The 2012 Burgundy blogger and industry night at MacArthur Beverages.
The 2012 vintage in Burgundy was troubled by destruction from hail, coulure, and millerandage. While this ultimately resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of wine produced, what was made is regarded as very good. That combination of small amounts of very good wine certainly drove up prices but as I recently learned, there is still good wine to be found in all ranges. This experience came at the annual blogger and industry night at MacAthur Beverages. Organized by Phil Bernstein, we were treated to six wines from generic red Burgundy at $22 per bottle all the way to Corton Grand Cru at $220 per bottle. I cannot draw any conclusions from such a tasting but let me just say that I was generally pleased by the fruit, acidity, and ability to age. Last night, I even dreamed of drinking Burgundy.
2012 Joseph Faiveley, Pinot Noir, Bourgogne – $22
Imported by Frederick Wildman & Sons. Alcohol 13%. There were spiced red fruit aromas followed by grapey, young fruit in the mouth. There was more red fruit with the structure immediately apparent with wood notes returning in the finish. I would cellar this for a year or two.
2012 Joseph Drouhin, Cotes de Nuits-Villages – $25
Imported by Dreyfus, Ashby & Co. This wine is 100% Pinot Noir that was fermented with indigenous yeast then age for 12-15 months in French oak. Alcohol 13%. There was a pretty nose with some sweet aromas. In the mouth was watering acidity, red and black fruit, and less obvious structure. Though young, this wine was accessible, with developing raspberry candy flavors and eventually some structure. I think it showed better definition with air.
2012 Domaine Joblot, Clos du Cellier aux Moines, Givry 1er Cru – $45
Imported by Robert Kacher Selections. This wine is 100% Pinot Noir that was fermented in barrel with indigenous yeast then aged for up to 16 months in 50% new oak. Alcohol 13%. In the mouth were blacker, dark floral flavors followed by a vein of fruit. The black fruit remained focused, showing weight, a little more structure, and watering acidity. Will age.
2012 Louis Jadot, Domaine Gagey, Beaune 1er Cru Les Greves – $50
Imported by MacArthur Liquors. Alcohol 13.5%. There were smoky hints to the black, floral aromas. In the mouth were black fruit flavors that were finely ripe and texture. The acidity kept the wine moving along as tannins were left on the gums. The wood flavor does come out. Needs a few years to absorb the wood but should develop quite well.
2012 Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Champonnets – $100
Imported by MacArthur Liquors. This wine is 100% Pinot Noir sourced from vines planted in 1972. The fruit was fermented with indigenous yeast then aged for 16-18 months in 40-50% new oak. Alcohol 13%. There was a serious but tight nose. In the mouth the acidity and structure were perfectly integrated with the raspberry and mineral, black fruit. The fine grained tannins suggested several years of aging are required.
2012 Domaine Faiveley, Corton Grand Cru Clos des Cortons Faiveley – $220
Imported by Frederick Wildman and Sons. This wine is 100% Pinot Noir sourced from vines planted between 1936 and 2002. It was fermented in a combination of stainless steel and wooden vats then aged for 16 to 18 months in mostly new oak. Alcohol 13%. The complex nose made way to concentrated, complex, and gently spiced flavors in the mouth. There was broad ripeness, lipsticky raciness, and black graphite flavors. Very attractive now this will unfurl with further time in the cellar. Lovely.
An Evening of Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanee, and one Gevrey-Chambertin
I was very lucky to be Roland’s guest when he recently hosted his wine tasting group. As always, the host picks the wines which are tasted blind, as well as cooks dinner. We gathered around at first, eating charcuterie and cheese which was accompanied by an excellent 2012 Willi Schaefer, Himmelreich GG, Mosel Saar Ruwer. It had textured, somewhat ripe flavors with excellent acidity. I drained my glass before we sat down to the wines. We eventually learned the wines were arranged in flights. The first which clearly contained the ringer, showed more tart and tannic than the second excellent flight. There were some guesses of Italy but the group quickly spiraled towards Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Phil thought hard, swirling his glass, eventually announcing Chambolle-Musigny and Vosne-Romanée. Roland confirmed the guess and added that they were all of the 2005 vintage. Suitably impressed I rapidly smiled because I had never drunk a wine from Vosne-Romanée.
