2007 Moric Blaufränkisch (Burgenland, Austria)
Bought after reading a lot of praise in one of Stephen and Joe's emails from Crush. They totally nailed this one - at $29 this is seriously awesome and reminiscent of a lot of other wines that come with much higher price tags. Bright red berries, spices, herbs and faint smoky and earthy touches on a frame that's so silken and finessed it brings to mind a really good Chambolle-Musigny; there's really good acidity here keeping it incredibly fresh, light on its feet and precise and a long smoke and herb-filled finish. Glad to have another bottle.
2008 La Sibilla Piedirosso Campi Flegrei (Campania, Italy)
Really good stuff. Have seen a bit of bottle variation with this, but this was quite solid - bright raspberry and cherry fruit that takes on a smoky and leathery character with time, very light, gentle and really easy to drink. At around $12 this is one of the best values I've ever come across.
2008 Carl Schmitt-Wagner Longuicher Maximiner Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese (Mosel, Germany)
Brilliant, clear fruit, expansive minerality and the fresh herbal flavours I always get from this site; flavour and depth with barely any sense of weight. Schmitt-Wagner rarely disappoints.
1997 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, Cali)
Starts out with a deep core of cassis and plum fruit that's rich and intense without ever feeling heavy or overripe, and accents of cedar, cigar smoke and the start of developing leathery notes. This has a sense of grace and finesse despite the power of the flavours, really nicely balanced and finishing long while constantly evolving with time and unravelling more layers. Fantastic wine.
