More time to kill so I returned to VinoVolo for a half sandwich (chicken with red pepper aioli and lettuce.) This time I tried tastes of two California wines.
2007 Kistler Chardonnay Les Noisetiers. Sold at VinoVolo for $59 a bottle. Buttery nose--also shows on palate reminding me of the Rombauer Chardonnay I tried a few months ago. Vanilla from oak. Seems slightly petillant when held in the mouth. Shop notes say citrus and buttered toast, aroma and flavors of citrus, flowers, pears, vanilla and buttered bread. Clean, focused layers and balance on the palate, notes of smoke and mineral on the finish. It does have some stony, mineral elements--not all flab.
2007 Kosuge Dry Stack Vineyard Syrah, Bennett Valley, CA. Sold for $39 a bottle. Dense and opaque dark purple-red. Black currant/cassis with hints of rubber or vinyl. Viscous. Unpleasantly brooding. Shop notes say blackberry and smoke and cinnamon and cherry, deeply colored, integrated tannins and acidity, flavors of black pepper, plum and dark chocolate.
I would not be tempted to buy either wine to take home.