2001 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, California
First time I have tried a wine from Cathy Corison. I know, I need to get out more, but it is hard to keep up with everything. I had heard good things about these wines, and this was even better than expected. Great balance of ripeness of the fruit and acidity. The flavors are pure and there is good concentration, very restrained oak flavors, and fine grained tannins. I think this would be a great cellar candidate. This could change my mind about not buying any more Napa cabs. Highly recommended for the elegant style. Outstanding. Thanks, John.
2000 Domaine Bunan Bandol Mas de la Rouviere Bandol, France
Dark red color. Initial lots of fruit in the nose, ripe plum, some funk, old leather. Dry and a bit ashy (new oak?) in the mouth. Supple tannins, good acidity. After about 20 minutes this started to close up and became a bit volatile and the 14.5 % alcohol was more prominent. Not bad. I would wait a while before opening more bottles as this only showed well for the first glass.
2002 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Estate Reserve Oregon, Yamhill County
Having recently enjoyed a lovely, open and delicious 2002 Evesham Wood I took a chance opening this one. Oh well, too early. It is a bit reductive and funky right now, earthy, the fruit is hidden, but from prior tastings I am sure this is just closed right now. HOLD.
2005 Jean-Pierre et Jean-Francois Quenard Vin de Savoie Chignin Anne de la Biguerne Savoie, France
Very minerally nose, blue stone and even a hint of salty seashell. Crisp. lively and slightly tart in the mouth. A wine I could drink buckets of without giving it much thought on a warm sunny afternoon. Very good for what it is and what it doesn't try to be.
2004 Domaine Billard Bourgogne "Milliane" Burgundy, France
Opened an hour or so before drinking, not decanted, served at cellar temp. Ruby red and translucent in the glass. Lovely Burgundy nose of red cherry berry fruit and damp leaves. Later the nose developed a bit of milk chocolate. Slim bodied, and seems lean by itself, but much better with a simple stew of root vegetables, mushrooms and tri tip. More structure (acid and some tannin) than fruit. Nice elegant food friendly bourgogne, not a blockbuster. No under ripe or green notes. If scoring, good to potentially very good.
2005 Domaine Robert Perroud Côte de Brouilly "La Fournaise du Perou" Vieilles Vignes Beaujolais, France
Really nice bottle. Dark cherries and earth/minerals. Moderate tannins, maybe not as structured as some other 05 Beaujolais . Drank well, maybe even a little better the second day open. Very good.
2005 François Pinon Vouvray Cuvée Tradition Loire Valley, France
Demisec yumminess. Spiced yellow peaches in a light liquor sauce. Good body, rich but balanced by crisp acids and the fruit stands side by side with chalky minerals towards the finish. Very fine value.
2001 Boasso Barolo Serralunga Piedmont, Italy
I've posted a few notes on the Boasso and this was another good, if forward, bottle of Barolo. Showed more cigar box in the nose than prior bottles, together with spiced bitter cherry. Still very pure nebbiolo fruit, and tannins quite supple.
2005 Gramona Penedès Gessami Penedès, Spain
70% Muscat, 30% Sauvignon blanc. The Muscat really shows in the perfumed nose. Like walking through a flower garden at night, jasmine, honeysucke, gardenia all come to mind. It is clean if not quite crisp in the mouth and was best when served with a chill. Not serious but light and floral and pleasant. 11.5%, slightly off dry.
2002 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Loire Valley, France
Nice wine, grapefruit and some grass in the nose, chalky mineral and some limon flavors. Still fresh acidity, and very drinkable. Maybe at a peak?
2002 McCrea Sirocco Washington, USA
A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Counoise. Dark opaque purple color. Rich grenache fruit nose, with plum, blackberry, and a little smoke. Sweet ripe fruit and blocky in the mouth, lots of coconut oak flavors also. Lacks structure. Not my favorite style.
Cheers,
Marc