Melon, citrus and orchard fruit with marshmallow and custard undertones; has a very subtle yeasty component too. Toasted marshmallow and orchard fruit with a long finish. Rich texture. LA1ES

Opens with notes of yellow fruit, banana and a bit of a dirty/topsoil-like note. As it sits notes of popcorn, citrus, mineral and orchard fruit become apparent and the dirty note is gone. Good acid on the palate with terrific lemony citrus fruit. I had it pegged as a French Chardonnay but I did not think it was Chablis.

Deep color. Shows a bit of oxidation, though only slight, with pear and quince underneath. Fairly good acidity on the palate with a good amount of fruit. At first this seems like it could be a Rhone blend- it reminds me of Beaucastel's white but the more time I spend with it I think it's another French Chardonnay with just a bit of oxidation going on- I guessed Chassagne.

A bonus warm up, courtesy of MM. This shows a pale yellow color with aromas of lemon, mineral, apple and citrus. The palate follows the bouquet with just a hint of tropical fruit thrown in for good measure. Finishes very well with a clean minerality and plenty of acid. Lovely. Guessed young Meursault. 92-93 pts.

Notes of spice- nutmeg- along with cherry, dark berry and a brambly quality. Spice, red fruit, plum and macerated berry with nice underlying acidity.

This had been double-decanted off its sediment about 90 minutes prior to the flight being poured, breathing in the open bottle for the last hour while we tasted through the warm ups. This didn't need that much air, but given our format, it's difficult to have less aeration than that.

Notes of lavender, limestone, wet clay and macerated cherry with a touch of VA. Cherry, spice and lavender on the palate, with rose water qualities in the background. I would have scored it a bit higher were it not for the VA, which was not present when I initially opened it.

This received the same treatment as the Elizabeth- double-decanted about 90 minutes before it was poured in the first flight...certainly doesn't need much air to wake up.

Deep color with notes of spice, herbs, red and black fruit, and a nice earthy Bordeaux-like quality underneath. Currants and cherry on the palate. Really well-balanced and nicely integrated, though has some sweet tannin remaining, picking up cigar box and tobacco nuances to go along with the lovely fruit. Guessed 1995 Napa mountain fruit Cabernet.

Double blind. Aromas of blue fruit, vanilla, sandalwood, currants and oak. There's an abundance of black fruit on the palate, but plenty of wood too. Tannins are very firm, but fine-grained. Obviously a very young wine, this will take some time to come around (though if I had a nice fatty ribeye this would have done nicely). Guessed young CA Cab blend.

Aromas of earthy clay, black fruit and dried herbs. Black fruit dominates the palate. Young, with firm, fine-grained tannins. Has a nice finish, with dark fruit and a bit of wood, but this is fairly tight. Guessed CA cab sauv blend.

Inky color. Aromas of blackberry, chocolate, vanilla and cassis with just a bit of VA too. Full-bodied with flavors of plum, cassis, vanilla and blue fruit with a long finish. Balanced. 92-93 pts. Guessed Napa Cab Sauv.

Black fruit, florals, clay and sandalwood notes. Full-bodied but elegant and silky, with a mélange of red and black fruit, florals and vanilla. This is very pretty- an excellent wine. 94+ pts.

Opens with a weird cheesy/funky note that blows off to reveal cassis, currants, chocolate and herbs. Structured; fine tannins with flavors of black fruit, lavender, cassis, chocolate and vanilla. Guessed Napa Cab Sauv blend.

Notes of spearmint and eucalyptus with black fruit tones underneath. Great fruit on the palate, with mint and herb flavors adding depth. Integrated tannins with a long finish. Excellent.

Notes of dried herbs with a mélange of red and black fruit. The palate follows the bouquet. Tannins are a bit firm but not obtrusive. Not much depth here. Seems like a good wine, but perhaps in a bit of a phase right now.

I was surprised to see this unveiled as the Cos. It's definitely in need of time in the cellar, as a few hours aerating in the decanter prior to the tasting did nothing for this wine. Try again in perhaps 2023.

A touch vegetal, with loads of black fruit and perhaps some vanilla underneath. Black fruit and herb on the palate, trailing off on the finish. A bit on the thin side. Guessed CA Cab.

Double blind. Aromas of violets, blue and black fruit, florals and incense coming in at the end. A gorgeous bouquet- I could have smelled this all night. Full-bodied and wonderfully balanced. Red plum, black fruit and floral qualities on the palate with a lingering finish. Incredibly impressive. Guessed CA Cab blend.

Two bottles of '08 Monte Bello- what a treat- and what a difference between the two. This bottle came from a passive cellar and was not decanted, only allowed to breathe in bottle for 2-3 hours before this flight was poured.

Clay and dark fruit notes. Blackberry, plum, chocolate and vanilla. Finishes well. Guessed Napa Cab.

Rark fruit and vanilla dominates the bouquet and follows through on the palate. Tannins are a bit angular at this point. Give this some time and hope for some development.

Apricot and maramalade notes with decent underlying acidity. Not as complex or nuanced as other vintages but this hits the spot and is an enjoyable Sauternes.

Briary pepper raspberry fruit on the nose and palate. Full-bodied and balanced with a nice finish. Black raspberry and pepper notes in the finish. Seghesio's Zins almost always impress.