2003 Saint Clair Riesling, Marlborough, New Zealand

Pleasant but not distinguished, a clean wine with mild riesling character. Evaluation agrees with my tasting note on our February trip to New Zealand (see 2003 Saint Clair Riesling, Marlborough, New Zealand ), which is at least one data point for having kept my critical tasting skills while in that delightful country. Regular price $15, less 20% discount.
Rating: Good

2002 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay, Sonoma County

Clearly Californian, and still with a touch of residual sugar, but less than the previous year. Some toast and butter, with moderate intensity and length. Price not known; probably about $13.
Rating: Good +

2003 Babich Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand

Nice floral varietal bouquet, toward the light side, with a touch of tannin, a bit low on acidity, California style. Moderate intensity, but relatively short. Regular price $20, less 20% discount.
Rating: Good +

2001 Benziger Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast(?)

Has some firmness and structure. Not as perfumed as some. Moderate intensity and length. Lacks charm and complexity, but is a solid wine. Price not known, probably about $22.
Rating: Good +

2001 Ridge Three Valleys, Sonoma Coast

A blend, with 50% zinfandel. Lots of lush fruit, with robustness rather than elegance. Intense, with moderately long taste. Buttery character on opening, which then fades. Close-out price $14, regular price $20.
Rating: Good +

2004 Matua Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

Always a good deal, so I'm happy to see that the quality persists. Recognizably Marlborough, with some grassiness contributing to SB character. Vinified dry so that it presents a touch of austerity. Moderate length and intensity. It should age well toward some complexity. Price $13, less 20% discount.
Rating: Very Good -

2004 Dürkheimer Hochbenn Riesling Kabinett, Darting, Pfalz

A surprisingly good wine, with Mosel-like acidity to go with honey and pineapple fruit. Despite its youth, there's a depth, intensity and spiciness that usually requires age to develop. Sweetness closer to Spätlese than Kabinett. Lots of riesling character and flavor, a bit more robust than fine. Close-out price $11, regular price $16.
Rating: Very Good +

2000 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, Meulenhof, M-S-R

Well-structured, sweetness at lower end of Spätlese, good acidity, moderate intensity and length. Holding up well. Close-out price $12, regular price $19.
Rating: Good ++

2000 Rüdesheimer Berg Schlossberg Riesling Spätlese, Schloss Schönborn, Rheingau

When I first tasted this wine in Dec. '04, I found it lacking the expected intensity of a Rüdesheimer, but predicted that it would develop with some age. About 20 months later, it has done just that. It's still somewhat low in acidity, but has developed some spice and complexity, while losing a little sweetness, and has become much more interesting to drink. Showing its age, it now has a deep golden color with perhaps a tinge of brown. It was an excellent accompaniment to a whole grilled, spice-rubbed, smoked chicken.
Rating: Good ++

2004 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

Typical Marlborough SB, with some grassiness and refreshing acidity. It's a bit more austere than many. Lots of flavor with medium intensity and a fairly long taste. It should mellow a little with time while integrating its components. Original price $17, less 20% discount.
Rating: Very Good

Note added 4/21/07: Over the last year-and-a-half, the wine did indeed come together so that the austere note is gone. It is now a very well-balanced SB that rewarded the extra ageing.

2001 De Loach Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

Everything one could ask for in a California PN: perfumed aroma, warm fruit full of varietal character, sufficient acidity. There's a bit of structure as well with integrated light wood and tannin, moderate intensity with some depth and complexity, and a fairly long taste. Every sip is a pleasure. Close-out price $12, original price $16.
Rating: Very Good +

The rating may have been a bit high compared to a later (Jan '06) tasting, but the wine is certainly very enjoyable.

2001 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Studert-Prüm, M-S-R

Has the pineapple mix of acidity and sweetness that makes it delicious to drink. Floral riesling bouquet and satisfying intensity, with moderate length. Still tastes quite young, and may develop the depth and complexity that it lacks now over time. Don't recall the price, but probably between $10 and $15.
Rating: Good ++

Red-tag close-out sales this month:

Whites:

2004	Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Kabinett, Ansgar Clüsserath, M-S-R	($11, orig. $17)
2004	Dürkheimer Hochbenn Riesling Kabinett, Darting, Pfalz	($11, orig. $16)
2004	Niederhäuser Rosenheck Riesling Kabinett, Mathern, Nahe	($14, orig. $20)
2004	Rüdesheimer Klosterlay Riesling Kabinett, Leitz, M-S-R	($13, orig. $16)
2002	Oestricher Doosberg Riesling Qba, Spreitzer, Rheingau	($11, orig. $16)
2002	Kaseler Nies'chen Riesling Kabinett, Karlsmühle, M-S-R	($13, orig. $19)
2001	Bopparder Hamm Feuerlay Riesling Kabinett, Weingart, Mittelrhein	($11, orig. $16)

Reds:

2002

Husch Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

($19, orig. $27)