Sat, 06/03/17, $2 Tasting + 1 Fabulous, Shared Bottle

$2 Tasting

• 2016 Mason Cellars Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, Napa Valley
  13.75% ABV, TA: 0.51 g/100ml, pH: 3.45, & RS: .25 g/100ml; 100% S/S & NO malolactic.
  
  N: Fragrant grass, but with distinct floral notes
  
  P: MF, poss Med, body; Rndish entry with almost swtish frt (with a slight, grn olive tinge) BEFITTINGLY balanced by acidity as it evolves into a LONG, SOMEWHAT honied finish with the barest hint of a very slight bitterness. A nicely made food wine which could also serve as an aperitif. 90 pts & #57/100 of WS's Top Wines of '17, and 87 pts @ $19 from WE. [As of early Apr '20, wine-searcher still shows 3 sources from $15-$19].
  
  Addendum: Also tasted 8/19, 10/7 & 11/25/17, + 2/10 & 4/21/18.
• 2015 Domaine Lafage Côtes du Roussillon Miraflors - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon
  N: Slightly closed; A melange of minerals, lemons, & flowers
  
  P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?), acidity trying to balance as it transitions into a Long, VERY slightly swt, ult almost honied finish. A nicely balanced, aperitif-styled wine for drinking over the next 9-12 mos. [As of early Apr '20, wine-searcher shows no sources for this vintage]
• 2015 Aliane Beaujolais-Villages Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Beaujolais-Villages
  N: FRAGRANT flowers, red rasps, & straws: Stereotypical for this AOC!
  
  P: Med bod; Almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which works its way into a LONG finish with an intriguing tussle between a very slight swtness & an almost swtish richness. A substantial, almost Burgundian rendering that could well improve over the next 6 mos or so, then drink through '19. [As of early Apr '20, wine-searcher shows no sources for this vintage]
  
  Addendum: Also tasted on 11/25/17 & 3/24/18, this being the most favorable of the lot.
• 2012 Nine Points Pinot Noir - USA, California, Napa Valley
  N: Almost funky, earthy/mushroomy, with cherry undertones? But, NOT an UNattractive take on such a style
  
  P: Med, poss MF, body; Decent, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by a bit of astringent pucker which seems to build into the LONG, bitter/swt choc finish. IF one can handle the bitter/swtness, its a STEAL (given the tasted [closeout] $3.95) for drinking into '18. [As of early Apr '20, wine-searcher shows no sources for this vintage]
• 2011 Provenance Vineyards PWAVE - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
  N: Slightly closed; Earth, poss forest floor, atop RIPE berries/pyrazines with notes of spice; Aromas continued to develop with addt'l time/swirling in the small tasting glass
  
  P: MF, poss Med, body; Almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which fairly seamlessly works its way into a LONG, spicy, VERY slightly bitterish/tart finish. LOVELY stuff drinking @ its peak, I'd suspect, though SHOULD continue drinking nicely into '19, I'd suspect. (If interested, check the 3 medals on wine-searcher's Tasting Notes pg.) [As of early Apr '20, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $36].

Shared Bottle

This was QUITE the eye-opener! :)

• 2012 Tenuta Guado al Tasso (Antinori) Bolgheri Superiore - Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore
  A *profound* THANK you to those who made tasting this gem possible! :)
  
  Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage.
  
  N: Slightly closed; Cherries, toast, earth; Intensity lurking; (Was still evolving after > 2+ hrs in a small tasting glass!)
  
  P: Med body; Almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which stays within hailing distance of the init frt as it seamlessly unfolds into a quite LONG finish with different phases of flavor, but ult ALMOST a swtness to its innocuously dusty tannins. An *absolutely* MARVELOUS wine! :) 93 (2x) & 92 (2x) winealign.com , + 6 scored on wine-searcher's Tasting Notes pg. [As of early Apr '20, wine-searcher still shows 4 sources from $107-$140].