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Tasting Notes Blog - Printer-Friendly Version
- January, 2010
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Wednesday, January 27, 2010 WT012710-01. 09 VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC - (NEW ZEALAND) Nice and exuberant fruit tang of sauvignon. Yes, and also solid, big, bombastic. Lemon, ginger ale, spice, capsicum. This rocks again and again!/ On the palate, the size, weight, power, and largesse serve this wine well. Rich citrus and soft tropical fruits. Bright, fresh, zesty gooseberry foil. For the table, and not with delicate fare. 16.6. WT012710-02. 09 BODEGA LURTON VALLE DE UCO PINOT GRIS - (ARGENTINA) Oh, boy! Both fresh and rich. Zesty citrus and lush cream and nut. Apple too. Amiable, forward. It lives to serve./ Yes, apple-citrus raciness plus smooth creaminess. That ideal ying-yang of pinot gris outside Alsace. Zesty acidity. One of the best vintages of this. Supplies a lot of entertainment. Well liked by the group. 16.4. WT012710-03. 08 VENETO PINOT GRIGIO, VILLA PUCCINI - (ITALY) Rather delicate, but right. Apple and citrus, and quite a bit of melon for pinot grigio./ Good, taut focus and nice stony base. 15.0. WT012710-04. 08 PETIT CHABLIS, ALAIN PAUTRE - (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Wow! Crisp 08 style, plus good volume and extract. Admirably flinty./ Solidly built. Bright and crisp. Ideal Petit Chablis. Good grip and acidity, plus a sweet spot in the center. Yes, perfect for the genre. 16.9. WT012710-05. 09 GOATS DO ROAM WESTERN CAPE WHITE - (SOUTH AFRICA) 54% viognier, 40% grenache blanc, 6% roussanne. 14% alcohol. A good combo of the varietals. It has viognier flowers and roussanne lemon cake frosting. Good viognier cut. The grenache filler nicely tempers the viognier floweriness./ Mild acidity, but viognier astringency and grenache power fill in to give form and equilibrium. Fine grip and texture. This will be great
with many foods. Best Goats white ever. Well liked by the group. 16.2. WT012710-06. 08 EST!EST!!EST!!! DI MONTEFIASCONE, FALESCO - (ITALY) Light and tight, as it should be. Straw, nuts, marzipan./ More open and expressive on the palate. Dried fruit, straw, and almond. 15.2. WT012710-07. 08 CONO SUR VALLE CENTRAL PINOT NOIR - (CHILE) Wow! Vivid black cherry, with violets and tea. Attractive form of reduction that this often shows./ Sweet and sassy cherry and raspberry. Dab of pitch. A spicy pinot with plenty of zesty varietal character. 16.2. WT012710-08. 04 CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA, QUERCETO - (ITALY) Oh, boy! So dark fruited compared to the 03. Deep, dried black fruits, anise, cedar, peels. Full, warm, lush, and savory./ Yes, spicy dried fruits, black and vigorous. Great 04 acidity. A lot of heft and depth. This will age famously. 16.8+. WT012710-09. 07 TUNNEL OF ELMS CALIFORNIA MERLOT - (U.S.) The tunnel of elms is in Napa Valley; the wine smells like to comes from Lodi. And it’s a right proper Lodi red, with plenty of sweet and wholesome 07 fruit qualities./ Well, this is even brighter and cooler on the palate. Some coastal fruit moves into the background. Great acidity. Touch of wood spice and vanillin. I love the palate, both from flavor and texture standpoints.
