2008 Zugibe freds red

Sadly, maybe because of the age, this has turned into just another finger lakes red wine. light nose, light mid-pallete and absolutely no finish.I was very excited when originally finding this winery, because thier wannes had taste! Like I said, maybe because this is now 4 years old, it has passed it's prime. I have another one of this same vintage I just bought.....I'll post when I open it..

rex goliath pinot noir (nv)

For a $5.39 wine, this was pretty good. typical cherry nose, mid pallette and finish. But, it had it all.I would certainly rebuy this one! I had this with a grilled chicken dinner, and it went well.

2011 knapp gewurztraminer

Well they say Gewurtz's are supposed to be good with spicy food, so we put this to a test with a fairly large group and a big batch of chili. Even with people who predominately like sweet wine, and this was a dry gewurtz, it was a big hit! Everyone agreed that it went well with the chili! Definitely a rebuy!

2011 knapp meritage

A bit of a surprise for me.A light nose, with a light mid-pallette, and surprisingly, a light finish....The big surprise here is a the finsh. NY state red wines are in my opinion famous for really having no fnish at all. So this one having even a light finish is a bit of a surprise, and nice. A little pricy, so might be a pass for a rebuy.

2009 arrowhead red meritage(arrowhead spring vineyards)

Well this was another NYS red wine surprise! The first surprise was it was unfiltered and a bit of sediment in the first glass.Not a big issue though. And as it turned out, no more sediment in the rest of the bottle. Nice nose and palette on this one, even with some nice tannins on the back end that added to the nice finish! A re buy for sure!

2008 Ravines meritage

Finally a NYS wine that has a finish! This was a very nice wine. Not cheap by NY standards at $20, but well worth it.A rebuy for sure.

2008 salmon run meritage

Nice nose on this one, but that was about it.Not much on the tongue, and no finish at all. A pass for sure.

2009 glenora meritage

This wine has a nice nose and mid-pallette, but as is typical for new york state reds, it had little or no finish. I would prolly try something else before returning to this one, especially for the price, almost $19.

First Bruce Springsteen concert.10-31-12

Well let me start by saying we had absolutely the worst seats in the house. We had no access to the big screens and the music was just a bit muted, and I do mean just a bit. I'll be honest, if I didn't know we were at a Bruce concert, I'm not sure I could have told you who was on stage. apparently I am not as big a Bruce fan as I though, because, I probably only knew a hand full of the play list. He did however finish with more of the tunes that I knew. Having said that as far as being entertained, he put on quite a show, going into the audience a few times, and even body surfing back to the stage once. I'm glad I went, but would probably not go to another one.

2009 lyeth meritage

For $13 bucks, not a bad wine at all.Decent nose, nice mid-pallette, and a fairly good finish.

2010 cameron hughes lot 302 sauvignon blanc

Traditional grassy kind of sauvignon blanc. I would buy again...

2009 chateau moulin de la bridane

OK, so this was a $12 bottle of wine. Maybe a waste of $12 at that. This was not very good. Disjointed at best, just not well put together....I didn't dump it down the drain.....but it was close...

2011 cameron hughes lot 305 torrontes

Ended up being a nice day out, so I decided to pop open a bottle and sit in the sunshine and enjoy! This did not dissapoint! Nice citrusy flavor on the nose and tongue. A little wish washy on the back-end, but overall, a nice bottle of wine.

2009 coppola rosso

So, a bargain priced red blend from FFC.Not bad at the nose or palette, but pretty much lacked any kind of finish. I would prolly try something else before rebuying this one.

2003 valderiz ribera del duero

Certainly one of my oldest and most expensive wines. I bought it as part of a multi-pack, and guessed price to be about $33.(current listing shows from 29-32$) Anyhow....excellent wine with a great nose of what I perceived to be leather. More leather and possibly licorice on the palette and a nice smooth finish.I almost hate to drink these by myself, but, the wine rack , is getting a bit thin.

2011 keuka spring riesling

Nice riesling, no tasting notes from the winery, so I don't know wht they were aiming for. But this was a very nice bottle of wine.

2010 hearts and hands riesling

This riesling is a combination of three different vineyards. The results , a very fine wine. A bit towards the sweet side, but as much as I like my dry reds, I do prefer the semi dry to semi sweet whites. Well done!

