Had some notes that I never posted. Thought there might be interest in some of these. Looking at my notes from 09 in cellar tracker reminded me that 09 was a pretty good wine year for me. No onto 2010 which should be even better.
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Moccagatta - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco (12/30/2009)
I keep saying it is time to stop drinking my 04 Piedmonts but they have been so tasty. Well my wife and I can be tannin pigs. But this was all out of whack. It smells amazing. Roses, cherries, dried strawberries and earthy stuff. Lots going on. At first sip this slapped me upside the head with acidity and tannin. The body is fairly light and the fruit has nice ripeness but for me this wine needs to sleep. Had over two nights. I could recognize that this would work for me on many nights but this was a bad choice on these nights. I do think this has all the pieces but time is needed. I don’t like the current balance.
2007 San Michele Appiano (St. Michael-Eppan) Sauvignon Blanc Lahn - Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol (12/29/2009)
The wine needs some airtime to show some complexity. Grassy aromatics. On the second day the palate was more developed. Fairly lean but still has a good amount of ripeness. Not sure I found the right food match but this needs food for sure. Also I would wait a few years to open another bottle. (86-89) (87 pts.)
2007 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (12/28/2009)
At first I was noticing what I thought was VA. Whatever it was dissipated after 60 minutes. I had this open for a few days and the aromatics changed a bit but never really captured me. Lots of sweet fruit and an somewhat briney quality on the nose. Smell like blackberry syrup and although the oak is there, the wine avoided the milkshake quality I get from things like Molly Dookers. The palate is chocolaty but not soft. The acidity is bracing although it has a unique sweetness. Silly to think of drinking a cab at this young. This is big and ripe. Drying tannins. Not closed but it is angular. Very sweet. Enjoyable for its hedonistic qualities. I wonder if this will peak in 3-4 years or actually develop over the next 12-14. (89-90) (90 pts.)
2006 Thomas & Fils Sancerre Grand Chaille - France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre (11/11/2009)
At first opening the wine has a stinky reductive quality. With time it shows more flinty and lemony elements. The is very full bodied. Lots of richness. Flavors of lemons and pears. A nice wine but it seemed to be missing some zip. See where it goes with another 18 months. (88 pts.)
2005 Domaine Ninot Mercurey Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Mercurey (10/18/2009)
Subtle and pretty fruits on the nose. Good purity and smooth right through. The tannin and acids are solid. A nice drinker for the next 4-5 years. (88 pts.)
2001 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills (10/2/2009)
Still smells fresh. Spicy, flowery and youthful. But there seems to be a bit of VA. This is still nice but not as enjoyable as when it was young and even more hedonistic. This finish is slightly bitter. (89 pts.)
Cheers,
Jason
Posted from CellarTracker