And the value! 15.7. WT012710-10. 07 CASTILLA TEMPRANILLO ROBLE, ERCAVIO - (SPAIN) Bright and rich red and black fruits. A sweet berry, cola, and vanilla center. Plenty of race too./ Central, high altitude Spanish red that rides the line between northern tempranillo race and southern richness. Good juiciness. The roble is nicely fitted in, showing subtle vanilla and no blatant woodiness.. 16.1+. WT012710-11. 08 DONA PAULA ESTATE MENDOZA MALBEC - (ARGENTINA) A big boy, rich and deep. Barrel-aged complexities without open woodiness./ A big burst of 08 fruit goodness greets the palate. With sweet and spicy oak seasonings. Chocolate; panettone. Grand scaled and 08 sweet and useful already. 16.7+. WT012710-12. 07 DOURO ALTANO, SYMINGTON - (PORTUGAL) 70% roriz, 30% franca. Reduced on opening like many a previous vintage. Shake and bake./ Again, tight, even hermetic. Needs a good thrashing. I tried, but got little relief in reduction after vigorous shaking. The next day it was still dark and mean, but more revealing. Tar, brett, cacao, and vanilla. These always work out, so air and age. 15.5++. WT012710-13. 06 PIC SAINT LOUP - COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC VIEILLES VIGNES, CHATEAU DE LANCYRE - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) 65% syrah, 35% grenache. Oh, sweet and balanced and large! Lots of savory warmth and lush fruit. Plum, blackberry, and toast. Right./ Yes, great acidity, size, extract. Plum and garrigue. Game and licorice. Very young still. Not as giving on the palate as the previous two vintages at about the same age. No problem.
Will improve 3-5 years in the cellar. 16.5++. WT012710-14. ESPANA SANGRIA, ED HARDY - (FRUIT) Sharp in bitter orange and peel aromas. Lillet blanc like./ Friendly, forward, perfumed, refreshing. Sweet and light (5.5%). Needs some Spanish brandy to bulk it up. 15.3+ (the + is for the brandy).
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 WT012010-01. 08 CALERA CENTRAL COAST CHARDONNAY - (U.S.) Rich and fresh on the approach. Just the right kiss of oak and barrel-fermented patina. Dense but shy. Tighter than the 05, 06, 07. That’s OK for 08 in youth./ Rich and creamy; popular style. Nicely balanced oak spices. Attractive toast and caramel touches. Liked by the group. 16.0+. WT012010-02. 08 BEAULIEU VINEYARD CARNEROS CHARDONNAY - (U.S.) Tight and right Carneros citrus chardonnay. Some apple, quince, and mint too. And well managed oak. Well crafted./ Sweet and satiny fruit. Elegance and vitality. Good depth. Needs a few more months for full oak-fruit integration. 15.3+. WT012010-03. 06 BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR EMOTION DE TERROIR, VINCENT GIRARDIN - (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Very dark pinot fruit. Cote de Nuits style of pinot. Lots of licorice and spice./ Nice, sweet black cherry cough drop flavor. Some oak complications. Still 06 tight. It will mellow out with bottle age. And prove versatile with food. The Euro palates enjoyed it especially. 15.9+. WT012010-04. 08 TOSCANA DOGAJOLO, CARPINETO - (ITALY) 80% sangiovese, 20% cabernet sauvignon. Fresh and primary. Licorice galore. That’s part of the 08 dark-colored aromatic set./ Still hard and rather harsh. This is the most backward young Dogajolo I’ve tasted. Usually, this is a wine of joy. The 08 still wears a frown on its face. Keep. 14.0++. WT012010-05. 06 LANGHE ANNA, BOROLI - (ITALY) 41% nebbiolo, 32% barbera, 27% merlot. Now here’s that Italianate nose. Plum, tobacco, clove, and blackberry. This is lovely./ Good depth and weight in support of the ripe fruit and oak toastiness. And with a little more time it should be a treat. Right now it needs food to assuage the youthfully rugged texture. 16.0+. WT012010-06. 06 CHATEAU RECOUGNE, BORDEAUX SUPERIEUR - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Sweet and ripe enough fruit for 06. Some green cherry too./ Again, the green cherry strain, and, again, the adequate richness. Black fruit, bell pepper, black pepper, soda cracker. Stylish and cohesive. Will improve. Liked by the group 15.5+. WT012010-07. 06 CAHORS HERITAGE, CHATEAU DE CEDRE - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Dense, burnished fruits with meaty aspects and rich reserve. Plum, blackberry, licorice, tobacco, tar. The usual oakiness to this cuvee, well integrated./ The palate is even more giving than the nose. And it’s very stylish–unusually charming for Cahors. This has real substance and build for 06. I’ll bet time in cooperage has helped to fill it out. Good
future; better in 2-3 years. Best 06 Cahors we’ve tasted? Very popular with the group. 16.2+. WT012010-08. 07 DON RODOLFO VINA CORNEJO COSTAS CAFAYATE MALBEC - (ARGENTINA) Culture shock here. Not only New World versus Old World, but also northern, warm climate Cafayate malbec. That’s what I look for in Don Rodolfo. Heaps of licorice, plus bitter chocolate and coffee grounds./ Dark and husky. Sweet, ripe, and strong–as it should be. And these elements harmonize. And, there’s good acidity. The complete Don Rod malbec.
