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2007 - Alfred, Domaine Chardonnay Chamisal Vineyard

Jul 10, 2009

Classic California Chardonnay nose of toasty oak, vanilla, butterscotch, and pastry crust with some meyer lemon custard and orange zest. Big wine up front with good concentration, medium acidity, and abundant oak. Nice finish with copious amounts of citrus and a subtle leesiness

2006 - Rudius Syrah Alder Springs West Block

Jun 30, 2009

Deep dark ruby core with a dull red rim. Aromas of saddle leather, all-spice, and cardamom followed by dark cherry, chocolate, and citrus zest. Earthy on the mid-palate with some truffle, candied red fruits, and dried herbs. Medium finish

2008 - Rieussec

Apr 23, 2009

Wow what a beautiful pale golden color (clean and clear). Absolutely intoxicating aromas of peach, ripe citrus, and apricot confiture. Shows tons of botrytis but remains fresh and lively on the mid-palate. Lots of toasty marshmallow and charred oak with everything in the right place (and in the right proportion). Loaded with fruit, but replete with the proper acidty… Delicious and rich

2008 - Lagune, La

Apr 23, 2009

Ruby red core with an medium ruby red rim. Subtle aromas of Rainer Cherry, strawberry, and chalk with some nicely integrated herbal aromas including black tea and sage. Firm upon entry this wine fleshes out on the mid-palate into one of the bigger Medoc wines of the vintage. Firm tannins and some nice toasty oak notes as well. This is classic Bordeuax

2008 - Rol Valentin

Apr 23, 2009

Deep purple core with a medium bright ruby rim. Superp nose of dark chocolate, blackberry, and black currant wrapped around mocha and coffee. Very clean and fresh throughout with fine grained tannins and a nice mineral driven backbone. While, silky in texture it shows nice structure as well. This is a hedonistic and delightful wine that will be at its best within the first 10-15 years.91-93

2008 - Lynch Bages

Apr 23, 2009

Medium ruby core with a bright red rim. Restrained nose of red currant, boysenberry, and tart cherry with a touch of damp earth as well. This surprisingly fruit driven Lynch Bages is big and lush upon entry then thins out a bit before finishing with a nice tannic punch. I like the prospects of aging this wine for at least a couple decades after bottling. Nicely textured yet firm in overall structure

2005 - Beaucastel, Chateau Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone Blanc

Mar 19, 2009

Pale golden yellow in color. Bright and fresh nose of creme brule, lemon curd, and quince with some straw aromas thrown in to let the drinker know it's Southern Rhone. Textured and viscous on the palate with some lemon custard and a distinct mineral component. Should age nicely over the short term. Very food friendly

2006 - Gaudry, Denis Domaine Pouilly Fume

Mar 19, 2009

THIS is Pouilly Fume! Super pale, almost transparent in color. Lovely nose of stone fruits, lemon, and gooseberry (oh the gooseberry) Tons of citrus on the palate with brilliant acidity and a streak of minerality that won't call quits. Lean, focused, clean, and crisp just the way an easy drinking white wine should be. This is refreshing stuff with no semblance of oak or anything else to weigh it down. Very mineral driven and angular on the finish.

2006 - Beaucastel, Chateau Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone Blanc

Mar 19, 2009

2006 - Turnbull Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Mar 19, 2009

Concentrated, velvety, and complex. Dill and fresh cut herbs show through on the nose surrounded by Bing cherry, blackberry liquor, and powdered sugar. Lots of lift on the mid-palate with fresh red licorice, baking spices, and chocolate. Refined tannins and excellent finish

2006 - Stonestreet Chardonnay

Jan 28, 2009

Nice ripe nose of papaya, guava, meyer lemon, and toasty oak. Everything seems well integrated with some really bright acidity towards the finish. Not overly thick or buttery. I really like this is a light aperitif Chardonnay or with light lunch fare.

1989 - Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

Jan 21, 2009

This Cab was still young tasting with lots of red currant, cedar, and ripe strawberry. Showing exceptionally well (despite some heavy tannins) this should have another 5-10 years of life in it easily. I wish I still had some beef cheek Ravioli left to try this with, but there is only so much food left @ 1am in the remote hills of Carmel Valley.

2005 - Aromes de Pavie

Jan 16, 2009

This is the 3rd time I've tasted this wine. Once in the U.S. last Spring, once in Bordeaux in April 08 and now...Freaking delicious. This deep ruby colored full-bodied blend is the second label of St. Emilion's prodigal wine "Pavie". Complex fruit driven aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry, dried currant, and cassis with a subtle coffee undertone. Plush and velvety in the mid-palate while remaining bright and lively. The finish is smoothe and quite simply delicious. This is Pavie-esque without having to spend $200

2006 - Martini, Louis Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma

Jan 16, 2009

Dense purple core with a fuchsia rim. This Cab shows great concentration with a delightful nose of powdered chocolate, blackberry, and vanilla extract. This has some serious fruit character on the nose with some subtle undertones of extra ripe plum and dill as well. Soft going in but builds towards a big tannic finish. This should be open for business in a year or two.
NOTE: This is one of the more solid wines you'll find in a restaurant at a reasonable price

2006 - Querciabella, Agricola Chianti Classico

Jan 16, 2009

Let me preface this note by saying that I was in Chianti with my dad in November 2006 shortly after harvest so I have a tough time bagging on any wine from that vintage / area. With that said this is actually a pretty stellar wine from top to bottom. It boasts a real savory component on the nose with some dried plum, anise, and sage. Some meaty / gammy character as well with light salt-water. This is so clearly Italian (in a good way) - It shows what Chianti is all about when produced in a fashion wherein the Sangiovese grape can express itself without being over-dressed to mimic a more 'modern' wine, which it's not. This should age well, but it's so nice right now - Why wait?

2006 - Conn Valley Right Bank Proprietary Red Wine

Jan 15, 2009

I've always liked Conn Valley because the quality is there and the price is right. This 06' Right Bank is no exception. This 70% Merlot, 30%Cabernet Franc blend is fashioned in the same vein as a Right bank Bordeaux (hence the name)... Dark plum-ruby core. The nose exudes Merlot characteristics of plum, blackberry, and light cardamon. Some subtle herbaceous notes settle in after the fruit including bell pepper and red cabbage. This wine is by no means 'vegital' however (Fruit is still the dominant component) On the mid-palate it is smokey and powerful with red plum, Asian spice, and nutmeg. Long and slightly tart finish. Nice wine overall - I would give it a couple of years in bottle to evolve.

2004 - Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

Jan 14, 2009

Dark ruby core with a medium ruby rim. Nice cherry, cedar, and sweet oak. Some subtle herbaceous notes as well on the nose. Full and Rich in the mid-palate with lush tannins and forest berries. Long finish of espresso and chocolate with well integrated oak

2006 - Mollydooker The Boxer

Sep 14, 2007

Deep purple color extends almost all the way to the vibrant purple rim of this heavily extracted Shiraz. Big open nose full of licorice, plum, and rose petals with a hint of spice shining through as well. Very rich and opulent mid-palate leads to a long and surprisingly well balanced finish.

Alex L. 's Wine Reviews