Leo Steen, 'Calpella', Mendocino County, 2011
Blend of old vines, mainly Carignane and Petite Sirah. 12.9% Pretty color of light cherry red with a violet cast. Muted nose. Subtle red fruits and straw-like tannins with a nice tactile finish. Good, if a little unidimensional. B+
Chateau Ste. Anne, Bandol, 'Cuvee Vin de Collection', 1999
Waited a long time to open this, the 98% mourvedre cuvee. Old time 12.5% alcohol. Slight bit of saddle, sweet fruit more on the red side, nice body, with exotic spice on the end. Floral and elegant, with nothing overdone at all.
A-
Bedrock, Syrah, North Coast, 2011
Deep red with purple highlights. Very bright nose of plummy saline solution. Bright and lively, with subdued tannins. Will age on its acid structure. Like drinking Crozes in a decent year. 14% B+/A- One of those wines you wish you had a case of for everyday drinking.
Chateau Malescot St. Exupery, Margaux, 2004
Bright cherry red. Savory herbs, red fruits, and green tobacco on the nose. On the palate, dusty red fruits, red currant, and raspberry leaf. A little tart and thin, lacking richness and likeability. Perhaps more time is needed to soften? B+/B 13.5%
Baudry, Chinon (blanc), 'La Croix Boisee', 2005
Light gold colored with a slight walnut-skin cast. Gingered quince nose. Very muted flavors, but very mineral, with oyster shell on the finish. Butternut meats and sunflower, slightly oily in the vein of a Rhone white make this an interesting, if atypical, example of chenin blanc. 14% B+/A-
Rhys, Pinot Noir, San Mateo County, 2012
Mute nose initially. Stems and wood with a slight bit of hawthorn fruit, Cali-gloss wood. Still seems young and feel I opened too soon, but not a lot of concentration. Like sucking on stems. 13.3%
The 2nd night brings a perfume of lilacs, red fruits and a saline quality to the finish. Reminds me of a sturdy Gevrey or Cote du Nuits, quite muscular. B+/A-
Donnhoff, Niederhauser Hermannshohle, riesling, Auslese, 2005
7.5% 375ml White peach, calcium, not very sweet. Very fresh, floral, and citrusy. Although not very concentrated, this is well-balanced and has a long finish. A-/B+
Pier, Barbaresco, 'Rio Sordo', 2009
14.5% Cranberry red colored. Elementary school glue aromas and flavor. Tough, nail-biting tannin hiding red fruits. Even at $20, would not purchase again. 2nd night: turns into prune filling. Still a limited nose, but the tannins have smoothed out considerably and you can even drink this solo tonight. A little Cherry Herring for flavor, and finishes with dandelion roots. B