Some wine this week at various places, including home:
2016 Nicolas Joly Savennières Roche aux Moines Clos de la Bergerie Chenin Blanc more
One of the nastiest corked wines I've ever experienced. You could smell it from six feet away.
2023 Rasa Vineyards Chardonnay Dream Deferred Frenchman Hills Vineyard Royal Slope WA
A rich, complex honeyed style Chardonnay in color and concentration. Was a bit much for the shrimp/leek/white truffle salad I paired it with (it was an emergency stand-in for the corked wine above) but would pair beautifully with rich chicken dishes and cheese plates.
2021 Stolo Family Vineyards Syrah Estate San Luis Obispo County
Think this is one Tom Hill posts about. Liked it enough to drink it, but don't love it. Medium bodied and balanced, it lacks varietal typicity. There's a touch of passion fruit on the nose and green peppercorn spice on the palate that reminds more of Mission than Syrah as I know (and love) it. Not an ager.
2023 Efeste Sauvignon Blanc Feral Evergreen Vineyard Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
I still miss the really feral Feral produced by winemaker B. Leighton back in the day, but while not as dry/intense/grassy this version has an undeniable elegance. Was quite taken with it.
2005 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Reserve Willamette Valley
Some fade but still eminently drinkable.
2016 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
One hour decant. Opaque black core with a modest magenta rim. Raspberry jam, dark plum, cocoa, nutmeg, graphite, and subtle dark honeycomb and mushroom. Dry, plush, full bodied palate. Voluptuous tannins on the surprisingly long finish. Outstanding with the deconstructed Beef Wellington I served it with.
2007 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Chardonnay
This bottle showed very slight oxidation that four previous bottles did not. Hopefully, it's not representative.
2023 de Négoce Syrah Lot 540 Sonoma Valley
A neighbor's bottle. Obviously syrah with vanilla and cherry flavors, lots of oak and malolactic baby fat. I keep reading things about these wines and hoped to be impressed but certainly was not.