16.3. WT012010-09. 07 TERRAS DO SADO AZEITAO, JOAO PIRES - (PORTUGAL) 60% castelao, 20% each aragonez, syrah. Castelao is our old buddy periquita. Aragonez is tempranillo. Wow! Fresh, crisp, upbeat. That Lisbon-area tinta blackness, vigor, and cool demeanor. Effusive black fruits. Plum, currant, and tobacco. Really intense for the price./ Yes, the fine race and verve. Coupled with a ripe year’s sweet, dark, spicy fruit and peels.
Lots of minerals on the aftertaste. Good value for sure. 16.2+. WT012010-10. 07 COTES DU RHONE TRES VIEILLES VIGNES, COMTE LOUIS DE CLERMONT - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Alain Corcia selection. Clermont’s at Savigny les Beaune. Almost raisiny-ripe. Fat and juicy. Large and insistent. Villages weight./ Dark fruit, grilled herbs, anise, and sage. Port-like power and thickness. Old World style. Liked by the group. 16.0+. WT012010-11. 07 CAIRANNE - COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES CUVEE MAXIMILIEN, DOMAINE LES GRANDS BOIS - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Yes! Sweet, up front fruit of 07 candied-fruit richness. Raisiny ripeness. Dark and solid, with meaty undertones. Aeration brings elegance and give./ Ripe and exotic wild fruits. Smoked, herbed meat. 07 plumpness and polish. Fine acidity and tannins assure a tremendous future. 17.0+. WT012010-12. 07 RASTEAU VIEILLES VIGNES. DOMAINE GRAND NICOLET - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Back label reads ‘80% grenache from 70 year old vines, 20% syrah from 50 year old vines. Average age of vines: 45 years.’ HUH?! 15% alcohol. Rich and fully packed with fruit material and reserve Fully concentrated, powerful, and penetrating. This is real Rasteau rouge./ Yes, full and sweet and fresh and rich, and not a bit overripe.
Smoked and spiced meats, licorice. Runs deep. Wears its power well. WONDERFUL! This stands the heat and stays in the kitchen! Follow it over the next three years. 17.1+. WT012010-13. 07 BOGLE OLD VINE CALIFORNIA ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) 14.5%. Sweet Lodi stuff. Proper wine of place. Oak and vanilla galore./ Dark berries, cola, vanilla. Expressive Lodi style of zin. 15.4. WT012010-14. 07 CASTLE ROCK DRY CREEK VALLEY ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) 15.5%. Good, dry, heady DCV approach. Dried fruits, raspberry, licorice, oak, spice./ Fun and forward. Serve it with beef stew. 15.6. WT012010-15. 08 SNOQUALMIE WINEMAKER’S SELECT COLUMBIA VALLEY RIESLING - (U.S.) Well, welcome moderation, sweetness, and elegance after a set of slammer reds. Pear and apple scents./ Crisp, with riesling peach, cedar, and spice. The sweetness and acidity are well balanced. Easy drinkin’. 15.9.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 WT011310-01. 09 VENEZIE PINOT GRIGIO, GONDOLIER - (ITALY) Good and full and waxy. Plenty fresh–of course./ Flavorful. Preserved lemon. Oak adds caramel, butterscotch. Good, juicy acidity. Well crafted. Lots to give. 15.9. WT011310-02. 08 CHATEAU RAUZAN DESPAGNE, BORDEAUX BLANC - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Semillon, sauvignon, and muscadelle. Shows all three. Semillon lushness, sauvignon lemon-lime and cat raciness, muscadelle botanicals. Fresh./ Whoa! Very racy, juicy, extreme. Minerals too. Feels and flavors confirm the varietal set. The varietals offer harmony as well as complexity. This has long been a good source. A fine example of Bordeaux blanc.
