2007 Arkenstone, Sauvignon Blanc:
From the notion that “expensive wine is nature’s way of telling you have too much money,” we have this $45 sauvignon blanc from Howell Mountain. 14.2% alcohol.
Tropical, soft, big, heavy and tiring.
2007 Morlet, Syrah Bennett Valley:
Same book; $60; huge, soft, polished beyond my limit, thick and tiring.
1999 Sori Patin, Barbaresco Patin VV:
Fine grained from start to finish but not in the polished sense of the preceding wines - more in the precise and yet integrated manner; complexity, balance, beautiful aromatics, nebbiolo as it should be and can be. With homemade pasta and rabbit ragout, the bomb.
2009 Lorenza, Rose:
12.8% alcohol, mostly mourvedre and carignane with a bit of cinsault, grenache and syrah; made by friends and this is not saignee; pale, fresh, tart, bone dry and flavorful, pretty wine with enough substance to let you know its wine and not so much as to make it heavy or cloying. Remarkably charming.
Alas, when one grows grapes expressly for rose in CA the bottle gets expensive; $28.
IMO, worth it.
2002 Luneau-Papin, Muscadet Excelsior - Schistes:
Ah yes, sometimes you come home after a week on the road and you hug your sweetie, sit in your easy chair and sleep in your own bed - and you feel so much better. This is the vinous equivalent - softer than most Muscadet (although magnitudes crisper than the Arkenstone) clear, clean, nuanced and balanced - lovely wine and a terrific accompaniment to grilled chicken with salad. Ahhhhhhhhh . . .
2000 Thomas, Pinot Noir:
Gentle, yet persistent; delicate fruit, nice structure, surprising length and that touch of earthiness that is so indicative of the grape. 13% alcohol and delicious with light cheeses.
Best, Jim