WTN: 3 Good Wines (Tuscany, Rhone, Loire)

While Betsy toiled at a conference (libertarians discussing Aida and Hegel), I ate alone Tuesday. I was tired, had a household chore to handle when I got home,  and having trouble getting enthused in grocery aisles. When I saw something I knew Betsy would NEVER buy. So I ended up with supermarket butcher chicken cordon bleu. It roasted while I did battle with a toilet seat that didn't want to come off, as it finished I made quick couscous and salad. Chicken wasn't bad, a reminder of a food from my childhood we thought was off the charts elegant. Wine was the 2005 Pierre Gonon St. Joseph. This was a suggestion from David Lille at CSW as a replacement for an out of stock St-Jo, one of the few stores in the world where I'd blindly say yes. I'm glad I did. Lovely dark berry fruit, clean bright acidity, a hint of meat. There are tannins, but they are ripe and easy, not a problem. Certainly enough structure to age, but really nice for current drinking. Doesn't beat its chest or rev its motors, just a lovely middleweight gentlemanly Syrah. Holds well over 2 nights. Will get more, B+/A-

I love my little town on Halloween. Ultimate small town thing. Business district streets are closed down, mobs of kids trick or treating. My office gave out 3500 pieces (averaging 2-3 at a time). Betsy and Lucy joined us (though Lucy shook off her costume early). A few pix here, none wine-related (though some here have met a couple of friends pictured at wine dinners):
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Aat3DFqzYuGLo4

Then Betsy headed home to make dinner. Bolognese with some storebought broccoli rabe, and a 375 of 2005 Felsina Chianti Classico. I found this more structured than some recent notes- bright red cherry fruit and classic acidity, but also some tannins. Nice with the dish, but I think this would benefit from a bit of rest. As it gets some air, the fruit is more black cherry, and leather/earth notes emerge. Reminds me a bit of the '99, which is drinking well now. B+

Tonight just leftovers, and for the wine too. Sips of the St. Joseph and Chianti, and the wine Betsy used in her sauce Wednesday, the 2006 Domaine Pepiere Muscadet. It's usual lovely self, made even more approachable by being open a day. Ripe apple and citrus fruit, some chalky minerality, crisp acidity, nice length. B+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency
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Dale wrote (after fixing his bathroom!)...... 2006 Domaine Pepiere Muscadet.
Heck, all we have up here is the `04 still.

[David M. Bueker]

You can't go wrong with the '04 Bob. Don't feel slighted.

Dale - thanks for the notes. I'm almost out of my '99 Felsina, so perhaps I'll lay down a few bottles of the 2005.

I've liked every Pepiere this century- '03 was my least favorite, but still a nice drink.
David, you should try first- Tim York and others found forward and less structured than I did.

[David M. Bueker]

David, you should try first- Tim York and others found forward and less structured than I did.

Always sound advice.

Dale wrote (after fixing his bathroom!)...... 2006 Domaine Pepiere Muscadet. Heck, all we have up here is the `04 still.

Heck Bob, we don't get it here in Lexington AT ALL, so quit your complaining. We do though get "2005 Domaine de l'Ecu, Muscadet, Expression de Gneiss, Sur Lie 12/750ml
100% Melon de Bourgogne sourced from a 4 hectare vineyard. Sub-soil: gneiss Yield: 50 hl/ha
Production: 555 cases" (taken from the Kysela web page) Price on this nice wine is $9.99 per 750ml.

David wrote......You can't go wrong with the '04 Bob. Don't feel slighted.

Yup, plenty still available in this area but this is Edmonchuk and Pepiere ain`t gonna move!

Bob, what price do you pay there for the Pepiere? Also, no matter the general feeling about Muscadet needing to be drunk soon, the wine will easily go 3-5 years given decent storage. I buy a case (at least) of the Expressions wine each year, and this year 2 cases. I still have some left, and I won't drink much Muscadet over the winter, but I do not fear it going bad. So, if the Pepiere is decently price get it and drink it over a few years.

Dale, you are so right about Pierre Gonon's Saint-Joseph. He was with us about two weeks ago presenting his 2004 and it was very similar to the 2005 you describe; a pure straightforward expression of N. Rhône Syrah fruit and terroir. And the man is very similar; friendly and unpretentious with an understated passion showing through for his craft with minimal intervention. I seem to recall that I have also had a very good white St.J from him.

I will have another look at the Fèlsina CC 05 with food, the only way for me of reaching a firm view on a wine, so as to confirm or not my impressions.

Dale, you are so right about Pierre Gonon's Saint-Joseph. He was with us about two weeks ago presenting his 2004 and it was very similar to the 2005 you describe.

So the 2004 showed well? I recently had both the 2004 and the 2005 and the 2005 seemed superior, more fruit (no kidding) and stuffing. (And I say that as someone who is Not Obsessed with fruit/stuffing.

Rahsaan,

Pierre Gonon did not show the 2005, so I cannot comment on which was better, but I thought that the 2004 was very good "......de densité moyenne, mais déploie une réelle élégance et des tanis très fins". For once I fully agree with RVF guide.

"......de densité moyenne, mais déploie une réelle élégance et des tanis très fins".

I think I would also agree with those objective descriptors, but things still did not come together to provide enough excitement for me to want to purchase more bottles (considering everything else available). But hey, we all have our own opinions, and perhaps I would have been more excited in a different context/etc..

And, we definitely agree that he's a great producer..