This doesn't include many excellent bottles enjoyed with good friends in PDX and the Bay Area during our early March swing including an "End of Days" lunch drinking unlisted wines at Chez Panisse as panic really started to take hold.
2007 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Coeur de Cuvée - France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru (3/1/2020)
This was a great bottle with a slight brioche roundness leading down the road to the driving finish. I'll let other folks chase grand marques but I prefer this. (95 points)
2017 Tiberio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (3/1/2020)
Dense, chewy and blackstrap fruit. Leathery, a bit gamy and wild. Sort of regally rustic, if that makes sense. Must have food to cope with the tannin. (89 points)
2016 Colombera & Garella Lessona Pizzaguerra - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Lessona (3/2/2020)
This has an enormous amount of potential. Svelte and refined and I think I'm really starting to understand this wine. I think a few years will lift it dramatically and I can't wait to see what it looks like at peak. (92 points)
2005 Ch“teau Lafon-Rochet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe (3/3/2020)
Not quite as good as the last bottle, showing its wood a bit more (maybe this was in juxtaposition to the Texier) but still good claret. (91 points)
2011 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône-Brézème Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème (3/3/2020)
This wine is still on fire. With the earthy meatiness of a grilled Flannery hanger this was a perfect match. Again, the texture of this wine is a real calling card. (93 points)
2016 G.D. Vajra Barbera d'Alba Superiore - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba Superiore (3/4/2020)
A mouthful of flavor with fruit, savory herbs, earthy leather notes and a bit of anise seed. While it is certainly enjoyable now, I do think that it will be better in a couple of years when it relaxes a bit. Every year, this is one of my favorite barbera. (92 points)
2012 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône-Brézème Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème (3/5/2020)
Strangely, not quite as showy or open as the magnum last month but similar in flavor profile though darker and denser seeming. (91 points)
2014 Ceritas Chardonnay Trout Gulch - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (3/5/2020)
Zing! These 2014 Ceritas chardonnays are really on fire. The combination of CA fruit sucrosité with linear acid really makes these wines jump. Easy to drink. (92 points)
2011 Flavio Roddolo Barolo Ravera - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (3/5/2020)
Interesting, the Barolo is more open and generous than the Nebbiolo d'Alba from the same vintage. Warm spices and cherries with classical Barolo scents but with the addition of a bit of compote. Love Roddolo. (92 points)
2015 Fratelli Brovia Barbera d'Alba Ciabot del Fi - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba (3/14/2020)
Whoa, the richness of this catches me a bit off guard as I expect a bit more leanness and structure from a Brovia wine. That being said, it isn't gloopy or anything but it is big and rich. Glad to have this in the rotation. (90 points)
2016 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Le Clos Guillot - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (3/15/2020)
Dark berry and leafy with that dense fruit on limestone feel that I get from Guillot and different from the intense limestone from Croix Boissée as befits having two different types of limestone. Will be better with a bit of time in bottle but good now. (92 points)
2015 Az. Ag. Antoniotti Odilio Coste della Sesia - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Coste della Sesia (3/15/2020)
Another very good bottle from a producer to watch. I didn't pay too much attention and it went down quickly. (89 points)
2017 Mélanie Pfister Paar deux cépages - France, Alsace (3/15/2020)
This was delicious. A blend of Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois this is very svelte and made in a food friendly style but with a bit of roundness that makes it all to easy to drink. I'm really, really impressed with the wines here up and down the range. (91 points)
2015 Le Rocher des Violettes Montlouis-sur-Loire Cuvée la Negrette - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Montlouis-sur-Loire (3/16/2020)
These Rocher des Violettes chenins have an earthy wooly side that I don't get in some of the other chenin we drink. That said, it is really good and complex. It really holds up in the open bottle and improves with air. (91 points)
2016 Azienda Agricola Caparsa Chianti Classico Caparsa - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (3/17/2020)
Another delicious bottle. Happy to have this in the stable. (92 points)
2007 Le Piane Boca - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Boca (3/19/2020)
Consistent with previous bottles. Very good. Ready. (91 points)
