2021 Devison Vintners Syrah Beneath The Stones Stoney Vine Vineyards Walla Walla Valley
Not decanted, so it took awhile to start showing some Rocks influence, and I did not even immediately recognize it as syrah because it's not as heavily bodied as most WA syrahs, but in the end that's what I loved about it. Violets, dark cherries, violets, minerality and earth, more violets and more dark cherries. Great now and on its way to better places.
2023 Analemma Wines Blanco Mosier Hills Estate Columbia Gorge White Blend
Mark's. 60% Godello, 29% Albarino and 11% Viognier. Soft and bright at the same time, this has a beguiling nose of white flowers and kaffir lime leading into white peach and ranier cherry fruit with the cool climate acidity typical of their Columbia Gorge vineyard. Complexity gained from a long, cool fermentation and 11 month elevage. I liked this a LOT.
2023 Jean Perrier et Fils Roussette de Savoie Roussette Cuvee Gastronomie Altesse
This is a lovely Altesse. Doesn't have the concentration of recent Peillots I've had but it's delightful in its own right.
2023 Jean Perrier et Fils Vin de Savoie Apremont Cuvée Gastronomie Jacquère
Nice! Not quite as laser-like as some I've had, but good.
2020 Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay Old Vines Wolff Vineyard Edna Valley
Vic's. This bottle was way off what it should be for this producer/appellation: electric yellow, slick, plastic-y flavors...a disappointment. I've had other chardonnays like this, and from lots where the other bottles were okay in color and flavor so it's apparent that this is some kind of bottling line flaw: but what is it? Anyone know?
2021 Torii Mor Pinot Noir Member's Reserve La Cuillere Oregon
IIRC, someone picked this up at Grocery Outlet for $20. Great buy, it's an elegantly sturdy pinot.
2005 Ravenswood Zinfandel Old Hill Sonoma Valley
Great example of the beauty that used to be Ravenswood: a terrific, well-aged, claret-like zinfandel.
2024 Devison Vintners East of the Sun Rosé Boushey Vineyard Yakima Valley Mourvèdre Blend, Mourvèdre
Not sure what the blend is here but past versions have been about 3:1 Mourvedre/Grenache blends and this vintage probably follows suit. Pale pearl pink, taut and mineral-driven, it's rich on the palate with white currant, grapefruit and salted canteloupe. Outstanding, just wish it weren't $30/bottle.
2022 Goodfellow Family Cellars Chardonnay Durant Vineyard Dundee Hills
Marc's. Pale yellow. Restrained chardonnay fruit with an engaging amount of reduction (which I like). Very charming. Wish I owned some.
2023 Dominio de las Abejas Vino Naranja Baja California White Blend
2nd bottle from a repurchase six months after initially falling in love with this wine. Very dry, needs food, not the magical sipper the earlier bottles were. (Btw, took it to a July 4th party where I wrote FUCK ICE!! on the label.
2010 Chateau Musar Blanc Bekaa Valley White Blend
No oxidation like previous bottle from same lot (this was my wine). Best if decanted for an hour before consuming--and then, it's everything you could hope for from a 15 yr old dry white wine not showing any signs of maturation.
2004 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Cargasacchi Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills
Brown, cloudy, stewed. A dog. Boo hiss