- 08 Maison Bouachon ‘Les Rabassieres’ (Côtes du Rhône): The lighter, food-friendly side of French GSM topped w/ a heap of white pepper $12 B- #
- 08 Centine (Toscana): 2nd under-performing vintage in a row for this now mildy-stinky & not-so-super Tuscan. Are we in a tailspin? $11 C- #
- 08 Cru ‘Appelation Series’ Pinor Noir (Santa Maria Valley): Kinda like gettin’ a lil’ high on a strawberry, cranberry & tobacco fatty $35 B #
- 08 Cru ‘Vineyard Montage’ Pinot Noir (Central Coast): Smoky mildly jammy entry-level Pinot unfortunately without an entry-level price $20 C+ #
- 10 Mendel Semillon (Mendoza): Unctuous melon that smells great, sits big in the mouth but manages to steer well clear of flabby-land. $25 B #
- 00 Château Les Ormes de Pez (St. Estèphe): Attractive w/ tobacco, graphite & dark fruit but missing some of that powerful 2000 mojo. $30 B #
- 03 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley): Could be a bit spicier, but w/ dark cherry fruit this hedonistic, who cares? $70 B+ #
- 08 Luca Uco Valley Chardonnay (Mendoza): Buttery, tropical & a standout sipper on its own. Does not play well with its food friends. $28 B #
- 08 Tikal Patriota (Mendoza): What’s a lil’ over-extraction between friends when you’re this berry-fruity, spicy & delicious (& cheap) $19 B+ #
- 03 Da Vinci Brunello di Montalcino: Lacking just a *hair* of complexity; otherwise spicy, rich & just magic with meaty, cheesy pasta. $70 B+ #
- NV Jaillance Cuvee de l’Abbaye Brut (Crémant de Bordeaux): Tart grapefruit & bready goodness that outperforms some pricier Champagne. $18 B- #
