The second night (stored uner cork in refrigerator) showed much better, with a richer mouthfeel, more elegant fruit and just a yum factor. Distinctly better....and my mood/openess to the wine was not much different so, maybe this white wine needs to be opened for a longer time to really show well.2005 Chateau l'Avocat Graves Rouge. This young Bordeaux also needed some time/effort to open up, but with patience it blossomed into a lovely, earthy, savory red wine with some nice current fruit, bracing acidity on the finish, and fine tannins. I liked the finish, although donna found it a little hot. Still...quite nice. And, it was cheap! Alas, K&L sold out of it at their retail location in SF.
2004 Freemark Abbey "Sycamore Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford). From near Staglin Family and Heitz Bella Oaks. Big, big Napa Cab. Layers of dark fruit, chocolate, plum, savory elements. Pretty "porty" for a Freemark Abbey Cabernet, may reflect the hottish year. Good, but not my favorite vintage from this vineyard.
2000 Georg Rafael Cabernet Sauvignon. Near the bottom of Mount Veeder appellation. Made by Tom Farella for a Europeane hotel chain owner. Very nice Cabernet...it shows some Napa heat, but there is definitely an old world sensibility here that I appreciate-almost Bordeauxish. Dark fruit, nice herbal notes. Showing some maturity in secondaruy flavor development, with fine earthy flavors and tannic structure. Very nice wine!