2005 Stolpman Syrah La Coppa (9/29/2013)
Much like my last impression of this wine. The fruit is unmistakably
California, dark blackberry in character. The licorice/mint spiciness is
still quite evident. Chalky tannins add a bit of structure to it and it
has just enough acid to get by. Quite fun at a BBQ, but unlikely to ever
gain much in the way of complexity.

2007 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Dundee Hills (9/29/2013)
Jean opened this for a party I wasn't at, but I got the dregs when I
returned: medium-light body, tart red fruit and a bit of earth in the
finish. On Day 2, it had gained some body and fleshed out a bit, also
getting a bit darker. Quite nice, all in all.

2000 Bosquet des Papes Chteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Tradition (9/22/2013)
Opened to replace a maderized '98 Charbonniere CdP. Very classic profile
of slightly meaty, dark cherry fruit tinging into plums, medium bodied
with just enough acidity to get by. For this hot year, quite a decent
showing and very nice with red wine braised duck legs.

2011 Marcel Lapierre Morgon (9/13/2013)
Not much to add to the previous note. It continues to drink well and
will provide much pleasure in the near term and going forward.

2004 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Seven Springs Vineyard (9/6/2013)
"Burgundian" is a term that is bandied about all too often with New
World PNs, but here is a wine that I would have pegged as Cote d'Or
Pinot had I been served it blind. A strong smell of graphite, along with
tart raspberry fruit and more mineral notes is followed by a silky but
acidic palate presence. Very approachable right now but in no danger of
fading any time soon. Quite lovely with quail and rabbit-ginger sausage.

2012 Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc (9/5/2013)
Reflective of the miserable growing season that was 2012, this year's
edition shows less depth, less fruit and more pyrazines than is the norm
for this producer. Still, it has attractive herbal qualities and its
characteristic acidity, but compared to the glories of the 2011, it is
somewhat lacking.

2005 Domaine Diochon Moulin-à-Vent Vieilles Vignes (9/2/2013)
Still on the more structured and dark end of the Gamay spectrum, it has
softened enough to be enjoyable with food. Very fresh with great
acidity, it has the typical Gamay fruit, albeit in a dark-complected
package. No doubt this will get better with age, but will probably
always be on the darker side of fruit for Gamay.

2007 Copain Pinot Noir Tous Ensemble (8/29/2013)
A nose of graphite and black cherry is accompanied by a very smooth but
fresh palate. It certainly hews to the CA Pinot paradigm but stays well
within my boundaries for overripeness. Very fine wine.

2009 A.J. Adam Hofberg Riesling Kabinett (8/27/2013)
Initially, a nose that mostly shows petrol, but later gets more peachy
fruit in it. Fairly big for a Kabinett, but with brilliant acidity to
counter the sweetness. Really nice with Thai takeout for dinner.

2007 Amisfield Pinot Noir (8/25/2013)
Like the last bottle, it still has the sappiness that I find so
characteristic of NZ Pinot Noirs, but now the fruit is darker cherry and
the wine feels more extracted than it once did. It dances on the edge of
being syrupy and overdone, but still maintains a decent sense of
balance. Not my favorite style of Pinot, though.

2008 Domaine Louis Michel Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume (8/25/2013)
Quite lush and almost tropical from what was a quite cool vintage. It
was generally pleasing but not terribly representative of Chablis.

2009 Wind Gap Wines Pinot Noir Gap's Crown & Griffin's Lair (8/25/2013)
Again, it lacked a bit of Pinot Noir typicity, though it certainly
stayed far clear of the Syrah-wannabe style of CA Pinot. Quite enjoyable
in a New World sort of way.</li>

2007 Navarro Vineyards Pinot Noir "Méthode à l'Ancienne"(8/24/2013)
Ripe and round, it has a sheen from the oak treatment that it will
likely never shake. Pretty, but somewhat simple and a bit deficient in acid.

2008 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Tuffeaux (8/20/2013)
Oh, yeah. Had it tonight with some lightly smoked Coho salmon and it was
in a great place. Yes, apples and vivid acidity, but also an underlying
earthiness that makes for a very interesting wine. Demi-sec in sweetness
and fairly full-bodied.

Th-th-th-th-that's all folks!
Mark Lipton