2010 Del Rio Vineyards Claret, Rogue Valley, Oregon
The owners of Del Rio rescued me, two cats and a truckfull of wine while travelling from Southern California to Northern Washington during a snowstorm in 2003, and I cannot resist their wines when perchance I run into them as I did this bottle at a Whole Foods in Seattle last week. This is the best Del Rio wine I've had yet-- balanced between fruit and savory like a great vintage Bordeaux, complex and deep with a long finish.
2004 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Outstanding bottle compared to the last three opened this year, of which two were drinkable but past peak and rather light and wan. It hardly seems possible that this is the same wine: youthful, deep purple color, great body, sweet Rhone fruit--more modern than traditional, but en pointe for a quality 04 Chat. Disturbing bottle variation.
2005 Château Margüi Côteaux Varois (Provence) Cabernet/Syrah Blend
A much better bottle than the last two opened within the last couple months. More color, more body, more flavor, with good balance between the cab and syrah. So, happy at last, but disturbing bottle variation.
2005 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 'Oakville'
Big rich and ripe Cal Cab. Youthfully dark reddish purple color and heady nose of black cherry, blackberry and chocolate. Best to decant--needs air to let the fruit and alcohol come into balance--smells and tastes a bit too potent right off the bat.
2014 Famille Perrin / Perrin & Fils Côtes du Rhône Blanc Réserve White Rhone Blend
Drinkable but harsh midpalate and finish. Actually checked the bottle to rule out alcohol as a culprit--13%, so that's not it but I don't know what is. Would not buy again this vintage.
2011 Eaglemount Raven Horse Heaven Hills Red Bordeaux Blend
From Walla Walla fruit made by a tiny producer in Port Townsend on the Olympic peninsula, this excellent wine is one of the best 2011's reds I've had, surpassing many of the big names. A bright, complex modern Bordeaux blend of appropriately ripe fruit with good depth, medium tannins and a long finish, it drinks well now and should hold here for 2-3 years, maybe longer.
2012 Bevan Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Kick Ranch
Exceptional depth and layering of flavors. Not a fruit bomb, but more serious with notes of pineapple guava, grass, kaffir lime and celery root. Unfined/unfiltered lends a pretty haze and extra complexity. A very contemplative Sauv Blanc in a distinctive and debonair style that could put California Sauv Blanc on the map at a level to compete with white Bordeauxs--$29 and well worth it.
2011 Tenuta Guado al Tasso (Antinori) Vermentino
Two years since last bottle. The wine has gained weight and an overall sense of presence. Sets the bar pretty high for Vermentino; can't, in fact, imagine one better.
1985 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Vino da Tavola Red Bordeaux Blend
My memory's admittedly short when I love what's in front of me, but in the four days since enjoying this bottle I still haven't been able to recall (and I have a killer memory) another 30 year old red wine as completely perfect as this. Thank you, Bill, for sharing. WOW.
2009 Simon Bize Savigny-lès-Beaune Blanc
At a small restaurant called 'Alchemy' in Port Townsend, Washington, I was most surprised to find not just a white burgundy, but a white burgundy of this caliber. Simon Bize is the son or nephew, I forget which, of Lalou Bize Leroy. Had to order it: seriously amazing weight and depth under expansive fruit with notes of quince, guava and cinnamon, plus boatloads of minerality. Elegantly big, like a grand cru. I've actually not before had anything from Burgundy quite like this before--bought another bottle off the list to bring home.