Couple of wine over the past week or 2.
2006 Domaine de la Pepiere (Marc Ollivier) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Clos des Briords - France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine (3/20/2008)
Served with spring rolls & panko fried shrimp. At least as good as any vintage i've had. Minerals, sea air & lemon wapped in a somewhat fat and creamy, yet nicely acidic, package. I like the texture and length. Good stuff! Looking forward to this summer's supply.
1983 Baumann Oppenheimer Sackträger Riesling Auslese - Germany, Rheinhessen (3/1/2008)
One of our favorite sushi wines. Consistent bottle with complex aromas and a touch of diesel. A smooth velvet texture and long finish with lychee, moss and chestnuts lingering. I'm a fan of this wine and the amazing price tag ($15) is easily one of the great deals ever. Only one more bottle left. I'll probably have it this year.
1996 Verget Chablis Grand Cru Valmur - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru (2/23/2008)
A superb wine. Served blind, I thought it was roussanne at first due to the oily texture. Great aromatics with citrus rind, flowers and springtime. I agree this wine lacks some of the zip and crispness, but at 12 yrs, I think it's somewhat forgiveable. Concentrated flavors of lemon chiffon. Rich palate presence. Lengthy finish. A great wine. Thanks David.
2005 Domaine du Vissoux / Pierre-Marie Chermette Beaujolais Vieilles Vignes Cuvée Traditionnelle - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais (3/21/2008)
Served with a French bistro style roasted chicken and wild rice.
Third bottle since release. I like the spicey, earthy aromas and flavors. The fruit is fresh and pure with bright cherry and a sense of underbrush. Some solid structure for this wine to continue towaards it's drinking plateau. 4 bottles over the next 4 yrs is my plan.
1999 Bonnefond Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie (2/23/2008)
Smells like a wild blue berry bush with both fruit and dried brush. Also some leather, black pepper and vanilla. The fruit profile is classic cote rotie, just not very intense. Some tannins still need to resolve. A good food wine that paired nicely with a grilled ny. Seems like a few more years of enjoyment left.
2000 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (3/20/2008)
My 3rd bottle since release. Less intense than the last bottle. A somewhat reticent nose with hints of raspberry, lavendar andleather. Some spice emerges later. The palate is more generous than the nose with red fruits, grilled meat and some garrigue. This was a good bottle, but the first 2 where more memorable. I'd be shocked if this wine is on the decline. Try again sooner than later (summer).