Sancerre

2009 Domaine La Porte "Le Rochoy" Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre, France (about $50 at Marinus)
Lindsay, my fiancé blind-tasted this one and nailed it! It had great minerality, old world charm and lemon-curd nuances. She remembers liking it. It seemed fat since we were drinking it at a slightly warmer temperature.

Savennieres

1999 Domaine Aux Moines "Roche Aux Moines", Savennieres (Loire Valley), France ($24.99 at Soif)
The color was super gold, but not over-the-hill. The color mislead you and you may have thought it was going to be sweet, but it was dry--probably from its age. After all, Chenin Blanc from Savennieres is usually dry. This one had a metallic quality and some saline nuances that balanced well with the baked red apple characteristics. We drank this in the dark at Lover's Point and we noticed a few people start exercising near us. It was like boot camp and we were happy to be drinking this and not doing squats.

Are You Sure A Jura?

2009 Domaine Berthet-Bondet "Rubis" Poulsard/Trousseau Blend, Cotes du Jura, France ($25.99 at Carmel Cheese Shop)
The color was like that of an old brick barn. In the nose, it had aromas of blood orange and citrus, which made me exclaim, "Slap my ass and call me Sally." Why would I say that? If I tasted it with a blindfold on, I would've thought it was a white wine. We thought this might even taste good if it was slightly chilled, but we drank it too fast to find out. Light-bodied, great acidity and barely any tannins. It sounds like a food-pairing knock out.

Burgundy: a Seducer

2008 Domaine Arlaud 1er Cru "Les Millandes", Morey St. Denis, France ($75 per half bottle)
We were at Casanova and we had this wine with chantrelle mushroom ravioli, which paired amazingly. It had a slight brettanomyces note that wasn't offensive like some Burgundy. It had some tart cranberry and raspberry flavors that weren't showy and seemed to seduce you slowly. Not an everyday wine, but worth the splurge. This wine wasn't a whore. It was sexy, but made you work for it. We're glad we weren't in a rush.

Gevrey Chambertin

2008 Lucien Boilot Geverey Chambertin A.C. $47.99 at Whole Foods
The color was light, unlike a Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. It displayed nuances of red fruits like strawberry, cranberry, and raspberry. There were some subtle French oak nuances and it started to really open up at the end. It was closed and tight at first, like that of a hot chick that won't wear slutty clothes. She was elegant. It was like a soul surfer that doesn't wear colorful wetsuits. Since it was my friend Ben's birthday, I wanted to get something special to drink, but I blind-tasted him. At first, he said he was underwhelmed, but he kept coming back for more. He sipped slowy and looked sophisticated. The wine had acid, tannin and tension, which was good. A lot of new world Pinot Noir's lack tannin. Towards the end it started to show some terroir. We drank this one too early, but we know she will mature into something beautiful. I give it 4/5 stars.

Saint Emillion

2004 Ch. Angelus, St. Emillion Grand Cru - pretty clean but somehow a little tooth-coating. Oh wait, that's an oxymoron. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 
2004 Ch. Canon St. Emillion Grand Cru (1er Grand Cru Classé) - there was backbone; it was luscious, clean and real nice. It was focused, well-balanced and seemed like the better of the ones from St. Emillion. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 
2004 Ch. Canon-La-Gaffeliere St. Emillion Grand Cru - at first I thought it was killer and complex and then Gabe, Damien and myself all picked up on a bacteria finish. You've got to revisit the wines that you thought were great. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 
2004 Ch. Figeac, St Emillion "Premier Grand Cru Classé" - I expected a little more from this one. That's because I had the 1982 not long before trying this vegetal, tannic monster. I got some sweat sox mixed with meatiness and green vegetables. It was sweat leaking out of a mouse's fur. Very nice! Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 
1986 Chateau Canon, St Emillion $230 – this is pretty muscular for a right bank. The cola nuances make me think this is more of a left bank than anything. I’m glad there’s enough sediment for these bitches to chew on. Last tasted 10/15/07 Drink now-2015 
1982 Domaine de la Gaffeliere $375 - The nose was sweet and the sight revealed brick edges with plenty of color in the center. There's something about red wines from St. Emillion that make me want to have some pate'. There wasn't any brettanomyces and the tannins were so soft and supple that I knew how a mature wine should behave. It should behave elegantly, like a well-dressed and wise old man. I gave them a cellar tour so they decided to leave me $100 side-tip. Last tasted 8/23/07 Drink now-2015 

