WTN: Two Calif Dessert Wines..(short/boring)

Tried these two last night at BBB:
1. Navarro GWT ClusterSelect LateHrvst Sweet (10.2%; RS: 20.0%; SaH: 37.5%) 2002: Med.dark gold color; intense botrytis/peachy/apricotty some old TBA/cedary beautiful complex nose; tart/acid intense botrytis/peachy/apricotty quite sweet slight earthy/cedary/old TBA complex flavor; very long/lingering tart/acid intense botrytis/peachy/apricotty slight earthy some cedary/old TBA quite sweet very complex finish; a really beautiful example of older Calif TBA; should go another 10-15 yrs.
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2. ThumbsUp/OurWay SantaBarbaraCnty WhiteRiesling (SaH: 38Brix) Clendenen/Tolmach/Lindquist 1989: Very dark brown color; bit volatile/EA very intense botrytis/apricotty/peach syrup slight butterscotchy/caramel/creme brulee very complex old TBA nose; quite sweet intense peachy/apricotty/botrytis bit soft some caramel/butterscotchy very complex flavor; very long/lingering complex/old TBA botrytis/peachy/apricotty/peach syrup/fruit cocktail syrup some caramel/butterscotchy/creme brulee finish; lovely example of an old Calif TBA; will probably go another 10 yrs.
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A wee BP:
1. I've long claimed that botrytis, at high levels, destroys varietal character. Larry thought he could get GWT character in this wine, but I was not able to pick up any of that signature hair oil/lychee character in the wine. I've had Navarro GWT & WR TBA's side-by-side and, though they're different, I'm pretty certain I could not identify the GWT from the WR blind.
The ThumbsUp was a Sauternes made by JimClendenen/BobLindquist/AdamTolmach when they were still pardners in the dairy barn up in LosAlamos. It was the last WR off the BienNacidoVnyd. The grapes were not sold (no surprise there) and just left to rot on the vine. Seeing the strong botrytis infection, they decided to harvest the grapes and make a dessert wine. It was barrel frmtd/barrel aged and, in its youth, a dead-ringer for a Sauternes. By now, the oak has vanished pretty much and it resembles an old TBA more than anything..and a good one at that.
Tom

Tom, is that a true Riesling or some other variety such as Welsch Riesling? (And thanks for the interesting notes.)

Tom, Navarro has been a great source of late harvest Gewurz and Riesling. And I agree with you that heavy botrytis masks the varietal character.

and the label calls it White Riesling.

Tom, is that a true Riesling or some other variety such as Welsch Riesling? (And thanks for the interesting notes.)

It's a true Riesling. Technical TTB name for Riesling is WhiteReisling. They allow JohannisbergRiesling as well.
Tom