2008 Ant Hills Farms, Pinot Noir Mendocino:
13.2% alc.; smells of crunchy red fruit, light spice/oak and maple sugar; clean and medium weighted, crunchy fruit, balanced and moderately long. Not a spectacular wine but a good one with Mendocino character and the ability to accompany light sandwiches and not overwhelm. About $35.
2008 Faivley, Bourgogne (blanc):
13% alc. stony and steely (think Chablis) with powerful chardonnay fruit that does not show any over-ripeness; intense, bright, powerful flavors and a long finish. We drank this by itself and it was excellent; I can only imagine how good it would be with food. About $16, and absolutely stealing at that price.
(Aside: this wine impressed me so much I may have to start looking for this bottling regularly. A great price and the potential for development in a wine that shows well early - wow!)
2007 Esmonin, Bourgogne Cuvee Sylvie (rouge):
Restrained but not reticent, extremely pure smells and flavors, mostly in the red fruit range, some complexity and real sustain. With Japanese food (not sushi), a wonderful pairing. This wine is expotentially better than its $22 price point.
2008 Chevillon, Passetoutgrain:
12.5% alc.; bright, and the impression of tartness on the nose; similar on the palate with cut and full flavors, more complexity than expected and less gamay-like. Also with Japanese food, delicious. About $21.
2008 Navarro, Muscat Blanc:
13.2% alc.; juniper and ginger smells accent white pit fruit; dry but not bone dry, flavors follow the nose, good acidity and a medium length, balanced finish. Not gaining in the cellar but not losing either. Very nice with salad and cheese.
Best, Jim