2006 Piazzo Comm. Armando Moscato d'Asti [Moscato Bianco] (Moscato d'Asti DOCG, Piedmont, northwestern Italy) cork closure, 7% - imported to USA by Angelini Wine – appears fuller gold, slight spritz hanging to glass, smell faint grapeyness, hint of lime, mouthfeel very full and rounded in mouth, certainly mouthfilling but not heavy or syrupy, light mousse provides nice refreshment, taste sweet grapes with edges of lemon and lime, this is like a more focused and more precise version of a sweetened soft drink, I’ll take this over a sprite any day, certainly sweet and simple, but with sufficient lemon/lime notes and light scrubbing frothy bubbles to clean the palate and make one pine for another glass, very drinkable, I would certainly drink this one again—though sweeter and simpler than my usual routine
2006 Dominique et Janine Crochet Sancerre [Sauvignon Blanc] (Sancerre AOC, upper Loire Valley, northwestern France) cork closure, 13% - imported to USA by Simon “N” Cellars, Charlottesville, Virginia – appears quite pale straw, smell nice fresh but not overpowering grapefruit, very soft and integrated, a more subtle, less in-your-face style of sauvignon blanc, nice, with air, bit more melon and more, but still bare, hints of sweetness, mouthfeel smooth but not perfectly bound, definitely some unfinished edges, taste much sweeter than expected, rich peachy fruit, slight spice lurking, gummy and candyesque, finish is weak—reminded me of stale bottled water, some hint of grapefruit rind there, but a really weak finish, there were some nicer, more interesting elements hidden within this wine but its dominant candied approach was not to my liking, nose offered lots of promise which was not delivered in the mouth, the Crochets must be quite a family in the Loire—this is the third domaine I’ve had with that last name.
2005 Edmunds St. John (Thirsty Pagans With Big Ideas) Paso Robles Shell and Bone [blend of Viognier and Roussanne] (Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA) cork closure, 14.2% - appears reflective medium gold, smell fun apricot, apricot bubblegum, bright fresh fruit, little greenness, little hay, aromatic and finely tuned, very nice nose, mouthfeel tiny bit viscous, but easy downer, real easy, taste incredibly integrated fruit, bit of a peach nectar, spicy herbs, what a package!, light effervescent yet bursting with fruit, light dusty stone finish with nice long fade, bit of bright lovely pear and pineapple spice easy light wine yet bursting with flavor, bright light and quick on its feet, a wonderful pair to some grilled orange roughy fish with deliciously sweet summer squash and tender grilled asparagus, the $25 I paid might be more than average but it was worth every penny and I would certainly buy more at that price, I was astounded by how magnificent this wine was. From producer: Viognier from the Rozet Vineyard,, a mile or so West from Highway 101, and roughly a quarter mile North from Highway 46 West. Roussanne from the Tablas Creek Vineyard, near the junction of Vineyard Drive and Adelaida Rd. Both vineyards on vertical shoot-positioned trellis. Whole-cluster pressed, and fermented in 22 year-old French Puncheons, spontaneous ml in wood. Most of the Roussanne and all Viognier transferred to stainless in April '06, bottled end of August. 280 cases produced.
2004 Château La Mothe du Barry (Joël Duffau) Bordeaux Supérieur Cuvée Le Barry (Bordeaux Supérieur AOC, Bordeaux, France) cork closure, 13.5% - imported to USA by Elite Wines, Lorton, Virginia – appears dark purple black, quite viscous, smell faint raspberry and a thistle patch, that dry desert smell, hint of tar and chocolate, by day three the nose had shifted toward bug spray and tobacco, mouthfeel smooth texture with definite chewiness on sides, taste wonderful recessed raspberry, lots of wonderful depth, juicy without being all that fruits, tannins lurking on edges and completely take over on finish, day two moves the taste toward chocolate and bacon, still wondrous tender fruit, ethereal on finish, by day three I am really noting what I interpret as the level of extraction on this wine, a good deal of tart drying grip, this wine is a beautiful thing but I would guess that it’s best drinking is still ahead of it, can taste some wonderful ingredients right now, it would be interesting to see how they come together over the next few years, lots of cooling depth that could have great things lurking, did not pair well with grilled lamb tips, but was a phenomenal match for a delicious one-year aged gouda, brought forth the more elegant and poised elements while toning down the rougher edges, best wine and cheese match I’ve had in awhile, delicious wine for $24, but not sure I’ll try to pick up some more to age or not . . . I suspect they have sold out anyway.