Some really belated Thanksgiving notes...

Yikes! I just saw these languishing in a note on my iPhone. Perhaps they will be of use to those of you who enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner (turkey, dressing, cranberries, etc., etc.) at Christmas, too:

2010 Esperto Pinot Grigio, IGT Venezie - Pretty nose of wet stone and red apples. Rich and full-bodied with a rocky, mineral-driven palate. Might be a bit one dimensional with the rocky stuff, but I kind of dig it. Really dry with good acidity.

2009 Garnet Pinot Noir, Monterrey - Distinctive for its unusual complexity for a Pinot Noir in this price range. Sweet cranberry and raspberry nose seamlessly moves into meaty/salami notes with a touch of sweet herb. Almost Rhone-like with the fruit profile, meat and spice notes. The fruit on the palate is a bit tart, but there's good acidity in there. A nice, food friendly style. $15

2009 Sean Minor Pinot Noir, Carneros - What more can I say about this wine? Still my favorite Pinot value with its effusive black cherry, vanilla and thyme notes. Medium bodied with nice tannins. Quite dry. A steal at $15

2009 Block Nine Caidens Vineyards Pinot Noir, California - Lightest color of the three Pinot Noirs. Dried bay leaf notes on the nose. Doesn't seem nearly as fruity as previous bottles. Dry cocoa and woody flavors on the palate. I need to try this again and see if this was just a bad bottle. A normally reliable $12

2010 Schug Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma Coast - This is another wine that seemed really atypical from previous enjoyable bottles. Very herbaceous compared to previous bottles with vegetal/tomato leaf and tart grapefruit aromas and flavors. Bright acidity, but a bit too New Zealand for my tastes. Where's the sweet California fruit and the floral Sauvignon Musque nose?

2008 Andrew Will Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley - This was a popular wine after dinner, but it isn't my cup of tea at all. Heavy American oak/coconut nose. Toasty, tart blackberry fruit on the palate eventually gives way to resurgent American oak. Dry cocoa finish. Monolithic. Seems quite formulaic to me. $15