2009 McGregor sereksiya

For a table wine, this was very good. Surprisingly peppery, nice nose and good tannins on finish. I would definately rebuy.

2010 alois lageder pinot bianco

MEH, not a rebuy

2010 Rooster hill estate pinot noir

So, I have this theory that finger lakes red wines taste good at the wineries and not so good when you get them home....This has been true with $10 wines and $30 wines, and I still think most of the time it is true.(although, i think there are some wineries ready to make a breakthrough) This was a bit of a surprise winery, as it was not on the map for finger lakes wines. We were driving by, so we stopped. a pleasant surprise.This wine was pretty good. Now for an $18 wine at the winery, which is on my opinion(which no one ever asks) a bit pricey. but while this wine was not over the top, it was very good, with a very pleasant nose, and some good mid-palette flavors and a nice finish. Probably a $15 wine at our local stores, and at that price, I would buy some more. (btw, my red wines are down to about 12 bottles, I'm going to have to buy some soon!! ) So, if you decide to buy this, enjoy!

2005 gran elias mora toro

Great great botte of wine! This is generally much more than I would normally spend on a bottle of wine, but well worth it .I've been sitting on this one for a few years, and time has been it's friend.Great nose, lots of dark fruit, and a good finish wih great tannins in the end. A little sediment at the bottom of this one, but probably due to the time in the bottle. Looking forward to this winter when I will open the next and last one.

2008 Concannon petite sirah

Value priced wine that I would buy again.

2011 cameron hughes lot 305 torrontes

Argentinian light white wine. Kind of awkward on its own, so, I tried to match it with some different snacks. Crackers, and salsa and chips. They were both OK, and did improve the wine, which means it would have been much better with some real food. I have one more bottle, so will make sure I have with some food.

Bad Apples Bistro, spencerport ny

This was our first visit to this restaurant, and I was very much looking forward to this visit. I had looked at menu online, and had already made my choices. Too bad the online menu didn't match the current one at the Bistro. Anyhow, had the soup du jour and split an appetizer, both of which were very good. The entree did not disappoint either. My only complaint would be the portion of wine served in the glass.I thought it was a bit slight and could have used at least two more sips. I would definitely go back.

Barrington cellars Raptors red (nv)

This was an inexpensive table wine. It had a great blast of pepper initially, but then fell off a bit at the end. From the tasting at the winery, pretty much what I remembered. Prolly not a rebuy.

2009 montebueno rioja

Pleasant nose of dark fruit, followed by same sensation on pallette. Had this with some garlic crackers and a chedder cheese spread.Worked well together.Would buy again.

2008 heron hill semi dry riesling

Kind of fruity and not too bad. I might have liked a snappier finish, but maybe thats not possible with the semi dry variety.

2010 cameron hughes lot 259 riesling/chenin blanc

Nice wine with good flavors throughout. Have already ordered the next vintage.

2007 douro mural reserva

Great $9 wine with lots of red fruit up front and a decent finish. Would rebuy.

2008 razors edge shiraz

Really nice peppery finish on this. Pretty normal nose. For a $9 wine, a rebuy for sure!

2009 lamadrid cabernet sauvignon

A bit harsh on the open, that really never smoothed out. I guess a bit of black fruit on the nose, but a bit of a funky finish that is either on the dry side, or tannins are still present. Not a rebuy for me, even at the $9 price point.

cameron hughes 2009 lot 249 meritage

Nice wine with good nose and great flavors. I would rebuy.

2008 zingari toscana

This was a red blend that ultimately was not very good. Had a funny taste right from the start...not corked though.Just not that good...

2010 lamadrid malbec

A decent wine by all measures. A bit on the light side of flavor and finish, but not terrible by any means. For a $12 wine though, prolly not a rebuy.

2008 razors edge shiraz/grenache

Nothing here that blows me away, but this was a very good wine! Even some pretty spicy chili did not overpower this wine.A bit oakey, a bit fruity,  very very good. Surely a re-buy.

2010 alois lageder pinot bianco

Not much here. No overbearing tastes or flavors. Not a re-buy

Casa Larga 2010 medium dry riesling

Citrusy of the grapefruit kind is the biggest flavor I got out of this.Not sure I would rebuy. Although recommended to have with spicy foods, we just had some cheese and crackers with this...

32 years of work captured in a duffel bag.

