Tried these over the last few days:
1. Varner Chard BeeBlock/SpringRidgeVnyd/SCM (14.6%; www.VarnerWine.com) 2007: Med.gold color; strong minerally/chalky/bit earthy some ripe/melony/Chard/spicy light nutmeg/toasty/oak slight Burgundian very attractive nose; very tart/structured/crisp quite minerally/chalky some ripe/melony/Chard/floral/honeydew some lean/austere light toasty/oak/nutmeg almost Chablis-like flavor; very long lean/crisp/tarrt quite minerally/chalky/bit earthy very spicy light nutmeg/toasty/oak/pebcilly finish; a beautiful crisp/minerally Chard w/ classic SCM/earthy character and light oak; should go out 10 yrs I'd think. $40.00
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2. WindGap Chard 'Yuen' JamesBerry & Brosseau vnyds/CentralCoast (525 cs; #553; 12.9%; www.WindGapWines.com) 2008: Light gold color; light pencilly/toasty/smokey/nutmeg/Fr,oak somewhat earthy/melony/Chard/slight appley quite perfumed nose; rather tart/lean bright/crisp/appley/honeydew melon/spicy/nutmeg light toasty/pencilly/Fr.oak slight earthy flavor; med.long crisp/appley/honeydew/Chard slight earthy/minerally/chalky light toasty/oak finish; needs several yrs; a lean style of Chard but not eviscerated; some like a Chalone PinotBlanc (of yore) w/o the oak.
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3. Ridge Calif Zin LyttonEstate (84% Zin/16% PS; DryCreekVlly; 14.9%; Bttld: April'08; Drk: 1/08-1/13-1/15: JO) 2006: Very dark color; very strong raspberry/DryCreekVlly/Zin very spicy/perfumed slight DraperPerfume/pungent/smokey/oak quite attractive nose; quite tannic/hard rather tight/austere/lean strong raspberry/Zin/Zinberry some smokey/oak flavor; long rather tannic/hard/austere somewhat raspberry/Zinberry finish; badly needs some age and may turn into something pretty good; very attractive nose but pretty hard on the palate. $30.00
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No BP today.
Tom