randy,

you have to keep that 2001 horizontal going

This arrived at the Danville Costco today, but no real deal - $99.99.

I got that too Randy. I however emailed and got some mags. The 2000 Mag I opened at the BAWE tasting in Albany was pretty tasty. IIRC the 2001 Backus was one of the many wines JW1 raved about and said was on his buy list. He typically doesn't purchase Phelps wines so this is a strong endorsement. Parker didn't seem to like the wine as it got only a 93 according to the the literature Phelps sent out.

iirc parker gave it 93+ and said it was very backwards at this stage. he also noted that this was the best backus made in a decade. sounds like he thinks there is a lot of room for improvement.

I had the 2001 Backus at dinner with Bill Phelps a couple of weeks ago. IIRC I was not all that impressed by this wine. Of course that was shortly after tasting the 2001 Insignia.

The wine club is doing a blind tasting tomorrow with 01s: insignia, backus, Mondavi reserve, Quintessa, merryvale profile, staglin, cardinale, BV, Darioush, Stags Leap Fay. I may have to pay a visit, if I can sneak out of the house for a while

I threw out the Backus mailer. I can't see $120 for a 93 point wine. I have plenty of 93 point wines at a far lower cost.

Randy, is this at the San Jose store? I'll be in SJ tomorrow so I might swing by. Also when do these tastings start?

"I threw out the Backus mailer. I can't see $120 for a 93 point wine. I have plenty of 93 point wines at a far lower cost." Board O
I'm not picking up the Bachus either but what is a 93 point wine? Do they all taste the same? Is Parker God?

No, he isn't. I understand what you're saying, but I'm not going to buy a wine he rates 93 for $120 unless I have a reason to think he underrated the wine. If I want to gamble with $120, I'll play Blackjack.

you got that right board-o, but i would prefer to play craps

Sorry, just saw your question. At the san jose store from 1 to 5. I went, it was very well attended. There were 11 wines tasted, and as far as I'm concerned, the Backus & Insignia were #1 &2. The Insignia has the signature palate that I recognized immediately. I am very reassured this will be an amazing wine for years to come. The Backus is amazing. It is soft as silk & caresses the palate in a loving way. The nose leapt from the glass more than almost anything else. all that said... at $120 I'm going to think about this one. If the backus was available at $80 or even $90 I'd leap on it.

Another standout: 2001 Dominus. Some people had this as their least favorite, but this is a complex wine that is going to be amazing in the future. I am going to pick up some of this, as it got better and better with each sip. It needs several years to be approached.

A surprise: the 2001 Darioush. Quite good. Not a long ager, but excellent now.

The 2001 Mondavi reserve was a letdown compared to the dominus. Almost simple in comparison, it has a strong green component and overpowering tannins. There is good fruit present, but the tannins are out of balance.

Good write up Randy. Thanks.

I'm just sticking with a couple bottles of $65 Insignia (futures that I bought almost a year ago which is scheduled to arrive in my cellar Tuesday).

How did you get your futures for $65/bottle? I can only find an offering at $90/bottle, but I'm not sure if it was less than that on the first offering.

It was a year ago. A friend ITB. If I told you I would have to shoot you. I got a whole three of them. I'm still drinking my 1997.

I went to the tasting at the Wine Club. The Darioush was the suprise to me. I thought it was quite good right now. The Insignia was at the top of its game and bested everything else. The Backus was a bit oaked but still very tasty. I'm glad I purchased four mags (along with six bottles). I was the guy in the back near the Champagne listening to the dodgers game (and eyeing the 1990 Krug)

Are you guys talking about the Darioush "Signature" Cab?

I'm not sure exactly which Dariuosh cab it was, but the Wine Club price is $60.

Skwid, I saw you! I was the guy with the 8 year old daughter that was powering through the lineup. I was right next to you, using the box to scribble notes.

The Darioush was a total shock to me. But we're in complete agreement about the insignia, just a great wine. Looking forward to how it performs at the smackdown next year

Did you guys taste the '01 Fay? I see no mention of it.(cant be a good sign)