Wine Enthusiast 90. Deserves it. 16.5. WT011310-03. 06 VENEZIE PINOT NOIR, GONDOLIER - (ITALY) Good pinot cherry fruit. Cherry candy. Floral overtones. Suggestion of oak?/ Yes, real pinot with good, ripe fruit for the region as well as the region’s fine acidity. Blueberry aspect of cool climate pinot. Juicy, mouthwatering. Begs for food. 16.2. WT011310-04. 08 OC PINOT NOIR, ESCALE - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Sweet and real pinot cherry fruit. Fresh and ripe. Not one of your sullen Oc pinots. Admirable in 08./ Rich and ripe pinot fruit with juicy acidity too. Inviting southern warmth and substance. Yes! 16.3. WT011310-05. 08 OC CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MISSION SUD - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Fresh and crisp blackberry cabernet character. Good juiciness. Not a mean cabernet like many an Oc. Again, admirable in cool 08./ Yes, this is juicy. Chewy, peppery, ripe, and dark fruited. Good cabernet grip. 15.8. WT011310-06. 07 VILANDES MENDOZA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (ARGENTINA) Well, the move to New World is shockingly clear. This is sweeter fruited for sure. Bright black plum and boysenberry scents./ Cabernet dark fruited. Nice and lively, juicy fruit acidity. This is headier than the French cabernet. Rich and generous for the price. 15.7. WT011310-07. 07 VILANDES MENDOZA MALBEC - (ARGENTINA) Sweet malbec cherry fruit. But not sloppy sweet. Good 07 form./ Cohesive bond of fruit basis and oak seasonings.. Another good value. 15.4. WT011310-08. 07 CAHORS, CHATEAU CROIX DU MAYNE - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) 85% malbec, 15% merlot. Barrel aged. The full, animated Cahors malbec display: black cherry, licorice, tar. Solid, dense black fruits and berries, well extracted. Hint of wood char./ Chewy, tarry, well extracted. Especially for 07. Grip and material. Big. Young. Loaded. As in the case of another recent 07 Cahors, this emulates the success of the Med vintage
rather than the shortcomings of Bordeaux’s. There are some older vintages still available too, including 2005. 16.5+. WT011310-09. 07 COTES DU RHONE, CHEVALIER D’ANTHELME - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) 60% grenache, 30% syrah, 5% each carignan and mourvedre. The producer is in the Gard. Traditional grenache strawberry, licorice, and spices. Some syrah raspberry and seed, carignan black cherry, and mourvedre purple berries. Shows Gard coolness. And 07's buxom nature./ Yes, this is Gard styled. Reminds me of the Chapoton Cotes du Rhones we used
to import.. Nice garrigue and spice display as well as varietal melange. Gard Cotes du Rhone, and right. 16.1+. WT011310-10. 07 COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC MOULIN DE VISSANDRE, DOMAINE DE FABREQUES - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) 50% carignan. Nose showing some cool, bulb-flower notes of reduction./ Yes, black fruited and reduced. Notes of black pepper and tobacco. Dry, with good acidity for 07. Juicy. Well built too. Just needs time to pull out of its hermetic state. 15.8+. WT011310-11. 07 COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC LE DOMAINE, DOMAINE DE FABREQUES - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) 70% grenache, 30% carignan. Elegant. Lots of flair and race. Black raspberry, licorice, cigar box./ Oh, so rich and racy, sweet and heady! Comes on like gang-busters. That fabulous sweet fruit of 07. Earns its Wine Spectator 90. 16.6+. WT011310-12. 