Do YOU Have A Merlot?

This post is dedicated to the bigass HEADACHE I had pounding on my skull the entire evening. So whilst we were happily tasting these wines, I felt as though I were transforming into a unicorn and a horn was about to pop through my forehead.

So excuse me if the critiques of these wines is fuzzed.

Palacio de Bornos 2004 Verdejo

Crisp and snap-o-licious. This wine will be relegated to the Pile of Disrespected V's along with Vernaccia, Verdicchio, Valdiguie, Vinho Verde, Vermouth, and Vermetino.

Peter Lehmann 2003 Barossa Valley Chardonnay

Quite pure and fruity with yummy varietal character and slightly acidic finish.
Goes great with (insert summertime salad/chicken dish here).

Ellerslie 2003 Chardonnay South Australia

Creamier than the Lehmann and without the juicy acids on the finish.
Could you call that more Cali Style?

Palladio Chianti (vintage unknown)

Good and cheap and easy to drink.
Get some plastic tumblers and sausages.

Domaine le Roc des Anges
2003 Segna de Cor

T-Bud had some story about a white rock in the middle of a vineyard, but alas I was listening only to the thud in my head. This was probably the most sophisticated wine we tasted. Sorry my review sucks...

Ellerslie Cab/Merlot Blend

According to JimDun, this is the best wine from the Ellerslie group.
This stuff is pretty big and chunky with loads of ripe fruit and a little structure. Tasty.

Ciroc Martini with Cheese-Stuffed Green Olives (Gorgonzola, I think)
'The Randal'

On most days, this is the elixir to which we will eventually pray. Even with massive head trauma this drink would be eminently enjoyable. Swirl the olives for about ten minutes to cloud up the wonderfully sweet vodka and you have a super-cheese-o-riffic martini.

Sledge is in the process of arranging a field trip for our group to a fine establishment in a seedy part of downtown Cleveland. The establishment is known as the Diamond Men's Club, but you can just call it a high-class titty bar in the flats.

Super-Cool Bonus Shots


T-Bud and I left the safety of Molinari's early to do an outdoor tasting for a local Mentor retailer. Obnoxious, domineering louts are the norm and tonight was no exception. In fact, it wouldn't be a Cleveland wine event without some customer or another grabbing a bottle and pouring big gulps for him/herself because he/she couldn't wait the extra four seconds and let the Professionals pour.

One of the pics is actually of me feigning enjoyment while I suffered a prolonged aneurism
and talked about my cheap wines.

And check out the crowd shot. kind of like doing a wine tasting in an alley, no?

And ya gotta check out Brian, the handsome boymodel who wields the velvet-gloved iron fist and organizes these shindigs. Next to boymodel Brian is very cute Colleen, who is the daughter of the owner of this fine retail establishment. She makes a mean potato salad. She too manages the establishment with an iron fist. No velvet glove for her, however...