SYRAH ON THE BAY... On Saturday, June 30, 140 Syrah wine lovers (people of Monterey County) diligently blind-tasted their way through 12 Monterey County Syrah wines while sailing on board the Princess of Whales, a double-decker catamaran and Monterey's newest and largest passenger vessel. According to Ken Rauh of Taste of Monterey, the cruise was a success.

"After one and a half hours of tasting, sipping, swirling and scoring, the scorecards were collected," Rauh says. "After a few minutes we revealed the wines and announced the top three winners based on weighted averages. These results are not scientific. However, these awards did reveal some pretty seasoned eonophiles' Syrah preferences, and it was fun too."

Baywood's 1999 Reserve Syrah took Gold, a 1998 Meador Syrah won the Silver, and San Simeon's 1999 Syrah took Bronze. A 1999 Morgan and a 1999 Paraiso Springs were given honorable mentions.

STARBUCK'S IS COMING TO CANNERY ROW... City approval was granted three weeks ago. Word on the street is that the java joint is going in across from Sly McFly's, but, according to a local Starbuck's spokesperson, no leasing arrangements have been finalized.

LIKE CHOCOLATE MORE THAN CAPPUCCINO?... What about liqueur-infused dark chocolate truffles? What if that liqueur happened to be that ever-popular raspberry essence Bonny Doon Framboise? Well, your wishes can come true. Just ring up Randall Grahm's brother, Robert Grahm, at his chocolate company, Compartes, in Los Angeles at (310) 826-3380, (800) 213-6485 or visit www.compartes.com. Ask about their Hot Chili Pepper Truffles if you dare.

MORE MEN AND THEIR BROTHERS... Quail Lodge's new chef, Jean Hubert, who worked with top French chef Alain Chapelle at his restaurant in Lyon (the culinary epicenter of France), is the brother-in-law of Epic Wine Company sales rep Scott Thomasen. By the way, don't forget to mark your calendars for the Concorso Italiano taking place at Quail Lodge on Aug. 17.

LE CIGAR DE MERLOT... Chances of finding a merlot that is drinkable and affordable are about as slim as finding a Fiat that handles like a Ferrari. Well, the friendly folks at Robert Mondavi have spent some time out there test-driving, so it should come as no surprise that their latest offering, Mondavi Coastal Merlot 99 ($12), answers to the call. Made with 88 percent Monterey County grapes, this wine is soft and silky, with blackberry and cigar-box notes.