2006 Alexander Valley Vineyards "Cyrus" (Bordeaux Blend). This is just a lovely, warm, earthy, savory wine. Not lacking in fruit in any way, but the wine is just so silky and delicious. With the owner of Vini wine bar in Davis we were discussing the ridiculous 1%er wines he had tasted...wines like Verite (which I had enjoyed years ago when the price was merely ridiculous) and Lokoya, and we struggled to understand how any California wine could really be six times more delicious than this lovely red wine? Even if I had the money to buy $400 bottles, I would ask "why"?
2011 Michel-Schlumberger "Le Sage" Merlot. This is a fantastic merlot, savory, sharp (at the moment) and structured, with red fruit, a hint of funk, and some lovely savory notes. I think this could go a few years? Just a touch of bell pepper, but only as a lovely component to the whole. These guys make some really nice Bordeaux-varietal wines in an unexpected place (West Dry Creek Road). The MALBEC was quite nice, too, with some nice funk, rounder plum fruit.
2012 Yoakim Bridge Zinfandel (Estate). This was a lovely, peppery, even somewhat earthy zin. Very nice people and nice place.
2007 Yoakim Bridge Cabernet Napa Valley. A maturing, slightly lean cabernet. Still some nice fruit. Touch of earthyness.