2007 Cade Sauvignon Blanc (with 10% Semillon, on some new oak). A new winery by the Plumpjack people (including Mayor Gavin Newsome): Smooth and rich, but not necessary oaky. A lovely, elegant mouthfeel is the standout characteristic of this wine. Nice lemony character on the palate. Marred by a slightly bitter finish-this would be better at 13% abv instead of 14%, Nonetheless, I think this would be good with mild flavored fish. 88 points.
2004 Musante Cabernet Sauvignon. Made by the family who founded Calistoga Water. This was quite a discovery, actually. Not a big Napa jam bomb at all. There is a lot going on here, with intriguing herbaciouss notes (in a good way), some savory elements already, nice black currant fruit. Only 14.0% abv, too, so there is no heat at all. very nice structure. 93 points. It's so nice to find good small producers like Musante who are not trying to copy the cult wine makers. I also had St. Clement Oroppas this weekend, at 15.6% alcohol, it was like drinking a bad port. The Musante was much better and a rejoinder to those who claim we can only make monster wines that have no cabernet character at all.
At Terroir Wine Bar in SF Sunday-tried way too many outstanding wines! The two among many that really hit me were:
2007 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Sauvignon No. 2....Completely different than the Cade. Native yeasts, biodynamic winery. Amazingly alive wine-explodes on the mouth. Not in a New Zealand way. If I had to reach, I would describe this as the Suvignon Blanc equivalent of those weird fermented kombucha tea drinks I like so much! Citrus, minerals, earth. Not effervescent, but fantasticly lively. 95 points-and less than $25 even with the Euro. It's good to drink in the non-trendy regions of France!
2007 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine "Cabernet" (Cab Franc). Natural yeast/organic/biodynamic everything. While their "L'Arpent Rouge," which Guillaume says is Pinot d'Aunise (sp?), is odd and for wine geeks only
, this still very young Cab Franc would be enjoyed by the full range of drinkers. Can't really describe it-I just love the mouth feel and the fuzzy but smooth tannins. Deliciously earthy, with not a hint of green pepper but plenty of herbal underpinning. Quite ripe fruit. No heat at 12.5% abv, I believe (notes are not in front of me). Outstanding. 94 points+. I also enoyed the Olivier Cab Franc, but given the necessity to carry the wine on Bicycle, I picked up the two CRB wines.