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2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan (8/4/2009)
Lovely adolescent. Smoky tobacco. Black cherry. Quite supple. Hints of bitter chocolate. Acidic and a bit wound up on the finish, but I love the direction this is heading. (91 pts.) -
2005 Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fumé Pur Sang - France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé (8/2/2009)
Lovely nose, bracing notes of typical Sauv Blanc with cat pee, mineral and a hint of smoke. Great palate, lemon cream, salt, mouthwatering, really delicious and refreshing. (92 pts.) -
1997 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (8/1/2009)
Not the best Pegau but still lovely. Lots of classic iodine, horse sweat and garrigue notes. Such a nice core to this wine. Sweet Grenache. Dried herbs. Lovely. (89 pts.) -
2001 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Barolo Vürsù Vigneto Campè - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/30/2009)
Gorgeous nose, tar and raspberry. Concentrated. Tannins are utterly mouth ripping at this point though, not even close to ready except for utter masochists. Love the juice though. Let it sleep. -
2005 Phifer Pavitt Cabernet Sauvignon Date Night - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/28/2009)
Mmm, this really is a terrific Napa Cab. It actually seems more forward now than when I had it last year. A little toasty oak on the nose is quickly subsumed by deep, powerful notes of cassis. Textbook Cabernet. A lovely palate, deep, black fruit, lots of ash, olive and leafy tones remind you that yes, this really is Cabernet. No grape jelly here. This is a winemaker who is not worried about some slight vegetal tones in his Cabernet, and thank goodness. Supple, very well balanced, and quite gorgeous. Very nice. (93 pts.) -
2005 Molnar Family Pinot Noir Poseidon’s Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros (7/26/2009)
Intense, oaked, somewhat ponderous. Crowd pleasing. -
1999 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District (7/16/2009)
Textbook Napa cab. Does anyone make a more pure and classic Napa cab than Shafer? Truly gorgeous.
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