3/3/2003 SANDEMAN FOUNDERS RESERVE PORTO
Port is a wonderful thing. This bottle of Founders Reserve ($14) is a blend of a number of vintages. It has been aged five years. Once opened, it will keep for a month or so before beginning to turn. Don't bother decanting this one- it's clean. Just pour and enjoy. Swish it in your mouth and you'll taste a little barrel, a teeny bit of toffee, and a fat raisin note. It's not a viscous, nutty, old port, so our palate says have it before dinner or as a snack, perhaps with soft cheeses. (Rating ***1/4)

To see if our retailer currently has this porto, click SHOP FOR PORT and type "Sandeman" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass image. For further info, email Paul Wagner of Balzac Communications at pwagner@balzac.com.

 
2/25/2003 STERLING VINEYARDS VINTNER'S COLLECTION MERLOT 2000 (CENTRAL COAST)
Mmmm- not your average fruity merlot, for sure. Offers rich tobacco and cassis notes. Has a good tannic grip. Wow- not for the amateur, Sterling's Vintner's Collection Merlot is a red for the wine lover who demands quality at a good price (just $13!) (Rating ***3/4)

To see if our retailer currently has this wine, click SHOP FOR WINES and type "Sterling Vineyards" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass image. For further info, surf to www.sterlingvintnerscollection.com.

 
1/15/2003 LOCKWOOD MONTEREY CHARDONNAY 2000
With so many bad chardonnays coming out of California these das, we were leery of Lockwood, as we hadn't heard of it. Well- weren't we pleasantly surprised. This San Lucas white was quite rich. It offered vanila, honeysuckle, mango-lime, and had a nice acidic oooomph, all for about $14. Yum. (Rating ****)

To see if our retailer currently has this wine, click SHOP FOR WINES and type "Lockwood" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass image. For further info surf to www.Lockwood-Wine.com.

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