In the first flight I thought both the 2005 Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru and the 2005 Serafin Pere & Fils, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru Les Baudes were not giving up much. The noses were tight, reduced, and the flavors came across as locked in structure. They had breathed for almost three hours and though they did improve some with additional air, this pair should be left in the cellar for several more years. The 2005 Louis Jadot, Domaine Gagey, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru Les Baudes showed the best of the three. I was particularly attracted to the earthy component. It came across as more mature with a touch of softness. I would recommend the 2010 Cristom, Pinot Noir, Sommers Reserve, Willamette Valley for its nose alone. Tasted blind it was “easy” to work out it was from Oregon. Roland commented that other vintages of the Sommers Reserve has appeared in previous blind tasting and even come out on top.
2005 Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru –
Imported by MacArthur Liquors. The nose had a touch of sulphur, eventually revealing smoky aromas of black-red fruit and toast. In the mouth the black and red fruit was integrated with acidity and very fine tannins. The flavors became a bit tart and red but the wine did not reveal much and remained tannic. Cellar further.
2005 Serafin Pere & Fils, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru Les Baudes –
Imported by Weygandt-Metzler. The nose was a little earthy. In the mouth were tart red fruit flavors, a little more complexity, some minerals, and touch more acidity. The finish was attractive with grippy tannins. Showing young.
2005 Louis Jadot, Domaine Gagey, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru Les Baudes –
Imported by Kobrand Corp. Alcohol 13.5%. The nose was more open with an earthy touch, sweeter fruit, and meat. In the mouth the slightly riper red fruit morphed into black fruit. The flavors came across as more mature. The wine became rounder with air, had some density and a touch of softness in the finish.
2010 Cristom, Pinot Noir, Sommers Reserve, Willamette Valley –
Alcohol 13.5%. This was highly aromatic. In the mouth were more clean Pinot Noir flavors, approachable red and black fruit and minerals. The mouth clearly followed the nose. There was a cinnamon note, ripe tannins, and some ripeness in the finish.
In the 19th century the wines of Vosne-Romanée were medically noted for their increased percentage of alcohol, almost complete absence of sugar, and low proportion of tannins. As such they were recommended for “diabetic patients who can afford so expensive a luxury, these high-class red Burgundies appear to be especially well fitted.” After tasting through he Vosne-Romanée flight I cannot help but wonder how much wine was leftover for drinking after The Lancet Commission on the Medical Use of Wine finished their laboratory work. This was a great flight, the wines not only showed more open than the Chambolle-Musigny but they were more rounded and complex. The 2005 Frederic Magnien, Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Brulees has a lot going on right now but seems perfectly balanced with stuffing for continued development in the bottle. I think the 2005 Domaine Gros Frère et Sœur, Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Chaumes was the weakest of the flight despite its aromatic nose. The 2005 Louis Jadot, Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Beaux Monts had a great combination of vintage perfume and meaty fruit on the nose followed by attractive grip in the mouth. It was the perfect prelude to the 2005 Domaine Francois Lamarche, Vosne-Romanée Grand Cru Monopole La Grande Rue. It clearly had good depth and an attractive mix of maturity, wood notes, and fruit. Not knowing anything about the monopole La Grande Rue I was instructed to look at the back label of the bottle. It was surrounded by legendary names I have only read about.
