WTN: 2005 Clos de l'Hermitage CDR

Henri de Lanzac.
Equal parts Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Dark garnet in the glass. Wonderful berry flavors of Cherry, raspberry, cranberry, blackberry with hints of herb and cherry chough drop. Silky with good balance and plenty of fine grained tannins that require decanting at this stage. I opened the wine 2 days ago, tasted and let sit on the counter for 24 hours before revisiting, which allowed the wine to open beautifully. I won't open another for several years. Recommended. 13.5% Alc/vol. Bought several six packs @ under $20 per bottle.

Drew

[James Roscoe]

Drew, where did you get this? Great note, but I am often on I-95 past Bel Air and could easily make time for a decent wine store.

Midway Liquors on Route 40 East just below Joppatowne. Very much a hole in the wall but Stan the owner has a nice selection of wines and very good prices. Call his wine manager Thom to see if they have any more in stock, I think they may. Btw, I have no affiliation with the business other than I give them lots of my money .

Drew

12320 Pulaski Hwy
Joppa, MD 21085

Phone (410) 679-5511
Toll-Free 1-800-352-5511
Fax 410-538-8637
e-Mail stanb@midwayliquors.com

This is Lanzac's top wine. He also owns Château de Ségriès, producer of well-priced Rhones and Tavel, worth seeking out.

The 2007 Clos de l'Hermitage CDR is also a stunner! I found it in the Chicago area (Wine Discount Center) at $26/bottle. Although on the pricey side for a CDR, the wine drinks like a fabulous young Chateauneuf du Pape: dark color, blueberry & fig-jam aromas jump out of the glass, full-body & viscous with a lightly tannic, round texture and a long finish.

marco