Taster66 is reporting in again from JAX.  He is really enjoying the Jacksonville wine scene.  He visited Tastings - A Wine Experience at a Wednesday night tasting.  Here are is tasting notes and comments on Tastings - A Wine Experience .....

"Very spacious and relaxing atmosphere. The Tastings - A Wine Experience has a different setup for sampling wine. Instead of someone pouring the wine for you there are dispensers that dispenses by 1/4, 1/2, and full glasses of wine.  I loved the leather furniture and how it was all set up.  The staff was very hospitalable, friendly, and knowledgable.  The wine selection range from inexpensive wines (10.00 a bottle) to expensive wine (200.00 a bottle). The Tasting's weekly wine tasting cost 15.00 a person.  I will definitely return for a second visit.

....Wines Tasted
 
1.  2006 Milton Park Reisling- Cost 13.00
     Description: Very Light White WIne, tastey with a little after taste.
 
2. 2006 Pedro De Soutamaior Albarino- Cost 20.00
    Description: Fruity with an aftertaste 
 
3. 2005 Pagini Ranch Zinfinadel- Cost 39.00
   Description: Smooth and light red wine.  Good starter red wine.
 
4. 2006 Groth Sauvigon Blanc- Cost 24.00
    Description: Average Sauv Blanc. Would not spend 24.00 for this bottle of wine.  It complemented the raw fish that we  were also tasting.

5. 2004 Trimbach Gerwurtz- Cost 20.00
    Description: Light fruity taste.  Very good.  Out of all the wines tasted, this was the best one.  On a scale from 1 to 10, this was a 9.

Creamy, rich, tropical fruit aromas with flavors of mango and pineapple with loads of spice at the finish.  I am describing Chamarre Jurancon Tradition 2003.  My wife, sister-n-law, niece and I enjoyed this with peach cobbler and it was a "wonderful combination" (sister-n-law exact words).  This wine can also be enjoyed with Asian and Indian dishes, fruit, and of course alone (my wife said she could enjoy alone).  

I picked up two bottles at one of my favorite wine shops in Washington DC (Paul's of Chevy Chase) and my wife said that we have to keep this on hand so I will definitely pick up a few more. 

Enjoy your Chamarre (SHA-MA-RAY): French for "bursting with colors - bursting with flavor".

Wine Spectator 92 Points

Here is another outstanding wine from taster66.  This wine was tasted at The Grotto Wine & Tapas Bar in Jacksonville, FL at their Thursday night tasting.  Here are his tasting notes and comments on The Grotto....

"This Malbec was a very friendly tasting...I have tasted many different Malbec wines and this one has a very smooth taste.  Normally the ones tasted had a chocolately taste.  This wine was very smooth tasting and easy to drink.....

....The weekly wine tasting was superior.  The staff was very friendly and courteous.  They were also very knowledgable in the wine field.  I would recommend The Grotto to anyone living or visiting the Jacksonville area.  The Grotto is one of the most elegant wine shops that I have visited.  I enjoyed after the wine tasting event that there were other wines available to drink which made a comfortable atmosphere for social gathering.  Anyone can taste most of the store stocked wines for a reasonable price.  I will continue to attend The Grotto weekly wine tastings while I am here in Jacksonville.  See you at The Grotto!!!"