2003 Mayo Family Winery Old Vines Zinfandel 'Ricci Vineyard' (Russian River Valley)

Source: Sterling

Consumption Date: 5/21/2013

Notes: Mild to moderate aroma of dry leaves and earth with a hint of dark berries.  Moderate body with attenuated flavors of dry wood and leaves and bitter herbs opening a bit to dry, aromatic spices and hints of cocoa and black raspberry fruit.  Finishes relatively long with more spice, dry leaves, cocoa, and a distinct bitter note.  Moderate plus tannins.

This is somewhat disappointing for old vine Zinfandel.  The overall impression is of dryness, with very little fruit, almost none of the brambly/leafy character I associate with Zin, and a bit too much bitter herb/spice character.  The end result is a wine that is not well balanced.  It also seems to be less complex than perhaps it really is.  I am left to wonder if this wine is suffering from too much age or if it was not destined for greatness from the beginning.

Value: Somewhat below average

2002 Ramey Chardonnay 'Hyde Vineyard' (Carneros)

Source: Viscount

Consumption Date: 5/18/2013

Notes: Musky animal/meaty aroma with hints of damp wood, chalk, and vanilla.  Light bodied and delicate, but with a fullness of flavor that hints at fruit (peaches/lemons), but is dominated by a toasty vanilla, a chalky minerality, and succulent acidity.  Finishes long with more vanilla, minerality, and lemon fruit acidity.

This is one of my first fine quality California Chardonnays and it has proven to be a worthy wine.  While it doesn’t have the finesse or depth of the Puligny-Montrachet I recently had, it is clearly of fine quality.  It is much more delicate, lively, and mineral than I would have expected, but also less fruity and heavier on toasty oak/vanilla than I would have thought (and more so than the wine probably needs).  Interesting and enjoyable enough to make me interested to explore more high quality California Chardonnay.

Value: Good

2002 Edmond Cornu Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru 'Les Moutottes'

Importer: Rosenthal

Source: Suburban

Consumption Date: 5/8/2013

Notes: Moderate aroma of deep black cherry fruit with hints of forest and wet metal/stone.  Loads of black cherry fruit with a pleasant earthy note and an edge of dry wood.  Plenty of tangy acidity and rich minerality.  Finishes long with more fruit, dry leaves, and a hint of candy sweetness.  Mild tannins.

This is another interesting example of Burgundian Pinot Noir.  While it shares a certain style with the other Cornu wines I have drunk recently (primarily a freshness and fruit-forward character), it is a bit more refined and complex, befitting its premier cru status.  While enjoyable to drink, it does lack the funk and some of the earthy/barnyard complexity that really makes Burgundy appeal to me, perhaps a consequence of its somewhat humble appellation.  The acidity and minerality give this wine a freshness and vivacity that is sometimes lacking in more “serious” red Burgundies.

Value: Average

2002 Vincent Girardin Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Les Perrieres'

Source: Viscount

Consumption Date: 5/5/2013

Notes: Enticing aroma of flowers and chalk with a hint of fruit.  Full bodied with loads of chalky minerality, flowers, and exotic fruit with tantalizing hints of vanilla and honey.  Suffused with a succulent acidity that keeps everything fresh and in balance.  Finishes long with flowers, honey, chalk, and more fruit.

This may be my first serious white Burgundy (discounting Chablis which is a totally different animal, so to speak).  I am simply stunned at how good this wine is.  The diversity of flavors, their distinctiveness and balance, and the lively acidity make this wine extremely appealing.  While I have had other chardonnay based wine, I can see why white Burgundy is so attractive (and popular (and expensive)).  This wine could mark the beginning of a new and costly wine infatuation (if not a downright, full-blown love affair).

Value: Excellent