2006 Pépière, Muscadet Clos des Briords VV:
Quite dry; crystal clear in the mouth with lots of mineral tones and focused fruit. A lovely wine at its “shelf-life” beginning. Identical on day two after being refrigerated overnight.
N/V Casal Garcia, Vinho Verde:
10% alcohol, $7 and nothing but net – lime skin, grapefruit scents and flavors in a lightweight delivery under screw-cap. A glass now, one later, etc. I am stuck on this wine.
2000 R. & V. Dauvissat, Chablis Les Clos:
The only other wine I have tasted where, once the glass was empty, the aroma was more intense, was the 1945 Latour – this is sensational with lemon-skin candy on the nose, depth, character and balance in the mouth and a finish that is . . . well, like only one other wine. The perfect Chablis experience and as good a showing of a chardonnay based wine as I have had. 13% abv.
1994 Laurel Glen, Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Mountain:
Best showing ever for this wine (for me) with a fully developed mid-palate, exceptional length, balance and secondary layers. It would be very hard for me to think of another domestic cabernet that I have had in the last ten years that approached this level of finesse and complexity.
2005 Havens, Bourriquot:
2/3 cabernet franc and 1/3 merlot; A meaty, smoky, Bandol-esque nose that gives no indication of the varietal make-up here but sure does get your attention; powerful, thick but not sweet in the mouth with immense flavors that follow the nose and considerable tannin, albeit, not drying. A giant of a wine and one of the most intense red wines in awhile. I don’t know if I like this or not, but I will remember it.
2006 Fillaboa, Albariño Monte Alto:
Multifaceted, intensely flavored and spicy; not a typical albariño and deserves to be served with food. And although I am uneasy saying it, I think this will develop with some age in the cellar.
Best, Jim