Domaine Dampt, Chablis, 'Cote de Lechet', 2004
Light lemon calcium nose. Softish acidity, especially when compared with the bracing type this had when it first came out. In a good place of middle-youth. Light, pure, lemon-water spritz on the finish. B+/A-
Rocca Bernarda, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Picolit, 2004
One never sees much picolit, and when one does, it's usually vinified as a desert wine as this one is. From a 500ml bottle, comes a richly tropical flavored wine with durian custard in a burnt sugar crust, giving a slightly bitter, roasted dandelion root, finish to this medium sweet wine. Nice, but don't see much future development here. A-
L'Oustal Blanc, Minervois, 2005
Brightish medium cherry red color. Overwhelmed by an odd perfumy aroma upon opening, simliar to the 'perfume' sewage treatment plants use to cover their smell in urban areas. Stewed fruits, berries, and barrels, light smoke and tar, modern. Clean, despite the perfume. Okay. 14% B-B+
Francois Villard, Condrieu, 'les Terrasses du Palat', 2006
Light, bronze gold colored. Aromas of kumquat tea, jasmine green tea. The palate shows gingered-pear with a bitter tangerine edge and a slightly smoky quality on the finish. Served cool to tame the inherent blousiness that viognier can exhibit. 14% B+
Robert Chevillon, Nuits-Saint-Georges, 'les Vaucrains', 1998
Medium maroon red with bricking at the edge. Nose of iron rust, cherry caskwood, but not immediately upon opening. Redcurrant-cranberry with a sharp finish, rusty nails, and strong acidity. Young? 13.5% A-
Channing Daughters, Long Island, Tocai Friulano, 2007
Pale tawny, silver-cast yellow. Citrusy soya sauce and saline aromas, this is a nice medium-bodied effort with lemon custard and a nutty finish. Good, and not bad for $20. 12.5% B+/A- Question though: who the hell IS either Channing or the Daughters? Neither of those names are the principals of this operation and there is no bloody mention of the meaning of the name on the winery's website. Can anyone please inform?