2002 Pouilly-Fuissé, Les Charmes Vieille Vigne, Vin non filtré, cuvée unique, Michel Rey, France
Another fine white Burgundy from North Berkeley Imports. Well-balanced, with fruit, acidity, wood and dryness in the right proportions. Just a trace of fatness, medium body, and a fairly long taste. A producer to watch (I've enjoyed his Macon-Vergisson in half-bottles). Close-out price $24, regular price $33.2005 Niersteiner Orbel Riesling Kabinett, J. & H.A. Strub, Rheinhessen
Rating: Very Good
Nice riesling character in taste and aroma, a bit of the Rheinhessen spice, moderate length and depth. Just a touch more acidity would be good. Close-out price $11, regular price $15.2000 Paraiso Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County
Rating: Good ++
A winner, with lots of blackberry fruit, good acidity, and cinnamon/clove spice that leads to some complexity. Somewhat more than medium-bodied, very dark red with a purplish edge, and a long taste. Close-out price $15, regular price $20.2004 Münsterer Rheinberg Riesling Kabinett, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe
Rating: Very Good
Fine acidity and lots of riesling fruit give this a strong pineapple character. Good intensity and fairly long taste. There's lots of depth to age into an even better wine. Close-out price $12, regular price $17.2005 Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
Rating: Very Good
One of the best 2005's so far: refreshing acidity, grassiness noticeable but in check, moderate intensity, a touch of softness, and a long taste. Probably will improve with age. Sale price $15.2005 Borsao, Bodegas Borsao, Campo de Borja, Spain
Rating: Very Good +
Lots of garnacha fruitiness, soft and easy-drinking. The 2004 version had some structure that this is missing, even though the composition of 75% garnacha and 25% tempranillo is the same. Still, a great deal for the price. Sale price 2 for $12.2002 Savannah-Chanelle Pinot Noir, Laetitia Vineyard, Arroyo Grande Valley
Rating: Good +
Lots of cherry/raspberry fruit, with an off-putting background note of sweetness. Some tannin, light wood, and sufficient acidity, but without supporting firmness. Deep red color, some PN character in taste and aroma, moderately long taste. Not subtle or graceful enough for a single vineyard, or for the price. Close-out price $20, regular price $30(?).2002 Rully 1er Cru "Le Meix Cadot", Vieilles vignes; vin non filtré, Vincent Dureuil-Janthial, France
Rating: Good +
A bit fat and lower in acidity than I would like in a white burgundy, though dry and and with an easy touch on the wood. Golden color. A little more than medium-bodied with a fairly long taste. Close-out price $25, regular price $35.2001 Doña Bernarda, Colección Privada, Luis Felipe Edwards, Colchagua Valley, Chile
Rating: Good ++
Lots of fruit, although not a fruit bomb, good acidity, gentle tannins and mild wood. Very pleasant to drink, with lots of flavor and moderate length. Dark red color. Not a simple nor yet a complex wine. Close-out price $16, regular price $23.2002 Maranges (blanc), Michel Colin-Deléger & Fils, France
Rating: Good ++
Dry, a touch rustic, good acidity, right amount of oak. Golden color, medium-bodied, with good intensity, and a moderately long taste. Overall, more generic than burgundian in chracter. Close-out price $17, regular price $24.2004 Pinot Grigio, Alois Lageder, Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Italy
Rating: Good ++
As befits a reliably good producer, flavorfully not one of your innocuous pinot grigios. A touch soft, with sufficient acidity, good varietal intensity and a moderately long taste. Close-out price $10, regular price $15.
Rating: Good +
Red-tag close-out sales this month:Whites:
2002 Maranges (blanc), Michel Colin-Deléger & Fils, France ($17, orig. $24) 2004 Münsterer Rheinberg Riesling Kabinett, Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe ($12, orig. $27) 2005 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, Meulenhof, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer ($14, orig. $20) 2004 Kaseler Nies'chen Riesling Kabinett, Geiben (Karlsmühle), Mosel-Saar-Ruwer ($15, orig. $20) 2005 Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Kabinett, Ansgar Clüsserath, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer ($14, orig. $19) 2005 Niersteiner Brückchen Riesling Kabinett, J. & H.A. Strub, Rheinhessen ($13, orig. $20) 2004 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese, Mathern, Nahe ($22, orig. $30)
Reds:
2001 Doña Bernarda, Colección Privada, Luis Felipe Edwards, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($16, orig. $23) 2002 Savannah-Chanelle Pinot Noir, Laetitia Vineyard, Arroyo Grande Valley ($20, orig. $30?) 2000 Paraiso Syrah, Monterey County ($20, orig. $30) 2003 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Les Sinards, Perrin & Fils, France ($25, orig. $33)
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