Piedmont, Priorat, Bordeaux and Mendocino

The Whites

(Paired with crab dip and a selection of cheeses)

2012 Forman Chardonnay

Always a hit.  Not your standard Napa chardonnay.  Bracing minerality with citrus and pear.  Only 10% new oak and no malo. Mr. Forman is a traditionalist.  13.5% alc.

2011 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay Reserve

A more modern chardonnay (14.5% alc) from Carneros.  Quite tasty ... more peach and hazelnut influence.  The oak is not too obtrusive.  A dependable, enjoyable chardonnay.

The Reds (Paired with grilled bone-in ribeye steaks, broccoli salad and medley of potatoes & root vegetables in white wine)

1998 Elio Altare L'Insieme

First time to try this wine.  2 hours slow-o.  Interesting blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Syrah and Petit Verdot from La Morra.  The L’Insieme association is a wine growers initiative and charitable organization founded in 1997 by Elio Altare. This is one of those blends that works due to the high quality of the components and skill of the winemakers. Substantial, but past its prime.  Tasty blackberry, spice and cassis with hints of sweetness. 14% alc.

2000 Mas Garrian Mas del Camperol

From Priorat....  1.5 hours full decant.  Carignan, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and a dollop of Syrah. (14% alc)  I am a fan of Spanish wines made from a blend of different varietals (e.g., Quinta Sardonia, El Nido Clio...)  Raspberry fruit with attractive tartness and minerality. Very enjoyable florals on the nose.  No reason to hang on to this any longer.  It's ready now.

2005 Clos les Lunelles 

From Cotes de Castillon (Right Bank Bordeaux).  Popped and poured with full decant.  Lots of very fine grained sediment.  Really attractive nose right out of the gate with hints of anise.  Took about an hour to start to show its stuff.  Mostly Merlot with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. (14% alc)  Edging out the Insieme as my favorite wine of the evening with its freshness and being in its prime drinking window.  Black fruits, currant and fully integrated sweet tannins.  Very enjoyable minerality.  Rolland is the consulting winemaker.  Note: Day 2 on this wine brought out even more complexity and aromatics, re-confirming it as my favorite. 
 
2007 Agharta Exhibit C

A Pax Mahle project. 15% alc. From Alder Springs Vineyard in Mendocino.  Equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with a dollop of Petit Verdot.  Aged 48 months in barrel.  Popped and poured with full decant.  Serious funk on the nose that just would not blow off.  Put aside for later.  Day 2 - funk had completely dissipated revealing a subdued nose.  Massive black and red fruits. Tastes a bit more like a big Syrah (?) rather than a right-bank blend.  Monolithic and tasty. I rather like the Agharta Grenache but this bottling is more of a puzzle.

2012 Raffaldini Sangiovese Riserva 

From the Swan Creek Vineyard in the Piedmont of North Carolina.  Very deft 13.7% alc. Bright cherry with cedar. Better on Day 2.