Chalk Hill Estate Bottled Chalk Hill Appellation 2015 Chardonnay, $35.69-$44.99, 89 points, poured a straw yellow color clearing at the glass rim.
Crème brûlée, caramel, and Chardonnay grape-specific flavors dominated the near full-bodied white wine until the long finish nuanced with a 14.9% infused ginger and a slightly sour note relieved the intensity of the oak's influence.
Aromas were rather soft toast with a floral vibe.
I will give this wine no quarter for it being unabashedly too oaky for my acquired Chablis bias, and even pairing this Chardonnay with a spiced rotisserie chicken with all the Thanksgiving fixins couldn't tone-down the oak for me, but a bit better with barbecue spiced/smoked pulled-pork.
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Château Michel De Vert Grand Vin De Bordeaux Lussac Saint-Émilion 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $14.99-$17.99, 87 points, poured a bright rainbow of garnet red with a clear meniscus and light glass draping.
Aromatic sea breezes, toast, cedar, plum, and a floral vibe were quite good.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and manageable wooly tannins delivered black tea and plum flavors.
Finished dry on warm pepper spices, subtle red fruit, a hint of mint, and a slightly pronounced 13% alcohol.
Bordeaux Red Wine vintage 2014
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Chateau Hyot 2014 Casteillon Cotes de Bordeaux Red Wine, $15.99-$19.99, 89 points, poured an impregnable ruby red with shimmering black patches, garnet red penumbra, broad clear wine ring, and moderately heavy legs.
Aromatic bunch of flowers with roses and Lily of the valley accented by black cherry, recessive black fruits, and subtle cedar were excellent.
Near full-bodied with good acidity and firm enough fine grainy tannins failed to deliver much of the floral flavors, but plum, black currants, and black licorice were substantial.
Finished well on the trailing palate, mild pepper spices, furtive dried cardamom, and a spot-on 13% alcohol.
Varietals were 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Paired fine with my prosaic Australian grass-fed burgers on brioche buns.
Bordeaux Red Wine vintage 2014
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J. Moreau and Fil "Montmains" Premier Cru 2016 Chablis, $38.24-$44.99, 92 points, was a light brass color clearing at the glass rim.
The floral and citrusy aromas with and an almost imperceptible vanilla were excellent.
Strikingly light-bodied (cold) and crisp with bright acidity and minerality.
Grapefruit, tangerine, apricot, and clean stoniness flavors were deep and delicious.
Finishing flavors carried long and were reflective of the aromas with a building ginger, and a well-integrated 11% alcohol.
Paired nicely with my Skipjack tuna salad.
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CAPANNA 20006 Brunello Di Montalcino (D.O.C.G.) Revisited, $47.59-$55.99, 93 points, poured a deep ruby red transitioning to garnet red with a bright orange/red penumbra, clear wine ring, and heavy sticky legs.
Aromatic floral cherry fruit, black tea, and earth were excellent.
Medium bodied with bright acidity and a firm plank of tannin complemented the steely texture of this now twelve-year-old red wine.
Flavors righteously followed the aromas nuanced with oak and cinnamon.
Finished long and dry on the alcohol (15%) inspirited pepper spices with hints spearmint and pomegranate.
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Aizpurua Cosecha 2017 Hondarrabi Zuri (White) Wine (Getariako Txakolina, Spain), “Cha-ko-lee” $17.09-$18.99, 90 points, was a light gold color with green highlights.
The floral apple aroma nuanced with apricot was lovely.
Slightly more than light-bodied with mouthwatering acidity and displaying flavor layering of apples, honeysuckle, apricot while covering a foundation of lemon/lime.
Finished long, a bit woody accented by soft tangerine, ginger and wet stoniness with a trace of a mystery perfume and supported by the spot-on 11% alcohol.
Served as an aperitif.
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Shafer Napa Valley Relentless 2009 Syrah, $53.54-$62.99, (current price $89.99), 93 points, poured core black grading a rich purple/red at the broad clear wine ring and stained glass sheeting.
Amazing aromas of blackberry liqueur, violets, and cedar wafted profuse.
Full-bodied with good acidity and a firm underlayment of tannin bedded vibrant flavor reflections of the aromas.
Finished long on mulling and pepper spices accent with licorice, plum, and a potent, yet balanced 15.8% alcohol.
Varietals were 82% Syrah and 18% Petite Sirah.
Decant this wine.
Paired nicely with my spiced-rubbed Australian lamb rib chops.
Shafer, why it's a "go to" winery.
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