2008 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Nebbiolo
Decanted for just over an hour before trying with a first course proscuitto and second course mushroom paparadelle version of pasta with romano and pepper. Initially seemed very complete for a young barbaresco but oddly, later in the meal, seemed to drop acidity going somewhat soft and flat even with remaining assertive tannins.
2004 Pax Syrah Kobler Family Vineyard Russian River Valley
Very Northern Rhonish in all the good ways. Lighter bodied than the 04 Majik Vineyard we had recently. Very mild funk on the nose with tar, roast ham and garrique. Great now but drink, don't hold.
2007 Ashbourne Sandstone Walker Bay White Blend
Deep golden color and aged aroma. Not oxidated, but smells like an old lady's purse and butterscotch candy. Limited appeal at this point.
2013 Lauren Ashton Cellars Proprietor's Cuvée Columbia Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
Principally Cabernet, Merlot and Malbec. Medium bodied with bright blackberry fruit. More modern than old school with appropriate structure and restraint (I'm really finding the '13 vintage in Washington to be one of the most balanced in recent memory.) Needed a two hour decant to relax.
2012 Saviah Cellars Cabernet Franc Walla Walla Valley
Not for oakaphobes! Dense texture with heavy flavors of chocolate covered raisins and black currants. Not unpleasant in spite of the heavy oak treatment but lacks the herbal varietal typicity that makes good CFs so bewitching.
2013 Alexandria Nicole Malbec Mr. Popular Destiny Ridge Vineyards Horse Heaven Hills
Volatile acids on the nose--vinegar and plastic. On the palate, backward fruit and tart, unbalanced finish. Not enjoyable.
2001 Tenuta Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese
Cellar orphan, popped up during inventory review. It was two hours until dinner so that's how long we decanted it, and it was good. Not great--more tannins than fruit and it required food, but not yet fully mature and just fine with eggplant parmesan. A longer decant would likely have yielded better results.
2013 Lloyd Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills
Not as bombastic as his chard (this guy's the former head winemaker at Rombauer), but more in your face than not with full body and plenty of extract. Would excite some, but not my style.
2014 Maison Nicolas Perrin Viognier
Six months additional bottle age have given this viognier some lovely refinement. Less fruit, more minerality. Wish I could turn back the clock and buy more.
2014 Isaac Fernandez Selection Ribera del Duero Rios de Tinta Tempranillo
If 80-84=Good and 85-89=Very Good, this wine is about an 82. In fact, considering the send-up by Jon Rimmerman, it's a joke.
2006 Elegie Côte-Rôtie Syrah
First bottle opened in 2015 seemed like good value for the $27 paid, but bottles since have disappointed. I am so done with
Garagiste.
2015 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc Columbia Valley Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
A longtime fan of this wine, and this vintage may be the best I've tasted. Has the usual deft hand with nervy structure and restrained fruit, but there seemed to be a bit more depth and resonance that I don't remember showing this early. Me likes a lot.