Byrrh Rare Assemblage nv Like drinking sweet vermouth with more flavour intensity Elevage sous bois; a blend of wines from Roussillon, 3-17 years old, This is a different bottling from the regular and each is numbered. In early November '08 I...
Domaine André Vatan, Sancerre, Les Charmes 2006 The style point has always been lean and green, offering a sense of the appellation without the over $20 price of the more concentrated offerings. Today’s wine offered riper fruit flavors that are...
Wollersheim Winery American Seyval Semi-Dry Prairie Fume 2006 This smells of citrus, in particular lime with a candied element. It's very clean and bottled under Stelvin so no risk of cork taint. In the mouth is a lovely sweet-tart character with...
Pirramimma McLaren Vale Old Bush Vine Grenache 2003 The last two tastings of this wine earlier in 2007 showed the fruit of Grenache with ever-integrating oak. Again tonight it is supple and the raisiny fruit is surounded by acidity and still kissed...
J. Wilkes Santa Barbara County Bien Nacido Vyds Pinot Blanc 2005 Clean, lime and candy like a Riesling, quite dry with perhaps a bit of warmth which disappearred with chilling, long flavor of lime Bot. in Sant Maria 14.1% $20 at the Wine Emporium....
Chambers Rosewood Vineyards Rutherglen Muscat nv This wine is concentrated and thick displaying its fruit with great complexity. The raisined grapes come from old vines, some from beginning of 1900s. P&B in Rutherglen Lot#6338 for the first...
This flight features 2 grapes, 3 wines and 3 countries. Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This is in-your-face Sauvignon with bell pepper and lots of acid. All stainless with some lees contact. 13% $9.49 at Bottle Barn Oyster Bay Annie's...
Mas Amiel Muscat de Rivesaltes 2005 A vin doux naturel from the esteemed producer in Maury. My notes from early 2007 state: stunning - a fresh and light-bodied dessert wine that brims with Muscat fruit; the alcohol adds body but no burn. Again...
Domaine Richaud Cairanne Cotes du Rhone Villages 2005 When I visited with Marcel Richaud a few years ago, his red wines were concentrated and demonstrated the value in this appellation. Bottles tasted here at home from the 2003 vintage were...
This flight features 3 whites and offers an opportunity to contrast acid levels, weight and residual sugar. Chateau Sainte-Marie Entre-Deux-Mers Vielles Vignes 2005 Of the 2004 I noted a perfect balance of the grapes used and a great value. This...