2006 Mas Belles Eaux Les Coteaux, Languedoc (France)
“This elegant, refined red from the south of France is filled with vibrant flavors of red berry, plum, sweet cherry and spice. Well-structured, with lots of bright raspberry and light cream notes on the finish. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre.” 91 Wine Spectator
“Vibrant and juicy with red cherry and blueberry playing well alongside notes of thyme and soft pepper spice. Medium weight in the mouth with soft grain tannins, solid acidity, and a finish that leaves a delicious raspberry syrup flavor lingering until the next sip.” 90 Wine Enthusiast
“This blend of 70 percent syrah with grenache and mourvèdre is chewy with savory fruit, laden with rocky minerality, almost steak-like in its meaty flavor. Give it some air to bring up the pretty red raspberry center, and serve it with lamb chops.” 90 Wine & Spirits
“Utilizing the new “Languedoc” appellation, Mas Belles Eaux’s 2006 Languedoc mingles Syrah with 20% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre, aged in various ages of barrique. This offers a lovely though restrained nose of sandalwood, cassis, black raspberry, smoked meats, and herbal scrub. In the mouth, the black fruits offer a deep but not at all superficially sweet richness, with palate-staining resinous herbal, subtly bitter fruit skin, saline, and positively stony notes that carry into a long finish. This is a serious – some might even say “somber” – wine, and I expect it will perform well and evolve interestingly over at least the next 3-4 years. It will be exciting to taste what Belles Eaux (which I have yet to visit) renders in the potentially outstanding 2007 vintage.” 90 Wine Advocate
2007 Cedro do Noval, Vinho Regional Duriense (Portugal)
“Very pure tasting, with elegant red cherry, plum and smoked meat flavors. Raspberry, olive and savory herb notes fill the chiseled finish. Shows real pedigree with fine tannins and plenty of power.” 92 Wine Spectator
“A blend of 30% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 30% Syrah and 10% Tinta Roriz. Sweet black cherry fruit with an almost port-like sweetness, though the fruit is much lighter. Very soft (apparently the influence of Douro-grown Syrah) with a touch of vanilla on the finish. Easy, gentle. Though I think this may have seemed softer than it is, coming not long after I had tasted the LBVs.” 16/20 Jancis Robinson
2010 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin (New Zealand)
“Offers a wonderful mix of pineapple, citrus and passion fruit notes that are ripe, fragrant and terrifically refreshing. A beam of acidity keeps the focus and persistence of the flavors, showing hints of mineral and white pepper as well.” Rated 90 Wine Spectator
2008 Chalone Monterey Chardonnay (California)
In our 2008 Chardonnay, bright, fruit-focused flavors keep cadence with sweet essence of oak. Baked pear, Braeburn apple and sweet tangerine are accented by wafts of floral and nutmeg. Across the palate, the flavors are joined by juicy stone fruit and guava, developing creaminess through the middle. Well-balanced, the fruit remains bright and crisp, complemented by just enough oak to lend structure and complexity. This wine’s versatility makes it pleasant for sipping as well as a perfect complement to sautéed scallops or stuffed chicken breast. chalonevineyard.com