Going to try to write and post notes.
2015 Domaine Rollin Père et Fils Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Sous Frétille Blanc - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru (1/28/2024)
Good but not great, seemingly a bit awkward. Has a hard candy type of fruit and some maturing nuances but still a bit four-square in mouthfeel. A bit of nuttiness and honey have replaced floral notes with some rocks. It held up well and opened a little as it warmed in the glass after dinner which hopefully presages more development. I'll give it a 1-2 years before trying again. (89 points)
2016 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (1/27/2024)
Holy crap! I opened this because I needed to make space for some 2019s and I had yet to open a bottle. I was expecting it to be good but maybe a bit unforgiving. I was totally wrong! This came right out of the gate with pure, deep black cherry fruit with hints of leather and dried flowers. After decanting for 1.5 hours, it went back into the bottle and to the restaurant where we drank it over the next 2 hours. I was worried it might shut back down, but never did. As good a young Barolo as I've had in a while and just great with food. This has a level fruit depth and sweetness that's simply remarkable. It may be a wine with a really open drinking window. If you're sitting on multiple bottles, I'd try one now for these fireworks. (96 points)
2016 Campi di Fonterenza Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (1/27/2024)
After the disappointment of the first bottle being corked, this wine lifted our spirits. Really complex nose or herbs, leather, anise, and dark berries. The palate has deep fruit held in check by somewhat sandy tannins. This seems like it is still a few years away from really hitting peak form although the food tamed the structure a bit. A really characterful and excellent Brunello. (93+ points)
2002 Viader - USA, California, Napa Valley (1/26/2024)
This is showing exactly how I hoped. The Cabernet Franc and Merlot mixed with Howell Mountain and age producers cocoa dusted black cherries and currants. There is a mountain rockiness and dark earth. The tannins are mostly resolved but with a lingering bitter edge to remind you where it comes from. I remember meeting Delia Viader when the 1989 was released and being charmed by both the fine intellect of the person and the wine. I grabbed a 6-pack at an auction last year after not having really followed the wines in ages. I'm glad I did. (94 points)
2009 Ch“teau Lafon-Rochet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe (1/26/2024)
Odd and disjoint showing. I can't discount low level TCA. Seemed a bit hot. Tasting from the open bottle the next day, it has come together a little bit more but still seems to have elements that aren't in harmony, but there is some depth to the fruit. I'll wait a few years and try again. (87? points)
2014 Domaine du Collier Saumur Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (1/26/2024)
Not the best showing for this wine. It was really coiled and stern with a hard candy type of fruit. On day 2 it was bit more open and showed some of the floral and honeycomb notes, but this is cut from a different cloth than 2015-2019 and will require more patience. (90+ points)
2020 Elio Sandri Barbera d'Alba Superiore - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba Superiore (1/24/2024)
Structured, savory Barbera with as much non-fruit as fruit, if that makes sense. I think some short term cellaring will do it well. If it starts showing a bit more fruit, it'll be exceptional. (88+ points)
2014 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban (1/23/2024)
That texture that we associate as classic Texier, at least with the Pergaud wines. It's a silky type texture without weight. The structure doesn't seem to be the result of tannin although they are there and help shape the wine. It's snappy and vibrant, but with savory notes. I'm sure this will improve, but it was a great accompanyment to dinner tonight. When a first bottle disappoints, as the Desvignes did tonight, we can always count on Eric to save the day. (92 points)
2018 Louis Claude Desvignes Morgon Javernières Les Impenitents - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon (1/23/2024)
Not sure what happened here, seemed a bit spiky. Certainly a bit of VA. Will have to try another bottle soon. (NR/flawed)
2019 Gilbert Picq & ses Fils Chablis Dessus La Carriere - France, Burgundy, Chablis (1/22/2024)
I must admit, I wasn't paying as much attention as maybe I should have but I guess that's part of the joy of drinking wines you really trust. Deep yellow fruits and oyster shell minerals abound, as usual. Drink at will. (91 points)
2020 Vietti Barbera d'Asti La Crena - Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti (1/21/2024)
It's been a while since I've tried this wine from Vietti so I went in a little blind. It's certainly deep and structured and if the structure and wood get resolved then it will be lovely. Speaking of which, I'm not doctrinaire about wood, but if you are, this wine might not be for you. I'm hoping another year or two will bring things together. I think it has all the elements, so we'll see. (88+ points)