05 COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC, LES VERRIERES DE MONTAGNAC - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Very spicy red fruit. Rich and traditional. Sweet garrigue aromas./ Yes, sweet and buxom. Good power too. And balance. Gives and gives. 16.5+. WT011310-13. 06 COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC CLOS DES SOUTYERES, LES VERRIERES DE MONTAGNAC - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) 70% syrah, 20% grenache, 10% carignan.. Sweet fruit, especially for 06. With fine oak extras: vanilla, chocolate, brown spices. Oh, this is grand and complex!/ Wow! This is large scaled, spicy, and complex indeed. Also juicy, energetic, and chewy. Delivers big-time. No wonder it got a Wine Spectator 92. 17.1+. WT011310-14. 04 COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC CLOS DES SOUTYERES, LES VERRIERES DE MONTAGNAC - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) 70% syrah, 20% grenache, 10% carignan. Bold and powerful. Clearly barrel aged. The complex of oak seasonings and time-in-oak transformation. 04 black and cool fruit. Licorice./ Wow! Sweet and powerful for 04. Lots of licorice. Rangy, racy, dynamic. Long finish. Wine Spectator 91, and worth it. 16.9+. WT011310-15. 08 VALDEPENAS TEMPRANILLO VINEL, CASTRO - (SPAIN) Warm, southern tempranillo. In the south, tempranillo is also called cenicero, a town in Rioja and also a word for ashtray. And this wine really does smell like an ash-laden ashtray! Which I kinda like./ Sweet and southern. To Rioja tempranillo as Oc cabernet is to Bordeaux. Easy drinkin’. 14.8. WT011310-16. 06 VALDEPENAS SYRAH RESERVE VINEL, CASTRO - (SPAIN) Sweet southern syrah fruit. This has more power and substance. Kiss of oak?/ Well, even though it’s sweet and southern, there’s definitely that black raspberry sort of cool climate syrah fruit. And peppered meat. Kudos for these. This is easy and fruity. And the prices are nice. 15.5. WT011310-17. 06 MONTSANT SELECCION, ETIM - (SPAIN) 60% grenache, 30% syrah, 10% carignan. 14% alcohol–pretty heady for high Montsant. Wow! This has the class and impact of a top Priorat! Oh, my gosh! Flair and nobility!./ Yes! Fine balance of fruit sweetness and high altitude acidity. Broad spectrum of flavors. I don’t get any overt oakiness. It certainly doesn’t need any oak to add to its already complex array of aromatics
and textural interests. Deserves its Parker 91 rating. 17.1+. WT011310-18. 08 TEUSNER THE RIEBKE NORTHERN BAROSSA SHIRAZ - (AUSTRALIA) From the Ebenezer district. Ripe, large, very spicy. Chocolate cake, Dr. Pepper. Most accomplished for its young age. Not over the top, but certainly the ripest wine of the set to this point./ Oh, boy! What a wonderfully sweet fruit perfume in the mouth complemented by exotic, scented woods such as sandalwood. So large, sweet, powerful. The real Barossa
deal. Well balanced too. 16.7+. WT011310-19. 03 TEUSNER AVATAR BAROSSA RED - (AUSTRALIA) 60% grenache, 20% each mataro and shiraz. Wow! Large, ripe, and spicy for 03. That’s grenache talking. Has developed some softness with aging but still has a fresh aromatic demeanor. Fabulous./ Ripe and fat. Ripe strawberry grenache. Most generous. 16.5. WT011310-20. 08 RHEINHESSEN RIESLING, DR. REEZLING - (GERMANY) The producer is in Bingen, in the northwest corner of Rheinhessen. We haven’t had a wine from this area in quite some time. Crisp, scented, lots of flair. Shows northwest Hessia character that’s more akin to a Nahe than a southern Rheinhessen wine. This is not as sweet and peachy. Crisper, more citrusy./ Yes, 08 freshness and crispness. Juicy acidity balanced
by Kabinett level residual sweetness. Long aftertaste. 16.2.
