A gorgeous dame

 2019 La Dame de Montrose

Chateau Montrose's second label. A relative bargain and to my experience, always delivers. Without its telltale streak of minerality that would lead one to the Old World, it's got ripeness and plush fruit that may confuse you if tasting blind.

The nose is rich with black currant, blackberry, black cherry and plum aromas with elemental notes of iron and graphite. Earthy notes of pipe tobacco, blackcurrant and bay leaf are lifted toward the back with lighter zips of raspberry coulis. 

It has a full, rich texture and ripeness to indicate a warmer season in Bordeaux. There is an underlying savory quality to the fruit which spans the spectrum from red to blue to black. Flavors of plum, cassis, acai, blueberry compote and black cherry are supplemented by a bay leaf savoriness and a floral component nearing dried petals. The pipe tobacco is present in the flavor, as is a gravelly, stone minerality. 

It's richly layered, complex and very flavorful. It lingers nicely on the palate for some time and even more subtle complexities arise. Well worth seeking out and even more worthy of some extra time in the cellar.

The basics of the ABCs

 Au Bon Climat- A long respected and style-consistent brand, crafted by the late Jim Clendenen and based in Santa Barbara. Whenever I see that triangle, I know there is quality juice inside.

2019 Au Bon Climat Los Alamos Vineyard Santa Barbara County Chardonnay (Historic Vineyards Collection)

A gentle yet present oak toast provides baking spice and vanilla to the fruit giving impressions of apple and pear galette along with toasted pineapple aromas. 

It gives flavors of baked apple and pear, honey, tangerine, ripe peach and toasted pineapple. There are accents of warm spices and vanilla with a creme brulee richness all balanced by bright acidity.

It's rich in flavor without being dense or heavy, ripe and juicy without being flabby and relies on great fruit in balance without being high in alcohol (13.5%). Delicious wine, gorgeous and layered with lovely vibrancy. 

2018 Baxter Run Dog Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

 Red delicious apple greets the nose and that apple skin leads into allspice, red berry and plum fruit. There is an underlying savory, sanguine edge to the aromas. 

The palate has flavors of pomegranate, red and black plum and acai accented by clove and nutmeg. There is nice structure here with good tension between the acid and tannin backbone; all is in balance. It has a savory undercurrent with blood orange and tangerine pith, finishing on Luxardo cherries. 

4 barrels were made and I acquired this at the tasting room in Anderson Valley, so unsure of its accessibility at this point in time. It may well be sold out, but I submit that future vintages are worth seeking out. 

2020 Littorai Charles Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

 This tends to be my personal favorite of the Chards I have tasted from Littorai and is the first one I gravitate toward when I get the allocation notice. 

There is a beautiful purity of fruit on the nose with aromas of green skinned apples, pears with hints of white peach and slight suggestions of pineapple. There is a greenness present that adds a pleasant, fresh meadow-like layer ending on citrus pith. 

It's lively on the palate with a lithe texture lifted by acidity. It shows restraint and real elegance with ripeness in its fruit, yet isn't showy or overt. A streak of minerality frames delicate orchard fruits that match the aromas of apple and pear with flecks of tangerine, slivers of almond and the slightest suggestion of fresh cream. There is real freshness and verve to the wine and it finishes clean with great acidity throughout.