• California
• Syrah

Review Date:	02/29/2008
Price Range**:	$$$
Winery:	Ledson
Vintage:	2004
Varieties:	Syrah/Shiraz
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Sonoma
Rating:	8/10
Notes: Dark red bold drinking syrah with pepper and blackberry that will pair well with steak.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• Pinot Noir

Review Date:	02/29/2008
Price Range**:	$$
Winery:	Cartlidge and Browne
Vintage:	2006
Varieties:	Pinot Noir
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Napa Valley
Rating:	8/10
Notes: Dark red plum flavor with a hint of spice.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• California

Review Date:	02/29/2008
Price Range**:	$$$
Winery:	Heitz Cellar
Vintage:	2001
Varieties:	Cabernet Sauvignon
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	St. Helena
Rating:	8/10
Notes: Deep bold cabernet
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California

Review Date:	02/29/2008
Price Range**:	$$
Winery:	Kit Fox
Vintage:	2004
Varieties:	Cabernet Sauvignon
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:
Rating:	7/10
Notes: Nice dark red table wine
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• Pinot Noir

Review Date:	02/29/2008
Price Range**:	$$$
Winery:	Robert Mondavi
Vintage:	2006
Varieties:	Pinot Noir
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:
Rating:	9/10
Notes: Sleek light red fruity pinot
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• California

Review Date:	11/17/2007
Price Range**:	$
Winery:	Treana Winery
Vintage:	2005
Varieties:	Cabernet Sauvignon
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Central Coast
Rating:	7/10
Notes: Deep purple-black color with plenty of dark fruit and tannins.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• California

Review Date:	10/21/2007
Price Range**:	$$
Winery:	Sterling
Vintage:	2004
Varieties:	Cabernet Sauvignon
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Central Coast
Rating:	8/10
Notes: Deep ruby red color with nice tannins and some coffee and cocoa flavors.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• North Carolina
• Syrah

Review Date:	01/17/2008
Price Range**:	$$
Winery:	Biltmore
Vintage:	2003
Varieties:	Syrah/Shiraz
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	North Coast
Rating:	8/10
Notes: An impressive syrah with very ripe red berry fruit, plum and raisin, sweet, with a hint of pepper.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• California

Review Date:	12/15/2008
Price Range**:	$$
Winery:	Greg Norman
Vintage:	2005
Varieties:	Cabernet Sauvignon
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:
Rating:	8/10
Notes: Deep red, solid cabernet with lots of dark, black fruit. Medium tannins give nice feel.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• Pinot Noir

Review Date:	12/28/2007
Price Range**:	$
Winery:	McManis Family Vineyards
Vintage:	2007
Varieties:	Pinot Noir
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:
Rating:	8/10
Notes: Nicely balanced, well-priced pinot with lighter red ruby color and fruit on the nose. Nice touch of fruit blended with a touch of spice.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• Pinot Noir

Review Date:	12/14/2007
Price Range**:	$$
Winery:	Three Saints
Vintage:	2005
Varieties:	Pinot Noir
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Santa Maria Valley
Rating:	8/10
Notes: Deep berry and fruit flavors, slightly jammy with cherry aromas. Similar to Bella Glos Pinot Noir.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• Pinot Noir

Review Date:	12/19/2007
Price Range**:	$$$
Winery:	Jack Creek
Vintage:	2004
Varieties:	Pinot Noir
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Santa Lucia Highlands
Rating:	9/10
Notes: Extremely sophisticated pinot noir with lightness and sweetness, well-balanced with red fruit, violets, and a hint of spice.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• Pinot Noir

Review Date:	10/20/2007
Price Range**:	$$$
Winery:	Brogan Cellar
Vintage:	2006
Varieties:	Pinot Noir
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Russian River Valley
Rating:	8/10
Notes: Aromas of cherries, cola, spice and smoked meats, entry full with a bright lingering finish of red fruits and spice. - Brogan Cellar
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• Pinot Noir

Review Date:	09/01/2007
Price Range**:	$$$
Winery:	David Bruce
Vintage:	2004
Varieties:	Pinot Noir
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Sonoma
Rating:	7/10
Notes: Fruity with notes of strawberry and blueberry. Somewhat acidic with a sour note, which taints the overall drinkability.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• Cabernet Franc
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• California
• Merlot
• Petite Verdot

Review Date:	08/13/2007
Price Range**:	$$$$
Winery:	Cain
Vintage:	2002
Varieties:	Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Napa Valley
Rating:	9/10
Notes: A fine wine with dark fruit and plums mixed with smoke and pepper. Hints of minerals, asparagus, and coffee are detectable. Plenty of tannins and mouthfeel with this wine.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• Syrah

Review Date:	08/09/2007
Price Range**:	$$$
Winery:	Steele
Vintage:	2002
Varieties:	Syrah/Shiraz
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	North Coast
Rating:	8/10
Notes: Plenty of luscious black fruit with decent structure and nice tannins. Nose is of blackberries, chocolate, and pepper. Nice spicy finish
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• Oregon
• Pinot Noir

So half-priced wine night is very nearly a standing tradition.  If one's willing to venture out on the occasional school night, then he is bound to find that dozen's of his favorite restaurants are enticing customers into their establishments on slower days of the week by tempting them with half-priced bottles of wine.  For us this means that you have to gather together a few friends since we find it difficult to finish and entire bottle of wine with a meal even with two people sharing.  Too much wine is not a good thing especially if you are required to stumble into work in the morning, but not only is a hangover or dehydration hard to deal with, we find that too much wine simply spoils some of the experience.  Put us down for moderation when it comes to wine, even if you do find your favorite restaurant is selling bottles at half-priced wine night for less than you can find them in the grocery store.