In 1793 Duncan M’Bride wrote in his General Instructions for the Choice of Wines and Spirituous Liquors (1793) that “of all the wines of Burgundy, that called Romanée is most valued.” Our bottle of 2005 Domaine Francois Lamarche, Vosne-Romanée Grand Cru Monopole La Grande Rue was made from fruit sourced at La Grande Rue. This 1.65 ha strip of vineyard is sandwiched between La Tâche on the west and both Romanée and Romanée Conti on the east. The land was a wedding gift given to Henri Lamarche in 1933. When the area was classified in the 1930s, Henri Lamarche believed nothing was to be gained through the grand cru status but more taxes. So this strip of premier cru vineyard was surrounded by grand cru vineyards until it was reclassified in 1992. This reclassification was based on the geology and exposition.
2005 Frederic Magnien, Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Brulées –
Imported by MacArthur Liquors. The nose was a little stinky with perhaps some tobacco notes. There were tart blue flavors, minerals, good acidity, and some attractive grip. The flavors were drier and had a citric lift. The flavors showed some maturity that mixed well with the wood and tobacco flavors. This wine was good now but setup for strong development.
2005 Domaine Gros Frère et Sœur, Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Chaumes –
Imported by Wine Cellar LTD. Acquired from a private collection. This was very aromatic with fresh, floral aromas stepping out of the glass. The nose followed the mouth where there were red, citric flavors. The acidity was there along with a very fine, gentle ripeness, a spicy hint in the finish, and a fresh aftertaste. Overall this came across as riper.
2005 Louis Jadot, Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Beaux Monts –
Imported by Kobrand Corp. Alcohol 13.5%. The meaty nose was followed by ripe flavors of vintage perfume, meaty red fruit and some black fruit. The wine was compact and became younger with air. There was grip and attractive red cranberry flavors in the finish.
2005 Domaine Francois Lamarche, Vosne-Romanée Grand Cru Monopole La Grande Rue –
This was young on the nose showing more grip on the aromas. In the mouth the flavors mixed with nice cedar notes, some tart fruit, and good depth. There was a subtleness roundness as well as lift. Good flavors.
With the blind tasting complete it was only natural to drink more wine. Roland poured the 1997 Claude Dugat, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Lavaux St Jacques into his giant wine glass shaped decanter. Claude Dugat typically makes two premier cru wines from Gevrey-Chambertin. Lavaux St Jacque is produced from a 0.3 ha parcel of vines planted in 1980. After Roland swirled the wine for quite some time our bottle revealed itself to be aromatic with perfume. In the mouth were excellent flavors of blood and minerals. With the bottle finished the evening was complete.
1997 Claude Dugat, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Lavaux St Jacques –
Imported by Robert Kacher Selections. This had an aromatic, attractive perfume to the blue fruit. In the mouth the vintage perfume continued as lovely flavors of blood and minerals came out. There was good grip to the tart, black graphite finish. A lovely wine.
Fran Kysela’s Mondovino 2013: Red Wines
Mid-afternoon we switched from the white wines to the red wines. We decided to taste wines from Burgundy, Rhone, South Africa, and Spain. The Burgundy table was crowded but we managed to get a spot. I thought the #114 2011 Ecard a good, affordable Burgundy for the cellar. But it was the #115 Thierry Mortet that captivated with good depth and attractive flavors, this will reward cellaring.
When it comes to the Rhone the 2011 vintage brings forth plenty of ripe fruit with fine, powerful tannins. The #178 Colline St. Jean presented the vintage well and right now is grapey, modern, and tight. The previous vintage #179 2010 Colline St. Jean seemed young as well but a bottle I drank a few days earlier showed some openness with a good Mourvedre component. We tasted one Northern Rhone wine the #180 2011 Joel Champet which again proves to be very good, old-school Cote-Rotie. We recently drank the 2010 vintage and if you like that, you will like the 2011. If you are going to actually drink anything at Mondovino, drink the Joel Champet. I would love to see more Northern Rhone wines like this at Mondovino 2014! In moving to the huge lineup of Alaine Jaume/Grand Veneur wines Christophe Jaume commented that the 2011 vintage was ripe, less masculine, with more alcohol, and fresher flavors. Perhaps this is best characterized by #173 the 2011 Grand Veneur, Vieilles Vignes which dials in at 16.5% alcohol! It certainly was a mouthful but has interesting flavors and managed some control. At the more affordable end the #171 Grand Veneur showed well with the #169 2011 Grand Veneur, Clos de Sixte showing the best balance and approachfulness. All of these wines will benefit from cellaring.
