2010 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Summa Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)

Super fragrant nose of sour strawberries, Asian tea and cranberry. A very intense delivery on this as the palate shows dried and sour fruits of strawberries, dried red currant and pomegranate. A very lively mouth-feel with so much going on. I get hints of cedar, rubbed tea leaf and spring flowers. Tannins are large but behaved and acidity is just right to carry it all to the crescendo, and what a crescendo it is: focused, boisterous and playful all while remaining as serious as a heart attack. Long finish and I am gonna need……more.  93 pts

2010 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Gioia Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)

Strawberry color with a nose macerated bright red strawberries, pomegranate and spring flowers---pretty great. Palate reveals soft gushy red berry fruits with creamy textured mouthfeel. Acidity rides slightly up-ticks (fantastic food friendliness on this) with tannins being slightly chewy. A wonderful structure controls the second part of the journey which goes from easy to corral to a wild unbreakable maverick. Intoxicating notes of soft coco infused strawberries come out at the half-way mark in addition to some nice minerality and sassparilla. Finish is long and remains focused. Glad I have more. 93 pts

2001 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

Ok, so I am not usually one to note on a Pinot. I have hosted winemakers with my tasting group and have left the official notes for some really great Pinots to others. This is one I want to speak of. It's not a regular occurrence that a non-Cabernet makes a WOTN for me on any given group tasting. Today is that day. This was a rusty crimson/strawberry color with a nose of dark strawberries, red raspberries and spring flowers. The palate showed incredible focus of said fruits with more, much more: This was elegant and classy with much depth and structure. The red fruits had a purity and precision that was mind boggling. Even if I did not find a sense of place, I sure got a sense of joy. A flintiness quality that I really loved with hints of cola, cardamom and a note of soy. Balance was amazing as this wine just seemed to float in and out of the palate with nary an edge. Tannins aligned and acidity perfect. What a great Pinot Noir. Wish I had some, and when do I ever say that? (93 pts.)

2004 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard

Deep and dark with brooding intesity. This is a very full flavored pinot that will open the tired mans eyes and make a baby weep. Big pure dark cherries, milk chocolate, chewy tannins, and an acid level slighty above eye level. A full weight Pinot with a very long silky finish. (91 pts.)

2005 Burgundies & Turkish at the Fox's

The Erobertparker bulletin board has been great source for information on wines from anywhere in the world, but far surpassing any tasting note or Cabernet recommendation is its ability to create new friendships. Last night Lenny and Susan Fox hosted a handful of winos in their beautiful home. Turkish cuisine and red Burgundies from 2005 was the theme. I have had many types of foods in my life, but never Turkish. I wish I could tell what I had, but it was all tasty and well prepared. Any country that has a version of pizza can’t be all that bad. I made some new friends, put some faces to familiar names, as well as seeing old friends again. It was a wonderful time and I want to thank Susan and Lenny for their graciousness in opening their home and making this possible.

