and purple with lots of fruit, but very hard to place (we tasted this on blind, the others not). Smooth, ready, clean and balanced with some anise and cocoa. Not bad for a local product.1997 Franus Brandlin Ranch Mt. Veeder Zinfandel - never sure how to pronounce this maker - hopefully with a short 'a'.... Another fairly dark wine with a quite briary, spicy nose, not showing too hot despite the 14.6% alcohol. Very nice match with cheese.
1994 St. Francis Old Vines Sonoma Zin - a mere wimp with only 14.5% alcohol. More depth here and a riper nose. Concentrated and ripe in the mouth, and the oak, always an SF trait, kicks in late right at the end rather than the more usual up front and in the nose presentation. This wine is still drinking well and also complemented the Sardinian Pecorino and Reggiano we were eating