Leaving the French wines we moved over to South Africa. I though the #265 2010 Mullineux, Syrah an interesting and tasty wine that I should like to revisit. It is appropriately priced. It was fun to taste #266 2010 Mullineux Granite and Schist. Though the fruit for each wine is sourced from a different vineyard they are vinified exactly the same. The Granite showed good freshness and perfume whereas the Schist was denser. It would be fun to compare these wines after short-term cellaring. The #269 Keermont is a savory, dense, masculine version of Syrah.
The #300 2009 Mas Sinen had an interesting nose with weight and roundness to the flavors but also lift. The #304 2009 Pago de Carraovejas is seductive and as Lou put it, tastes expensive. It certainly is. Lastly the #241 2003 Romariz Vintage Port is approachable and rich for only ten years of age.
After four hours of tasting our palates were tired and teeth stained purple. I think it took 24 hours for my tongue and teeth to feel normal. My only bit advice for those attending next week is to taste the red Rhones last. I should also comment that the pour sizes are generous. There was always enough wine for two or three proper mouthfuls. It only benefits everyone for you get a better sense of the wine. It does produce a tremendous volume of wine. This is handled not by spittoons but 40 gallon garbage cans. I should like to thank Fran Kysela for his generosity with the wine and food,to Jeremy Sutton for all of his answers, and to both for being supportive of this blog.
#113 – 2010 Ecard, Pinot Noir, Bourgogne – $20
This wine is 100% Pinot Noir which was fermented in stainless steel, underwent malolactic fermentation then was aged six months in used oak barrels. The color was a light cherry garnet. The very light nose was tight with red fruit. In the mouth there was firm black cherry fruit which became blacker towards the finish where there was citric acidity and a firm finish.
#114 – 2011 Ecard, Savigny le Beaune – $25
This was a rather light cherry grape color. The light nose was tight but serious. In the mouth there was firm red cherry and black fruit. The wine had a stone-like core with fine ripe tannins. Tight in flavor, young, and in need of cellaring.
#115 – 2010 Domaine Thierry Mortet, Vigne Belle, Gevrey Chambertin – $85
This wine is 100% Pinot Noir sourced from vines 20-40 years old which was fermented and aged in oak. The color was a light cherry garnet. The light nose was good with aromas of red and black fruit which had depth. The mouth followed the nose but was drier with rather fine, drying tannins, and black acidity. Young. Nice.
#176 – 2011 Chateau de Segries, Cuvee Reservee, Lirac – $23
This wine is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 5% Mourvedre, and 5% Carignan sourced from 40 year old vines. The color was a medium+ grapey garnet. The nose was light and tight with firm berry fruit. The flavors were riper in the mouth with black and red fruit expanding throughout. The flavors are young with fine, powerful, spicy tannins, and a grapey finish. The ripeness was controlled by the structure.
#177 – 2011 Henri de Lanzac, Clos de l’Hermitage, Cotes du Rhone – $31
This wine is a blend of 33% Grenache, 33% Syrah, and 33% Mourvedre sourced from 40 year old vines. It was fermented in concrete vats then aged for nine months in 95% used French oak barrels. The color was a dark grapey, inky color. The nose was very light and tight with aromas of macerated berries. The mouth was similar but very ripe with powerful tannins drying everything in sight. The finish seemed overripe with alcohol poking through.
#178 – 2011 Domaine Colline St. Jean, Vacqueyras – $28
This wine is a blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre aged mostly in cement tank and some barriques. The color was a medium garnet cherry(?). The light nose was tight with purple and grapey aromas. There was good fruit in the mouth, again grapey, with a black graphite finish. This modern styled wine had very fine, powerful tannins.
