2023 Vincent Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley - Nice mineral and herbal aromas. The palate is surprising in texture; dense, muscular, quite dry with intense acidity. I am a big Pinot Blanc fan. One of the things I love is a certain opulence in most examples. This substituted vigor. I liked it a lot but didn’t find it typical; not sure I would have guessed Pinot Blanc tasted blind. The flavors were closer to the norm, with bosc pear and something faintly flowery. The second day this opened showed some lushness. Rated 88 day 1, 89.5 the next day. Fair value in the upper $20s.
2013 Bedrock Syrah, Sonoma Coast ‘Griffin’s Lair Vineyard’ - Nice but still slightly closed black cherry aromas mixed with notes of rose. The palate is still pretty primary; the fruits are all black now with raspberry joining in with the cherry. The texture is quite solid without being heavy; the texture if not the flavors recall the Northern Rhone. Day 2 this had opened and showed breadth to go with good depth. The flavors had evolved and were now quite intricate with earthy hints along with the minerals. Rated 89 on opening, 91 the next day. Should be better in another few years.
2009 Terrien Chardonnay Sonoma Valley - Ripe seckel pear and winesap apple aromas along with mineral hints. Solid, pleasant, foresquare on the palate. If the flavors are not the most intricate, the balance is excellent and this provides instant uncomplicated pleasure. I think this would appeal to everybody from the hard core wine geek to the Kendall-Jackson drinker. It tastes more like 6 years than 16 and is fully mature. Rated 91.5.