Sandlands, Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands, 2012
13.2% Briny plum aromas and on the palate, along with brined olives, strong acidity and a salty tang on the finish. Young tasting and quite fresh. Tannin still present but not sure whether this might be wood or not. Channels the northern Rhone, particularly Saint Joseph.
Domaine Charles Audoin, Marsannay, 'Les Favieres' 2015
13% Youthful and full of crunchy red fruits, still tight and sure it will be better in 3-6 years. Not stuffed at all and very transparent for a 2015. On the finish there is a little aspirin and a slight bit of smoke after aeration.
Domaine Monier-Perreol, Saint Joseph, 'Chatelet', 2010
Muted nose. Red fruited with lively acidity and a tangy finish, but feels like it's missing a middle. Fresh-squeezed blackberry juice . Youthful, but not sure age will take it anywhere. 13%
Podere Salicutti, Rosso di Montalcino, 'Sorgente', 2013
14.5% Red fruited and tight, with mushroom, mint, and fennel seed. Feels fresh despite its alcohol. Chalky tannins on the end. Try again in 1-2 years.
Patrick Jasmin, Cote Rotie, 2006
Savory and red-fruited, but could be some low-level TCA thing going on.
Quinta do Crasto, Porto, 1999
Rich cocoa, blackberry & blueberry syrup, licorice. Tannins quite smooth, not very sweet. Texturally very pleasant.
Eminence Road, Pinot Noir, Finger Lakes, 'Elizabeth's Vineyard', 2015
12% High-toned red fruits of redcurrant, cranberry, with a light spice. Medium to light bodied, very fresh but not very complex. Good for the $20 pricepoint.
Honorio Rubio, Rioja blanco, 'Las Finas', 2014
13% Light gold color. Very nice! Almost savory, like an Etna carricante, but smoother, with sunflower seed, lemon curd, and a milky-oily dimension (no doubt from the very slight oxidation this must undergo). Has a fuller mouthfeel despite being a lithe wine.
Chateau Grand Mayne, Saint Emilion, 2009
Deeply colored purple. Lots of smoky blackcurrant on the nose, this is rich and ripe, smooth, but also very primary still. Well made in a New World style, voluptuous, with dense plums, blackberries, blueberries, and casis. The tannin is a bit misleading, as you sense they are mildy there but, with time, they do clamp down on the finish.
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