2004 Fevre, Chablis Les Clos:
Either this is tired or the pox is just beginning; pleasant but not more.
2004 Ridge, Chardonnay Montebello:
Darker in color than the Chablis, some butterscotch on the nose but not on the palate, fair aromatics but more convincing in the mouth; an interesting Chardonnay and (aside from healthy Chablis) I am not usually interested in this grape.
2006 Rhys, Pinot Noir Alpine Hillside:
Deep and rich and reminds me a bit of Gevrey; volume in the mouth without weight, layered, earthy and long. Can be cellared further but needn’t be. Very good.
2008 Rhys, Pinot Noir Alpine:
Lightweight and bright, certainly young but nice sap and structure, on the cherry end of red fruit and nowhere near the volume of the preceding wine (although, it works nicely). Needs time but is lip-smackingly good now.
1994 Ridge, Cabernet Sauvignon Montebello:
Complete, balanced, mature and quietly complex, satin texture, fine length; a really lovely Cabernet with more than a nod toward Paulliac.
1999 Carlisle, Two Acre:
Cépage is Mouvèdré, Petite Sirah, Valdepañas and Alicante Bouschet; 15.3% alcohol; initially pruney and hot but after about half an hour open, very much Bandol-esque, meaty and feral although just a bit too big for me.
Best, Jim