Williams Selyem Vista Verde Pinot 2006
Williams Selyem San Benito County, Vista Verde Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006 Tasted at the Wine & Spirts Magazine panel tasting last week, this was one of the eleven of 45 wines passed through to the next round. In the nose, there is sweet red...
California Viognier
This flight provides an interesting contrast in California Viognier. Both are well-made but different animals entirely. The Preston is lighter, fresher, with aromatics that might remind one of a dry California Gewurztraminer. The Cold Heaven is...
Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Duckhorn Vineyards, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Ripe citrus and floral notes dazzle your nose when you smell this wine. In the mouth, it is round and softer than many SBs, with ripeness of fruit and a little warmth. When we visited the winery...
Oregon Pinot Noir
Cloudline, Oregon, Pinot Noir 2007 There's vegetative characters and compost with a sense of carbonic maceration. The nose on this wine never seemed to come around. The mouth repeats on the smells and is very light-bodied and low in concentration....
Woodenhead Anderson Valley Pinot 2003
Woodenhead, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir 2003 The wine has developed volatility which shows in both the smell and on the palate yet the fruit is still quite vibrant across the tongue. P&B in Forestville 14.5% estimated price of $40 at the winery...
Toulouse Pinot Noir 2006
Toulouse, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir 2006 Smoky and spiritous in the nose and warm and gripping in the mouth. The wine was aged for 12 months in French oak. P&B in Philo 14.5% $39 at the winery Toulouse Vineyards
Reds from the Northern Rhone
This flight features 3 wines from the Northern Rhone, all 100% Syrah. Domaine Eric et Joel Durand, Cornas, Empreintes 2005 In the nose there is tar, a sense of permanent solution, meat and black fruits. With more air the black pepper comes on. On...
Cotes du Rhone Red
Jean-Luc Colombo, Cotes du Rhone, Les Abeilles 2006 This is a juicy-fruity budget offering from the famous Cornas producer. It drinks easily with a little bit of structure. Eleve et mis in La Roche de Glun in Tain 13.5% $??? Domaine des Girasols,...
Jacques Puffeney Arbois Vin Jaune 1998
Domaine Jacques Puffeney, Arbois, Vin Jaune 1998 The smell of Fino Sherry hits you directly in the nose, that sense of nuttiness and apples. There is also some sense of volatility. In the mouth, you are reminded of tart, green apples, graced with a...
Clos Lapeyre Jurancon Sec 2007
Clos Lapeyre, Jurancon Sec 2007 This wine is intensly acidic with great concentration of tart, green fruit. The intensity is on a par with what you get in the great Semillons of the Hunter, with an appropriate, underripe character. It's reminiscent...