2008 Schloss Saarstein Pinot Blanc – Mosel, Germany

Rich with baking aromas, floral and and fruit flavors, all strung together on a wire of clean defining acidity. It’s like a very thin puff pastry heaped with pears and starfruit, spiced with nutmeg, and dried key lime and tangerine peel, all sprinkled lightly with the juice of a Meyer Lemon. Drink with roast chicken.

2008 Undone Pinot Noir – Rheinhessen, Germany

The best to be said of this wine is that it is interesting. Chances are, neither you nor the person you pour this for will have had an unoaked Pinot Noir from Germany before. Once you have tried this thin, cherry-licorice flavored attempt, you will both be able to say you have.

2007 Clos LaChance Pinot Noir, Biagini Vineyard – Santa Cruz, CA

Pinot noir can presented in a hundred different ways, depending upon clone, terroir, and the decisions of the winemaker. In this case, a small mountain vineyard, low yields, and 45% new French oak, and wine bottled unfined and unfiltered created a glass of silk, flavored with cherries, dried strawberries, cola, and a bit of suede. The wood has a complimentary, rather than obtrusive, effect, contributing to sweet tannins and adding a touch, just a touch, of vanilla. Drink it with pork loin.

2008 Wakefield Riesling – Clare Valley, Australia

This is a very citrusy Riesling, sending out waves of tart citrus, lemon, lime, a touch of pink grapefruit, all wrapped in green apple peel. Flavors are reminiscent of Sauvignon blanc but the more viscous mouth-feel hints at Riesling. It is a pleasant food-friendly wine, but not one that would stand out among similarly priced Rieslings, for it lacks any special Riesling qualities.

2008 Indaba Chenin Blanc – Western Cape, South Africa

Pear and melon on the nose. On the palate, melon, peach, pear, and white pepper. It balances a round mouth-feel with bright refreshing acids. This has an excellent quality-to-price ratio. Pair it with a hot summer day and a bowl full of balls of honeydew and cantaloupe melon.

2008 Olson Ogden Persuasion – North Coast, California

Very fruit-forward with mixed black and red fruit, mulberry and sweet cherry, with leathery tannins and a little black pepper. It is smooth, slightly sweet, a little young, and one-dimensional. There are no changes from attack to mid-palate and the finish drops off quickly.

2007 Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut Zinfandel – Dry Creek Valley

Very juicy wine up front, offering up loads of blueberry, plum, and some prune, along with some coffee on the mid-palate. There are some obvious wood tones, cedar and spice. Unfortunately, it is less than the sum of its parts, disjointed and unbalanced. The fruit is too jammy, the coffee too bitter, the finish too sudden and short. It is reasonably priced and might work with heavily sauced barbecue toward the end of the summer, but it is not terribly special.

2008 Clos LaChance Liebeler Vineyard Chardonnay – Santa Cruz

This single vineyard Chardonnay shows clear effect of the 40% new French oak, but wood complements rather than overwhelms. Pear, apple, honeydew melon and some tart pineapple are joined by caramel, smoke, and a surprising kick of white pepper. This would be a perfect pairing with Flounder Francese with Toasted Almonds, Lemon and Capers.

2007 Bouchaine Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir – Napa Valley

Relatively dark in color, not quite opaque. Flavors are overwhelmingly tart red fruit, barely ripe cherries, wild strawberries, and lots of rhubarb. Sweet wood is there, but barely perceptible behind the tartness. Finish is mid-length, tannins slightly drying. A rich food match might pair well, so try it with a well-sauced duck.

2004 Carmen Winemaker’s Reserve Red – Maipo Valley, Chile

Slightly vegetal green hints are clear tell-tales of wine from Chile, but they do not overwhelm the nose. It also has loads of menthol, black fruit, and a touch of coconut. Blackberries, menthol, tobacco and green pepper are bound by tight tannins. The second night, it still shows telltale Chile-green. Tannins are smoother but the additional time brought the wood, rather than the fruit, to come to the fore. Vanilla and brown sugar overwhelm blackberries and blueberries in a green pepper cup. Not recommended.

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