2009 Domaine de Fenouillet Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
From 500 ml bottle. Vibrant floral nose. Lightly to moderately viscous, well balanced, focused, and elegant; slightly grapey, with notes of golden raisins, figs, honey, and carnations. An excellent VDN.
2007 Sineann Winery Riesling Medici Vineyard Oregon
Light petrol/minerals on the nose. Moderately full-bodied, ripe, yet well balanced, with good underlying acidity. With some sweetness, it’s clearly intended to be an Oregon version of a German Kabinett or a Spätlese. Shows apple and lime flavors, with some mineral, earth, and baking spice elements. Very good.
2005 Edmunds St. John Roussanne Tablas Creek Vineyard Paso Robles
Somewhat floral nose. Full-bodied, bone dry, round, and oily, yet well balanced, even with 14.5% alcohol. Tastes of tropical fruit, lemons, anise, other herbs, and minerals. Drinking quite well now. Very good+.
2004 Seavey Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley
Actually only 75% Merlot, with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot. Full-bodied, ripe, concentrated, with integrated tannins. Shows notes of mixed berries, cherries, spices, and some new oak. Some heat on the finish, though.
2003 Cantina Liquorificio Gambrinus Raboso Piave DOC
This producer is best known for their liqueur Elixir Gambrinus. The bottle itself came in a cellophane wrapper, reminiscent of Cristal, albeit in a red-orange color.
Rather gamy nose. Medium-bodied, rustic, and high in acidity, with cranberry, plum, leather, and spice notes. Somewhat disjointed on the midpalate, with uneven fruit/mouthfeel. Could be better.
2000 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Classico
80% Corvina, 15% Rondinella, and 5% Oseleta. From 375 ml bottle; in the glass, it is just beginning to show a hint of brown color on the rim. Nose of currants, Christmas pudding baking spices, toasted coconut, and forest floor. Full-bodied, well balanced, smooth, and dry; concentrated, with good finesse, and integrated tannins. Tastes of crème de cassis, black cherries, raisins, dark chocolate, eventually picking up pecan and caramel notes from the oak. Good length and focus. Excellent.
1998 Podere Rocche dei Manzoni Langhe DOC Bricco Manzoni
80% Nebbiolo/20% Barbera. Nose of vanilla, spices, and coconut. Full-bodied, smooth, and balanced - at least as far as ripeness and acidity. Shows oaky flavors of cherries, mixed berries, smoke, and Cayenne pepper. Good; mature, and not fading yet, but still oakier than I usually go for.