2010 Azienda Agricola COS Frappato IGT Sicilia
Chilled lightly. Grapey nose, with floral and red berry aromas. Light in weight, well balanced, delicate, quite earthy, with red berry and cherry notes. Very good. This gets some time in amphorae.
2010 Domaine Jacques et Nathalie Saumaize Saint-Véran “En Crêches”
From two plots of young vines. Medium-bodied, crisp, bone dry, balanced, with moderate acidity; apple, pear, peach, and mineral notes. Good/very good.
2009 Domaine Jacques et Nathalie Saumaize Mâcon-Bussières Montbrison
From a single vineyard; Verget has also made wines from this site. Medium-bodied, bone dry, focused, with good underlying acidity; very mineral, with apple and straw notes. Very good.
2008 Ballentine Vineyards Petite Sirah Fig Tree Vineyard St. Helena
Somewhat light blackberry/black cherry nose. Full-bodied, broad, smooth, and balanced, with moderate tannin/structure. Shows notes of blackberries, blackcurrants, and minerals, and hints of espresso and spice. Very good; probably will continue to develop for at least a few more years.
2006 Hartford Court (Hartford Family Winery) Pinot Noir Arrendell Vineyard Russian River Valley
Cherry/plum/vanilla nose. Full-bodied, relatively open, ripe, well balanced, with smooth tannins. Shows blackberry, plum, cherry, and vanilla flavors, plus some earthy/slightly floral notes. Very good+.
1996 Domaine Huët Vouvray Sec Le Mont
Nose of wet wool, squash, spices, and stones, with just a bit of caramel. Full-bodied, bone dry, quite elegant, very nicely balanced, with good underlying acidity. Quite mineral; tastes of straw, honey, and apples, with hints of white flowers and baking spices. Lingering finish. Excellent.