Stop the presses, I have an important announcement.  I ran across a news story (on BBC online I think) that a scientific study has shown sherry has the same health giving components and properties of red wine (unlike other white wines).  Yippee.  I love sherry.  And I've already bought about three new bottles of nicer sherries to try so watch for those in coming reviews.  In fact before I started this wine sampling hobby (focusing on reds for health) I used to say before that I preferred whites, so it's exciting that there now is a type of white that fits my self prescription.

This weeks reviews:

1) Opolo Vineyards, Summit Creek Zinfandel, 2005 (Paso Robles, California) - I got this on a special sail which had brought the price down to $22 so price-wise it would suggest this is one of the best zinfandels I've bought.  And you know what, it was.  I popped the bottle and it really did NOT have much bouquet (of course it's not very old though).  Then I took a sip and it has all the jammy peppery goodness of a bold zinfandel but also a rich smoothness that is a joy going down, a sooth to the stomach, and a long finish.  I really really enjoyed this.  I did try decanting for one glass and in this case I don't think decanting helped the wine any.  Anyway a great wine.  9.

2) Chalone Vineyard, Pinot Noir, 2005 (Monterey County, California) - I think I had read that Chalone is one of those famous vineyards whose wine competed at the infamous showdown of US and Frence wines in Paris in the 70's.  So this was in the $15 to $20 range and I kind of expected it would be a good wine but not great because their better stuff would be higher priced.  Anyway, I was quite disappointed.  Granted it's not an aged pinot noir but there was very little bouquet.  The taste was ordinary pinot noir in my opinion.  And what's worst is this really didn't sit well in my stomach.  So I'm sorry Chalone but I'm only giving this a 5 for the bottom end of average.

3) Chateau Eleve' en Futs de Chene, Memories Cadillac, Appelation Cadillac Controlee, Grains d'Or, 2001 (France) - I'm actually not sure which part of the label is the name of the vineyard :)  I ended up with this because I asked an attendent at Wine Emporium if they had any sauternes and they didn't but instead he recommended this wine from the region right next to it.  I really like this a lot, it's honey sweet and has a touch of exotic.  But whereas I'd describe the sauternes I had tried as a very clean and light sweet (maybe like clover honey), I'd describe this as a slightly more flavored honey (like a buckwheet or leatherwood honey).  I'm not saying whether sauternes or cadillac are the better versions, they're just different, it depends on what you're looking for.  And I know these wines can be pretty expensive but this was reasonable at under $20 so I think I got a good buy.  I'll give this an 8 because it's clearly well above average.