2004 Mt. Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
There's no denying that there's oak on this wine, but there's also blackberry, black raspberry and a surprising bit of green olive on a wine that shows more development than I'd expect for a five year old California cabernet, all of which is in fact to the good for drinking right now which it did very very well. It came out of a friend's Eurocave, so it's a true pop and pour--no decanting required.
2005 Duckhorn Merlot, Napa
The maturity noted on the Mt. Veeder was even more pronounced when followed by this wine, which is completely primary and young. Black cherry and blueberry notes with firm, grippy tannins. A shame to drink it so young, but actually quite neccessary to the occasion. We bought it to share with a 90 year old man to celebrate the occasion of our first meeting about 15 years ago--he lived in our Southern California neighborhood, and had three cases of Duckhorn Merlot (I thought) stacked at his south-facing garage door. I watched those boxes in anguish for months before mustering up the nerve to introduce myself, upon which I learned that the boxes held garden supplies. And there began what has become one of the most precious friendships of my life.
2005 Bert Simon Serriger Herrenberg Riesling Auslese (Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer)
Ripe lemon, pear and quince with a little dried apricot on the finish. I drink so few young Germans I have little experience with which to evaluate this wine, but though I didn't find it especially complex right now, I thought it had a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. But what I lack for in riesling experience I more than make up for in the Sitting Under a Poolside Morrocan Cabana On A Warm But Rainy Southern California Night department, and this was darned near perfect.