Dunham Cellars Semillon 2001 "Shirley Mays" Columbia Valley

This was Eric Dunham's first "Shirley Mays" bottling; he's since produced three more, though 2004. Some of the proceeds benefit breast cancer research, so everybody wins- we get a great wine, and help a great cause. We've had this in the cellar for a long time, a bit too long it seemed. There wasn't a lot of fruit flavor, leaving a wine that tasted more like a strongly oaked mineral-driven chardonnay than a semillon. Still tasty, but I think it's a bit past its peak.

Yalumba Shiraz 2002 Barossa

This is one for the 'bigger the better' crowd. Huge, jammy, delicious. It manages to steer clear of the strongly port-like flavors that sometimes turn me off, showing fresher flavors of black cherries. There are a ton of other subtle overtones as well- plenty of dark, smoky, rich spices.

Babich Sauvignon Blanc 2004 Marlborough

Classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Bright citrus flavors, with lingering grassy notes. I'm really bad at judging this style of wine; almost all are deliciously thirst quenching, so I end up remembering many interchangeably (and always in a positive light). This was a pizza wine; not the best pairing, but it held up surprisingly well.

Chehalem Chardonnay 2001 Willamette Valley

I felt bad opening this the day after the Owen Roe. Chehalem is one of our favorites, and I felt like I was putting it into a bit of an unfair fight. It fared better than I thought it would, though it's a completely different style of wine (despite being the same clone from the same region of Oregon). This chardonnay is light, bright, clean, and fruity, with light oak. The finish falls off quickly, a big change from the Owen Roe. This could be partially due to our keeping this in the cellar for a bit too long- I think it would have been better a couple years ago.

Owen Roe Chardonnay 2002 Willamette Valley

This is a fantastic chardonnay. Huge flavors from the moment it hits your mouth, bright acid, interesting mineral, strong but appropriate oak. Powerful right through a surprisingly long finish. Not as fruity as some, but I don't see that as a flaw in this case. This bottle began a run of Beck and I drinking five wines within a week- no special occasions, just a lot of good wine.

Seghesio Zinfandel 2003 Sonoma County

Not my favorite zin. Strong acidity led directly into rough tannins, hiding most of the fruit I hope for when I open a bottle of zinfandel. Perhaps I simply opened it too early. We had this after catching Jill walking past our house after a trip to the library. She joined us for wine and a nice mushroom/sun-dried tomato risotto.

Selene Sauvingnon Blanc Carneros "Hyde Vineyards" 2002

Clean, balanced, pretty. Not nearly as acidic (or distinctive) as many New Zealand SBs, but this one showed class, with quite a bit of richness (malolactic fermentation? neutral oak?), and a pleasing zing at the finish. Had this with Josh and his parents.