2008 Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva Paje

14.5% abv. Reveals juicy dark red fruit with rich mouthfeel wrapped in an open-knit framework of polished tannin. Nice complexity even at this early stage of development. Classic tar, roses and balsam influence on a balanced finish... no undue heat or heaviness... a savory medium weight Paje.

It actually drank best within an hour of uncorking the bottle. Really alluring. Double decanted and left in the decanter for about an hour before pouring back into clean bottle. Very minimal fine grained sediment. 

Still pleasant throughout the evening, but it tightened up slightly over time with tannins becoming more dominant on the finish.

This is another 3 years possibly from optimal drinking window but is very enjoyable now.

2012 Peter Michael Les Pavots

Bordeaux-styled blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Not sure about age of vines, but fruit is sourced from an Estate vineyard. Listed at a whopping 15.8% abv, yet zero heat on the palate. Supremely balanced and not "over-extracted". Winemaker Nicolas Morlet is clearly a classicist taking advantage of California hang time for ripening fruit.

Pop and pour at restaurant. Opened up nicely after a couple of hours. A third of the bottle left over for day 2.

Really nice on day 2. Irresistibly elegant wine from a very approachable vintage. Dusty fine-grained tannins frame superb quality fruit. Cassis-laden, glycerin mouthfeel with black and blue fruit accompanied by hints of cedar and blond tobacco. Gossamer hints of scorched earth that I associate with higher-end Cabs from Knights Valley (a la Fisher Wedding Vineyard) as well as Pessac-Leognan (with its penultimate expression being La Mission Haut-Brion). Lilting aromatics of pain grille, cacao and spice...

What a delightful wine!  Heartfelt thanks to Robert and Shannon for helping to make Janet's birthday very special.

2012 Reynvaan Stonessence Rocks Vineyard

Fascinating cuvee .... 100% syrah... still young...although develops nice complexity with lots of air... finessed tannins framing very fine black fruit with tapenade accent..
Intriguing saline lift on the finish (oyster shell?) ... that perhaps would be analogous to a minerally streak in a Northern Rhone syrah...
 Christophe Baron is consulting winemaker and is killing it with world-class syrah in Walla Walla Valley....
This is a wine for people that enjoy classically styled syrah... paired beautifully with wood fired grilled filet mignon. .

2012 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard (Sonoma)

Slightly cloudy as a result of late malolactic fermentation. The wine itself is sound and drinking well....

Aubert farms 40+ year old vines in Ritchie vineyard....... the wine again demonstrates his classic new world mastery of this varietal ..
Rich, yet balanced honeysuckle and elegant citrus.  A bit like a nice Chassagne-Montrachet. Possibly a bit past peak. Nicely done... and at the pinnacle of white winemaking in California. .