Corbieres

2004 Chateau Mattes-Sabran Syrah – Corbieres, France.
With black pepper, rosemary, sage and more, people may forget that a little old vine Carignan is blended in. That’s why it’s so bold. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2011 

Flagey Echezaux

1998 Echezaux Grand Cru, Immanuel Rouget – For $550 a bottle, I thought the wine was extremely acidic and a bit oxidized. I smelled some red apple nuance that didn’t seem to belong. The folks on 13 know their wines and they mentioned that the wine needed time to come around. They drank it all, so that was a good sign. Lasted tasted fall of 2010 Drink now

Vosne Romanee

1988 Vosne Romaneé "Les Beaux Monts" Confuron (8/21/07) - There should've been a disclaimer on this bottle. It should've said, "Ignore the aroma's of rat hair and enjoy one of the best Pinot Noir's you've ever tasted. So delicate and how could anyone refuse a rustic pasta when this gem is served? Last tasted 2007 Drink now 

Clos de Vougeot

1995 Clos de Vougeot,E. Gros - Holy earth mousse-poo that I somehow love. That is, in a brettanomyces sick kind of way. On the other hand, it was rich, full-bodied, and super-viscous. Very complex earth with a big fruit forward style. Not quite subtle, but really "Old World". Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2012 javascript:void(0)

Morey St. Denis

2004 Perrot- Minot, Morey St. Denis $75 per half bottle (9/25/07) – A masculine darkness mingled with bitter chocolate. It was powerful and table 14 needed two bottles. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Chateauneuf du Pape

2004 Vieux Telegraph-Brunier, Chateauneuf Du Pape - dark color in the glass with port-like chocolaty over ripe strawberries. The black pepper and tobacco nuances made this wine seem like a dirty old man thinking up ways to lure the ladies. Maybe not, but it was dirty and had tons of character. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2004 Ch. La Gardine Chateauneuf du Pape ($336 case) - Christmas candy mixed with pine trees, and port-like black pepper jam. The hot climate's indigenous grape types lead me to fall off the wagon. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2003 E. Guigal Grenache (blend) - Chateauneuf du Pape, France
With tobacco, red raspberry, and black pepper qualities this is perfect for customers who just ate garlic and need something to slake their thirst. Cotes du Rhone Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2013 

1985 Beaucastel Chateauneuf $235 (10/15/07) – this isn’t as good when the sediment integrates with the juice. The nose is so funky and the fruit is quite raspberry-like. The psycho-group deserves to drink the sediment. I’m glad the bottle has been shaken. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Corton (Red)

2005 Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Nuits "Vielles Vignes" by Olivier Juan 9/6/07 - it was bottled in Morey St. Denis. It didn't taste good in the cellar, but I still thought it was nice for the price. It was like Barney's and Dragon's breath mixed with raspberries and jewels that had just been crushed on the curb. Zane and I like it and his neighbor came back for seconds. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2012 

2005 Bourgogne Jeran Haut de Cotes de Nuits "Vielles Vignes" 8/30/07 - there was so much raspberry jam, but it wasn't sour and it displayed velvet edges. The perfect cafe' wine. It was what the jewel block was trying to imitate. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2012 

1995 Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire, Rotz - Gevrey Chambertin - This had some major barnyard. The smell of a barn is sometimes the most rewarding traits when there's a nice focused viscosity that's light. Lots of funky mushrooms. There were some pinot characteristics in terms of its viscosity. You could smell the cherry leather tobacco from a pipe smoker as your dog takes a poo. I thought it was a Nebbiolo or Chianti by Ruffino. It had the viscosity a Piedmont red might have with the earth of that super-funky Chianti "Oro Gold". Last tasted 2007 Drink now 

Bourgogne (Red)

2005 Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Nuits "Vielles Vignes" by Olivier Juan 9/6/07 - it was bottled in Morey St. Denis. It didn't taste good in the cellar, but I still thought it was nice for the price. It was like Barney's and Dragon's breath mixed with raspberries and jewels that had just been crushed on the curb. Zane and I like it and his neighbor came back for seconds. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2012 

2005 Bourgogne Jeran Haut de Cotes de Nuits "Vielles Vignes" 8/30/07 - there was so much raspberry jam, but it wasn't sour and it displayed velvet edges. The perfect cafe' wine. It was what the jewel block was trying to imitate. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2012 

