Buttery oaky tropical fruit nose that was quite intoxicating. Big palate, lush and mouth coating with low acidity and a slightly heavy feel, with dense concentrated ripe fruits that continue on through a long finish. No hard edges and highly polished. I really liked this, though the Aubert’s were a level above.

Not a producer I was familiar with. Tight nose, with a mineral element, ripe tropical fruit flavors with a hint of pineapple, pomegranate and apricot. Long finish with a hint of bitterness to the oak. Nice acidity, needs some time. Will look forward to more of these in the future.

Quite an experience. Popped and poured. I preferred it right after opening, as the fruit faded slightly and the oak became more prominent. Nose of lemon zest, lime, and creamy vanilla. An explosion of ripe fruits on the palate, densely concentrated, with a round, lush, velvety mouthfeel, but lithe and balanced without any sense of heaviness. Just glides across the palate. Incredibly long complex finish with a mineral note coming through. Delicious chardonnay that is probably the best cali chardonnay iv even had.

Where the Reuling was a rock concert on this night, the Lauren was more like a symphony. Nose was more expressive, with a stony, creamy vanilla character, with lemon and apricot notes. Subtle, where the Reuling was flamboyant. Great burst of wet stone and rock on the palate, that carries on through a lengthy finish. Again, great acidity and mouthfeel—seamless. Dialed down a bit compared to the Reuling, but while I preferred the style, might have found more complexity in this more subtle wine in a more laid back atmosphere, with more time to spend with the wine.

More prominent acidity than the other Chards, with a more prominent citrus element and a creamier oak character. Had a warm tropical fruit profile and was noticeably concentrated. Missed any mineral character, but it was served quite cold and didn’t get to spend much time with it. Even so, was quite good.

I really didn’t get this wine. Maybe was better closer to release? Very concentrated frit with lots of heat and a medicinal note on the nose that was detectable in the palate and off-putting. Some strawberry mixed in. Had trouble getting it down. Overdone or over the hill, or both. Also could have been served too warm.

Grassy mineral nose, with good fruit and a nice mineral tone underneath. Would be great with food, but didn’t care for it alone (not unusual for me and sav blanc). But, varietally correct with good balance and refreshing acidity.

Everything you want from a CdP. Decanted 2hrs for sediment and placed back in the bottle uncorked for another 2hrs prior to tasting. Expressive deep nose, with some dried fruit, black cherry and cassis, with some garrigue and leather. Palate had polished dark fruits, with more spice than barnyard, lovely acidity and depth, and some fine tannins that dried out the tongue. Finish was longhty and complex, with sandlewood, leather, and exotic spices. This was really showing well, and everything I want in a CdP, with lovely spice notes mixed in with dense concentrated fruit. No hints of heat at all, Pegau continues to perform very well from the ’04 vintage. I wish I’d had a Reserve bottling more recently to compare styles, other than a little more concentrated fruit I’m not sure I appreciate much style difference. This is approachable with a good decant, but I don’t think near peak yet.

decanted 1 hr for sediment, then returned to bottle uncorked for another 1hr until served. Very expressive nose, initially had an acetone character that blew off after an hour. Liquor-like dried fruit nose, darker fruit profile than the Pegau-more prunes and violets than cherry and cassis with a slightly medicinal/band aid note than I didn’t really care for. Dense concentrated fruit palate, with asian spices, nice acidity and mouthcoating palate. A little tar rounded out the finish, of good length and complexity. Seemed rather high in alcohol, though no heat and never seemed heavy on the palate. Paled compared to the Pegau Laurence, but a CdP at its peak I think. This producer continues to perform very well for the price.

Decanted on arrival. Fresh nose of black cherry, licorice, with a touch of a meaty note. Big ripe palate of mostly cherry notes. Didn’t get much acidity or tannic backbone, but the wine wasn’t flabby. Quite concentrated, with a creamy vanilla finish. High toned and delicate with a little heat on the back end. Was strikingly similar to the ’08 Dumol RRV. Fine, but not exciting. Probably needs some time.

2hrs in the decanter prior to trying. The least expensive of the syrahs tonight and the most accessible. Lovely berry mocha nose. Deep pure berry flavor on the palate, with fine tannins and nice acidity. Medium length fruit finish with a little mocha. Quite good, though noticeably less complex than the other syrahs, but was more enjoyable to drink tonight.

2hr decant prior. Initially rather disappointing, but improved through the evening. Deep, dark, slightly sweet nose with currants and cherry, with a raspberry edge that turned floral with time. Berries and mocha rule the palate, which was quite extracted, with coarse tannins. Lengthy fine finish of earth and mocha, vanilla, and plenty of ripe red fruits carrying through. The oak notes seemed intrusive and poorly integrated. The tannic structure seemed rather crass and obtrusive. Despite this, there was much to like, and given the producer/pedigree, I think this just needs some bottle time. 91+ tonight.

Decanted on arrival and consumed over the next few hrs. Liquor-like nose, with candied fruit, fragrant and floral with a hint of smoke. Highly polished palate, with little detectable tannin or heat, with densely concentrated fruit. Chocolate and espresso on the lengthy finish. I had trouble getting into this, maybe a little overdone? Or just way too young. Others thought this would come together in time. 92+ for now.