Chateau Brown, Pessac-Leognan, 2001 - blanc A light honey gold color that emits lemon, lanolin, and honeyed-wax on the nose, having parafin and lime-flower with straw in the mouth. A good tension exists between fatness and acidity and the oak regimen. Good value too, esp. at the prearrival price (around $13). B+
Leonildo Pieropan, Recioto di Soave 'le Colombare', 1997 Yellow looking a lot like strong urine. Not giving off much in the aroma department, but there are some spicy floral scents with caramel. More revealing when tasted, giving lovely spicy rum cake (the good kind), ginger snaps, candied oranges, and later on some burnt toffee and a slight biscotti flavor on the finish. The floral lift on the finish and acid balance keeps this on its toes instead of falling into flabiness. A good, 'simple' stickie. B+/A-
Chat. Clos de L'Oratoire, St. Emilion, 1999 My third bottle of this, which is more evolved than the one from 2 years ago, showing more dark red and losing the purpleness of youth. Initially, a strong black raspberry aroma that fades into smoke and becomes more mineral laden. Black raspberries and umeboshi, a sweet fennel finish. The (noticeable) new wood of yesteryear is being better embraced today than it was. What previously felt like a very New World wine is becoming more interesting with age and a little more Bordeaux like. B+/A-
Mark S