Jeff Clavier's Buzzlog

"Almost pure fruit" is the first thought you have when tasting that wine. We had it at "Straight Cafe", an Asian Fusion restaurant in Palo Alto. Whilst it lacks structure, it matched very well with my spicy dish (a spectacular Indonesian Paella).

One of the first serious Cabs I bought in auctions after moving to California, this Silverado 1991 Stag's Leap District allowed me to discover how Napa Valley wines were aging. Even though it is very good, which a nice balance of tanins and roundness, fruit flavors are one their decline and the wine needs to be drunk rather quickly. Even through 14 years is a very respectable age for a Cab, I am used to more body and fruit from older Bordeaux blends.
We did enjoy it very much though.
WS: 93

I have been looking for good value, good quality american Pinot Noir sfor a while, and have yet to find any of interest. This Echelon lacks balance and fruit, and is too acid.

Taking a moment to remember why I like leaving in the Bay area...
Update: whoops, just heard on TV that the weather was drifting back towards cold temperatures, etc. Oh well...

I was suggested to taste this Syrah by the (very well informed) staff of K&L Wine. For the price, ($9.99), it is a great deal: soft tanins, lush, complex flavors. Very nice.

Very nice aroma, flavours, texture. A recommendation from K&L Wine at a great price ($12.99).
However we enjoyed more La Folie a Deux.

Recommended by the staff from K & L Wine San Francisco, this Chardonnay from Central California is rich in fruit, well balanced and with a nice level of acidity. Definitely closer to typical Burgundy whites than many Californian chardonnays.

This blend of Zinfandel (49%), Merlot (33%) and Cabernet Franc (18%) is rich, well bodied and for the price ($9.99 at K&L Wine), it is really a good deal.

Esprit de Beaucastel is a rhone blend (syrah, mourvedre, grenache, counoise) developed in the Paso Robles vineyard co-owned by the Pellerin family (of the Chateau Beaucastel fame). The grapes are actual produced from cuttings of the French vines, reimplanted in California.
Liked it a lot, but it has to be drunk quite quickly, as the latest bottles I opened were turning slightly dry.