WTN: Lynch Bages, Broc, Freemark Abbey, Overnoy, Puzelat

A pretty good wine weekend.

2005 DeSante Cabernet Sauvignon. Meh. Red fruit. Some heat. Nothing at all distinctive or interesting. Disappointment 83 points

2004 Freemark Abbey Bosche Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley. It's amazing how DIFFERENT the two vineyard designate Freemark Abbey cabs can be (Sycamore is the other one). Both come from Rutherford, the west side of the valley. I can't imagine the vineyards are more than 2 miles apart. Whereas the 2004 Sycamore was a little disappointing in that it was very ripe, almost goopy (but still with nice fruit), this Bosche bottling was very fresh and even austere (13.8% abv...they did not wait for the grapes to raisin here!) Lightish mouth feel, definitely some major herbal and even green pepper notes here, but the nice currant and cherry fruit adds some depth to the wine. Very changeable in the glass. We all really enjoyed this one. Bravo, Freemark Abbey! 93 points

2003 Chateau Lynch Bages Pauillac. Wow. I know its from the death year. I know it may be too young. I know Lynch Bages uses a lot of new oak. And yet, and yet...This wine was simply awesome as an evening sipping wine. Much richer than the Freemark Abbey but not richer in a sweet fruited California way. Black currant, leather, tons and tons of tobacco, coffee-but somehow not annoyingly oaky, at least to me. Very "masculine" in character. Fantastic structure-there are tannins here but they are not obtrusive in any way. Happily, I have one bottle from the 2005 vintage! It is interesting to read other Board members' posting on 2003 Bordeaux. Far more positive notes than I would expect and I have to say I am enjoying those that I have. I guess 2003 will not shut down like a traditional Bordeaux vintage?

Now three from Terroir Wine Shop in San Francisco.

2006 Broc Cellars Syrah-Bennet Valley, Sonoma County. Tasted at Terroir Wine Bar. This was another fantastic wine. Meaty, blackberry brambly fruit, earth, acid, even some tannins. This may be one of the best California Syrahs I have ever tasted. Like the Lynch Bages, a very masculine wine.

2008 Puzelat Le Tesnier Touraine. Chenin Blanc and Menu Pineau. Started out extremely bright and citrusy. A very pleasant wine which went well with the Halibut and Wild Rice. The last glass, however, sorta blew me away. The bright citrus notes were joined by an intriguing waxy character and layers of spice and richness. I had commented to Dagon at Terroir that this wine has an almost "cidery" character, and this really came through. Give this beauty air!

2007 Overnoy Poulsard Arbois-Pupillin. Very cloudy pink-orange-red color. I have never seen a wine that quite looks like this one. Almost looks like raspberry iced tea beverage. Strawberry fruit and a distinctive brewed tea flavor...is the appearance providing a taste cue? And, as with the Puzelat, this wine just blossomed with time in the glass and air. The last glass introduced a wonderful spicy pepper character to the wine. It went really well with the Halibut...just like the Puzelat.

Overall...one of the better wine weekends!

The 2007 Overnoy is certainly interesting - many folks seem to like it better than the 2006, which seems to be riper and fuller.
They seem pretty different to me but I like them both.
Nice to hear about the Bennett Valley syrah (for obvious reasons).
Best, Jim

I've had a few bennet Valley wines that I thought were very nice (Matanzas Creek 2001 Reserve Merlot). Seems to be a hidden sweet spot.

I understand it's hard to get the Overnoy wines here on the West Coast. I think Guillaume, when he was a partner, literally visited in person the winery in order to get an allocation.