2002 Côtes du Rhône, le Clos du Caillou, Vieilles vignes, vin non filtré, France

One looks in vain for an unfiltered Côtes du Rhône from old vines, as the label promises. The cherry fruit is bathed in fairly high acidity, and the color is relatively light. Less then medium-bodied, with none too long a taste, and no particular complexity. A North Berkeley Import, but I tend to trust their whites a lot more than their reds. Close-out price $18, regular price $25.
Rating: Good

2003 Domaine Coteau Pinot Noir, Yamhill County, Oregon

Lots of cherry fruit, fairly dark color. Wood and tannin are inobtrusive. The wine has some sweetness to it, unexpected and especially off-putting for Oregon. More than medium-bodied, a bit much for a pinot noir, without real complexity, and a fairly long taste. I expected more for the price. Close-out price $25, regular price $32.
Rating: Good +

2002 Weissburgunder Qualitätswein, Heidi Schrock, Rust, Burgenland, Austria

Weissburgunder is pinot blanc, and it shows the varietal taste. Surprisingly, it's off-dry, but carries the residual sugar well. Medium-bodied, with a touch of fatness and a bit of softness, good length of taste. Close-out price $14, regular price $22.
Rating: Good +

2004 Wild Horse Pinot Noir, Central Coast

Raspberry fruit with some cherry, but not quite the depth and intensity that I remember for the 2002 version. Moderately deep red color with atinge of purple. Moderate intensity and good length, with nice PN aroma. Close-out price $18, regular price $25.
Rating: Good ++
Open at the same time as a 2001 Saint Clair Pinot Noir, Doctor's Creek, Marlborough, New Zealand. The Saint Clair had a noticeable wood component, not as much fruit, and somewhat subdued by comparison.

2001 Pouilly-Fuissé, Domaine de Pouilly, France

Good acidity, tastes a bit old, not enough white burgundy character to please. Close-out price $6, regular price $6 (half-bottle).
Rating: Good

2004 Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Scélés", Ferret, France

Fairly full-bodied and somewhat fat; a good deal of flavor but I miss the burgundian acidity. Golden color, oak is kept in check. Long taste. Better than the Californian over-wooded, trace of sugar style, but as a matter of personal taste I'd prefer just a bit of elegant leanness. Price at Sibling Rivalry restaurant $72.
Rating: Good ++

2001 Giant Steps Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Australia

A very good pinot noir with black cherry/raspberry fruit intensity, and well-balanced acidity and wood, mild tannins. Long taste. Closer to Californian, but without the sweet fruit, and with some Burgundian character too. Close-out price $20, regular price $27.
Rating: Very Good

2002 Niersteiner Brückchen Riesling Kabinett, J.&H.A. Strub, Rheinhessen

A bit short and lacking some intensity. I expected more body in a Rheinhessen. Moderate Riesling aroma and taste. The 2001 was much superior. Close-out price $5, regular price $7 (half-bottle).
Rating: Good

2002 Semi-dry Riesling, VQA, Vineland Estates, Niagara Peninsula, Canada

Sweetness at lower levels of a German Kabinett, i.e., closer to off-dry. Has good acidity. Riesling character is subdued, medium-bodied, with some softness, moderate length. Developed some over time. Sale price 2 for $16.
Rating: Good

2005 Cairnbrae Sauvignon Blanc, "The Stones", Marlborough, New Zealand

One more example of why 2005 is a great year for NZ SBs. Some Marlborough grassiness, bracing acidity, as well as depth and some complexity. Medium-bodied, with a fairly long taste. Much better than what I remember of the 2001 version. Sale price $13.
Rating: Very Good +

2003 Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

A little fatness rather than the lean, citric style. Flavorful, well-balanced, with a bit of softness, and just a touch of grassiness. Fairly long taste. Close-out price $15, regular price $22.
Rating: Very Good -

2005 Viña Alarba, Old Vines Grenache, Bodegas y Viñedas del Jalón, Calatayud, Spain

Lots of grenache fruit, yet without the soft, sweetish fruitbomb character. There is just enough firmness, a touch of wood and little tannin. Somewhat more than medium-bodied, raspberry intensity and a moderately long taste. A real pleasure, although the 2003 version had more depth. Great deal at a sale price of 2 for $16.
Rating: Good ++

2003 Martinsancho, Verdejo, Rueda, Spain

Medium-bodied and dry, with some leanness and a touch of austerity. Moderate intensity and length, with nice balance. Close-out price $11, regular price $16.
Rating: Good +

2003 Viña Izada, Rioja, Spain

Some vanillin oak provides a bit of mellowness that puts a smile on this wine, whereas the one above has a bit of a frown. Medium-bodied, with good acidity, moderate intensity and some length. Close-out price $9, regular price $13.
Rating: Good ++

Red-tag close-out sales this month:

Whites:

2003	Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand	($15, orig. $22)
2002	Pinot Bianco, Haberlehof, Alois Lageder, Alto Adige, Italy	($15, orig. $20)
2002	Weissburgunder Qualitätswein, Heidi Schrock, Rust, Burgenland, Austria	($14, orig. $22)
2002	Niersteiner Brückchen Riesling Kabinett, J.&H.A. Strub, Rheinhessen [Half-bottle]	($5, orig. $7)
2001	Pouilly-Fuissé, Domaine de Pouilly, France [Half-bottle]	($6, orig. $9)

Reds:

2001	Lafond Pinot Noir, SRH, Santa Rita Hills	($16, orig. $25)
2004	Wild Horse Pinot Noir, Central Coast	($18, orig. $25)
2003	De Loach Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley	($7, orig. $10??)
2003	Domaine Coteau Pinot Noir, Yamhill County, Oregon	($25, orig. $32)
2001	Giant Steps Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Australia	($20, orig. $27)
2001	Saint Clair Pinot Noir, Doctor's Creek, Marlborough, New Zealand	($17, orig. $25)
2002	Côtes du Rhône, Vieilles vignes, vin non filtré, le Clos du Caillou, France	($18, orig. $25)