A whole bunch of great wines with new and old friends

Last night my wife and I drove to the Marblehead area of Ohio. Our friend Al Stewart was playing a show at Lakeside which is a Chautauqua type institution. The grounds are actually dry of alcohol, so we went to dinner and then made do as best we could. Al's band includes Dave Nachmanoff, a good friend of ours and Mike Lindauer who occasionally posts on the wine BB's. it was great to meet Mike. Also meeting us there was Larry and Julia Dick who live in about two hours away. They run a gourmet food distribution company and small boutique wine importation company. We will be seeing them again! The show was great, and we had a great time. As for the wines:

• 2012 Franciscan Estate Chardonnay 85 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This was a solid pick off the menu. Light golden in color. The nose shows some oak, but it did seem dialed down from how these wines used to show. There is some vanilla and some fresh lumber but also some lemon curd. On the palate, this is clean and easy to drink. No much fruit but not much oak either. A bit generic I suppose. Nothing remarkable but this is not expensive.

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• 2012 Ferrari-Carano Siena 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  This was ordered off a restaurant list. An odd blend of Sangiovese, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Cabernet sauvignon. Light ruby in color. The nose is a bit dusty with cherries and also some black raspberries. Maybe a bit of pepper. One dimensional on the palate, despite so many varietals, yet it is very nice cherry fruit. Medium bodied. Easy to drink. Enough acidity to work with food. Not expensive and a crowd pleaser. Works for me.

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• 2010 Rhys Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Pop and pour, going back to it later in the night, this had opened a bit more. Green gold in color. The nose is more Sauvignon Blanc than typical Chard. Tropical fruits and some minerals. Medium bodied with a delightful, slightly oily texture. On the palate, This is more mineral driven with some lemon, vanilla and peach. Nice bright acidity which is the strength of this bottle. It pierces without being tart or dominant. Lovely wine still quite young.

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• 2002 Domaine Robert Groffier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru

  I really like Grofffier especially in 2002. Some feel he is a bit heavy handed but with 12 years from vintage, this wine is drinking pure Burgundy. Pop and pour, it took about an hour or so to open up. The nose is gorgeous with cherries and slight merde and a bit of floral and perhaps some tarragon. Feminine. Soft texture. Complex layers to drink. No hurry but this was very pretty. right now the nose is better than the palate, slightly, but I think some time in the cellar and it catches up.

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• 2009 Moraga Vineyards Bel-Air 91 Points

  USA, California, South Coast, Los Angeles County

  Well this was cool. A winery I had only heard about but never tasted. It exists within the city of Bel-Air (in LA) on the grounds of a wealthy mansion. This is a Bordeaux varietal wine. The nose has dark cherries, plums, and cigar tobacco. On the palate, this is smooth and drinks more like Bordeaux too. There are some medium tannins with cherries, boysenberries and some clay notes. Nice balance. Nice finish. A real treat to try this wine.

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• 2008 Stroppiana Barolo San Giacomo 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  This was pop and pour and obviously could use a lot of cellar time (it is Barolo). The nose has cherries, some floral notes and a hefty amount of oak. Medium bodied. This seems to be made in a very modern style. Plenty of oak which I think will integrate over time. Cherries and some tarry notes (in a good way). More fruit forward than many Barolos. Enough acidity to carry. Silky tannins. I would think another few years will help this wine improve but it is enjoyable today.

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• 2005 Tezza Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena Brolo delle Giare 91 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena

  This is in a very nice place right now. In some way typical while in others not so. Purple in color. The nose has dark cherries, plums, spice, and tar. I did not get the usual raisin notes. On the palate, this has an odd quality to it, not bad but different. I can't describe the texture other to say gravelly. There is also nice plum and dark cherry fruit. Nice acidity. All in all, this works well and is drinking quite well now. No hurry, but I don't know that it will get much better.

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• 2005 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  This is not for everybody and a little goes a long way. Still drinking quite youthfully. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, white pepper and some violets. Full bodied. No hint of the 15.9% Alc but you fell it. Lush texture. Delicious. Lots of black raspberries and kirsch. Long finish. In a nice place right now, but no hurry.

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• 2002 Domaine Arlaud Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Ruchots Flawed

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru

  Corked

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• 2010 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I guess we needed more wine. Ruby in color. The nose has cassis, black raspberries and some oak. This is delicious. No hard edges. There is depth and complexity but just the slightest silky tannin. Lots of vibrant fruit. Nice finish. Not a big wine, but not slight either.

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• NV Dal Din Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Extra Dry Satin 90 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene

  Just had a sip of this to end the night. It is light with enough acidity to wake the palate. A bit of sweetness. Nothing earth shattering but a fun bubbly that would be great at a cook out on a hot day or certainly for cocktails.

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Until next time.