Christian Miller (CMM)
Christian Miller
White Blend Meditazione Long Island 2007, Channing Daughters startling salmon-brassy color; lightly oxidized malvasia-grapefruity aroma, quite intriguing with a lot of suggestions of flowers and fruits; medium body, nice acidity, grapeskin-grapefruit tactile quality, dry, very intriguing. ****
Semillon Livermore Valley 1997, Kalin - ripe, full, slightly honeyed and earthy Semillon with a dry Sauternes like character, mellow oak. A little riper and less waxy-stony than some other Kalins, rather weighty yet tasty. ***/****
Pinot Noir Sierra Nevada 2005, Clos Saron very nice Pinot nose and flavor with distinct spice and some minerally fruit character, medium body, moderate dry tannins, some grip. Completely upends conventional notions about what grows best in the Sierras. From a tiny vineyard 1700ft altitude on a steep hillside with low yields, granitic soil. ***(*?)
Naud White Blend Western Cape 2007, Leucadia subdued and still fresh aroma with touches of limey-quince fruit and a hint of something like a meadow; zesty and tangy on the palate, quite dry but not austere, although not very expressive either. Picked too soon or just needing time? For now, a good oyster or seafood salad wine. Mostly Chenin Blanc with some Semillon and less SB. **(*?)
Barbera Lodi 2007, St. Amant medium dark purpley color; American oak and ripe dark raspberry fruit mingle in the nose; touches of roasted tomatoes chime in on the palate, medium body with some grip, good length if rather oaky right now. ***(*?)
Semillon Livermore Valley 1997, Kalin - ripe, full, slightly honeyed and earthy Semillon with a dry Sauternes like character, mellow oak. A little riper and less waxy-stony than some other Kalins, rather weighty yet tasty. ***/****
Pinot Noir Sierra Nevada 2005, Clos Saron very nice Pinot nose and flavor with distinct spice and some minerally fruit character, medium body, moderate dry tannins, some grip. Completely upends conventional notions about what grows best in the Sierras. From a tiny vineyard 1700ft altitude on a steep hillside with low yields, granitic soil. ***(*?)
Naud White Blend Western Cape 2007, Leucadia subdued and still fresh aroma with touches of limey-quince fruit and a hint of something like a meadow; zesty and tangy on the palate, quite dry but not austere, although not very expressive either. Picked too soon or just needing time? For now, a good oyster or seafood salad wine. Mostly Chenin Blanc with some Semillon and less SB. **(*?)
Barbera Lodi 2007, St. Amant medium dark purpley color; American oak and ripe dark raspberry fruit mingle in the nose; touches of roasted tomatoes chime in on the palate, medium body with some grip, good length if rather oaky right now. ***(*?)