EARL LaPepiere, Muscadet Sevre et Maine, 'Clisson', 2010
The joint wine from Marc Olivier and Remi Branger in the heavy bottle. A light bright gold colored, with calcium and ripe lemon nose. Lemon soda, linden flower and calcium rocks and a capsicum bite on the finish. Incredibly smooth. Either this didn't have the requisite acid to begin with or it's losing it fast, not a Muscadet for the ages and I would plan to drink any remaining bottles in the next several years unlike stashing them away for 10+ years like I usually do. B+
Chateau Vieux Telegraph, Chat.-du-Pape, 2011
from 375 ml. The color's rather light, with a very perfumed nose of roses and berry. A light flavored wine that has trouble keeping the 14.5% alcohol in check, which tends to overpower this at the end, almost turning it zinfandel-like. Too bad. It coulda been a contender. B+
Dom. de Suremain, Mercurey, 'la Bondue', 2005
The final installment of these, but the best of show. Has developed nicely and filled in from the gangly teenager it was to the college junior it has become. Still maintains the red fruit of bright strawberry and cherry, but seems a little richer and sweeter than previous bottles, and gives a tobacco-leaf finish. 13%
Preprieta Sperino, Coste della Sesia Rosso, 'Uvaggio', 2010
Having a muted nose upon opening and I can't quite tell whether it's corked or not, smelling rather murky and musty. On the palate you can taste stems, haw fruit, red flame seedless grape skin, and light strawberry soda. There are light talcom-powder tannins on the finish. I decide the wine is okay to drink, but prefer the 2009, which was more effusively friendly and less standoffish. A-/B+ 13%
Snows Lake, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Hills, Lake County, 'One' 2005
I've never heard or seen this winery before, but a friend opened for me. The tell-tale blackcurrant, slightly strong but minerally, having a pleasant austerity to it you seldom find in California cabs, with a lightish finish. Not bad. 14.5% B+
Il Cantante, Sicilia IGT, bianco, 2007
Bright, light gold colored. The nose has glimpses of honey kept in a solvent jar (in a good way, difficult as it seems to fathom), along with lemon in a field of rosemary. Acidity is still present and accounted for, but lighter than I imagine was once there. Intriguing flavors of that lemon-rosemary with a petrol distillate ending. Cool stuff, and so unique to carricante wines. B+/A-