Copain Gary's Syrah 2004 (Santa Lucia Highlands)

Deep red/purple. Great, singular nose of toasted hazelnut/chestnut, subdued green veg/stem notes, citrus and a meaty character. Reminds me of Tardieu-Laurent VV Cornas. Smells like food more than fruit. Rich, but measured in the mouth. Aromas repeating in mouth. Serious tannin/acid structural constriction does little to impede flavors. Long and chewy. Great density. Holy shit, this is good.


$45 approx.

Artadi Vinas de Gain 2004 Rioja

Deep color. Very deep clay/earth, black licorice and black fruit aromas, low-pitched. Fleshy with an additional citrus character in the mouth that reminds me of Garnacha. Will most likely add a peppery note as it ages. Lacks only refined complexity. This is a ridiculous value at $25 approx.

Aalto 2001 Ribera del Duero

Big nose of grilled meat/mushroom reduction sauce, charcoal - definitely an umami-thing going on. Also has a custard character that I find very often in RdD wines. Really fills the mouth initially, then substantial grainy/chewy tannins kick in. Very good flavor persistence. Massive oak-influence, as with most of Mariano Garcia's wines, but this works well. Best version yet.


About $50

Etude 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon

Wonderful, refined, mouth-watering aromas of toast, grilled meat, charcoal, bricks and redcurrant. Very suave in the mouth.
Really has great tannic backbone, but the tannins are quite finely-grained and easy to overlook. California Bordeaux. Probably has several more years ahead of it, too.





$45 approx on release

Macchiole Paleo 2001 (100% C. Franc, Bolgheri, Italy)

Very deep black fruit/olive, chocolate and roasted oak oil nose. Herbs in the mouth with a grainy, chewy tannic structure. Tannic impression increases with air. Impressive, but I'm not sure how well this is going to integrate.

Day 3 - Tannin has integrated better than expected. Still a bit rustic, but that's C. Franc. Very concentrated. I'm not buying more, however.


$70 approx.

Havens Bourriquot 2001 (62% CF, 38% Merlot)

Dried oregano, chocolate, cherry pit aromatics. Nice sweetness in mouth, with fine acid/tannin structure. Suave, chocolate/cherry mid-palate. Very well-put together, harmonious wine. This should age beautifully for several more years.

$36 approx. Great value.

Copain 2004 Hacienda Secoya Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)

Light red. Underbrush, vibrant cran/raspberry, orange and mint nose. Leanish in the mouth, but flavors ride thru mid-palate. Very light touch, not fat at all. Minerally red-fruit acid-driven finish, nice length. Needs time to flesh out/unwind.


$40 approx.