Over the course of a week, I taste a bunch of wine, usually with friends, and almost always with my wife. Here are some of the wines we tasted this last week that stood out:

2003 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon: Retail $30. I am a huge fan of Chenin Blanc from the Loire, especially when it has some age on it. 2003 was a tough year due to the heat, so I was a bit worried that this might be lacking in acidity. No need to worry. In fact, it is more lacking in fruit–a bit austere. But great Chenin flavors of melon and grapefruit. Very long finish. Outstanding.  89-91 Points.

2001 Domaine Chandon Étoile Rosé: Retail $35. I got a few of these a few years ago from the PLCB and pretty much forgot about them until the other day. It was a nice surprise, since I love the bubbles. This is one of the few bottles that I have ever seen that is closed with a crown cap (a beer bottle top). The wine inside was nice, but seemed a bit tired–lacking in both fruit and sparkle, but there was nice acidity still, which held up to Taco Night. Very Good. 86-88 Points.

2004 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir: Retail $50. We had friends over who just got back from the Sta Rita Hills, including a trip to Clos Pepe, so I thought this would be a fun bottle. Fun is an understatement. Great fruit (and a little heat) on the nose, but rich fruit on the palate and a very strong finish. Outstanding. 92-94 Points.

2000 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon Bosché Vineyard: Retail $45. I do not drink a lot of Cabernet, but we took this over to our friend’s house to have with steak. This really was in my wheelhouse–not big, not bombastic, but subtle and refined. Sure, ample fruit, but this seemed to be more old world than new. Outstanding. 91-93 Points.

NV Jean-Noël Haton Champagne Brut Classic: Retail $45. Another bottle this week–here is my note from last week: Our [second] bottle of this in a few months and this wine continues to show more character than the first few bottles. There is a pleasant creaminess that one looks for in champagne, but it lacks a bit of depth to render it more than an every day type of wine. Very Good. 88-90 Points.

2006 Morgan Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard: Retail $50. I went down in the cellar without having consulted Cellar Tracker first, which is usually a mistake since I grab a bottle that is not quite ready to drink–well maybe I should do that more often as this was no where close to a “mistake.” Luscious but tame fruit with integrated tannins and perfectly placed acidity. Outstanding. 91-93 Points.

2003 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cépages: Retail $30. From 375. A bit on the dark side and brooding, with a nose of blackberry and a hint of mocha. Rich on the palate with still tons of fruit. The touch of grip on the back end hints at some more aging potential. Outstanding. 90-92 Points.

NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut Rosé: Retail $12. I picked a few bottles of this up for $8.50/bottle and I have to say it is a very nice mid-week option when you just need a little sparkle. It will not blow your mind, but that is likely a good thing if you have to go to work the next day. Good. 84-86 Points.

WINE OF THE WEEK: We harvested quite a few bottles this week that we have had for a while and very happy with the results. The Savennières reminded me that I need to drink a lot more Chenin, but was a little lacking in fruit. I tweeted that the Morgan was “heavenly” and it was (and it would normally take Wine of the Week in a walk over). The Wine of the Week this go around is the 2004 Clos Pepe Pinot Noir, however. We opened it with friends who had recently been hosted by Wes Hagen at “the Clos” and swapping stories about Wes while drinking his wine made it all that more special.

What was your wine of the week?