~$32US, 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay, Champagne, France

Sprightly, rich and toasty nose - one of those wines you could smell for hours. Very red-fruit-driven, strawberries and right-off-the-tree red apples. Fantastically appley on the palate, like a perfectly ripe Pink Lady apple - red apple sweetness initially, with green apple tartness on the back-end.  Weightier than expected from a Non-Vintage , with a fine chalky finish. Enjoy it with pretty much any food - I actually had fair luck with a Pan-seared Ribeye -  although the sweet potato fries loved it. One of those bottles that make you wonder why you don’t drink more Champagne.

Le Ragose Valpolicella Classico Superiore Le Sassine 2003: Leather, garlic greens, sour cherry, black pepper, dried apricots, brown sugar. Utterly delicious in an old-world way. Very complex and surprising. Classically proportioned and well-structured. Fabulous accompaniment to fresh pasta w/ vegetables.

Jean Milan Champagne Blanc de Blancs Spécial NV:Doughy nose, with seashells. A little nutty, with a bright and fresh mouthfeel.  Elegant. Fleeting finish holding this back from really rocking.

Alban Central Coast Viognier 2006: Ridiculous nose of flowers, Ivory soap, Big-League Chew, Skittles, pineapples. Brings a serious rainbow of tropical flavors. A little hot (~16% ABV) and syrupy. Coconuts, peaches, and fruit cocktail. Probably the most hedonistic white wine I’ve ever had - I loved it, other tasters were not so hot on it’s over-the top fruit ripeness.

Amisfield Central Otago Pinot Noir 2003: The 04 was excellent, and this 03 probably even better. Fragrant as all hell. More wood and tobacco notes to support the Cherry Cola / Dr. Pepper - truly one foot in the old (leafy tobacco, black olives) and one foot in the new world (big cherries). Silky in the mouth - medium-to-full bodied, but not heavy. Another stunner of a Pinot.