2013 Clos Saron Out of the Blue - USA, California (11/29/2014)
Young, young, young. This is very grapey and primary. There's a touch of an earthy edge, but mostly this is very unevolved grape juice. Needs time to come together and develop beyond just being Cinsault grape extract.
2013 Matthiasson Chardonnay Linda Vista Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (11/29/2014)
This is a very interesting Chardonnay that seems to straddle two worlds. It has fresh fruit and floral aromatics, and even a little saline aspect, but on the palate it is quite round. No obvious oak to obscure the purity of the flavors, but it is a bit of a surprise at first. About two sips in I was very happy with it.
NV H. Billiot Fils Champagne Grand Cru Brut Réserve - France, Champagne, Ambonnay, Champagne (11/29/2014)
This bottle was disgorged in 2007. I was surprised I still had some from that batch. It certainly did no harm to the wine. It was utterly delicious, as there was a creamy richness to the wine along with great length. Bread dough, citrus and a finishing minerality made for a fantastic showing of what has often been our house NV Champagne.