Domaine de Labarthe Gaillac 2006: For only $14, this was very earthy and savory and multilayered. I've never tried a Gaillac wine before, and this was the one I took home from Back Room Wine's Friday Night tasting.
2004 Fontodi Chianti Classico. Just a tiny sample of this at Elements in Napa. This was a killer Chianti, with plenty of cherry fruit, amazing earthy mouth feel, great leather and tobacco notes. Delicious, if $$$
2007 Camillo Donati Lambrusco. My first Lambrusco. Biodynamic, organic, fantastic. Delicious sprightly, spritzy, and pleasantly "grapey" with plenty of fruit. This simplicity is backed up by a delicious earthyness with quite a touch of funk in a good way. I know Lambrusco is considered simple and not a "fine" wine, but this was so slurpably delicious on a quite warm San Francisco afternoon that I would give this a 90 point score!
2002 H. Posert (Victoria Lane Vineyards) Cabernet Sauvignon. The alcohol shows, and they used plenty of oak, BUT, the cherry-cassis fruit is absolutely outstanding and juicy-delicious, and I overall rather enjoyed this Saint Helena Cabernet. Only seven barrels made, so no more left.
85 points. Made by a PR executive in the valley from a 1/2 acre vineyard! Commentary here: http://www.napawineproject.com/Napa-Wineries/?ltr=h2003 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley. Darker in color than the Cab above. Roasted, savory, merlot emphasizing dark fruit and earth. Solid wine. Not too exciting, though. 84 points.
