Texier, Cotes du Rhone, viognier, 2006
Vague, muted tropical aromas, and, initially, bitter almond until the egg-sulfur-matchstick blows off. Lightish wine full of sweet yellow fruits, apricot, peach pit, drinking well now. B+
Clerico, Barolo, 'Pajana', 1990
Maroon-skin color. Soy sauce and beef blood aromas. Blood sausage, black earth, orange rind and cherries marinating in liquer. Power here, but not much elegance. Spicy oak emerges with further aeration, and strong tannins come to the fore. This actually becomes better with time: 3 days later in the fridge, nicer and less agressive. B+
Terre dei Re, Aglianico del Vulture, 'Vultur', 2003
Blackish plum-red. Brooding deep plum and smoky mushroom on the closed nose. Spicy plums, smoky blueberries, strong tannic structure, no evident heaviness from the 2003 vintage. Needs time, or something. A little clodding and one-dimensional. B/B+
Vare Vineyards, Ribolla Gialla, Napa Valley, 2006
From a cute little 500ml bottle. Dull tawney gold color. Nut and almond oil aromas, a bit lactic. Soured milk flavors, lemon oil, nut oils, lactose, dull and flat tasting which is more a symptom of the grape to me than Californian winemaking. So far, I've never had a RB that I've liked. All have come across as heavy, dull, as if someone was hading you a limp hand to shake. 14.5% B
Chateau Peybonhomme les Tours, Premieres Cotes du Blaye, 2005
Bright garnet red color. Fresh leafy blackcurrant on the nose and palate, bright twig tannins and cool, ripe flavors. Not something to ponder over, but delicious for what it offers. B/B+
Alex Gambal, Nuits St. Georges, 'les Murgers', 1999
Medium maroonish garnet. Smoke-filled ground round, and a small bit of camphor on the nose. Blood orange, dried flowers, cherry pits, with a finish of old iron nails. This is powerful, but tough to love. Seems little evolved from Sept 07. Fierce tannins kick in on the finish.. B