From the past few days:
2004 Failla Pinot Noir, Keefer Ranch, Russian River
Intense red fruit in the cherry and pomegranate realm and a rich spicy finish. Textbook Russian River pinot, very nicely done.
2004 Vignalta Pinot Bianco, Colli Euganei, Italy
In my continued effort to understand why the world's pinot blanc vines should not be burned to the ground, I purchased this ($16). Interesting stuff. Viscuous texture. Flavor of white raspberry and cashew, with all the lightly sweet creamy nuttiness that that implies. Seemed a little hot for 13% abv, and taste wise it was a less than brilliant match with the salty/buttery St. Marcellin cheese on fennel crisp bread we were having for lunch, but we did like the wine and it helped further nail an impression of pinot blanc into place--these better versions from northern Italy, Germany and Austria have all been more similar than different.
2000 Susanna Balbo Malbec, Argentina
This wine went through a shy stage awhile back, but it shows well now. Mixed black and red fruit with a slightly jammy core. I personally like it less now than I did when it was younger and tannins hid the jammy quality, but it's a classy example of what good producers can do with this grape variety. I would guess it's at peak now but could hold here for a few years.