WTN: Chablisienne, Champalou, Pallieres, Ladera, Cristia

• 2006 Bergström Pinot Noir Cumberland Reserve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (11/6/2011)
  Not impressed again. Not a lot of pinot characters here, very modern, a bit of heat on the finish and a wine that is going downhill, I think. Even for a 2006 OR wine, this was better on release. Very poor QPR. (B/B+)
• 2002 La Chablisienne Chablis Grand Cru Grenouilles - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru (11/6/2011)
  Developing nicely, there's the butterscotch note on the nose and palate now, and there's nice power and concentration on the medium bodied palate. Lots of minerals still too. Still a baby, but a lovely chablis. (A-)
  
• 2006 Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (11/4/2011)
  Definitely more open for business and smooth on the second night, but still a nice structured wine with slight tannins. No fruit bomb here, but there is still lovely richness with nice acidity. Rasberries, blackberries and cocoa on the moderate nose. A medium-full bodied palate, with a mouthcoating, smooth texture; blackcurrants and a hint of vanilla are the main flavours. Rather primary still, of course, but quite tasty, especially on the second night. Great QPR for a CA wine. It still needs time, and should improve with a few more years of aging. (A-)
• 2005 Domaine les Pallières Gigondas - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas (10/29/2011)
  Medium brick in colour. After decanting for two hours, there are mainly redfruits on the moderate nose, with some game, earth and leather as well. Medium bodied on the very pure, slightly modern palate, although there's still a bit of tannin there: a nicely structured wine. Game, tar, earth, plums and cherries are the main flavours; its just starting to develop secondary characteristics and complexity. Very nice in its combination of purity and power right now, but it will last at least 5 years yet. (A-)
• 2003 Champalou Vouvray Cuvée des Fondraux - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (10/26/2011)
  Light gold in colour. Not much on the nose, but there is some chenin funk and tropical fruit. The medium-full bodied wine explodes on the palate, with the rich, unctous texture the defining feature of the slightly off dry (as much richness as sweetness) flavours of honeyed fruits (ripe pear, banana, mango) and a hint of lime and minerals. It would rate higher but for the slight alcohol note on the finish: but I served this cool rather than cold, and perhaps that affected the perceived alcohol level (only 13.5 noted on the label). A powerful, rich, concentrated wine, very chenin, and very interesting. I imagine it could last a while yet. (A-)
• 2004 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Renaissance - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (10/23/2011)
  Opened this up at a dinner party last night with several other CDPs (a vertical of Vieux Donjon and a Prefert). Didn;t take notes, but this was my favourite wine, I think, even though i brought it. After two hours in a decanter, it was a very concentrated, smooth wine with nice complexity and a good finish. Dark fruits with hints of game and pepper. Very young, of course, but very enjoyable already. (A-)
• 2005 Spinifex Indigène - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (10/19/2011)
  Very interesting wine. We drank this last night; didn't take notes, but it had a lovely, slightly spicy nose. The medium-full bodied palate was very smooth, though nicely structured, and the gamy, leathery characters from the mourvedre was noticable. Not over the top at all. Ready now with a short decant, but will last many more years. I often enjoy these Aussie Shiraz/Mataro blends, and wish more producers made them. (A-)