Time to post-up some notes again. A motley assortment, as usual.
Clape, Saint Peray, 2007
As everyone knows, a blanc of old-vine (roughly 40 year-old) marsanne. Typical honeyed stone, hayseed, lanolin, oil cloth and nuts. Good, if a little dull. B+
Guido Porro, Barolo, 'Lazzairasco', 2005
Earthy leaves and a red fruited nose. Tangelo and florals (unclear what type) on the palate, along with redcurrant, red appleskin, sinewy textured with tannin that is not intimidating. Has a faded, older noble woman character to it. Good stuff. A-/B+
Robert Chevilon, Nuits St. Georges, 'les Chaignots', 2003
Thick plum and licorice on the nose. Salty black plum, dusty wood tannins, lowish acidity. California-like in its ripeness. Rather flat in profile. 13.5% B/B+
Domaine Sainte Anne, Cotes du Rhone Villages, cuvee Notre Dame des Cellettes, 2007
Dark maroonish red colored. Soy sauce, bloody cut beef, iron, and emerging leather on the hidden nose. Restrained cherry-plum-licorice with a savory finish. Very nice. Tastes like old-fashioned Cotes-du-Rhone. 14% B+/A-
Tua Rita, Rosso Toscana IGT, Guisto di Notri, 2000
Dark purplish red. Ripe blackcurrant, sweet licorice on the nose, echoing on the palate along with blackcurrant jam, mint. Use your derisive adjectives here: thick, jammy, ripe, plush, voluptuous...this all describes it, but it is done well and still has years to go. Still young. A-
Rhys, Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains, 'Horseshoe Vineyard', 2007
Blackish red colored. This has a beautiful floral, perfumed nose with a gentle attack: needs to sit in the glass to come out. Medium-to-light bodied, beef broth with bone, lilac-wisteria,very sappy and refreshing on the finish, with surprisingly better acidity I've found from other Rhys wines. Very approachable now, I'd like to see where 2-4 years takes this. Like a polished Cornas/Saint Joseph blend. Well done! 13.9% A-
Emile Boeckel, Riesling, Alsace, 'Wiebelsberg', 2005
Relatively advanced color. Tinned pineapple with petrol aromas, echoed on the palate, along with fresh cut Christmas tree. Heavy and plooding, like a poorly made grenache blanc. Somewhat better on the 3rd day. B-
Edi Kante, Carso, Sauvignon (blanc), 2005
Buttered river stones, shale, with camembert cheese rind, watercress and sunflower seed, limestone. Time has softened this and turned it into a gentle, thoughtful white. I wish these were more widely available. Great producer. 13.5% A-