Now onto the wines:
2005 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges VV; Medium dark color. The nose of red cherries and crushed stones. Smooth finessful tannins carried this along deftly. This was wonderful & elegant. A long finish completed the package. A stunner; 94/100 (My WOTN).
2005 Domaine Ligier Michelot Morey St Denis VV; A subdued nose of flowers and red fruits. This was very fruit forward, dark cherries & raspberries. Wonderful structure, chewy tannins, and a slightly raised acid level. A masculine St Denis. 91/100
2005 Domaine Jablot Givry “Clos des Cellier aux Moines”; this started somewhat awkward, but some time in the glass gave it grace. Amazing dark fruits and wonderful structure. Some tar and anise. A well-aligned tannin level wrapped around a refined (slightly elevated) acid level. This was a beautiful Givry. Very different than anything before or after it on this night. 93/100
2005 Domaine Joseph Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin “Leas Marchais”; this had the most wonderful nose of red cherries, and pebbles. A nicely balanced acid level combined with a nicely structured tannin level wrapped within layers upon layers of sweet red fruits. A dry finish hurt this a bit. 88/100
2005 Domaine Perrot-Minot Vosne Romanee; Some great black fruits and a nice balance of acid and fine intertwined tannins. This was a very clean Vosne, if not noteworthy. 89/100
2005 Domaine Emmanuel Rouget Vosne-Romanee; corked
2005 Domaine Daniel Rion "Vosne Romanee Les Beaux Monts"; (thanks Suzanne for the name clarification as my notes were smeared). This was the funky wine of the night. There were some red fruits, but they were masked by the elevated alcohol and funky cellar floor. Wine like this I always attribute to sloppy winemaking techniques. N/A
2005 Maison Bouchard Pere et Fils Volnay “Caillerets- Ancienne Cuvee Carnot”; this was the most fragrant wine of the bunch; flowers, cherries, stones, and tar. Wow. A nice acid level alongside a sweet refined tannin level made this a pretty wine. Great structure and long finish. Did I say wow? 92/100
2005 Domaine Michel Magnien Gevrey-Chambertin “Les Seuvrees VV”; Sulphur nose that only opened up a bit with air. The darkest wine of the night. Once past the nose this had big chewy tannins and a bold structure of deep red & black fruits. (Super dark cherries and currants). Of all the night’s wines, this needs the most bottle time. Very masculine and brooding. 89/100

From this cross section of wines, I can humbly say the promise is real.
2005 will deliver for the patient, and not so patient. (for which I am usually the latter). Wonderful fruit and seamless balance is the recurring element in all of these wines. Anyone interested in getting to know Burgundies better will find lots to love here.

TN: 2005 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Carneros

This pinot noir is well worth its 23 dollar price:

It is somewhat pale in color, but intense, with crimson edges. The nose reveals fresh crushed pebbles & sour red cherries. The palate continues on with the cherries and pebbles with the addition of : tar, leather, violets and a hint of strawberries. The acid level seems right on and the medium texture tannins are well balanced and smooth. A great effort from the entry (I believe) level Pinot in the Saintsbury line. I have had Gevrey-Chambertains costing 3x the price that were not as expressive and enjoyable. Isn't that the real meaning of QPR? 92 points. ($22.99)

TN: 2002 Albert Morot Beaune 1er Cru Cent-Vignes

2002 Albert Morot Beaune 1er Cru Cent-Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru (8/30/2007)The color was a medium to light garnet. This has a wonderful nose of wild flowers, especially violets...wow. There was a fantastic fruit profile, crushed stones, and great balance on the palate. The tannin level is quietly hiding but is surely the bones that supports all these wonderful qualities. This wine is ultra pure and elegant. Very nice indeed. $29.95 and well worth it. (91 pts.)

TN:2004 Domaine Mestre Santenay 1er Cru

This is my find of the holiday season. It is $18.99

I can't find this in New York, Just a local joint in my parents neighborhood in Connecticut.

This has an interesting pale amber brown color, The nose reveals dusty cherries, and earth. The palate shows a super lively Pinot style with a tremendous earthiness I am really loving. Subtle red fruits that are not dominating, just stealthly there. A great acid level which tells me this is probably screaming for a great meal, I am just not listening .

All in all a Super QPR. I have a few more in the cellar. I actually broke my moritorium to get these, but hey, at 19 bucks each who wouldn't?

This drinks as great or better than many $40 Gevreys I have had. It also beats any village level wine I have had up to the $25. range.

90/100

TN: 2005 Rapet 'Bully' Bourgogne

This has a very medium pale color, but vibrant. The nose is expressive of cherry, and the crushed stone, which I really enjoy. On the palate there is a great smooth integrated fruit/acid/tannin level. The cherries carry on as do the stones. Very elegant indeed. Finishes nicely.

I gotta say, this is a very nice $17.00 bottle of Bourgogne. Speaks a bit of terroir, and that ain't an easy thing to do at this price point.

89/100