"Wednesday", January 7, 2010 WT010710-01. 09 SAN PEDRO 35 SOUTH RESERVE VALLE CENTRAL SAUVIGNON BLANC - (CHILE) Both fresh and full. Grass, grapefruit, cat, capsicum. Some peels grip. Tickles the nostrils./ Rich fruit, with good acid to balance. I like the overall textural interplay and balance. Would be pleased to take this to the table. It has body and refreshing qualities both. 16.2. WT010710-02. 09 SHERWOOD MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC - (NEW ZEALAND) Ripe and full. Citrus, peach, spice, bitter herbs. Inviting. Tremendous, actually./ Yowsa, one of the best 09 NZ sauvignons yet. The 08 was a top contender too. Tight-knit and racy. Full-bodied, complex. Shows intensity and panache. 16.5. WT010710-03. 08 MACON VILLAGES CHARDONNAY, LOUIS JADOT - (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Firm and compact to start, it gets bigger, livelier, and more enticing with aeration. Apple, and touches of toast and butterscotch from the oak./ Some terroir, and a sensibly light measure of oak. Really quite a meaty Macon suggestive of Chalon instead. Shows both allure and finesse. Intriguing wine that is sure to have a future worth following.
Liked by the group. 16.0+. WT010710-04. 08 SHERWOOD MARLBOROUGH PINOT NOIR - (NEW ZEALAND) Fresh and cool and sweet, fragrant cherry fruit. A fine NZ pinot noir of regional character, charm, and good ripeness.. Strawberry, cherry, tea, peels, tar, all./ Both rich and bright. Touch of oak gives brown sugar and spices. Say, I liked the 08 NZ sauvignons so much, and now the 08 pinots coming on stream seem to be carrying the torch of vintage quality.
This is just fabulous. Eyes closed, I’m drinking burgundy. At or near the top of everyone’s list this evening. 17.0. WT010710-05. 06 ROSSO DI MONTEPULCIANO, LUNADORO - (ITALY) Dense, intense, firm, tarry. Some oak here? There’s that spiciness. Very big and broad beamed for a Montepulciano prugnolo gentile. Rich, suave berry base. Blackberry, raspberry, tobacco. Glints of dried flowers./ The tar, the fruit concentration, plus some leather. 06 form and build. Some meat fat. Ample wine. Will certainly improve in bottle. 16.3+. WT010710-06. 06 MASSAYA CLASSIC BEKAA VALLEY RED - (LEBANON) 60% cinsault, 20% each cabernet sauvignon and syrah. And 15% alcohol! Gorgeous freshness. Giant fruit complex. Both sweet and cool./ Yow! Racy oak spices. Great acid. Full power revealed at the back of the palate, emulating a fortified wine. And likewise blanketed with sweet stuff. A unique and magical wine. I went back for it time after time the rest of the
evening while watching the BCS final. A veritable Crimson Tide of flavors and textures. Well liked by the group. 17.0. WT010710-07. 07 EDGE NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (U.S.) Fresh, classy blackberry cabernet fruit. Some oak lends a nice spiciness, well integrated. Yes, the fine fruit quality of 07. Rich and burnished. Bold for Napa, but not without Napa elegance, composure. Show wine. Really something for a negociant brand. Made by Regusci from the fruit of prime-time Napa Valley players./ Full of both oak and fine 07 fruit qualities.
