Wow! The fuzzy tannins of yore have now been civilized and the mouthfeel is downright silky. Tarry (like an Amador Zin) and mineral-inflected dark cherry fruit with a nicely acidic spine. Unlike some previous encounters, this bottle was not Bretty in the least and bore few signs of the hot year that produced it.
2007 Domaine Chandon de Briailles Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Ile des Vergelesses (1/13/2014)Upon opening, it was fairly tight, displaying a nose of tart raspberryish fruit and a bit of pencil lead. Three nights later, it was transformed: the nose had taken on some very appealing floral notes and on the palate the wine was much more open and giving, still in a lighter, red-fruited vein. This should really be lovely in a few years.
1999 Domaine Michel Gaunoux Beaune (1/8/2014)Still fairly tight, it has a nose of tart raspberry and graphite. On the palate, it's got fine acidity, medium body and a good core of fruit. This'll easily go another 3-5 years I think, and will probably get better.
2005 Lagier Meredith Syrah Mt. Veeder (1/8/2014)Surprisingly lush and primary, this wine showed its California character in spades. Not gloopy or OTT in any way, but definitely on the big side for Syrah, it had enough acidity to go well with the food. I'll keep my hands off my other bottle for a few more years, though, in hopes that it'll develop more tertiary character. NV François Pinon Vouvray Brut Non Dosé (1/7/2014)
Slightly toasty, with a crisp, apply flavor profile. Vivid acidity but a sense of richness to the mouthfeel. Really lovely and a great value.
1996 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (1/7/2014)Dark, plummy fruit mixed with graphite in the nose. On the palate, medium bodied with fine-grained tannins and decent acidity. Showing as mature Cabernet but no tertiary development. A tad simple but a decent wine.
2012 A Donkey and Goat Grenache Noir El Dorado (12/14/2013)Juicy, spicy and high toned red fruits in a medium-bodied pacKage. Got a bit of that carbonic character, but it's got more alcohol than your typical glou-glou wine. Not much varietal character however.
2010 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Choisilles (12/4/2013)Softer than expected and without the expected mineral cut to it. A bit rich, fairly dry and with plenty of Chenin fruit, but still overall a disappointment in comparison to e.g. the '08.
2009 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Mayacamas Range (11/29/2013)Still marked by oak, with plentiful berryish fruit and a bit soft. Pretty typical Zin, but not up to my expectations for this producer.
2009 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Le Domaine (11/29/2013)A lovely, leathery nose is accompanied by a rich, balanced cab franc that delighted both wine geek and non-geek alike. A treat with roast turkey on Thanksgiving.
2011 Guy Breton Régnié (11/27/2013)Bright, red-fruited with floral and mineral notes. A bit of bitterness on the finish due to the tannins in this wine. A few years will do it good.
Mark Lipton