2014 Carmen Carménère Gran Reserva Apalta Colchagua Valley
Needs an hour to blow off some reductive animal scents, but once that's underway there's blueberry, black cherry and boatloads of dark chocolate. A great value at $17.
2005 Le Pauillac de Pichon Longueville Red Bordeaux Blend
Good showing after a one-hour decant. Solid Paulliac stuffing, but probably needs two more years to smooth out.
2001 Château Léoville Barton St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
Despite an hour in a decanter, tight and overly dry, no fruit to speak of, too unpleasant to drink. Left out overnight. Next day: pruney, oxidized. No bueno!! I bought a case and have been drinking about one a year for the last five years. A bottle a year and a half ago showed beautifully, but the rest have been dogs. Not happy.
2016 Graci Etna Rosato Etna DOC Nerello Mascalese
Ordered at a restaurant in Milwaukee. Initial strong Vitamin B minerality, followed by tart strawberries, blood orange, white peach, tomato and thyme with mouthwatering acidity. A true AFWE wine.
2011 Blueberry Hill Shiraz Hunter Valley
Passively stored at a friend's home. Probably past peak but evidently the kind of restrained, interesting shiraz we in the U.S. wish Australia exported more of vs. the fruit bombs of Barossa. Very nice!
2014 Bruce Hilliard chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills
Yikes, electric yellow with American oak in spades. Pine resin, candyish fruit, no dignity.
2011 Tinhorn Creek Kerner Icewine Oldfield Series Okanagan Valley VQA
Not one to give points, but had to throw in 97 on CT for this wine to show appropriate esteem for this wine. Pale pale yellow, amazing ethereal nose, and complex white flavors that dance on the tongue like a tiny ballerina. Cross quince with lillikoi chiffon pie--that's this wine. Days later, it still haunts me.
2017 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
Tart and crisp. Lots of lime and white fruit and more will develop with time in bottle. Based on this and two other '17 SBs, this is my kind of vintage.
2016 Folded Hills Grenache Estate Lilly Rosé Central Coast
Discovered at The Odd Duck in Milwaukee. Lightly floral nose with hints of pomegranate and fresh strawberry. Crisp midpalate, clean finish. Highly enjoyable.
2013 Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos Chardonnay
Seems overly ripe at first but things come into better balance with about two hours decanted. Still clearly not a cool vintage but eventually complimented by classic Chablis flint. Long finish, should age from here beautifully.