#179 – 2010 Domaine Colline St. Jean, Vacqueyras – $28
This wine is a blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre aged mostly in cement tank and some barriques. The color was a medium garnet cherry. In the mouth this bottle showed tight with herbs and pencil lead.
#180 – 2011 Domaine Joel Champet, La Vialliere, Cote-Rotie – $50
The color was a medium dark garnet. The light nose had good fruit, olives, and other interesting aromas. There was a soft entry to the fruit which had levity and depth. There were flavors of smoke and bacon, a good mouthfeel, and black acidity. There were drying, grapey tannins. Old-school and lovely.
#164 – 2011 Grand Veneur, Les Champauvins, Cotes du Rhone – $25
This wine is ablend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre. The color was a medium grapey garnet. The nose was light, tight, and young. In the mouth there was a savory start with a good mouthfeel, ripe fruit, spices, and acidity. Nice fruit, firm drying tannins, and needs age.
#165 – 2011 Alain Jaume, Grande Garrique, Vacqueyras – $29
This wine is a blend of 60% grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 10% Cinsault. The color was a darker grapey, garnet. The flavors were very concentrated with savory pencil lead, some subtly, and fine tannins.
#167 – 2010 Alain Jaume, Grande Garrique, Vacqeuyras – $29
This wine is a blend of 60% grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 10% Cinsault. The color was medium purple garnet. There were black cherry and grapey flavors which were balanced but potent. The structure kept it in control.
#168 – 2009 Alain Jaume, Terrasses de Montmirail, Gigondas – $33
This wine is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. The nose was light, tight, and earthy. The flavors were more approachable but lacking a bit of depth. It left a mouthful of tannins. Cellar.
2010 Grand Veneur, Roquedon, Lirac
This was a medium grapey garnet. The flavors tasted a touch mature in this approachable wine. There was a brambly nature to the purple, grapey fruit. Decent wine.
#169 – 2011 Grand Veneur, Clos de Sixte, Lirac – $30
This wine is a blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 15% Mourvedre. The nose revealed good purple, grapey fruit. The flavors were savory then came grapey fruit, a savory middle, and slightly spicy tannins. Good wine.
#170 – 2010 Alain Jaume, Vieux Terron, Chateauneuf du Pape – $45
This wine is a blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre. The nose was light, tight, and somewhat haunting with more complexity. In the mouth there was a tangy, citric element to the black fruit. The flavors were expansive with very fine, powerful tannins, and a young black finish.
#171 – 2011 Grand Veneur, Chateauneuf du Pape – $53
This wine is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre sourced from 70 year old vines. The color was a medium to dark purple garnet. The nose was light and grapey. There was a seductive start, savory fruit, and low lying, good weight. Vintage perfume came out in the in the finish. Well done, nice wine.
#172 – 2011 Grand Veneur, Les Origines, Chateauneuf du Pape – $70
This wine is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 20% Mourvedre sourced from 70 year old vines. The color was a medium+ purple garnet. The light nose was ripe and dense. In the mouth there was very ripe, soft fruit, some heat, spicy tannins, and lots of power.
#173 – 2011 Grand Veneur, Vieilles Vignes, Chateauneuf du Pape – $121
This wine is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah sourced from 50-100+ year old vines. It was aged for 18 months in oak barrels. Alcohol 16.5%. the color was a medium+ dark garnet purple. In the mouth the fine flavors were almost racy with vanilla, weight, a young aspect, minerals in the core. It showed more control than Les Origines. One to watch.
#265 – 2010 Mullineux, Syrah – $33
This wine is 100% Syrah fermented with indigenous yeasts. It underwent malolactic fermentation and was aged for 11 months in 15% new French oak barrels and foudres. The color was a medium+ garnet. In the mouth salty, savory, good fruit was dense with smokey notes. The flavors became lighter and thinner in the middle but took up on glycerine. The finish was fresh. Interesting.