1995 Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire, Rotz - Gevrey Chambertin - This had some major barnyard. The smell of a barn is sometimes the most rewarding traits when there's a nice focused viscosity that's light. Lots of funky mushrooms. There were some pinot characteristics in terms of its viscosity. You could smell the cherry leather tobacco from a pipe smoker as your dog takes a poo. I thought it was a Nebbiolo or Chianti by Ruffino. It had the viscosity a Piedmont red might have with the earth of that super-funky Chianti "Oro Gold". Last tasted 2007 Drink now 

Sauternes

2004 Ch. De Fargues "Lur Surluces", Sauternes - sugary and I could drink a whole glass, probably not a whole bottle. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2004 Ch. Rayne Vigneau, Sauternes - very steely and too cold. There wasn't enough acidity and lacked body. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2004 Ch. Guiraud 1er Cru, Sauternes - pleasant, but lacking body Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2004 Ch. Doisy Daene, Sauternes - nice and sweet with dried tropical fruit Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2004 Ch. Latour Blanche 1er cru, Sauternes - there's a Vidal body, long finish and super honeyed. I like it because it's super fat, but a little too sugary. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2020
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2004 Ch. Coutet, Saturnes-Barsac - dried apricots and pineapples with a long finish. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2020 

2004 Ch. Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes - very nice, but a little too lean. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2004 Ch. Sigalas Rabaud, Sauternes - too much sour lemon-peel. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2004 Ch. Suduiraut 1er Cru, Sauternes - At first I thought the Latour Blanche was better, but after revisiting this wine it had a nice Old World acidity that would allow me to drink a whole bottle. You need a sophisticated palette because it's not so obvious. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2020 

1999 Suduiraut, Sauternes ($550 case) - I was spitting for a whole week and this was the first wine I wanted to drink. Toberlone and heath candy toffee notes with a side order of crème' brulee. I was reminded of frozen grapes at the old neighbor "Bee's" house. It was a nice finish because it wasn't sugary. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2020 

1994 D'yquem "Les Surluces", Bordeaux- The crème' brulee and red apple traits integrated with toffee and burnt caramel would've made me guess D'yquem. There must've been some botrytis but I did get some oxidative white Bordeaux characteristic's that made me think Haut Brion or something like Carbonnieux. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

1988 D'yquem - What am I taking crazy pills? A perfect pairing with a Crème Brulee. It tasted like butterscotch and toffee heath candies that have been pureed and dropped into a jar of honey. Despite being unctuous, ridiculously sweet and decadent, the wine had great acidity and minerality. Too young to drink, but I enjoyed assessing its future. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2020 

Baumes de Venise

2003 Jaboulet Muscat de Baumes de Venise (10/15/07) – It has minéral favoris and Is plaisant. It kind of reminds me of the frozen grapes that come straight out of the freezer. It’s grapey if that means anything. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Montrachet

1986 Montrachet, Bouchard - canned pineapple with honey. The wine had some amazing acidity for being such an old wine. I liked the butterscotch candy nuances a midst the other three-thousand descriptors I remember. I woke up the nest day and the wine was lingering on my palette. The number of nuances listed on paper would have resembled the "Scroll of David". My manager Ray Bertolino almost had a heart attack; he thought it was so good. Still, more interesting than drinkable a touch over-the-hill. Last tasted 2007 Drink now 

Chassagne Montrachet

2005 Chassagne M. "Les Vergers" 1er D. Fontaine Gagnard 8/30/07 - angelus brought this and I was impressed by their ability to pick good wines that are "under the radar". This would be on the list for under $100 and I recommend it to anyone who likes a good chard that's got finesse without being overly sulfur rich like some Pulignys. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Chevalier Montrachet

1999 Chevalier Montrachet - Jadot - Really drinkable. So drinkable, that I wanted to drink a whole bottle or six. I wanted to savor it for its cerebral qualities and pound it for its balance. Probably, one of the best chardonnay's I've ever had. The sulfur had mellowed out just enough to slake anyone's thirst. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2012 

Meursault

2004 Chateau de Puligny Montrachet, Meursault - The light gold color and fleshy popcorn and apple aroma's were present. It was real fat and approachable but had enough back-palette acidity make you wonder, is this a Granny Smith? Then the more of that loosely-goosey instant gratification lures you in for another sip. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2011 

2004 Meursault "Les Clous" Bouchard (7/30/07) - nice lean acidity with a fat richness. It gets you here than it gets you there. It was refreshing, but a little closed in terms of its tartness. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2011 