Chateau Croix Mouton 2005

It's acting like winter so for a hearty winter time meal I decided to grab a Bordeaux. From my stockpile I pulled a bottle of Jean-Philippe Janoueix's Chateau Croix Mouton. This Bordeaux Superieur comes from the highly praised 2005 vintage so there were some pretty high expectations. I wasn't overwhelmed but did find it to be an enjoyable food-friendly wine. The wine was dark, almost inky in the glass. The nose was pleasant, big with blackberries, toasted oak, spice, and a hint of coffee. Medium/(+) bodied, the wine had good acid structure and still slightly grippy but not biting tannins that all comes together for a medium-length finish. Went quite well with the ribeye steak I selected for dinner.

I don't think the wine will gain much from aging, tannins might relax a bit over the next year but I would say it is mature now and should be fine through 2012.

Number of wines reviewed in 2011: 9

Curtis Viognier 2006

Even though it seems like ages since I have been there I've always had a warm spot in my heart for Curtis Winery, a boutique purveyor of Rhone-style wines in the Santa Ynez region, so tonight I was happy to find a bottle of their 2006 Viognier in my collection. The wine has held up well though it's probably cresting its peak now. The wine is clear and pretty in the glass, lemony-yellow and bright. The nose is still lovely with notes of honeysuckle, apricot, and a touch of citrus just as one expects. The wine in medium-bodied, somewhat round but still with a touch of zing of acid that helps deliver apricot, pear, and a touch of pineapple to the mouth and delivering a solid medium-length finish. It's a nice visit from an old friend.

Number of wines reviewed in 2011: 8

Brander 2006 Sauvignon Blanc 30th Anniversary Cuvée

I love Brander, the winery that turned me on to Sauvignon Blanc. To celebrate my love being home I decided to open a bottle of their special 30th anniversary cuvee. Light, bright yellow in the glass the nose is an excellent expression of Sauvignon Blanc with a lovely nose loaded with grassy notes, crisp apple, and a touch of lemon peel. This medium bodied wine has good acid structure and delivers lovely citrus with a touch of minerality that carries into a medium/(+) length finish. Peaking now this tasty wine will carry itself well through 2012.

Number of wines reviewed in 2011: 7