2006 Don Giovanni Cabernet Franc Pinto Bandeira 12.8%
Cherry, leather, tar, olives, with a hint of brett. Sharp acidity, overwhelms fruit before food, becomes more balanced with. Not delicious, but good and honest, with an old-fashioned acid/sweet profile.
2007 Finca La Daniela Malbec Mendoza 13.5%
Ripe plums and caramelly oak. Some alcohol burn, acid somewhat detached from the fruit. Fairly typical of the style, “correct,” and not in any way over the top. My mind was telling me not to like it, but I did. It was a flower day…
2008 Terrazas de los Andes Torrontés Reserva Unoaked Salta 13.0%
Citrus, white flowers and rieslingesque minerality. Good mouth weight, turning a bit hollow on the mid palate and ending short. Acidity was just sufficient before food, but insufficient to handle food, especially as it warmed. Friendly, like an eager to please puppy wagging its tail, but lacks bite. Have yet to find a Torrontés that I would call balanced. Kudos for screwcap and zero oak.
2004 Jean-Michel Gerin Côte-Rôtie Le Seigneur 13.0%
Red berries, eucalyptus and a hint of dishrag. Excellent acid/sweet balance, lively and fresh, light tannins, satisfying body, the oak and alcohol so discreet as to be nearly imperceptible. Elegant and refined. Was afraid it would show too young, but found it really lovely.