1996 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (3/20/2020)
Hmmm, this was really interesting. A real beef broth/umami note on the nose. Dried fruit and underbrush. The wine didn't change just sitting out over several days. Cork was perfect although bottle was a recent purchase. I've got another, so we'll see. (89 points)
2018 Domaine Gramenon Côtes du Rhône Poignee de Raisins - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône (3/20/2020)
Shiny, happy lovely little southern Rhône. A nice whip of leather and spice frames the fruit. (90 points)
2016 Sandlands Chenin Blanc Amador County - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (3/22/2020)
Delicious chenin in a relaxed style. Doesn't have the acidity or drive of the best Loire examples, but it is complex and well proportioned. I'll keep this in the rotation if I'm able. (91 points)
2018 Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese feinherb #11 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (3/22/2020)
This has more of the salty minerality that I look for in Falkenstein. I think the #11 is normally the magnum fuder but I can't always keep track. As expected, another success. (91 points)
2018 Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett #12 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (3/23/2020)
A bit softer than the 2017 and less sharp than the #11 feinherb from 2018 but still delicious because it is Falkenstein. I'm going to keep loading up on these as long as I am still able, which doesn't seem like it'll be long. (90 points)
2018 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Nahe (3/24/2020)
Delicious in that creamier Dönnhoff fashion. A nice change of pace from the Falkenstein wines we usually drink. (90 points)
2014 Ghostwriter Cabernet Sauvignon Bates Ranch - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz County (3/25/2020)
Wow! I was surprised at how open this was and how silky compared with the memory of the 2013. Currants and berries with savory herbs and some earth. Worth drinking a bottle now to see how it fits with your cabernet preferences. It will age on its balance. (93 points)
2016 Broc Cellars Zinfandel Vine Starr Red - USA, California, Sonoma County (3/26/2020)
Good job Chris! Love this expression of zinfandel with all the herbal and floral nuance and the crunchy red fruits. It seems like 3-4 years really helps it come together. (92 points)
2006 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône-Brézème Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème (3/28/2020)
Very close to resolved and recognizable as Brézème. I think I may have expected a little more either intensity or complexity given other experiences with other vintages. I love the shape and feel of these wines even if this particular bottle didn't hit the highs they are capable of. I have one more bottle, I think I'll give it another couple of years to see what happens. (90 points)
2018 Torre Dei Beati Pecorino Giocheremo con i fiori - Italy, Abruzzi, Terre di Chieti IGT (3/28/2020)
An earthier version of Pecorino with some vegetal notes joining the fruits which are a mix of tart standards and something exotic. I'm enjoying working my way through wines from Abruzzo over the last few months. I admire their forthrightness. (89 points)
2009 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Feusselottes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru (3/29/2020)
Awesome! Everything I want from this wine and really Burgundy. Maybe I should stop buying anything else. This is drinking well now but with a few years I think it will be spectacular. No loss of energy due to the warm vintage. IMO, maybe the best Chambolle made, non Amoureuses division. (94 points)
2017 Ferme de la Sansonnière (Mark Angeli) La Lune - France, Vin de France (3/29/2020)
Consistent with the last bottle although a bit looser. (90 points)
2017 Wilde Farm Wines Heritage Bedrock Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (3/30/2020)
I enjoyed this a little more than the previous bottle. I like what is going on here and think it would work well on a restaurant list. I wish it were a bit more refined. (89 points)
2018 Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett trocken AP 19 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (3/30/2020)
Damn. I think I might respect this wine more than I enjoyed it. Really intense almost searing aromas on stone, mineral, brine and preserved lemons almost prepares you for the intensity of the palate. Really a fascinating wine but almost intimidating. Rates really high on the intellectual scale, but is tough to drink. The bottle lasted days in the fridge without budging. Respect. (91 points)
2007 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Feusselottes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru (3/31/2020)
Another delicious Mugneret Feusselottes. Obviously lacks the extra gear and dimension of the 2009 but in exchange you get everything it has delivered right now. Gentle spiced red fruits with a fine long finished and a brush of light tannin. My last bottle and I'm glad we drank this when we did but I don't see it falling apart any time soon. (92 points)