Shows Napa class, style. Upscale for the price. Good acid-sweet balance. Well structured. Yes, a bold wine. Needs charred meat. Well liked by the group. 16.4+. WT010710-08. 08 COTES DU VENTOUX, LE VIEILLE FERME - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Grenache, syrah, cinsault. Fresh and cool 08 styling, with exceptional ripeness for the vintage. Lots of red berry fruit, spices, and meatiness. Shades of mincemeat./ Fresh berry taste. Whole bunch fermentation airs. A very nice effort in 08. Well liked by the group. For value too. 15.8+. WT010710-09. 07 HAUTERIVE SYRAH, DOMAINE LA BASTIDE - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Cool, fresh, and pretty. Both floral and meaty syrah facets. Some garrigue and tobacco./ Attractive and fresh syrah raspberry flavor. Good acidity gives energy. Active and attractive face of syrah. Liked by the group. 15.6+. WT010710-10. 07 OC GRENACHE-SYRAH PEGOVINO, FERAUD - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Rich and right. Sweet, warm, and spicy Pegau style. Black cherry, raspberry, cassis./ Tart red berries and some garrigue. A good and ripe and well fulfilled 07. A fresh raspberry aftertaste lifts it all up. Already useful at the table. Liked by the group. 15.5. WT010710-11. 08 VAUCLUSE LE PIGEOULET EN PROVENCE, BRUNIER - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) 80% grenache, 10% syrah, 5% each cinsault and carignan. Tight, austere, and tart 08 nose to start. Some sweet fruit coming up in the background as it airs. With more aeration, the fruit comes on in waves./ Sturdy black and red fruits. Hints of clove and other brown spices. Some nice garrigue notes here speaking of cool vintage southern
Rhone and Brunier talent. Liked by the group. 15.4+. WT010710-12. 08 COTES DU RHONE, CHATEAU DE SEGRIES - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) A bit of shock going directly from the well mellowed, three year old 06 to this young, taut 08. Dark and fragrant red berries and currants of a cool vintage./ Ah, but there’s more fruit forgiveness on the palate; finesse too. An intimate wine of rich potential. Berries and garrigue. Beef stock. Very much in form with earlier wines from this source.
Balanced, well formed, well textured. I’d like to see it again in 4-6 months. Liked by the group. 16.0+. WT010710-13. 08 COTES DU ROUSSILLON VILLAGES LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT, M. CHAPOUTIER - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Grenache, syrah, carignan. Fresh, cool, lifted 08 style. Fulfilled. Rich and polished, dense and smoky, sweet black fruits..Another example of 08 Med wines getting better as you move west./ Oh, yes! So fresh and lifted. Rich, bright, forward Med black fruits. Full of garrigue. Fine texture. A super Med 08 with a
great future. No wonder this was Wine Spectator Top 100. Chapoutier knows the south as well as the north. 16.4+. WT010710-14. 07 DAO, QUINTA DOS GRILOS - (PORTUGAL) Deep and meaty, with mineral lacings revealing its granitic origins. Dark, potent, big boned. Beefy and brawny. Blackberry, tar, tobacco, bay leaf. Followed by an explosion of sweet plum. Quite distinct from both the 05 and 06, though not without their beauties and Dao mannerisms./ Full of body and extract. Riper than 05 and 06. Mirrors a Douro Vintage Port year. Distinctive,
rich, exotically ripe and scented. Really loaded. Give it until late-summer, early-fall to see what additional aromatics form. Liked by the group. 16.4+. WT010710-15. 08 SHOOFLY SOUTH AUSTRALIA SHIRAZ - (AUSTRALIA) Oh, this is a sweet and enticing 08. I get elderberry. Others speak of iodine, rosemary, and mint./ The palate adds cranberry and rhubarb. Well if this isn’t neat stuff! I don’t know if we can sell 07 (Wine Spectator Top 100) fanciers on it. Seems to march to a different drummer. I like it. The group was fascinated with it too. Perfect wine for turkey dinner.15.8+.
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