With this we drank two different Inflorescence Brut Blanc de Noirs , the 2008 and 2009. preferred the 2008 with its rich, resonant fruit and complex depth, its baseline of minerality. The 09 might be more of a wine to drink young, and the 2008 seems to be a great candidate for the cellar. It retails for about $85. MORE >>

They also produce a barrel fermented Chardonnay and a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon named after the winery's founder, Don Melchor. It's been a few years since I tasted Carmenere. If I remember right, it was a take it or leave it, nothing special, too many other fine wines, don't shop for wine. The first was disappointing. MORE >>

It is a new release called La Bout du Clos, a wine made entirely from that same vineyard in Ambonnay, from the 2004 vintage. This bottle comes entirely from 2008 and is a blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Well, of the last few months anyway. I'm telling you, the idea that Fino wines cannot age is simply wrong. MORE >>

2008 Grosset Wines Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley. 2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River. 2006 Petaluma Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills. 2004 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra. 2004 Mt Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz, Grampians. Chardonnay (4A). MORE >>

Then we drank the 2008 Domaine Gauby Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Les Calcinaires , $27, imported by Weygandt Metzler. It's a white wine from somewhere in the Roussillon; 50% Muscat, 30% Chardonnay, and 20% Macabeu, for you Macabeu fans and I know you're out there. Two friends came over for dinner the other night. And I loved it. MORE >>