2016 Felsina Fontalloro

 Delicious. Early peak? Easily cellar-able another ten years..the best vintage of Fontalloro I've had (my experience only goes back to 2004 vintage). Incredible fruit supported by still forward but structurally elegant tannins. I enjoy the relaxed stance of Fontalloro compared to the more structured Rancia. But appreciate them equally in terms of understanding Felsina Sangiovese offerings. 

Paired with cheese + Serrano pepper biscuits (buttered,  one of them clesrly drenched) and grapes.

2015 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert

 Popped and poured. Definitely young. 

First impression, too polished for my taste, even though the use of new oak is modest. 
Opened up only slightly after a few hours. 

My favorite Crozes-Hermitage is Chapoutier Les Varonnières which is sourced from old vines on a hillside as shown in this video:  https://youtu.be/9xL_HOmzD1w?is=uVZnGTlVv2GHC1JH

2016 Castello Colle Massari Poggio Lombrone Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva

 

Very young showing with a blast of fruit and tannin. Needs another 10 years. I vacuum sealed it and stored in the wine fridge for about three weeks, checking on it occasionally.  Finally, it started to mellow and reveal its delicious potential. 

2022 Domaine Huet Vouray Le Mont Moelleux

 

Way too young... significant wine with lots of potential ... bury it..

2023 Deiss Engelgarten and 2023 Deiss Rotenberg

 Based on these two wines, I think the 2023 vintage for Deiss is pretty top notch.

The 2023 Deiss Engelgarten is a field blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Muscat from alluvial gravels mixed with clay and marl in Bergheim. It drinks young now, obviously, but does open up providing a glimpse of a beautifully balanced citrus tropical palate with the fruit positively vibrating. A stunning wine, IMO, that will very much benefit from aging.  Paired with fried pickles, and mango bango fried shrimp..I think a maple Manhattan snuck into the early line up, too. 
I think this may be the best Deiss Engelgarten I've ever had. Just a stunningly crisp audacious palate that smooths out over a couple of hours...really a pleasurable bottle of wine, but then I am partial to Deiss wines.

The 2023 Deiss Rotenberg is a field blend of Pinot Gris and Riesling grown on south facing , red-tinged Jurassic limestone. This is an earthier wine than the bright Engelgarten but as impressive nonetheless. Drank this after dinner at home paired gouda and asiago cheeses and some water crackers.

It was a great learning experience drinking these two heroic wines.... so powerful yet lithe... these wines should be on everyone's buy list....

Sonoma Coast and Côte de Beaune

 

2012 Kutch Pinot Noir MacDougall Ranch Sonoma Coast
Double decanted back into bottle. 
Wow!!!!!
This is an elegant, yet showy mouthful of briary sous bois, whole cluster, impeccably grown black fruit. Reminds me a of a Dugat-Py cru hitting on all cylinders. This wine could easily be cellared another five to ten years and the tertiary development would be fascinating on the palate. 

2012 Kanzler Vineyard Pinot Noir Estate 
Goodness from Sonoma Coast, absolutely beautiful right now.
Comprised of clones 667, 115 and Pommard-4 on Goldridge soils. 

2005 Vincent Girardin Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots 
One of the best bottles I've ever had of this wine. In a beautiful peak zone of development. The nose, the fruit, the acidity,   The elegance and balance of Les Santenots on full display. WOTN. A favorite pairing with blackened catfish étouffée.

Celebration Wine Dinner

 Celebrating being pretty well recovered from full knee replacement surgery (avoid ar all costs, by the way), we dipped into delicious wines and cuisine....

Creole bbq oysters chargrilled in the shell
Octopus confit
Scallop toast
Paired with 2009 Alexandre Le Brun Révélation Blanc de Meunier Extra Brut
Showing beautifully,  it was very bracing upon uncorking it. Intense yellow orchard fruit, quince and apricot... a big wine.... this will age for years longer... nose of brioche and baking spices.... I don't get a chance to drink much 100% Pinot Meunier wines.... this was a treat. 

Fresh picked heirloom tomato sandwich with homemade mayonnaise 
Vermouth Bianco

Segue to....
2005 G D Vajra Barolo Albe
2017 G D Vajra Barolo Bricco Delle Viole 
Paired with
Chargrilled whole Branzino
Pan-roasted scallops over rock shrimp risotto 

The 2005 Albe is a blend of grapes from Fossati, Coste di Vergne and La Volte (all in the Barolo commune) , and it was showing spectacularly. Tannins have fully integrated to support beautiful red fruit, tar and roses accented Nebbiolo.  Long complex and satisfying finish. 

The 2017 Bricco delle Viole is clearly young ... actually opened it a couple of days early to breathe a bit and then vacuum sealed it till the dinner. Wow, beautiful high toned fruit supported by such a finely chiseled structure of filigreed tannins and acidity. Ideally hold another ten years but it was a delight to check in on now.

Later on, a 2007 Mt. Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon was uncorked.  Ricotta cheesecake and Peaberry Kona espresso was served with it. The 2007 Mt. Veeder Cab was a blast of deliciously mature Napa fruit, black cherry,  cassis, hints of mellow cacao nibs. Wow... scrumptious.