Pizza night. Looking at the inventory, I saw that we had not one but two bottles of a Ridge 2007 Sonoma County Carignane, Buchignani Ranch. Probably over the hill, I figured. Not at all! Supple but still fresh black cherry fruit, velvety texture, good balance, even a little mouthwatering. I can't say that I'm a carignan(e) fan in general, but I always liked this bottling, and I'm glad to see it holds up after almost two decades.
Less happy, the other night, was a Failla 2022 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, "Stella." Andrea liked this better than I did; I thought it was too heavy a dose of wood for a delicate wine, which overwhelmed the earthy and floral elements of the aroma with vanilla. Don't get me wrong, it was tastefully done, and within the parameters of "well-made" -- just in a style that interests me less than ever.
