Busy day yesterday; visited by both Palm Bay and The Sorting Table.

Palm Bay:

• 2009 El Portillo Sauvignon Blanc: I still prefer Sauv Blanc from Chile, but this is cheap and cheerful enough.
• 2008 Santa Rita “Medalla Real” Chardonnay: Would please the California Chard crowd, but not sweet or flabby.
• 2009 El Portillo Malbec: Sometimes I think Argentina will become the next Australia if they are not careful.
• 2007 Santa Rita Reserve Merlot: I didn’t love it; I didn’t hate it.
• 2005 Condesa de Leganza: I’ve had Rioja 4 times the price that wasn’t any better than this. Then again, I am not a fan of Rioja. The wines are still too rustic for me.
• 2005 Fonseca Periquita: Speaking of rustic, this may be the poster child.
• 2009 Jean Luc Colombo Rosé: Textbook pink from the south of France: dry and austere.

The Sorting Table

•  2007 Domaine Bernard Moreau & Fils Bourgogne Blanc: Declassified Chassagne-Montrachet. Tastes like it. A tiny bit funky, but a very classy glass.
• 2008 Martinborough Vineyards Russian Jack Sauvignon Blanc: Lots of texture. Color me impressed.
• 2008 Martinborough Vineyards Russian Jack Pinot Noir: Very clean NZ Pinot. Starting to get on the bandwagon….
• 2006 Domaines de Triennes St. Auguste: You’d think a collaboration between Dujac and DRC would be a slam-dunk, but this was really rustic and chewy.
• 2007 Marchesi Fumanelli Valpolicella Classico: Too acidic and not enough fruit.
• 2007 Bacio Divino Pazzo Napa Vally: Dizzying, nauseating label. Dominated by oak. Kooky Sangiovese-based blend with 6% Viognier (!).