This was all entertaining but there was some wine waiting to be opened, so we eventually made our way to sit for the tasting.  As usual we had the wines bagged in pairs, beginning with four whites and following with six reds.  White Rhones are not well known and have some unfamiliar flavors to those who are exposed only to chardonnay or sauvignon blanc.  Thus these wines caused some different opinions and divergent views on taste and quality.  The reds seemed more familiar and showed a context that people could better relate to and so generally gained more favor of the group.  The best quality vote gave a clear favorite by a wine that was unique in the group and the prices surprised many of us.  In the midst of sampling the reds, Frank Yantek explained the Three Stooges Wine Rating System and the characteristics typified by each Stooge to the amusement of all.

As afternoon turned to evening, Joe opened a bottle of port he brought back from England, a Dow's Trademark Vintage Reserve.  This is sometimes known as a "character" port where it is a house blend that typifies the style of that producer's vintage ports after aging, as opposed to a tawny port that is blended to an immediate drinkable style.  And, yes, it was very nice with chocolate brownies.