2006 Stag's Leap Winery Viognier - really rather nice

Dan - how is the araujo drinking currently? Would you recommend opening a 2003 or 2004 at this point? (or neither)

2006 Pride Viognier - surprisingly nice, apricot, fig, peach flavors, sweet without RS
2005 Loring Rosella's.

2004 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm

2006 Natalie's Estate Winery Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir
2006 Shane "The Unknown" :-P

Both drink very well right now (03 is substantially the better wine which is counterintuitive given the vintages' overall quality) although obviously a decade would help both (the 03 more so - I have a slight concern about aging over the long term re the 04's warmth).  All of the Araujo reds I'm drinking are from half bottle hence my willingness to pull corks.  I'm not touching 750s or the larger formats.

Did the Truchot show the 04s' tell tale green characteristics?

Not at all.  Perhaps not as fruit forward as some other vintages, but this was delightful.

That's good to hear but surprising - in my experience virtually all of the red 04s (I'm a fan of 04 whites) are rendered virtually undrinkable by green characteristics.  Initially I liked some 04s (d'arlot vr suchots for example) but the greeness has gotten worse imo.  I've sold every 04 I have in my cellar including DRC as a result.

1966 Cheval Blanc - absolutely beautiful

2005 F. Magnien Vosne-Romanee Brulees (I've loved this wine and drunk over a case of it since last summer.  Sadly based on this bottle the wine has finally shut down.)

PourQue, glad to hear that.  The '66 Palmer that we had a couple of weeks ago was a wonderful wine as well.  I've actually been buying a fair amount of '66 Bordeaux lately.  I think they are undervalued in the marketplace (plus I can let them age a bit while I hurry and drink my 2005 Burgs). 

last night:

1995 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume
1997 Huët Vouvray Cuvée Constance
1998 Château Haut-Brion
1976 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve
1964 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo
1996 Château Cheval Blanc
2002 Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis 1er Cru La Forest
2003 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Klopp Ranch

i brought the merry edwards(surprise surprise) and felt like a real mcdouche.

well, it had to happen sooner or later.  Thanks for letting us know.

Found this singleton: Silver Oak 1995 Napa CS, should have been consumed several years ago while there was still fruit.....

From our 1 April Cave Club tasting (well, more of a "drinking")

2004 Gravity Hills Zinfandel "Sherpa"
2005 Hendry Block 7 Zinfandel
2004 Chateau Potelle Zinfandel "VGS"
2005 Elyse "Couzins"
2006 Martinelli Jackass Vineyard Zinfandel (1.5L) <---oh my

03 Chateau St Jean Durell Vineyard Chardonnay
04 Neal Cabernet Sauvignon
03 Stagecoach Vineyards BlackBart Syrah Port

NV Delamotte Le Mesnil Brut Champagne
2005 Owen Roe Cab Walla Walla

2005 Carver Sutro Petite Sirah (bought two cases (wanted just one but at the last minute someone else made a higher offer to try and win the barrel head.  That meant I had to step in and buy another case to secure it right as the auction closed) of this at last years Auction Napa Valley Barrel Auction.  It was very good from barrel but from bottle the wine has really stepped up its game.  Huge blackberry fruit and relatively velvety tannin for this varietal.  Very enjoyable right now but if one wants the wine can be laid down for a decade plus.)

2006 Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco - quite pleasant and crisp