2002 Savannah-Chanelle Pinot Noir, Sleepy Hollow Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands

Jammy strawberry fruit with more than a trace of swetness. Mild tannin, moderate acidity, lovely perfumed aroma. Moderately long taste. Similar to the 2002 Savannah-Chanelle Pinot Noir, Laetitia Vineyard, Arroyo Grande Valley, with sweetness detracting from what could be a better wine. Close-out price $24, regular price $34.
Rating: Good +

2002 Monthelie, Paul Garaudet, France

One of the more reliable red burgundies from a minor village. One can expect Garaudet not to overdo the acidity and to provide some pinot noir perfume in the aroma. This one has good sour-cherry fruit of moderate intensity and fairly good length. Some complexity allows enough interest for sipping after a meal. Close-out price $27, regular price $40.
Rating: Good ++

2000 Cline Syrah, Los Carneros Vineyard

Lots of extract provides intense, warm cherry/blueberry fruit and deep dark red color, but also a bit of bitterness. There's tannin but not a forbidding amount, and a bit of complexity looking to emerge. Acidity is sufficient, and the taste is moderately long. It seems that this one can last a very long time, and still improve. Incredible close-out price of $6, regular price not given.
Rating: Good ++

2003 Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume, Labouré-Roi, France

Given the heat of the 2003 season, I was a little apprehensive that even Chablis could turn out fat and with low acidity. Not so - this one has good acidity and some of the Chablis flintiness, in a nicely balanced white burdundy package of dryness, acidity, fruit and oak. Not the most intense of wines, it has moderate depth and good length. Deep golden color. Close-out price $20, regular price $29.
Rating: Good ++

2002 Marút Pinot Noir, Redwood Valley

Pinot noir aroma and good raspberry fruit, moderate intensity, some tannin. Relatively low acidity flattens the flavors and shortens the taste. Close-out price $14, regular price $20.
Rating: Good +

Red-tag close-out sales this month:

Whites:

2003	Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume, Labouré-Roi, France	($20, orig. $29)
2002	Puligny-Montrachet, Paul Garaudet, France	($33, orig. $45)
2002	Pernand-Vergelesses, Domaine Marius Delarche, France	($21, orig. $30)

Reds:

2002	Marút Pinot Noir, Redwood Valley	($14, orig. $20)
2002	Elke Pinot Noir, Donnelly Creek, Anderson Valley	($21, orig. $30)
2002	Savannah-Chanelle Pinot Noir, Sleepy Hollow Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands	($24, orig. $34)
2000	Cline Syrah, Los Carneros Vineyard	($6, orig. $??)