Went to a housewarming party last night for some good friends. One doesn't drink anymore, and her partner only has a glass now and then. So I didn't have high wine hopes. Amidst the Turning Leaf and Kendall Jacksons there were a couple of ok QPR wines like Jaboulet Parallele 45 and Columbia Crest CS, but I decided to try a couple of producers I had never heard of. The 2001 Michael Sullberg California Cabernet Sauvignon belonged in the "what, this is cabernet?" category. Flabby, red fruit flavors, dill/vanilla extract flavors. C
I had even less hopes for the 2001 Alazar California Merlot. A bit better than I expected, however - a hint of herbs amid the red fruit nose, decent plum and black cherry fruit. Nothing complex, but there's enough acidity there to make it somewhat food-friendly at least. There's something to be said for low expectations. B-
More unfamilar wines beckoned to me, but I retreated to the safety of the 1999 Antinori Santa Cristina. This is never going to be an exciting wine, but there's cherry fruit, moderate acidity, and a decent finish for a $7 wine. B/B-
Nice party, good food, even if wine wasn't exciting. Dale
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