Dominus Estate Napa Valley Napanook Vineyard 1995, pt. 2

It's amazing what a little bottle variation can do. Last time I had this wine, the tasting note was wildly different. About the only thing in common is that this wine is still amazing.

Still a lovely, deep purple color. Black currant and mocha nose, with a touch of mint hidden underneath the dark fruit on the palate. The tannins are still mouth-coating, though in perfect balance right now. Wonderful. Four and a half stars out of five.

Michel Gros Bourgogne 2004

Last night, the lovely future Mrs. H. and I had dinner with her family. Due to the sheer number of September birthdays in her family, they hold a communal family-birthday-dinner. I basically took it upon myself to order the wine for the table (a bad habit on my part, as I often have to look at the wine list for any restaurant). For the red, I picked the Michel Gros Bourgogne 2004.

Classic Burgundy red wine. The nose was rich in earth but eventually opened up to reveal light stone fruits. Smooth and relaxed on the palate, it lacked significant tannins and had moderate acidity (certainly not as zippy as other Pinot noirs). Over all, a good restaurant wine at a decent price. Two and a half stars out of five.

Names for wedding reception tables?

Instead of calling the tables at the wedding reception "Table 1, Table 2, etc.," is it lame to name them after varietals? And, if so, how much offense should one take to being seated at the Pinotage table?