TN: More tastes

[Florida Jim]

1998 Chat. Couhins-Lurton, Pessac-Léognan (Blanc):

Good wine, over-oaked. Brassy color; good sauvignon blanc smells (this is 100% sauvignon) but too much butterscotch and sawed lumber; even worse in the mouth where the wine becomes attenuated by the wood flavors and effects. That any sauvignon lasts 10 years is interesting – why the winemaker decided it had to be so woody is beyond me.

2005 Chanrion, Côte-de-Brouilly:

Strawberry, lady’s face powder and tonic water smells; beautiful in the mouth with dense fruit flavors, accenting minerality, a lightweight delivery and a silky texture; medium length, very clean finish. Drinking very well today and absolutely delicious. Yum!

2005 Dom. Pepiere, Muscadet Granite de Clisson (magnum):

Served to eight tasters; special wine that pleases even the most novice taster. Clean, deep and long. Fabulous.

N/V Marquis de Monastrol, Cava Reserva:

Lovely bead, very clean scents and flavors, bone-dry and low alcohol. Perfect starter or, as we did, with tomato and mozzarella salad.

2005 de Villaine, Bourgogne La Digoine:

Corked. Still tasted pretty good but the smell . . .

2005 Dom. Vissoux, Fleurie Poncie:

More typical of the vineyard and producer than first bottles that were loaded with baby-fat; this is very Feurie and delicious with food.

2005 Terres Dorees, Fleurie:

A baby – a yummy wine but requies several years to round out. Terrific wine.

2006 Alesia, Pinot Noir Sam Mateo Cnty.:

Evidence of some whole-cluster fermentation and very sweet fruit; not my favorite but our guests loved it – to the point they drank it instead of many of the Beaujolais. I think this needs a couple years to integrate fully but our guests wanted more – my only bottle. Thanks, Kevin.

Best, Jim