Yves Lecchia Patrimonio 2004. Grenache-based blend from Corsica, of all places! My wine of the night. Savory, earthy dark berry fruit with the strawberry notes of the Grenache not dominant but adding brightness. This wine was quite "savage" when we tried it three years ago at Bounty Hunter in Napa. It has definitely become more integrated and mellow and complex and delicious. 93 points, especially given the price!
2005 Lapierre Morgon Cru Beaujolais. Earthy, pleasant Beaujo more on the "cranberry" side. 88 points. Surprisingly, this was popular and disappeared by the end of the night.
2003 Wild Hog Zinfandel. Controversial. Some of us liked the somewhat elegant, brambly but relatively light berry fruit. Others complained it didn't taste like Zinfandel.
I would rate it 87 points. I thought it had matured nicely. 2007 Phillips Eckstein Graechen Domprobst Kabinett "Feinherb" Amazing nose. Already some petroll-y notes. A great mouthfeel. Nice citrus and peach fruit. One of the people at the party was of German heritage and he quite enjoyed this. 92 points.
2008 Havens Rose of Cab Franc. Now I really liked this! Fantastic Cab Franc varietal character, with refreshing acidity and a believe it or not delicious bell pepper note that somehow worked! 91 points. R.I.P. Havens Winery
Elizabeth Spencer Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2005. The riper, richer style of fruit-forward Pinot. Not my style, necessarily, but a nice quaffer nonetheless. 86 points.