TN: a pile of notes on various wines

[Harry C.]

• 2012 Aubert Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/28/2015)
  Gold. Nose was smooth, rich, opened and changed over the airing/warming. Pear, mango, hints of citrus. Mouth was similar, touch oily, long lasting. Delish. I was concerned about the color, but needn't have been. (95 pts.)
• 2007 Peter Michael Chardonnay Belle Côte - USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley (6/28/2015)
  Pale gold. Nose was a smooth mix of herbs, caramel and cloves. Taste was smooth spicy, caramel taste, not sweet, mouth filling. A joy at 8 years old. (94 pts.)
• 2005 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos Windsbuhl - France, Alsace (6/28/2015)
  Pale gold. Nose of pear, some apple, aged wine, mellow. Taste was also smooth, caramelized apples, minimal sweetness. Good. (90 pts.)
• 2009 Peter Michael Sauvignon Blanc L'Apres-Midi - USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley (6/28/2015)
  Pale yellow. Nose was Sauvignon blanc but less acidic, citrus in the nose. Taste was smoother than anticipated, citrus in the taste. Good. (90 pts.)
• 1987 Château Coutet - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac (6/28/2015)
  Caramel color. Nose of an older dessert wine with just a hint of coal. Taste was moderately sweet, very good mouth filling caramel, vanilla. A surprise and very good for an off year. (89 pts.)
• 1977 Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (6/20/2015)
  Garnet with a hint of orange at the rim. Nose is older but balanced, herbs, hint of plum, spices. Taste was smooth, medium weight, suprisingly lively for this old a bottle. Surprise of the night. (93 pts.)
• 2010 Morlet Family Vineyards La Proportion Doree - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/20/2015)
  Pale gold. Nose mostly Sauvignon blanc with a mellowing effect of the Semillon. Taste was crisp, medium weight in the mouth, citrus, fresh herbs hinted at. Very good. (91 pts.)
• 2004 Lagier Meredith Syrah - USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder (6/20/2015)
  Deep garnet. Nose smelled like a new spicy syrah. Initially drank like a barrel sample, all plums, pepper, blackberries. But this was one that changes with a few hours' airing to a more complex, secondary scents, more pepper and fresh herbs. (90 pts.)
• 2004 Pride Mountain Vineyards Syrah - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/20/2015)
  Deep garnet. All Pride, all the time. Syrah that reminded of a bigger Ozzie syrah. But with a Foley hand. Taste was big in the mouth, reminded of a much younger wine. But it opened with airing. Good. (90 pts.)

[AKR]

Off vintage Sauternes are more likely to be enjoyed than other things I think.

[Harry C.]

Off Vintage Sauternes have been surprises and among the worst wines I have tried. YMMV. I'll personally stick with the good vintages.