2007 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Coeur de Cuvée - France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru (3/1/2020)
This was a great bottle with a slight brioche roundness leading down the road to the driving finish. I'll let other folks chase grand marques but I prefer this. (95 points)
2017 Tiberio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (3/1/2020)
Dense, chewy and blackstrap fruit. Leathery, a bit gamy and wild. Sort of regally rustic, if that makes sense. Must have food to cope with the tannin. (89 points)
2016 Colombera & Garella Lessona Pizzaguerra - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Lessona (3/2/2020)
This has an enormous amount of potential. Svelte and refined and I think I'm really starting to understand this wine. I think a few years will lift it dramatically and I can't wait to see what it looks like at peak. (92 points)
2005 Ch“teau Lafon-Rochet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe (3/3/2020)
Not quite as good as the last bottle, showing its wood a bit more (maybe this was in juxtaposition to the Texier) but still good claret. (91 points)
2011 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône-Brézème Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème (3/3/2020)
This wine is still on fire. With the earthy meatiness of a grilled Flannery hanger this was a perfect match. Again, the texture of this wine is a real calling card. (93 points)
2016 G.D. Vajra Barbera d'Alba Superiore - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba Superiore (3/4/2020)
A mouthful of flavor with fruit, savory herbs, earthy leather notes and a bit of anise seed. While it is certainly enjoyable now, I do think that it will be better in a couple of years when it relaxes a bit. Every year, this is one of my favorite barbera. (92 points)
2012 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône-Brézème Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème (3/5/2020)
Strangely, not quite as showy or open as the magnum last month but similar in flavor profile though darker and denser seeming. (91 points)
2014 Ceritas Chardonnay Trout Gulch - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (3/5/2020)
Zing! These 2014 Ceritas chardonnays are really on fire. The combination of CA fruit sucrosité with linear acid really makes these wines jump. Easy to drink. (92 points)
2011 Flavio Roddolo Barolo Ravera - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (3/5/2020)
Interesting, the Barolo is more open and generous than the Nebbiolo d'Alba from the same vintage. Warm spices and cherries with classical Barolo scents but with the addition of a bit of compote. Love Roddolo. (92 points)
2015 Fratelli Brovia Barbera d'Alba Ciabot del Fi - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba (3/14/2020)
Whoa, the richness of this catches me a bit off guard as I expect a bit more leanness and structure from a Brovia wine. That being said, it isn't gloopy or anything but it is big and rich. Glad to have this in the rotation. (90 points)
2016 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Le Clos Guillot - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (3/15/2020)
Dark berry and leafy with that dense fruit on limestone feel that I get from Guillot and different from the intense limestone from Croix Boissée as befits having two different types of limestone. Will be better with a bit of time in bottle but good now. (92 points)
2015 Az. Ag. Antoniotti Odilio Coste della Sesia - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Coste della Sesia (3/15/2020)
Another very good bottle from a producer to watch. I didn't pay too much attention and it went down quickly. (89 points)
2017 Mélanie Pfister Paar deux cépages - France, Alsace (3/15/2020)
This was delicious. A blend of Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois this is very svelte and made in a food friendly style but with a bit of roundness that makes it all to easy to drink. I'm really, really impressed with the wines here up and down the range. (91 points)
2015 Le Rocher des Violettes Montlouis-sur-Loire Cuvée la Negrette - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Montlouis-sur-Loire (3/16/2020)
These Rocher des Violettes chenins have an earthy wooly side that I don't get in some of the other chenin we drink. That said, it is really good and complex. It really holds up in the open bottle and improves with air. (91 points)
2016 Azienda Agricola Caparsa Chianti Classico Caparsa - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (3/17/2020)
Another delicious bottle. Happy to have this in the stable. (92 points)
2007 Le Piane Boca - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Boca (3/19/2020)
Consistent with previous bottles. Very good. Ready. (91 points)
1996 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (3/20/2020)
