Had a great meal on Sunday with some good friends and drank through some noteworthy bottles.

‘95 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - I’ve had this wine many times and it has always come across as relatively tight and compact on the palate, leading me to believe it needs more cellar time… not this bottle.  While it blossomed after a short time in the glass, it faded over the evening and lacked the backend structure to really age.  My previous notes on this wine are pretty consistent so I’m not going to jump to any big conclusions based off one bottle… but I plan on checking back in on this relatively soon. (91? pts.)

2004 Arcadian Syrah Hommage à Max - Count me as a fan.  This bottle was rocking with great aromatics of spiced blackberries, leather, garrigue, meat and spice cabinet notes.  The palate was medium to full bodied with a deft, light texture framing rich, down right sweet fruit.  The table was split with one person calling it a Cote Rotie… and another saying it was aussie like.  To me, it’s a blend of the complex aromatics only Northern Rhone Syrah can deliver and the fruit and richness you get from California wines.  Loved it.  (94 pts.)

2006 Williams Selyem Gewürztraminer Late Harvest Saralee’s Vineyard - Wow.  Glorious stuff and would stand up to just about any dessert wine out there.  Fresh, vibrant and decadent, the wine is filled with aromas and flavors of apricots, tropical fruits, flowers and creme brulee.  Full bodied with tons of sweetness that’s buffered by riveting acidity,  this just about had me considering licking the last drops out of the bottle. (95 pts.)

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