2008 Hitching Post Hometown Pinot Noir I wasn't going to buy any wine at Whole Foods since the prices were rather atrocious, but I've not seen any HP wine anywhere else. On the first night I felt like I'd wasted my $$. This was sweet, goopy and tutti-frooti, and it did not improve with airtime. The second night was a a bit better, with the sweetness starting to recede. It was somewhat drinkable but still not what I like. I skipped night 3 and on the 4th night this was turning into a fairly decent Pinot Noir with some mushroom and earth starting to assert itself. So, maybe buy again and hold, or decant for a long time. On the other hand, there are better PNs out there in the same price range, so why buy again?
Edmunds St JohnJ 1993 California Syrah This is one of the wines from Steve's "clearance sale" a few months back. I should have bought some more of these while they were available. This was savory, mildly floral with white pepper dancing throughout the black fruit and very satisfying.
Edmunds St John 2009 Rocks and Gravel Out of the bottle, this was very primary, all fruit and perfume, but nowhere near as cloying as the HP Pinot. It just needed a bit of air to settle and let the parts integrate into the whole. Nights 2 and 4 (the in between night was the finish of the HP) it gained some weight and shed some baby fat, showing what this wine will become in the future. I'm in no hurry to open another one for at least a year.