Hmmm, this was really interesting. A real beef broth/umami note on the nose. Dried fruit and underbrush. The wine didn't change just sitting out over several days. Cork was perfect although bottle was a recent purchase. I've got another, so we'll see. (89 points)
2018 Domaine Gramenon Côtes du Rhône Poignee de Raisins - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône (3/20/2020)
Shiny, happy lovely little southern Rhône. A nice whip of leather and spice frames the fruit. (90 points)
2016 Sandlands Chenin Blanc Amador County - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (3/22/2020)
Delicious chenin in a relaxed style. Doesn't have the acidity or drive of the best Loire examples, but it is complex and well proportioned. I'll keep this in the rotation if I'm able. (91 points)
2018 Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese feinherb #11 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (3/22/2020)
This has more of the salty minerality that I look for in Falkenstein. I think the #11 is normally the magnum fuder but I can't always keep track. As expected, another success. (91 points)
2018 Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett #12 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (3/23/2020)
A bit softer than the 2017 and less sharp than the #11 feinherb from 2018 but still delicious because it is Falkenstein. I'm going to keep loading up on these as long as I am still able, which doesn't seem like it'll be long. (90 points)
2018 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Nahe (3/24/2020)
Delicious in that creamier Dönnhoff fashion. A nice change of pace from the Falkenstein wines we usually drink. (90 points)
2014 Ghostwriter Cabernet Sauvignon Bates Ranch - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz County (3/25/2020)
Wow! I was surprised at how open this was and how silky compared with the memory of the 2013. Currants and berries with savory herbs and some earth. Worth drinking a bottle now to see how it fits with your cabernet preferences. It will age on its balance. (93 points)
2016 Broc Cellars Zinfandel Vine Starr Red - USA, California, Sonoma County (3/26/2020)
Good job Chris! Love this expression of zinfandel with all the herbal and floral nuance and the crunchy red fruits. It seems like 3-4 years really helps it come together. (92 points)
2006 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône-Brézème Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème (3/28/2020)
Very close to resolved and recognizable as Brézème. I think I may have expected a little more either intensity or complexity given other experiences with other vintages. I love the shape and feel of these wines even if this particular bottle didn't hit the highs they are capable of. I have one more bottle, I think I'll give it another couple of years to see what happens. (90 points)
2018 Torre Dei Beati Pecorino Giocheremo con i fiori - Italy, Abruzzi, Terre di Chieti IGT (3/28/2020)
An earthier version of Pecorino with some vegetal notes joining the fruits which are a mix of tart standards and something exotic. I'm enjoying working my way through wines from Abruzzo over the last few months. I admire their forthrightness. (89 points)
2009 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Feusselottes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru (3/29/2020)
Awesome! Everything I want from this wine and really Burgundy. Maybe I should stop buying anything else. This is drinking well now but with a few years I think it will be spectacular. No loss of energy due to the warm vintage. IMO, maybe the best Chambolle made, non Amoureuses division. (94 points)
2017 Ferme de la Sansonnière (Mark Angeli) La Lune - France, Vin de France (3/29/2020)
Consistent with the last bottle although a bit looser. (90 points)
2017 Wilde Farm Wines Heritage Bedrock Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (3/30/2020)
I enjoyed this a little more than the previous bottle. I like what is going on here and think it would work well on a restaurant list. I wish it were a bit more refined. (89 points)
2018 Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett trocken AP 19 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (3/30/2020)
Damn. I think I might respect this wine more than I enjoyed it. Really intense almost searing aromas on stone, mineral, brine and preserved lemons almost prepares you for the intensity of the palate. Really a fascinating wine but almost intimidating. Rates really high on the intellectual scale, but is tough to drink. The bottle lasted days in the fridge without budging. Respect. (91 points)
2007 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Feusselottes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru (3/31/2020)
Another delicious Mugneret Feusselottes. Obviously lacks the extra gear and dimension of the 2009 but in exchange you get everything it has delivered right now. Gentle spiced red fruits with a fine long finished and a brush of light tannin. My last bottle and I'm glad we drank this when we did but I don't see it falling apart any time soon. (92 points)
