2008 Faiveley Mercurey 1er Cru Clos des Myglands Pinot Noir
Ah bottle variation, I love you! The March bottle was thin, tart and more tertiary; I fully expected to open and toss this one--I'm in no mood at present to suffer just so-so wine. But no, this one was much more viable. Good ruddy garnet color, mildly expressive with a bit of wild game and cinnamon. Sipped over two hours and it just got better--would recommend a two-hour aeration decant to people who plan in advance better than I do. No sediment. By the way, sipped this while watching A Year in Burgundy on Amazon Prime--a decent little documentary that allowed us to leave home without leaving home, and especially enjoyable for the time spent with the great Lalou Bize Leroy who is just as colorful and meticulous as you'd hope she'd be.
2016 Thomas-Labaille Sancerre Chavignol Cuvee Buster Les Monts Damnés Sauvignon Blanc
Got three bottles from only three cases that came into the U.S., and this bottle confirms how incredibly lucky I was to get them. Quince and green apple fruit with preserved lemon; deeper and more profound than a bottle one year ago. I never give points but I'll happily throw 100 at this. Mindblowing--both exceptional and flawless.
1994 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Dedication Series Columbia Valley
Dark garnet red. Good secondary development with primary fruit (85% cab, the rest mostly cab franc) still evident. Fine alone but rare beef brought out the highlights. Ready to go after a one-hour decant; minor silty sediment strained thru a coffee filter.
2014 Neyers Zinfandel Vista Luna Borden Ranch
Dark, sweet and boring. No bright boysenberry fruit, no bramble. Indistinguishable as zinfandel.