I don’t get to taste many wines when working an event like this, but here are a few I got to try and that I would recommend.  The number of asterisks indicates the “strength” of the recommendation.

2006 Rugg Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa) **
2006 Moon – Tsai (Luna/Napa) *
2006 Martin Estate Bachanal (Napa) *
2006 Martin Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ***
2008 Luna Sangiovese
2006 Pamelita Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma) **
2002 Delgadillo Cellars *

Right now I am at the San Francisco Vintners Market.  It’s like a Farmers Market, but with wineries… 200 of them.

Come to Fort Mason Center today or tomorrow.  I’m at table 24 in the Reserve Room.

2007 Kapcsandy Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (Grand Vin) State Lane Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville (7/24/2010)
A massive, brooding wine with dark fruit, cassis, espresso, wood smoke, tobacco box, and unsweetened cocoa powder — all in perfect balance. As another taster alluded to, it’s a modern style done right with a sophistication that rivals pre-1997 Napa vintages. Delicious with a lush mouthfeel, fine tannins frame the flavors elegantly and promise even better things in the years ahead. Circumstances required a pop and pour this time but this wine deserves 2-3 hours in the decanter and/or 2-3 years in the cellar. (97 pts.)

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• 2007 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley (11/4/2010)
  Decanted and consumed over the course of 4+ hours. Extremely dark color. Initially dominated by ripe, sweet plum — even prune — flavors, cinnamon, nutmeg, dried cherries, ginger bread… Christmas spices. Opens up to show wood smoke and pine. Slightly hot nose gives way to lush dark fruit. This concentrated wine has a firm tannic backbone that while not obtrusive now, certainly indicates that its best days are 5 years down the road. Balanced and enjoyable throughout the evening. Excellent. (93 pts.)

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2001 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (7/16/2010)
Round and plump with fleshy, sweet mouthfeel. Flavors of ripe plums, cherries, pie crust, milk chocolate, coffee. Superbly balanced from its explosive attack through a long echoing finish. Muscular, but graceful. Fantastic wine. (94 pts.)

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2009 Egelhoff Riesling – USA, California, Napa Valley (8/1/2010)
Wonderfully dry and refreshing right now but not showing much of its stuff at this young age. Cellar to get more bang for your buck or drink now for a summer quaffer.

2000 Château Charmail – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc (7/17/2010)
Raspberries, tobacco, cedar. Nice up front but thin on the finish. Though no rush, I see little upside. (87 pts.)

2004 Radio-Coteau Syrah Cherry Camp – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/15/2010)
Cherry pipe tobacco, pepper, cedar, medicinal character. Flavors start off fleshy and round but thin rather quickly. Drink now. (83 pts.)

2003 Broman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley (4/9/2010)
Charming and elegant light sophisticate… red berries, charcoal, milk chocolate. Drink now. (86 pts.)

2006 Ceja Pinot Noir – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/1/2010)
Hot nose of alcohol with some berry flavored candy (gummy bears?) peeking through. Very ripe, round strawberries with whipped cream. Balanced and pleasant enough but not what you’re looking for if wanting a traditionally styled Pinot. Finish is rough. (84 pts.)

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2003 Round Pond Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (6/13/2010)
One of the richer, fruit-driven Napa Cabs I have had from the 2003 vintage. Impeccable balance. It was a tough year and not everyone did this well. Plump, ripe cherries, cappuccino, and milk chocolate with a tightly focused sweet oak character. Extremely long finish. Drink now. (92 pts.)

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2004 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (6/9/2010)
Opened at 3, decanted at 6, drank at 7. Initially I thought it was a bit thin, but it became more and more impressive, gaining heft in the decanter and glass. Currant, raspberry, and espresso combine in this dark, brooding wine. Some red licorice notes too. The finish of chocolate covered cherries is extremely long and satisfying. Well made for the long haul. Hold until at least 2012 and and the prodigious fruit combined with balanced structure will probably take it to its 20th birthday. (93 pts.)

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2005 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (5/3/2010)
Extremely tasty and easy drinking. This in-your-face Pinot is not subtle, but the slightly fizzy, cherry cola, unsweetened cocoa, thyme, and menthol form a very fun package that while not an intellectual exercise, certainly are a party. Lively now, there’s certainly no rush. (88 pts.)

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2003 Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (5/29/2010)
Fresh baked croissants and lemon zest. Great minerality with river rocks and petrol. Sweet oak well balanced. Lovely wine now. Depending on how you like them, drink or hold this gem. (93 pts.)

1997 Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (5/29/2010)
Roasted chestnuts, lemon oil… Several other tasters have summed this up, in my opinion, correctly: Not the biggest and best older Kistler, but still quite nice. (90 pts.)

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