#266 – 2010 Mullineux, Granite, Syrah, Swartland – $95.50
This wine is 100% Syrah sourced from a 17 year old vineyard on soils of sandy granite with a thick layer of clay. The fruit was not destemmed and it was aged in 50% new oak. Much better than the first bottle. Though just opened the nose was lifted and perfume. There was a lightness and savory character with a smoke note and lipstick/perfume. Well done.
#266 – 2010 Mullineux, Schist, Syrah, Swartland – $95.50
This wine is 100% Syrah sourced from a 15 year old vineyard. The fruit was not destemmed and it was aged in 50% new oak. A good nose with herbs. Dense in the mouth, purple, and very balanced all around.
#269 – 2010 Keermont, Syrah, Stellenbosch – $40
This wine is 100% Syrah. The color was very dark. The nose was tight with grapey fruit. In the mouth this wine was savory and dense with controlled ripeness. There was good fruit to this masculine wine. Nice wine.
#268 – 2009 Keermont, Red Blend, Stellenbosch – $40
This wine is a blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, and 5% Petit Verdot. It was aged for 24 months in used oak. Just opened. The color was a very dark grapey garnet. The nose was light, tight, and Claret like. The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon came through with good expansion. The fruit was light but powerful, perhaps a note of stems. Young and should develop.
#300 – 2009 Mas Sinen, Petit Mas Sinen, Piorat – $39
This wine underwent malolactic fermentation in stainless steel then was aged for six months in oak barrels. This was a very dark grapey purple garnet. The light nose was of lavendar and dark fruit. The flavors were roundish in the mouth but not heavy. It took on flavors of Sweet Tarts with weight and lift before the fine, drying tannins in the finish. Young.
#304 – 2009 Pago de Carraovejas, El Anejon de la Cuesta de las Liebres, Ribera del Duero – $136
This wine is a blend of 93% Tinto Fion, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Merlot. This was very dark. The nose was of dark grapes, roast, and other interesting aromas. In the mouth there was silky fruit, density, and a savory note but the acidity keeps it alive. There was a little toast in the spicy finish. Seductive.
#303 – 2010 Pago de Carraovejas, Crianza, Ribera del Duero – $58
This wine is a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot which was aged for 12 months in new and used American and French oak barrels. This was very dark as well. The nose was a touch fruitier. This was a lighter version with a good lifted middle, good flavors but a touch hotter.
#241 – 2003 Romariz, Vintage Port – $64
This was a very dark garnet cherry. The nose was grapey with dried fruit and raisins. In the mouth there was ripe fruit, spices, good residual sugar, and a wood box finish. Though young for a Vintage Port it is quite approachable.
#250 – 2005 Riebeek, Cape Vintage – $48
This wine is a blend of Touriga National, Pontac, and Shiraz. Alcohol 18.5%. The nose had a touch of overripe fruit. There was a rather sweet start with raisins and ultimately too soft for the acidity. Solid.
Brown Bags at Weygandt Wines
Last night I stopped by at Weygandt Wines for the monthly Food and Wine Bloggers night. Hosted by Tim O’Rourke with invitations sent out by Joon Song of Vinicultured, the event was attended by several bloggers, people in the business, and many wine lovers. The theme was a blind tasting and in the end there were 14 bottles of wine sourced from both the store and other places. I suspect two dozen people rotated through. To some degree everyone attempted to guess what they were drinking but that did not distract from social, talkative, enjoyment.
I enjoyed the range of wines with the Jean Francois Ganevat, Poulsard being the most unusual experience. Of the whites I enjoyed the 2010 Gerard & Pierre Morin, Sancerre along with the 2008 Heitz, Sauvignon Blanc. In terms of the red wines the 2010 Domaine Collotte is of good value, the 2002 Olga Raffault interesting, the 2007 Domaine Dugat-Py, Gevrey Chambertin was very drinkable, the 2009 Domaine les Aphillanthes needs to be revisited, and the 1995 Thunder Mountain was surprisingly good.