Well, I don't know if it's possible to capture 32 years of memories in  duffel bag, but that's exactly what I did yesterday.Last week Thursday after what would be my last night shift worked for this rapidly shrinking company, I and everyone else in my building received a note saying to please report to a different building on Monday morning. The note said it was a Business Adjustment Meeting or BAM. I can't make this stuff up....So we all go to this meeting full of HR people and the requisite security people, and are promptly told that our building is shut down as of right now, and we will no longer run the machines, we have been running for the last seven years.Our work is being sent to another plant. Starting tomorrow, there are appointments for everyone to be officially told you don't have a job anymore, and then shortly after that, an exit interview is to be scheduled. This is where we get to clean out our lockers,hand in our passes, and never enter the companies production buildings ever again.Three days to end a 32 year career. Not really a chance to say goodbye to fellow workers, or  the building we called home for the last 7 years. Of course the top two managers, kept their jobs, but pretty much everyone else was gone.It's not the way I wanted to end my career, but that's the way it happened, 32 years of memories, captured in a duffel bag........

2011 red newt cellars riesling

This is a bit on the sweet side for me, not as crisp of a finish as I would like.I wanted the semi dry version of this but it was not at available at the store I bought this from.Prolly not a rebuy for me, looking for something just a bit drier.But this would appeal to those who like the sweeter wines.

2010 cameron hughes sample lot 262 reserva malbec

This was good from the get go. Great nose and good flavors through-out.Certainly a re buy on this one.

2005 montirius gigondas

Still a little tight on the open. I have one more, and will prolly decant a bit before drinking. It did open up after a bit in the glass though, and was an overall nice wine.

2008 rodney strong alexander valley cabernet sauvignon

So, for me this is an $18 bottle of wine, which is right at my upper price point.Not that I haven't spent alot more on a bottle for a special occasion, but I generally try to keep it under 20 bucks, and if I can find a bargain for under 10...all the better.This is a very good bottle of wine. Lightly oaked on the nose, with a bit of chocolate(?) . Dark friut on the mouthfeel, with a very nice finish. Even at this pricepoint, I might be tempted to buy a case if the price was right...

Pane Vino restaraunt rochester ny

We went there for lunch, and this was a first time visit.This was an excellent meal! I had the seafood fra diablo, and my companion had the white pizza, which was a daily special. They served some bread with oil and herbs, which was good.I had a beer pre dinner and a glass of zinfandel with the meal. Overall very good and I would definately go back! However, not all that cheap, but worth the price.

2008 trumpeter malbec/syrah blend

This wine was only around 8 bucks , but even at that price point did not impress. It was pretty weak throughout, with out much to offer from the nose through the finish. A pass for sure.

2004 chateau petit vedrines sauternes(375ml)

I have had this wine on the shelf for what seems like years...We are not big dessert eaters, so when a friend brought over some cheesecake, it was the perfect opportunity...I really liked this. Golden color with a nice fruit on the nose I could not identify, but read a review and it said there was apricot on the nose, so, I'll go with that.Same taste on the pallette.A decent length finish, and I think it paired well with the cheescake. The only thing that would prevent me from buying another one, is the fact that I had this wine on the shelf for so long.

2008 long point winery cabernet franc

Well, this ended up being a nice surprise.....My actual first cab franc was a NYS wine, though, sadly I do not remember which one. It may have been my first ahah moment in finding my taste buds were switching from sweeter reds to dryer ones.....but, I digress... :)   This was a nice wine we had with a steak dinner.Blended nicely with the steak but didn't overpower it. Nor was it overpowering. I would definately buy this again.

2010 hecht & bannier rose

Ok, I get it, most people are prolly confused by rose (me too) ...the general conception being it is a sweet cheap wine. So, this was cheap, ($8) but really didn't rock my socks. Not terrible by any means, and for the price, won't kill your wallet. It was mostly dry, but not thirst quenching like I was hoping. Prolly not a re-buy....but, if you have never had it...

2010 little penguin shiraz

For $6, not a bad bottle of wine.Nice fruit on first taste, little spicy, but not much of a finish. I would prolly buy this again.

2008 Cameron hughes lot 233 cab sauv maipo valley chile

Didn't do my usual sniffy-sniff on this and went right to the mouth...Bam!! Nice ..went back to the nose and got a snoutfull of black fruit. Now maybe this is because I haven't had any wine in a bit, but this is really good. I have had this wine before, and would buy again.

