2011 Dom. de Roally, Viré Clessé Tradition:
14% abv; expansive aromatics with talc, perfume, chardonnay and marzipan aromas; full in the mouth with a smooth texture, a touch of RS and just enough acidity to keep it balanced; good length. The smells and flavors are beautiful but it is so rich and full that one glass is enough . . . well, maybe two.
1995 Edmunds St. John, Syrah Durrell Vnyd.:
14.4% abv; bottle bouquet and secondary flavor complexity in an evolving package; changed and even “younged-up” over the course of the evening. ‘Was more fruit driven and primary in its third hour open.
(Aside: I bought a case of this a couple years ago when Steve had a library sale. Some bottles have been DOA, some have been good and some have been remarkable; this is one of the latter.)
1997 Edmunds St. John, Sangiovese Matagrano Vnyd.:
14.0% abv; I never had this young so have nothing to compare to but this wine does not seem to have developed much in 16 years; it smells of sangiovese, tastes much like Chianti with a few years on it and is both balanced and complete. It matched well with a pasta dish with red sauce and I will drink it again. But I expected more dimension.
2008 Edmunds St. John, Prophyry Gamay Barsotti Ranch:
13% abv; essence of black raspberry on both the nose and palate, still very much a wine who’s core is sap and therefore a touch bitter and closed. Considering that it’s under screwcap, it may take a long time to loosen up but what is there shows every sign that, if it does, it will be as good a gamay as the new world has seen. Impressive.
Best, Jim