Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne, Sauternes 2001 This wine displays lots of tropical fruit in the nose, a sense of bananas and pineapple mixed with the mineral edge of appropriate volatility, though too much for some of the class. In the mouth, there is caramel, warmth and citrus fruits. This Sauternes is of a more moderate richness level, [...]

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Domaine Zind Humbrecht, Alsace, Clos Jebsal, Selection de Grains Nobles, Pinot Gris There’s honey, caramel and minerals in the nose. In the mouth there is caramel framed by acidity to keep it fresh. The caramel flavor goes on a long, long time. Mis par Leonard et Olivier Humbrecht in Turckheim 13.5% $125.99 at K&L

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deLorimier, Alexander Valley, Estate Bottled, Late Harvest, Lace 2004 The nose combines bananas, caramel and minerality. The mouth is viscous without being cloying showcasing the tropical fruit in a rich way, as if dazzled with honey. The botrytised grapes behind the ‘04 are 56% Semillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Muscat, 169 g/l RS. GP&B [...]

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Rosenblum Cellars, Lodi, Ripkin Ranch, Late Harvest Viognier, Lot 34 This is peaches in a glass with a thick mouthfeel, a little heat and the low acidity that often marks Viognier. The fruit was botritised and harvested at 36 brix. The final RS is 10%. P&B in Alameda 14% $14.49 for a 375ml bottle at [...]

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Chateau Pierre-Bise, Quarts de Chaume 2004
Honey is the signature smell that jumps out of the glass with caramel and some noticeable but tolerable VA.  When you think of the Sauternes model, it works just fine.  There’s also citrus, like fresh orange and orange peel. The mouthfeel is quite thick, a very viscous wine with [...]

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Maculan, Veneto Moscato IGT, Dindarello 2006 There’s the sweet smells of orange blossom and ginger and a thick while vibrantly fruity palate - delicious. The grapes are all Muscat from the Dindarello Vineyard in Breganze. The grapes are dried for 6 weeks after harvest and the wine is fermented in stainless, 157 grams/litre RS. [...]

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Domaine des Bernardins, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise 2006
A complex mix of fresh peaches, flowers and alcohol, in check for the style. The RS is on the low side so it would be better to look to fresh fruit as a pairing partner rather than a sweet baked dessert. 100% Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains. Mis par [...]

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Bonterra, Lake County, Bartolucci Vineyard, Muscat 2004 This wine has been well-made since the good old days when the you could taste it at the beautiful Valley Oaks facility. There are the compelling floral notes associated with Muscat plus some pastry-like complexity with the age of this wine. Unfortunately, one of two bottles was off. [...]

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Margan Hunter Valley Botrytis Semillon 2005
This wines has tropical fruit and the volatility that accompanies many botrytis wines. The palate is very thick and the acidity seems shy though the stats say otherwise at 10 g/L. RS 12.7%, alcohol 10.5% $25 (375ml) at Traverso’s Margan
Peter Lehmann Barossa Botrytis Semillon 2001
There’s wet straw and caramel in [...]

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Mount Horrocks Clare Valley Cordon Cut Riesling 2003
The complexity and viscous mouth-feel are balanced by ample acidity. Owner and winemaker Stephanie Toole. P&B in Auburn 11% $22.39 (375ml) at Bottle Barn Mount Horrocks

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Regis Cruchet Vouvray Moelleux 1989
The last bottle tasted back in early 07 was very complex, with great acidity - an evolved, mature wine that was not liked by the class. Tonight’s wine again had its detractors given the bottle development that is well beyond grape freshness. For me though, this bottle offered the [...]

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Robert Hall Paso Robles Margaret’s Vineyard Orange Muscat 2006
A lighter version of dessert wine that is perfect with fresh raspberries.  With only 4.3% RS and a light mouthfeel, this wine could do double duty with spicy prawns in a Thai curry sauce that featured some sweet coconut milk. Hand harvested, whole cluster pressed, fermented 50/50 [...]

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La Montecchia Colli Euganei DOC Fior d’Arancio Spumante Dolce 2005
Fresh and full of orange blossom and ginger just like Moscato d’Asti. The taste is strongly reminiscent of ginger ale; perhaps this is adult ginger ale. Today’s bottle was also showing some bottle development that was complementary to the floral notes. Prod by Conte [...]

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