2009 Viña Sastre (Bodegas Hermanos Sastre) 'Flavus' Blanco
From the palomino grape. Bought two bottles over a year ago and the first was rather wan and uninspired, so I relegated its sister to the cooking wine pile. Finally opened it yesterday and wait a minute! This ain't goin' in the pot! Deep and harmonious flavors of lemon and peach, dry but honeyed with touches of ginger and yuzu fruit marmalade--but really, more savory than that sounds. Novel and excellent. I loved it!
2004 La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese
Decanted about one hour; no sediment FWTW. Plummy fruit with overbearing acids. Could drink with food but after dinner, it wasn't compelling enough to finish another glass. Time will make this more drinkable, but it will never be what I love about brunello.
2004 Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT
When oak is good and proof that 2004 wasn't a crap vintage: concentrated and lush in the mouth with black fruit, raisins, cocoa, tobacco and a bit of sawdust. Drinks beautifully on opening, probably close to peak middle age in all the good ways--wish I had more.
2012 Efeste Sauvignon Blanc 'Feral' Evergreen Vineyard Columbia Valley WA
I couldn't NOT buy a Sauv Blanc called Feral. Not disappointingly, it wallops grass and grapefruit on first pour. Refreshingly dry on the palate and changes fast in the glass when the former turn into hay, melon, pear fruit and lots of minerality. Impressive.
2011 Heitz Cellar Chardonnay Napa Valley
First sniff reeked of alcohol and first taste was dominated by a bitter almond finish. Reached for the bottle--only 13.5%? Lemon-lime and green apple filled out with time minimizing the initial problems, but it was never a satisfying drink--disappointing for Heitz and way overpriced for quality at $27.
2010 Blue Mountain Chardonnay Okanagan Valley BC
Lemon curd and vanilla initially delight the palate with loads of bracing acidity, but oxidative notes develop toward the bottom of the first glass and the vanilla turns butterscotchy. Unacceptable--I'm a fan of this winery's style and four years out should be peak drinking.