2014 Castello della Sala (Antinori) Chardonnay Bramìto del Cervo Umbria IGT
Lightly oaked and perfectly balanced with excellent fruit and bright acidity. Drinks way above the price: killer value at $13 Costco last week.
2011 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Momtazi Vineyard, Willamette Valley
Considerable decline since our last bottle about a year ago; brightness gone, green notes more obtrusive than complimentary (a feature about cool climate pinots we usually like) with stewed fruit on the finish. In a word, it's crashing. Possibly bottle variation, but will revise my drink-by date to 2016.
2009 Clos Pegase Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Showed well; but drink by 2017 still stands. This one's on a fast arc.
2005 Sterling Vineyards Merlot Three Palms Vineyard Napa Valley
From magnum; recently purchased from the winery library. Dangerously ripe and sweet up front, and turns clunky/stewed toward the end of a glass. Would not hang onto any longer.
1986 Sterling Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
On a night when, after three weeks in France, all the New World wines tasted like sweet sludge, this one bottle pleased me. Highly aromatic nose of sweet mature California Cab, leathery bing cherry fruit with some primary essences, and a long long finish. Admirable.