I have included my casual tasting notes. They are presented in the order in which the bottles were numbered but not necessarily tasted.
#1 – 2010 Gerard & Pierre Morin, Vieilles Vignes, Sancerre
This is imported by Weygandt-Metzler. This had a very light color. There was a light nose, grassy, and textured. In the mouth there were expansive flavors midpalate, note of stone, and acidity in the back of the mouth. Attractive. Not Rated.
#2 – 2010 Domaine Collotte, Cuvee de Noble Souche, Burgundy
This is imported by Weygandt-Metzler. A young color of ruby with purple tinge. I thought this was Gamay! The nose had notes of pepper and with time developed a good perfume. There were some gravelly flavors and fine tannins. Not Rated.
#3 – Jean Francois Ganevat, Poulsard, Cuvee de l’enfant terrible, Cotes du Jura
This is a Jeffrey Alpert Selection. This was a garnet-orange color. Fizzy when poured it sported a foxy nose. Quite unique with piercingly high acidity and citrus notes. Interesting but not my preference, probably better with food. Not Rated.
#4 – 2002 Olga Raffault, Les Picasses, Chinon
This is imported by Louis/Dressner Selections. It is made from Cabernet Franc grown on soils of limestone and clay. A garnet color showing some age. A perfumed nose, good red fruit, some stemmy forest wood flavors. Not Rated.
#5 – 2010 Chateau de la Bonneliere, Rive Gauche, Chinon
This is imported by Weygandt-Metzler. A grapey color. Young Cabernet Franc flavors with plenty of supporting acidity. Not Rated.
#6 – 2007 Domaine Dugat-Py, Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin
This is imported by Weygandt-Metzler. A garnet color. The slightly earthy nose is richer. But the body was slight with precise, elegant flavors, tannins, and lots of acidity. Not Rated.
#7 – 2009 Domaine les Aphillanthes, 1921, Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau
This is imported by Weygandt-Metzler. This wine is mostly Grenache sourced from a parcel planted in 1921. A nose of black fruit and some pencil lead. Very ripe, powdery fruit, a little spice, grapey tannins in finish. Quite different from the other reds, powerful, I found this overbearing at first but when I revisited it later the wine had shaken off the baby fat and showed structure. Not Rated.
#8 – 2003 Edmunds St. John, Rocks and Gravel
This blend is roughly 35% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 30% Mourvedre. The nose was quite sweet like a rich vanilla-cake with a dash of spice. The nose was quite different from the body which was quite restrained. Not Rated.
#9 – 2008 Heitz Cellars, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
This was enjoyable and drinkable with citrus flavors, decent body, and some concentration. Not Rated.
#10 – 1995 Thunder Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bates Ranch, Santa Cruz Mountains
This was an aged garnet color. A very pretty nose, lifted and complex with mature aromas but it ended with a vegetal note. In the mouth it was crisp, precise, and had an enjoyable texture. I thought it was Austrian! Not Rated.
#11 – 2004 Chateau de Valcombe, Prestige, Costieres de Nimes
This is imported by Robert Kacher. The wine is a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache. I found a nose of old ladies perfume with flavors of wet cardboard and very fine tannins. I did not like this. Not Rated.
#12 – 2010 Domaine Croix des Marchands, Fraicheur Perlee, Gaillac
This is imported by First Vine. The wine is a blend of 34% Mauzac, 33% Muscadelle, and 33% Loin de l’Oeil sourced from 30-year-old vines. Unfortunately, I did not taste this bottle. Not Rated.
#13 – 2004 James Judd & Sons Vineyards, Malbec Verdot, Paso Robles
This is a blend of 75% Malbec and 25% Petite Verdot. The 2005 was aged for 22 months in American, French, and Hungarian oak barrels. I found this overblown and hot, not my style. Not Rated.
#14 – 2008 Blenheim Vineyards, Blenheim Farm Petit Verdot, Monticello
This smelled like bleach in my glass. After I dumped it the glass took on aromas of tobacco and dried herbs. Not Rated.