Tried these two last night for din/din:
1. Forlorn-Hope Nacre Semillon YountMillVnyd/NapaVlly (11%; 727 cs) V&B by MatthewRorickWines/Oakville 2013: Med.light yellow color; strong Semillon/figgy/fig newton light herbal/waxy/BD candle light toasty/oak rather fragrant nose; very tart/tangy/citrusy/lemony strong figgy/Semillon/herbal/waxy bit lean/austere light vanilla/oak rather sinewy/taut/earthy flavor; very long strong Semillon/herbal/waxy/figgy quite tart/tangy/bit metallic light toasty/oak finish; a bit simple Semillon now but will put on weight & needs at least 5 yrs, should go out 10; much in the style of a HunterVlly Semillon but w/o all the oak most have; should make great old bones down the road. $30.00
_____________________
2. Carlisle Syrah SonomaCnty (14.2%; 500 cs; mostly BennettVlly + Papa'sBlock + PasoRobles; U/U) 2014: Very dark color; very strong blackberry/Syrah/blueberry bit black pepper some toasty/smokey/oak slight Rhonish/roasted very attractive nose; bit tart strong blackberry/Syrah/blueberry/bit black pepper some toasty/smokey/oak bit earthy/dusty/Rhonish/roasted flavor w/ light some tangy/angular/bit drying tannins; very long rather tart/tangy/angular strong blackberry/blueberry/Syrah slight Rhonish/roasted/black pepper some toasty/oak finish w/ modest bit hard/drying tannins; starting to dry out a bit & a bit hard/angular but still quite an interesting/delicious Syrah that shows its c-c/BennettVlly origins. $24.50
___________________________________
A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Semillon: A variety that doesn't get nearly the degree of respect it should. Often not very interesting and rather herbal/figgy/waxy and fairly acid when young; they can age into to some absolutely amazing old bones. I've had 30 yr old HunterVlly Semillon that is amazing and resembles a lot an old Sauternes, but dry. The Kalin is a good Semillon to try because TerryLeighton ages it quite long before release. The 2001 appears to be the most recent release. Don't know how the guy does. Because of its piercing acidity, I have no reason not to believe that this F-H won't go out at least 10-15 yrs.
________________
2. BennettVlly: A region that doesn't get nearly the degree of respect it should. Though not as cold-climate as the far SonomaCoast, it has enough cold-climate character to make the Syrahs from here very interesting.
Tom