1986 Château Climens Barsac Sémillon
Apricot pie and tangerine on the palate with a heady nose of jasmine and orange blossoms--I was impressed by how vivid those aromatics were 30 years out. That jasmine/orange blossom thing is why Climens is my favorite Barsac/Sauternes.
2013 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc
Blind, would not have guessed Sancerre--color's pretty golden, it's rounder and fuller-bodied than one would expect and the acidity isn't the typical racy kind. Definitely sees some oak. That said, it tastes expensive and held it's own with an aged white Hermitage also on the table, and that's no small task.
2007 Château Larrivet-Haut-Brion Blanc Pessac-Léognan Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
Pale yellow color. Youthful on the palate too, wouldn't have guessed it's age. Very savory with assertive herbaceousness that matched up beautifully with tarragon-laced vermicelli.
2006 E. Guigal Ermitage Blanc Ex-Voto Hermitage White Rhone Blend
Amber color. Rich and profound; not just a wine, an important wine experience. Baked red apple skin, peaches, grilled lemon and toasted hazelnut are backed up by strands of peanut brittle and an herb component in the long finish I couldn't quite put a name to, maybe bay leaf. Wow.
2006 Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
Earthy, rich dark red fruit with garrique, green olive and coffee. Just coasting into it's best years now.
2016 Dönnhoff Roxheimer Höllenpfad Riesling trocken Nahe
I'm really getting into these dry reislings. Notes of 'Perry' pear cider, lychee fruit, white melon and green tea. Nervy on the palate with a lot of depth, and a very clear step up from the non-vineyard specific trocken. A few years in the cellar should bring about many more layers.
2016 Mordoree La Dame Rousse Rose
Tavel with serious attitude: more savory than sweet with strawberries, tarragon, parsley, and a chinato-like pleasant bitterness.