Josh Radigan

The Daily Planet next to the evening star cafe.

Hmmm, Tallula and Evening Star already do that policy of wine pricing, and its the whole list, not a certain selection of wines.

Patton Valley out of Oregon does a wonderful job of making 2 wines, a straight forward Pinot Noir, and then they make a great Rose. A great value at 13.00 a pop, not to bad.

another good value coming in from Spain is Palacio de Vivero at a measly $9 bones. Primarily verdejo, ripe apple and hints of floral in the nose. Crisp acidity, great for the humidity and heat.

watching the 10PM news last night and was amazed at how quickly the idea is moving along. Funny though, while the reports show that in larger cities such as San Fran and NYC, where there is a smoking ban, that the restaurant business wasn''t affected. I wonder who they relied that info on, the high end restaurants where it generally isn''t an issue, or the seedy bars of the east village where its their life line to have smokers.

Having worked with both guys at one point in my career, I wish the both much sucess. Mark, I hope you keep that palate in full operation and continue finding those wine gems that you did at Pesce.

actually if my memory serves me correctly, ugni blanc is the most widely planted grape in the world, primarily because of its use in Cognacs.

Sparkling Shiraz, well they just don't seem to be all that great. Either its 100 percent shiraz, and its to rich. The balance isn't all there. Then you get Vixen Shiraz, made by Fox Creek, and a blend of cabernet, cab franc and shiraz. Good, but not light enough. Still a work in progress from what I have tasted and dicussed with others.

Mulderbosch is now making a delicious Rose with 100 percent Cabernet. I think its retailing for lucky $13. Depending on where you can find it, I found it at Planet Wine in DelRay, the old Daily Planet location, name change.

This weeks CW specials

2000 Marques de Moral Valdepenas, Spain

“If there is a better wine currently available from anywhere in the world for the same price, I am unaware of it. Perfectly mature, it shows superb balance and integration, with subtle notes of smoke and spices accenting a core of soft cherry fruit.”

Michael Franz "The Washington Post"

2000 Marques de Moral Val de Penas

Red Wine; Tempranillo; Spain; 

Sale Price $5.99

Regular Price $6.99

Offer good through 6/14/05

2003 Chateau

Clos Floridene

Graves Blanc

“A blend of 50% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Muscadelle, this stylish white Bordeaux is wonderfully balanced, intensely flavored and possesses a superb purity of fruit.”

Calvert Woodley Wine Staff

"One taste of the wonderful wines he makes reveals that Clos Floridene is a superb white Graves, nearly matching the quality of such legends as Laville Haut-Brion, Haut-Brion-Blanc, and Domaine de Chevalier. The price remains a relative steal, although Dubourdieu’s talents have been recognized throughout Europe and Great Britain; Clos Floridene has indeed been discovered. This is a terribly underestimated, excellent wine that deserves to be a classified growth in the Graves firmament."

Robert Parker “Bordeaux”

2003 Clos Floridene Bordeaux Blanc

White Wine; Sauvignon Blanc; Other Bordeaux; 

Sale Price $16.99

Regular Price $19.99