Was at a party the other night with lots and lots of wines. These were the five that stuck in my head.
2005 Paumonok Assemblage was my first exposure to Long Island wine and it certainly wasn’t bad. But not very distinctive. Maybe I need to taste more to find the Long Island terroir but this did not taste like any cabernet-family grapes to me. It was just generically dark and pleasant. Plus, I understand this costs $40ish and that seems way too expensive for the simple sweetish pleasure that this delivers. (Of course that criticism could be aimed at lots of regions across the US and Europe, which I realize).
Nothing sweet about the tart and slightly-diapery 2008 Villemade Cheverny Rouge. Serviceably punchy peppery and ‘juicy’ but I much much much preferred the 2008 Tue-Boeuf Rouillon from the night before.
I don’t often buy the low level Clape wines but the 2008 Clape VdT Le Vin des Amis was rockin and rollin for my palate and was compelling for opening and pouring down the throats of a large convivial crowd. Might be a bit inconsequential for meditation at the table, but when large and convivial….
I don’t know if it is the vintage or if it just needs time but the 2008 Iché VdP Les Hérétiques was too blobby grapey and unformed for me to really hang my palate on it. I much preferred the 2007 Oupia Minervois Rouge for its definition and textural character.