2005 Talley Vineyards Chardonnay Estate - USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley (1/7/2008)
Enjoyable but too flabby for me to love it. Very rich and buttery. Not without acid and fruit but the richness and oak needed to be toned down. (87 pts.)
2005 Sandler Wine Company Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (1/4/2008)
I didn't make any specific notes on this one. Very tasty and a great bargain. A rich wine. Light on acid and a touch of tannin. Concentrated, ripe and a good amount of oak showing. Give 6-12 months. (88 pts.)
2005 Cristom Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills (1/2/2008)
Drank from a 375. I knew it would be young but I wanted an early impression. Brambly fruit, toast and stems on the nose. This wine is still fairly green. I did find it tasty and balanced ... well maybe a little wobbly because of all the primary fruit. The tannins are fairly light and medium acid. I like it now but it will be much better down the road. Hold 5 years. (91 pts.)
2004 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir Trenton Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (1/2/2008)
This is very young. Too young at this stage. Bouncing all over the place. Lots of sweet fruit on the front. Not candied but very sweet and tart. No heat or alcohol showing and a decent amount of tannins but time will be the true test. I would not touch this wine for 3 years. Time may bring more complexity and tamed sweetness, in which case this would move to an "A" wine. (88 pts.)
Cheers,
Jason