2015 Domaine Rollin Père et Fils Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Sous Frétille Blanc - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru (1/28/2024)
Good but not great, seemingly a bit awkward. Has a hard candy type of fruit and some maturing nuances but still a bit four-square in mouthfeel. A bit of nuttiness and honey have replaced floral notes with some rocks. It held up well and opened a little as it warmed in the glass after dinner which hopefully presages more development. I'll give it a 1-2 years before trying again. (89 points)
2016 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (1/27/2024)
Holy crap! I opened this because I needed to make space for some 2019s and I had yet to open a bottle. I was expecting it to be good but maybe a bit unforgiving. I was totally wrong! This came right out of the gate with pure, deep black cherry fruit with hints of leather and dried flowers. After decanting for 1.5 hours, it went back into the bottle and to the restaurant where we drank it over the next 2 hours. I was worried it might shut back down, but never did. As good a young Barolo as I've had in a while and just great with food. This has a level fruit depth and sweetness that's simply remarkable. It may be a wine with a really open drinking window. If you're sitting on multiple bottles, I'd try one now for these fireworks. (96 points)
2016 Campi di Fonterenza Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (1/27/2024)
After the disappointment of the first bottle being corked, this wine lifted our spirits. Really complex nose or herbs, leather, anise, and dark berries. The palate has deep fruit held in check by somewhat sandy tannins. This seems like it is still a few years away from really hitting peak form although the food tamed the structure a bit. A really characterful and excellent Brunello. (93+ points)
2002 Viader - USA, California, Napa Valley (1/26/2024)
This is showing exactly how I hoped. The Cabernet Franc and Merlot mixed with Howell Mountain and age producers cocoa dusted black cherries and currants. There is a mountain rockiness and dark earth. The tannins are mostly resolved but with a lingering bitter edge to remind you where it comes from. I remember meeting Delia Viader when the 1989 was released and being charmed by both the fine intellect of the person and the wine. I grabbed a 6-pack at an auction last year after not having really followed the wines in ages. I'm glad I did. (94 points)
2009 Ch“teau Lafon-Rochet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe (1/26/2024)
Odd and disjoint showing. I can't discount low level TCA. Seemed a bit hot. Tasting from the open bottle the next day, it has come together a little bit more but still seems to have elements that aren't in harmony, but there is some depth to the fruit. I'll wait a few years and try again. (87? points)
2014 Domaine du Collier Saumur Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (1/26/2024)
Not the best showing for this wine. It was really coiled and stern with a hard candy type of fruit. On day 2 it was bit more open and showed some of the floral and honeycomb notes, but this is cut from a different cloth than 2015-2019 and will require more patience. (90+ points)
2020 Elio Sandri Barbera d'Alba Superiore - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba Superiore (1/24/2024)
Structured, savory Barbera with as much non-fruit as fruit, if that makes sense. I think some short term cellaring will do it well. If it starts showing a bit more fruit, it'll be exceptional. (88+ points)
2014 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban (1/23/2024)
That texture that we associate as classic Texier, at least with the Pergaud wines. It's a silky type texture without weight. The structure doesn't seem to be the result of tannin although they are there and help shape the wine. It's snappy and vibrant, but with savory notes. I'm sure this will improve, but it was a great accompanyment to dinner tonight. When a first bottle disappoints, as the Desvignes did tonight, we can always count on Eric to save the day. (92 points)
2018 Louis Claude Desvignes Morgon Javernières Les Impenitents - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon (1/23/2024)
Not sure what happened here, seemed a bit spiky. Certainly a bit of VA. Will have to try another bottle soon. (NR/flawed)
2019 Gilbert Picq & ses Fils Chablis Dessus La Carriere - France, Burgundy, Chablis (1/22/2024)
I must admit, I wasn't paying as much attention as maybe I should have but I guess that's part of the joy of drinking wines you really trust. Deep yellow fruits and oyster shell minerals abound, as usual. Drink at will. (91 points)
2020 Vietti Barbera d'Asti La Crena - Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti (1/21/2024)
It's been a while since I've tried this wine from Vietti so I went in a little blind. It's certainly deep and structured and if the structure and wood get resolved then it will be lovely. Speaking of which, I'm not doctrinaire about wood, but if you are, this wine might not be for you. I'm hoping another year or two will bring things together. I think it has all the elements, so we'll see. (88+ points)
