 
Carmen Chardonnay 2003 D.O. Casablanca Valley (Chile) - Has a wonderfully creamy texture with aromas of pear, banana and a hint of vanilla. Complex, well structured and crisp with lingering finish; great with seafood, chicken, grilled vegetables or light pasta; SRP $6.99 (June 2004).
Carmen Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Curico Valley (Chile) - True to the grape variety, this wine tastes like Sauvignon Blanc. It is somewhat floral, intense herb; a hint of melon, lemon and apricot; crisp with a long finish; Perfect for spicy dishes or seafood, especially oysters and shrimp; SRP $6.99 (June 2004).
POP Rosé, a.k.a. Pink Pop (France) - Bottled in the cute single serving (187 ml.) size, this bubbly has slightly less fizz than regular Champagne and it's a tiny bit sweeter than the drier Brut style. POP is intended to be drunk from bottle or straw, which can be fun but I still love mine in a tall flute. SRP $12.99/187 m. - introduced summer 2004. (tasted July 2004)
Pepi 2003 Chardonnay (Napa) - Stelvin Screw Top Closure; stainless steel fermentation; apple, kiwi and lime notes; good acid; no malolactic fermentation so it's crisp and clean and bright; tangy; Chris Johnson is winemaker; 100% Chardonnay from Napa Valley; 2 months in oak; 13.9% alc. SRP $8; (tasted June 2004); www.pepi.com
Pepi 2002 Shiraz (California)- Stelvin Screw Top Closure; deep color; raspberry, black cherry with a touch of vanilla on the backdrop; tangy with light oak; full bodied, yet not too much for the summer; California appellation; 94.5% Shiraz, 5.5% Grenache; 13.8% alc.; went through malolactic and oak aged for 15 mos.; SRP $8;www.pepi.com (tasted June 2004)
Iron Horse Brut Rose 1998 (Sonoma County - Green Valley) - A yummy, intensely rich colored rose made from a blend of 72% Pinot Noir and 28% Chardonnay. It is aged 4 years on the lees in the bottle like a fine French Champagne which gives it some creaminess. Brut 0.8% dosage; - Crisp, clean, tiny kinetic bubbles. You can taste the tannin--bracing in a good way like a cool splash of water in the face for a wake-up call; SRP $30; 1,650 cases made (tasted June 2004)
Shafer Firebreak 2000 (Napa) - A Super-Tuscan style blend of 93% Sangiovese, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, but it is unmistakably California. Good nose with floral essence and fruit, with medium body; high alcohol with 14.9%; tannin. John Shafer, who owns this winery with his son, Doug, planted this vineyard near his house in 1981 when a huge wildfire came a little too close for comfort, hence the name "Firebreak." This is perhaps my most favorite Shafer wine to date. SRP $35. (tasted June 2004)
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