2009 Terres Dorees, Fleurie:
Fresh, stuffed with flavor but really disjointed; too young to drink now; oodles of future. After about an hour open, this shows much better and is about as promising as one could ask. Put it away for 6 months or a year. About $20.
2009 Terres Dorees, Morgon:
OTOH, this was of a piece, lovely, well flavored and lasting. A candidate for more immediate drinking and $2 less (for some reason) than the Fleurie. Probably not for aging (or such is my impression).
2009 Christian Ducroux, Regnie:
Demeter, 12% alcohol, no added sulfites; fresh charries, face powder, stones and a lovely, earthy note of sage or some similar fresh herb; alive in the mouth with flavors that follow the nose but are young and slightly disjointed, good grip and balance, mouth-watering acidity and fine length. A little decanter time helps this knit together and brings out the earthiness. About $15 and more than worth it - could use some time in the cellar.
‘Wish I had a raost chicken right about now.
2009 Pepiere, Muscadet Clos de Briords:
Fantastic wine; beautiful nose, clean, of its place, crisp but not overly acidic, lovely fruit and great minerality. $13.50, locally and as good a bottle of wine at that price as there is on the planet. In my world of white wine, only the finest Chalis rival this for quality.
With butternut squash risotto, sauteed brussel sprouts and grilled chicken; the bomb.
Also, tasted over the course of an evening, some 2007 domestic pinot noirs:
Chronicle, Sonoma Coast:
Precise, lovely, feminine, complex and altogether a joy to drink. Perfect balance, no overt oak, translucent nectar. Made by Ted Lemon. 13.8% alcohol, about $35 and very worth it.
Chronicle, Cerise Vineyard:
Bigger, more concentrated and more masculine than the preceding wine with that ‘crunchy’ fruit I get from Anderson Valley pinots. Maybe long term this will be more impressive but it will never be as graceful and enchanting as the Sonoma Coast - and its a lot more money.
Cambria, Julia’s Vnyd.:
Very sweet and one dimensional; nothing for me here; 14.5% alcohol.
Andrew Rich, Willamette Valley:
13.1% alcohol, screwcap; somewhat acidic but not a bad lighter-weight Oregon pinot.
Gary Farrell, Russian River:
Quintessential Russian River aromas and flavors with cherries dominant; not a bad wine but also tending to the sweet side; 14.2% alcohol.
And others:
2008 Capiaux, Pinot Noir Sonoma County:
Nothing to set it apart and fairly sweet. 14.6% alcohol.
2006 Chronicle, Zinfandel Old Vine:
14.7% alcohol; smells and tastes like zinfandel and not jam or worse, structured, balanced and good.
1999 Dunn, Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mtn.:
Closed, tannic and brutal - the proverbial blunt instrument.
2007 Spotteswood, Cabernet Sauvignon:
Stunningly delicious; still youthful and tannic but a very pure and focused wine, ripe without being over-ripe and absolutely gorgeous with steak. Reminds me of Napa cab. from the ’70’s.
2005 Araujo, Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vnyd.:
Not the slightest indication of its pedigree and so polished and sweet as to be cloying. Maybe this will be better with time; it is not worth opening now.
Best, Jim