2007 Francois Cotat, Sancerre Rose:
Very slight residual sugar, pleasant aromas and flavors of strawberry and melon, good acidity and balance and a medium finish. A nice wine but not even in the same world as the 2009 Tempier, Rose. 13% alcohol.
2002 Francois Chidaine, Montlouis Les Choisilles:
Sour to begin with but it comes around with airing; a nice balanced chenin with good fruit, light complexity and decent length. Nothing to write home about but better than quaffable.
2005 Rochioli, Pinot Noir Little Hill:
Although obviously a fine wine, this did not open completely over the course of an evening; so if you have it, hold it. 14.2% abv with a slightly sour but very expansive nose; excellent fruit flavors with gentle oak, some finesse and good length. It will be more than it is now.
2006 Overnoy, Arbois-Pupillin (rouge):
What it always is - a conversation stopper. Served to a bunch of CA wine geeks that initially didn’t like it - “where’s the fruit?” By the end of the evening, three out of four were converts. Looks and smells old, more savory than fruit driven with both elegance and rusticity and a fine grained finish that lasts. I love this wine and to see such CA centric folks wind-up digging poulsard - ‘gives me hope.
2008 Donelan, Syrah Dragon’s Lair Vnyd.:
This wine is made by Tyler Thomas, who was in the restaurant when we opened it and came over to say hello; showing very young but full of fruit with some nuance developing in the lavender/dried herb range, also some olive and meat tones; a touch sweet in the mouth but still delivers the complexity mentioned above, medium body but well concentrated and quite long. A wine of whole cloth and one worth revisiting over the years.
2002 Shafer, Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select:
Nice but nothing more; a cab. that could be from anywhere - without anything to distinguish it from any other pleasant Napa cab. except its texture, which was so polished as to border on oily. Nothing wrong with the wine just no ‘there’ there.
2001 Araujo, Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vnyd.:
On the other hand, this is really distinctive with its signature minerality and a perfectly balanced delivery; lots of young cab. smells and flavors but all done with restraint and elegance; well integrated and very long. This was a pleasure to drink and kept me coming back to the glass. I admit, I actually wish I had this wine in my cellar.
Best, Jim