We must say that part of the reason we encourage everyone not to overinduldge is that you risk the possibility that some of your libation will be left over at the end of the meal.  Now, it's altogether legal to recork the bottle and take it home with you, but sometimes wine gets left in your automobile or ruins while sitting on your counter.  We were on the receiving end of someone's failure to remember this point the other night when a friend left to us half a bottle of wine that is normally north of the century mark in terms of price.  As we said before, this is normally a bit too much for two people when accompanied by dinner and a first bottle.

The bottle we were fortunate enough to happen upon was the Tantara Dierberg Pinot Noir - 2005, which we found to be somewhat disappointing considering the extravagant expense that it represented for our overly ambitious fellow diner. Our impression of the wine was ruled by the syrupy sweetness that overpowered most of the other characteristics evoking a lot of descriptive words associated with sugary sweetness, like syrupy or honey-like.  The taste was of red fruit and was definitely distinctive but was hard to truly enjoy for the intense sweetness that clung to your tongue like cold molasses.

Winemaker's notes: 

Our first bottle we found to be quite enjoyable and something that the restaurant had run out of a few times previously.  In fact this wine happens to be a "biodynamic" offering that truly transcends its vinicultural upbringing in that it is truly a quality wine, whatever the bio suffix might be.

The Maysara Jamsheed Pinot Noir - 2005 is from a winemaker that is grown in stature in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.

Winemaker's notes:

TASTING NOTES
Color has never been a problem at our Momtazi vineyard, and the 2005 vintage was no exception The dark ubergine color of the 2005 Jamsheed Pinot noir makes a statement before one even picks up the glass. On first approach, it yields dark aromas of smoky-coffee, cocoa, dark fruit and sweetly spicy forest underbrush.  The darkly earthen sense of the wine carries onto the palate, where terroir-derived spice, black berries and dark herries produce a rich mouth feel. Balanced acidity and fine-grained tannin keep the fruit lingering in the mouth, while cutting nicely through food. This is a wine that’s ready now and will only continue to improve.
WINEGROWER’S COMMENTS
The 2005 Jamsheed is a well represented blend of the entire vineyard and showcases the purity of fruit possible. Only 8% new oak was employed, allowing the natural tannins from whole cluster fermentation to shine through. This resulted in a vibrant bouquet of dominate red and black fruits. The separate fermentations
averaged two and a half weeks at a peak temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Soft punch-downs utilizing a Pulse-Air system allowed the softer tannins to flow evenly throughout the wine. Jamsheed was barreled down without settling the lees and was racked once immediately before bottling.
VINEYARD AND WINEMAKING PRINCIPLES
At Maysara Winery and Momtazi Vineyard, we are committed to capturing the complete expression of our land and conveying it to you through superior quality in every bottle. We practice only low-impact, holistic farming methods in our certified Biodynamic vineyard. We are confident these principles are the best way to capture the true essence of the soil in our fruit and ensure the health of our vines and the unique accent of our terroir for generations. This philosophy is carried into the cellar, where gentle winemaking practices produce wines with intensity, sophistication and elegance while maintaining a purity of both fruit and earth.

• California
• Pinot Noir

Review Date:	08/07/2007
Price Range**:	$$$$
Winery:	Tantara
Vintage:	2005
Varieties:	Pinot Noir
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Santa Maria Valley
Rating:	7/10
Notes: Plenty of floral notes notes to a red fruit body, including hints of orange. Syrupy sweet with honey, nutmeg, and vanilla.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• Pinot Noir

Review Date:	07/31/2007
Price Range**:	$$$
Winery:	Fiddlehead
Vintage:	2005
Varieties:	Pinot Noir
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Santa Rita Hills
Rating:	9/10
Notes: Excellent blend of cherries and lush ripe fruit. Just the right amount of coffee and spice on the finish. A well-rounded wine.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• Pinot Noir

Review Date:	07/12/2007
Price Range**:	$$
Winery:	Schug
Vintage:	2005
Varieties:	Pinot Noir
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Carneros
Rating:	8/10
Notes: Cherries, berries, and a hint of spice.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• Pinot Noir

Review Date:	07/05/2007
Price Range**:	$$
Winery:	Francis Coppola
Vintage:	2005
Varieties:	Pinot Noir
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Monterey
Rating:	7/10
Notes: Bright red ruby color. Aroma of smoke and mushrooms with some berries. Taste was that of cherries and some strawberries, but struggles from thinness and lack of distinction and polish.
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100

• California
• Pinot Noir

Review Date:	03/03/2007
Price Range**:	$$$
Winery:	Telephone & Clark Vineyards
Vintage:	2003
Varieties:	Pinot Noir
Country:	US
Region:	California
Appellation:	Santa Maria Valley
Rating:	9/10
Notes: Deep garnet color. Aromas of ripe plums, brown spices—ranging from cinnamon to cumin—and rich, freshly turned earth, with hints of sweet caramel and barbecue smoke. - wine.com
** $ - approx $10 or less $$ - approx $25 or less $$$ - approx $50 or less $$$$ - approx $100 or less $$$$$ - more than $100