Which new wines have appealed to you lately?

I just ordered from Lioco (first tasted their wines in 2008 at a wine shop tasting in NYC). I ordered the 2007 Chardonnay from Charles Heintz Vineyard, a Charles Heintz late harvest Chardonnay, and the Pinot Noir from Michaud Vineyard (Chalone AVA) I believe. I also have received a shipment of Cabernet Sauvignon and various Pinot Noirs from Sojourn and this will be my first tasting from this producer. May open one bottle of Pinot Noir before Christmas to test the waters.

At recent Fayetteville Wine Society meetings I have enjoyed wines new to me: Scott Harvey Barbera, Amador County and Jeriko Syrah, Mendocino County.

Tried another beer from Cannery Brewing of Pendicton, Maple Stout.
Only limited quantities made I understand. Smoke, maple, coffee with some toffee too on the finish.
Beer has a smooth mouthfeel, not too bitter. The sweetness balanced the dark rich malts. Much enjoyed by co-workers at the Grill.

Juracon sec, Irouleguy blanc, Cahors, Madiran - for a good set of examples with notes etc go to the website of Cave de Pyrene, Guildford UK who specialise in these areas.

Phil are you in the UK? Cave de Pyrene does indeed have a great selection. I used to visit La Vigneronne when visiting London in the `90s, before they closed down (same owners?).

Juracon sec, Irouleguy blanc, Cahors, Madiran - for a good set of examples with notes etc go to the website of Cave de Pyrene, Guildford UK who specialise in these areas.

Living in the South West of France, where all these wines come from, my eyes pricked up (if you'll forgive the mixed metaphor). I'm only about an hour and a half away from some of the better Cahors growers, so can pop in easily to taste. Good wines, as long as you are prepared to let them age properly.

I note you don't mention Bergerac, there are also some excellent wines from there, does your wine merchant stock any decent growers? Luc de Conti, David Fourtout, Olivia Donnan, Patricia Atkinson spring to min, but there are others.

We had some family come over the last weekend and they brought over a bottle of 1998 Beaucastel; I have to say that I was pleased. It went very well with the food and the atmosphere that we had going on.

Deborah, I apologize for overlooking that you are a new forum member. I usually try to say weclome to newcomers, so welcome to our little corner of the wine world. BTW, nice family you have, It doesn't get much better (IMO) than Beaucastel, AKA Ch. Bo. What did you pair it with?

Ian, we have a Cahors study session coming up here soon. Look out for "Open Mike: Cahors". Your imput will be appreciated!

Hi Bob,

Ian, we have a Cahors study session coming up here soon. Look out for "Open Mike: Cahors". Your imput will be appreciated!

I'll look out for it, though it might be a bit trickier if it's after 15th december, because I'll be staying with my brother in the UK and my access might be limited. (I can't think why he feels the need to use his computer himself )

I believe Tim will have the Cahors OM running in a few days, probably mid-week.
Where in UK are you headed?

Hi again Bob,

I believe Tim will have the Cahors OM running in a few days, probably mid-week.
Where in UK are you headed?

Right, then there shouldn't be any great problem for me to add my 2 cents worth. However, you'll have to take what I say remembering that I'm a confirmed oenogerontophile. So you won't find me enthusing over the 2005s for example, except in so far as they have potential for the future.

I'll be staying with my brother just outside Leatherhead, looking out over the A24 as it winds past the "Mickleham bends" (so beloved of Motorcyclists before they installed the radar camera there) for just under a month.

[off topic self indulgent waffle]
Restaurants planned so far. J Sheekey (seafood for our 42nd wedding anniversary), Le Gavroche (best french food ever, after the French Laundry), Gerard's Corner (dim sum) 5 rivers (indian) Sri Krishna (Kerala) and hopefully the Hunan (for their Grüner Veltliner).
[/off topic self indulgent waffle]

Hi Bob,

A Belcantto DI BELLUSSI EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE DOC . A very nice sipper and more flavorful than most proseccos I have tasted.

I've had just a couple of bottles of the 2007 Le Clos Jordanne Talon Ridge Chardonnay (which is the cheaper of the alternatives for this very new winery) and wow, there is a little bit of burgundy in Ontario. While the wines definitely needs a bit of time, I'm looking forward to trying their Pinots.