03 Aubert, 06 Hansel, 03 Foley Claret, 00 Clos des Papes, etc.

Traci and I were supposed to host a New Years Day dinner with black eyed peas, brisket, and collared greens, however, Traci got waylaid by Southwest and didn't arrive home until 10:30 pm so we rescheduled for Friday the 3rd. Luckily, Sasha, Glenn, Tina and Douglas were still able to come. Happy New Years everyone! On to the wine

• 2003 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Cracked this while we were cooking/preparing/cleaning the apt to get ready for the New Years Day blackeyed peas, brisket fest. First of all, not as deep, complex or rich as the Ritchie I opened 1 1/2 months ago. Medium palate weight with a medium length finish. Silky texture on the palate, which is not as deep as the previous bottle. Nose shows orange blossom and white flowers while the palate exhibits honeysuckle, caramel, orange peel and some citrus. very tasty and i'll still take this over most CA Chards.

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• 2006 Breggo Cellars Gewürztraminer 90 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

  This was opened to go with the 7 layer dip (refried beans (w/ bacon fat), sour cream (mixed with chili powder), guacamole, cheese, olives, tomatoes, jalapenos. This was a terrific example of what seemed to be a slightly off dry Gewurtztraminer from CA. Spicy peach, hazelnut with a little RS possibly. It was rich but very crisp at the same time with lots of flavor and presence from front to back. Glenn sucked this down as fast as Frank the Tank knocking back a couple of beers in Old School.

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• 2006 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Cuvée Alyce 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Douglas brought this over knowing and appreciating Traci's love for CA Chardonnay. Probably should have been decanted a bit b/c this started out a little shy not showing much on the palate but the last glass...ah..isn't it always the last glass. Started showing crispness, pear, honey, a little white chocolate and toward the end started gaining a little weight that really started to peak my interest. It did have what seems to be with Hansel, at least on their Chardonnays, that tell tell smokiness/slight sulfur/reduction quality. Was really pronounced in a couple 03 CHards IIRC...Right now 90 pts but I could see this adding 2 pts in a year or two.

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• 2002 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Maggie's Reserve

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Sasha brought this over after he did some winery work. Label shows 15.5% alcohol, and while I really don't care what the alcohol is unless it seems out of balance, I suspect this was higher...showing that slightly peachy quality that I get in some central coast Syrahs from Paso Robles...which immediately turns me off. Underneath though this is rich, glyceral, showing raspberries, vanilla and spice. Some people really liked it, but the peachy quality means NR from me.

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• 2004 Domaine Yves Cuilleron Syrah Les Candives 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes

  I thought this was very good but stemophobes be forewarned. This wine shows some green stem tannins and green olive/bell pepper kind of quality. Beyond that though, there is that terrific juicy natural acidity, pepper, red berries and nice minerality. It's medium weight and requires food but that's what almost pushes it into the "Outstanding" level for me.

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• 2003 Robert Foley Claret

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I gotta say I was having a bit of a tough wine night and know that others liked this better than me but...all I got was chocolate and oak with a little creme de cassis underneath. Disappointing...but others thought it much better than I on this night so maybe it was in the eye of the taster..

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• 2000 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  This wine was not as good as the one I opened back in February but still it was pretty tasty upon further reflection. Showing raspberries and strawberries, nice acidity/minerality, a little feral quality with some garrigue at the back end. Just not as deep or concentrated as the previous bottle...but still a joy to drink. I have a few more and will be hanging on to them for a few more years.

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