2000 Raveneau, Chablis Montee de Tonnerre:
Oh my!
Extract of lemon skin, reduced mineral water, fresh air, very bright chardonnay fruit, no wood in evidence; deep, powerful flavors that echo the nose, incredible balance - as though every nuance of the wine wears toe shoes - intense, concentrated, the texture of satin; fabulous length and finish. A complete wine with enough age on it to be au pointe and enough depth to give the impression of being ever-lasting. Spectacular!
2008 Spaetrot Gebeshuber, Thermen:
50% st. laurent and 50% pinot noir from Austria, 13% alcohol; fresh fruit, light earth and stone scents; bright, juicy, dry, silky but focused; flavors follow the nose, intense, hidden tannin, elegant yet deep; good length. I never had this before but would love to have it again - a very pretty wine with character. A Bill Mayer selection under screw-cap.
Thanks Brad.
2009 Tempier, Bandol Rose:
Very pale salmon color; apricot, peach and mineral nose; some of that apricot softness in the mouth but the acidity kicks in and sharpens everything up, lovely textures and decent length. Another strong rose from this house but $30, retail.
2009 Bedrock, Rose of Mourvedre Ode to Lulu:
More red than the above wine, more color; watermelon and strawberry nose with slight fermentation odors - shows very young; more acidic that the Tempier with less volume but good solid flavors that echo the nose, some tonic water tones and again, showing much younger. I have the impression that this needs 6 months or so to become fully integrated and more expressive. The Tempier is ready (and beautiful) now, this needs a moment or two. $15.
2000 Louis Michel, Chablis Vaudesir:
Reticent nose; disjointed and angular palate, too acidic - after its open awhile, it becomes a pretty little wine with some Chablis character, better balance and more integration - but this is miles from the Raveneau noted above.
2007 Varner, Chardonnay Bee Block:
Carmel oak and more of the same. There’s wine in there but one can’t get to it often because of the forest.
2008 Bevan Cellars, Syrah De Crescenzo Vnyd.:
The one and only syrah from the Bevan Cellars estate vineyard (it was grafted over to cab. franc after 2008) this is a big wine with olive, licorice and dusty syrah smells and flavors, big tannins and considerable extract. More savory than sweet and so appealing to me - this is as good a CA syrah as I have had in awhile. Only a touch of wood here.
Best, Jim