2009 sterling vintners collection meritage

For a $7 wine, not too bad. Decent dark fruit nose...fruity on the mid pallete, with a bit of a weak finish....I would buy again...

2008 paso a paso tempranillo

OK folks, another value driven wine (<10 bucks) Nothing bad to say about this one.....not fantastic, not something I couldn't live without.Nice wine while I was playing on the computer, eating some snacks...

2007 domaine de la chesnay cotes du rhone

For a $7 wine, this is kinda interesting....a bit oaky on the nose....mild on the palete, and almost, but not quite a sparkly finish...might try again..

2007 hogue genesis meritage

For a $12 wine, nutin special, and not terrible. Prolly not a rebuy.

2010 woodbridge malbec

Standard malbec nose with  a nice peppery finish on the palette. For a $6.50 wine, not a disappointment!

2009 two oceans shiraz

Ok, so this is a $6 wine.Decent nose and first taste. Lots of berry type flavors. Kind of a weak mid-pallete and not much of a finish, but for 6 bucks, this is not bd at all. I would prolly buy again for a nice mid-week wine.

cupcake 2009 petite sirah central coast

As I swirl this wine over the computer, I think,, this is how I lost my last laptop.....but I digress......dark fruit on the nose...nice fruit on the tongue, but kind of a light finish......however for an $8 wine, not bad at all.I think I would rebuy.

2008 mitolo jester cabernet sauvignon

I really wish I had a more refined pallette. This has such a strange, but not bad taste. I'm kinda torn between raisins and cranberries. the label says some of the fruit was air dried..maybe thats where im getting the raisin from? and no, i didnt read the label first... :) Cranberries for sure. Prolly not like any other cab sauv I have had, but strangely good.I would not hesitate to buy again.

2007 simi alexander valley cab sauv

Seems like a bit of dark fruit on the nose, lightly oaked on the mid-pallette and some mild tannins on the finish. $18 for this wine, which is on the higher side of what I normally spend, but a very good wine, none the less. I would rebuy.

2007 willowglen petite sirah

Hey folks, this was a $7 bottle of wine and it was very good. Definately a rebuy! Decent finish too!

2008 le drunk rooster gren/syr blend

First pour was really weak...but it got better with a little air....a little oakiness on the nose..red fruit..etc..all in all, im gonna pass on getting another one though..

2008 oxford landing estates GSM

Ok, for a $7 wine, and a red blend, there is nothing wrong with it. not the best wine you have ever had, but very decent. Not much of a finish, but for 7 bucks, do you really expect one? I would buy this again...

Anthony road devonian red table wine.

This is a blended wine, that includes the lemberger grape. I am trying to figure out if my nose is overly sensative to this grape, or if I'm picking up the light oak in this wine. Generaly, this is a bit on the light side. Hey, this is a $9 wine, maybe I'm expecting too much from this very good wine maker. (at this price point) Worth a try I think....

2005 hahn estates central coast meritage (375ml)

Ok, I bought this wine by mistake, not realizing it was 375 ml, not the normal 750. So, this ends up being what I would pay for a glass of wine at a restaraunt, around 6 bucks for a glass. I have to say, I am not dissapointed by this. It does not say what the components are on the label, but it seems like a dark fruit on the nose, with a nice mid-pallete and a pretty good finish. I'm pretty happy.

2009 camille cayran CDR

This was a surprise wine as I had ordered a syrah and they were out, so they substituted this one. a bit strange to me, at least. How ever, this was not a bad wine at the price point.($8) Nice fruit on the front end, decent mid pallete but a bit thin on the end, though there may have been some evidence of tannins. Rebuy.. not sure.

2008 mitolo jester cabernet sauvignon

Not a bad wine...for around 16 bucks not sure if I would buy again...some nice tannins to go along with enough of a finish to make it noticable. There is definately a predominant flavor there I just cant identify it.Another pop and pour, without food, just some cheese...If you havent had one before, I would say give it a try if you can find it, won't be the worst bottle you've ever had..

2003 tin shed shiraz

1/5/12 This wine is past it's prime.. had to pour a couple bottles down the drain...

2009 cameron hughes lot 229 petite sirah (napa)

Really really dark, almost stains the glass.Lightly oaked on nose, with dark fruit flavors. Nice mid-pallette and a good finish with some mild tannins...