1996 Salon Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs - France, Champagne, Le Mesnil Sur Oger, Champagne (11/28/2013)
This is showing very well, and makes me want to drink up all I have. Normally I would look past Salon in the cellar, favoring further aging (no matter the vintage), but this is so delicious now, that I see no reason to wait. There's more than enough lemon, apple, toast and light nut aromas and flavors for two bottles of Champagne. Pure happiness in a glass.
2010 Domaine Bertheau (Pierre et François) Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru (11/28/2013)
Beautiful Chambolle! There's a lightness to the wine, without any lack of density, as the red fruit and floral elements jockey for attention. The structure of the wine is nearly invisible - subsumed into a seamless whole. Very delicious wine.
2011 Ceritas Chardonnay Porter-Bass Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (11/28/2013)
Take a frozen lemon, and stick an ice cold knife through its center. Lick the steel. You have this wine. It's quite severe now, though it has good density, so it might round out a bit with some bottle age. For masochists only at this point - give me more...more...
2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah North Coast - USA, California, North Coast (11/28/2013)
Very dark, and stuffed full of ripe berry fruit and roasted meat. Where this is lacking is in complexity. It needs another element, such as black pepper or tar or something to give it a little more definition, a little more flavor interest. Just too simple for my tastes.