Snowdays with some 90 pointers

With Spring upon us, it's time to reflect on a few nice bottles consumed while house-bound during the winter blizzards.

• 2013 Bonnet-Huteau Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Les Gautronnières 92 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine

  These Bonnet-Huteau muscadets impress me every time - such a great deal too - round and fruity, with a creamy texture, showing peach, lime zest and salty mineral. The bottle empties quickly.

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• 2013 Roland Lavantureux Petit Chablis 90 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Petit Chablis

  Is it strange to prefer Petit Chablis to Chablis? Somehow I always strike upon good ones. Tense but generous. Fresh but pretty. With citrus, dried white flowers, and minerals. Bought it bc it's a Kermit Lynch product and glad I did.

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• 2013 Luigi Maffini Pietraincatenata Paestum IGT 93 Points

  Italy, Campania, Paestum IGT

  A real eye opener; some of these Italian whites are world class but not well known in the US. Rich and dense with palate presence. Showing apricot, honeysuckle, and sliced apple. Off dry with a fruity finish.

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• 2010 Decelle - Villa Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Gollardes 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune

  Savigny always comes through for me - my go-to value(ish) burgundy. Intense cherry profile with intriguing charcoal notes. Evolves in the glass to also show some feminine floral components. Bright but flavorful.

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• 2011 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Estate Ribbon Ridge 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge

  These 2011 Oregon pinots are really starting to grow on me (underrated vintage?). Light but plush and flavorful with pure cherry fruit and sophisticated complementary notes of clove, tea leaf and walnut.

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• 2008 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  R-M delivers another WOTN (feels like it happens a lot). Deep, rich, structured, and cellared well evidently. Wild berry and pomegranate fruit is abundant and then that lovely R-M signature orange peel accent takes it to another level.

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• 1999 Fontodi Syrah Case Via Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 94 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT

  Another WineBid gem; in a good place despite the years. Expressive and aromatic, with dried cherry, charred meat, and brown sugar offering an alternating sweet/savory contrast. An espresso cream finish brings it together.

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• 2010 Roucas Toumba Vacqueyras Les Grands Chemins 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras

  Open and pretty with crowd-pleaser tendencies. Black tea and fruitcake offer an interesting flavor and aromatic profile while hints of iron and lavender provide some good Rhone-ish notes.

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