Some notable and/or interesting wines that I had in November that didn't fit into any other post of mine.
2009 Clos de la Roilette (Coudert) Fleurie Cuvée Tardive
Medium-bodied, rounder, well balanced, with good underlying acidity and moderate structure. Silky and elegant, with somewhat meaty/floral/earthy dark berry and cherry notes. Very good/excellent.
2009 Cave Yves Cuilleron Syrah Rosé Sybel VDP des Collines Rhodaniennes
A rosé that I never got around to opening during the summer. Full-bodied, nicely balanced, with good underlying acidity. Not the most fragrant of a nose, but shows brightly flavored, lightly meaty watermelon/red berries flavors. Good/very good.
2008 Domaine Jean-Claude Thevenet Saint-Véran Clos de l'Ermitage Vieilles Vignes
Floral nose. Medium-bodied, pretty, well balanced, with good underlying acidity. Rather mineral, with citrus and white peach notes. Very good+.
2008 Mahoney Vineyards Vermentino Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros
Floral nose. Light-bodied, mildly crisp, and bone dry, with white peach and apple flavors, plus a hint of minerality. Shows perhaps a bit much alcohol on the midpalate; otherwise, this is a good wine.
2007 F.X. Pichler Loibner Frauenweingarten Grüner Veltliner Federspiel
Nose of cooked green vegetables, minerals, and lemon. Medium-bodied, rich, yet well balanced, with good underlying acidity, and the almost polished sleekness that I associate with the Wachau. Just a bit off-dry. Expectedly mineral, with chickpea, white pepper, lime, cantaloupe, and fennel flavors. Has a distinct finesse that I usually don’t find in the Smaragd category.