Well, despite the calendar change, these are from late last year.
Rolly Gassmann, Rotleibelde Rorschwihr, Pinot Gris, 2004
The name alone is worth the price of admission. I had friends of mine get a laugh when I told them the wine they were drinking was from 'The Rolly Gassmann'.
This has a nice weight and a gravitas that makes one know that this is an excellent producer. Wish I could find his wines more widely available. Lemony apple pomice and apple skin, with a mouthfeel that is simply indescribably delicious. A-
Dauvissat, Chablis, 'Forets', 2005
Almandine-lanolin nose, this is all about soft rainwater filtered through limestone karst. Lemon washwater and slight lanolin, walnut-shell on the finish. Good, but I think a notch less than the 2002 of this. A-
Terre del Principe, Terre del Voltuno IGT, 'Castello delle Feminine', 2007
I'm prejudiced because I like and enjoy the Principe's wines. This is darkish purplish red, strongly perfumed (almost like a ruche), musky. On the palate there's light pomegranate and cherry, with a dry dusty finish and slight amaro bite. Almost delicate for something from the south. Pleasantly dry with lilac and dried fruit on the finish. Wine as a good friend. A-
Fornaser, Passito del Veneto IGT, 'Bure Alto', 2001
A passito wine made from garganega & cortese grapes. Deep amber orange colored. Orange and burnt sugar, aromas and flavors. Very viscous, Seville orange marmalade, with an herbal finish, not at all heavy and almost feeling light, with 13% alcohol and plenty of acidity. A/A- 500ml bottle.
Massa Vechia, Maremma Toscana IGT, Rosato, 2006
Color (and aromas) of a Etna Rosso red wine. Mind you, I am not a big lover of rose wines, but this is really truly a red in disguise, and perhaps that is why I enjoy this so much. The nose is full of tomato plant leaves, stewy red fruits and slight brett. Light red fruits in the mouth, similar to a Lapierre or Foillard Beaujolais with a spicy character. Refreshing and interesting, and up there for one of my top wines of the year. A-/A
Scherrer, Zinfandel, Alexander Valley, 'Old and Mature Vines', 2006
Bramble berry and sherry cask nose. This is a big wine (zinfandel -- duh?!), full of old berry liquor, sandstone, fennel. Alcohol and wood cask spice on the finish, but not excessive. Echoes old school zin in the best of the tradition, circa mid-1980's.
