WTNS all California evening

Dinner with two buddies, I bring the wines, they pay.

We start with a 2005 Williams Selyem Russian River Chardonnay. Smokey and oakey, hot on the finish. Unabashedly California. The fruit is masked by all the manipulation. Having it chilled, almost on ice makes it more drinkable. The wine is a big hit with my friends. I can't finish the glass.

1994 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is the best bottle from that wine I've had in three years. About four other bottles were weak and diluted, this one is anything but. Nose is profound, elegant texture, on the palate the wine sings; multiple layers of flavors with a great structure. I'm reminded again why I used to love this wine years ago. A dead ringer for a great Pauillac.

1994 Phelps Insignia: I have had this wine many times and it is always a favorite but it's overshadowed by the Mondavi. The fruit is there but the wine is a bit flabby and monolithic. I don't finish my glass.

Woke up at 2:00am with a massive headache. I blame the Chardonnay.

Was the 1994 Insignia decanted? You probably have more experience than I with this vintage, but my bottles have always shown/developed with about 2 hours of air time.
Alas, mine are all gone which may not be a total shame based upon what you experienced.
'Winger

[Jenise]

Boy, that doesn't sound like the W/S chardonnays I remember. Have they gotten goopier under the new ownership or is my memory that bad?

Boy, that doesn't sound like the W/S chardonnays I remember. Have they gotten goopier under the new ownership or is my memory that bad?

Jenise, I had a WS Allen Chardonnay a couple of years ago that I absolutely loved. That's why I was so disappointed. Couldn't believe it was the same winemakers.

Was the 1994 Insignia decanted? You probably have more experience than I with this vintage, but my bottles have always shown/developed with about 2 hours of air time.
Alas, mine are all gone which may not be a total shame based upon what you experienced.
'Winger

This Insignia is the 11th out of my 12 bottle case and is the first bottle that didn't woo me. I really think the Mondavi was so awesome that the Insignia just couldn't compete.