Jason and Dan: Thanks for the input.  Decisions, decisions.  For what it's worth, I bought a mixed case of Varner last year. I considered it (still do) a terrific deal at the $28-$31 per bottle I paid for them. But I have never thought while drinking one that I was enjoying a wine that would supplant the other "luxury" Chards we are talking about in this discussion.  Different strata altogether, for me anyway.

I agree.  It is in the Peay/L'Anglevin strata (you'll actually pay more on WineBid) not the Aubert, Kistler, Kongsgaard, Marcassin tier that I am trying so hard to avoid.  I have served Aubert, Peay and Varner to my francophile friends.  Varner was the only one that sparked any interest (too much oak for some). 

Tasted this morning before driving back down to L.A. All I can say is these were the best (well with the wines tasted at a Littorai tour/tasting) CA wines I tasted this whole long weekend in multiple wine regions. The Chard is their best yet ('07s are off to a great start too), a very high scoring wine for me (notes to come, but I have a big back log now), the Syrahs, were in the process of being bottled and we tasted all six clones that are blended into the Titans and the Burma, all great!! I can't wait to taste the final blends in bottle. The Pommarium was young but with great texture and flavors, another winner. The texture on all these wines, the deft use of oak and the amazing tannin management made some awesome wines, even more so when you factor in the price point. I will be tasting all the white Rhone varietal wines in March, so more notes to come. These are buys*!!!

I bought all but the Roussanne. Thanks for reporting back, jason.

That is funny LCC - I like the Rousanne better than the Viognier but bought both. To each their glorious own.

I bought all whites, I passed on the Pinot. Reading Jason's notes, I think I need to order more Chardonnay!

Just realize that it is the antithesis of Aubert, Kistler etc

The whites are all buys. Of course, so are the reds. But especially the whites. Especially the roussanne/marsanne. But also the reds. Hope this helps.

-Al

I bought my allocation because I knew Al was going to say that and confuse me.

I did, however, buy a lot more white than red (38 vs 4)

Oh I know that, believe me I do. That makes me happy!

There is never very much roussanne/marsanne and viognier because they don't have much planted. The allocations (actually, I think they are more like caps) are down this year, Andy is probably trying to spread the wealth to more customers. The chardonnay used to be in very short supply (less than a barrel one year) because they sold most of the fruit. Fortunately, they now keep most or all of the chard.

-Al

Jason, definitely appreciate the feedback on the Peay wines. It does not surprise me @ all. Love the people. Love their wines. Prices are still competitive. It just reconfirms it for me.

I think we talked about it earlier in this thread. I don't miss Kistler @ all. I am not saying their whites are better than Kister whites. I am not comparing 1 against another. I am just saying I will take the Peays these days (the last 2-3 years) over the Kistlers any day, & I have.

As the Peays get really big/popular, I hope they don't forget the little people (that bought the wines from day 1). :-) Just kidding, I am sure they won't.

...then again, we bought Kistler for 10 years starting 92-93 or something like that. And, they gave away our allocation in a matter of days. When we called a few times, they did not even bother to call back. :-)

I do remember it, Winetex, you liking the Rousanne variety. I really don't like it. I tried others as well. But, love a good Viog.

Thus, giving the SQN allocation away...

Better

All this discussion, and my tossing of the PM and B-C mailers made this a lot easier to justify. Went in for a white-only order.  May pick up some Pinot at retail if I feel I really need to fill that gap.