Jean-Paul Thévenet, Morgon, 'vieilles vignes', 2009
Strawberries and other red fruits with a slight volatility prickle, possibly some slight brett, but otherwise pretty clean. A little austere considering the vintage. Lasts well for 3 days. Around a 90.
Forlorn Hope, Pinot Gris, 'Dragone Ramato', Calaveras County - Rorick Vineyard, 2013
Fairly dark rosé color. Crushed first-of-season strawberry nose. Not much flavor, except for twigs, cucumber skin, perhaps a bit of blood orange peel. What one notices first is the tannic skin finish. 11.07% 25 cases B
Halcon, 'Esquisito', Yorkville Highlands, 2017
Perfumy nose of red fruits, hibiscus. Body more austere than the nose would suggest, with decent acid and mineral framing the reddish fruits. Feels built to age, but not in an overbearing way. Definitely feels cool climate. Try another in 4-5 years. B+/A-
Domaine Monier Perreol, Saint Joseph, (blanc), 2016
Muted nose of pear. Dull Yali pear, with a slight soapy cilantro/peppery watercress finish. Decent enough acidity for a Rhone white, but overall, nothing too interesting to write home about.
Catherine & Pierre Breton, Bourgueil, 'Les Perrières', 2010
Light cigarette ash with red fruits, especially cranberries, red apple, and red currants. Slightly sweet green-like finish (think fresh cut grass). Still quite structured despite tannins that melt away. Delicious acidity and balance, if lacking in a lot of dimension and complexity. Quite drinkable. Very youthful in color, feel, vibrancy. 12.5% A-
Weiser-Kunstler, Enkircher Ellergrub, 'Große Eule', Riesling-Trocken, 2012
Medium gold color. Nose trending toward petrol, more savory than fruity or floral. Rounded, but not creamy, there's golden fruits, gooseberry, lemon. Okay, but nothing special. B+ 12.5%
Chateau Pichon Lalande, Pauillac, 2002
Light tobacco leaf, tomato skin, and leafy blackcurrant...overall, savory. There is a slight astringency, most likely vintage related, but not offensively so. This bottle feels deeper than one I had a year or two ago. A-/B+
Strawberries and other red fruits with a slight volatility prickle, possibly some slight brett, but otherwise pretty clean. A little austere considering the vintage. Lasts well for 3 days. Around a 90.
Forlorn Hope, Pinot Gris, 'Dragone Ramato', Calaveras County - Rorick Vineyard, 2013
Fairly dark rosé color. Crushed first-of-season strawberry nose. Not much flavor, except for twigs, cucumber skin, perhaps a bit of blood orange peel. What one notices first is the tannic skin finish. 11.07% 25 cases B
Halcon, 'Esquisito', Yorkville Highlands, 2017
Perfumy nose of red fruits, hibiscus. Body more austere than the nose would suggest, with decent acid and mineral framing the reddish fruits. Feels built to age, but not in an overbearing way. Definitely feels cool climate. Try another in 4-5 years. B+/A-
Domaine Monier Perreol, Saint Joseph, (blanc), 2016
Muted nose of pear. Dull Yali pear, with a slight soapy cilantro/peppery watercress finish. Decent enough acidity for a Rhone white, but overall, nothing too interesting to write home about.
Catherine & Pierre Breton, Bourgueil, 'Les Perrières', 2010
Light cigarette ash with red fruits, especially cranberries, red apple, and red currants. Slightly sweet green-like finish (think fresh cut grass). Still quite structured despite tannins that melt away. Delicious acidity and balance, if lacking in a lot of dimension and complexity. Quite drinkable. Very youthful in color, feel, vibrancy. 12.5% A-
Weiser-Kunstler, Enkircher Ellergrub, 'Große Eule', Riesling-Trocken, 2012
Medium gold color. Nose trending toward petrol, more savory than fruity or floral. Rounded, but not creamy, there's golden fruits, gooseberry, lemon. Okay, but nothing special. B+ 12.5%
Chateau Pichon Lalande, Pauillac, 2002
Light tobacco leaf, tomato skin, and leafy blackcurrant...overall, savory. There is a slight astringency, most likely vintage related, but not offensively so. This bottle feels deeper than one I had a year or two ago. A-/B+
