Château Verdignan cru Bourgeois Haut-Médoc 1998 – Alc.13%, a Cabernet Sauvignon dominated Bordeaux blend, was what I look for in an inexpensive (c€12) bourgeois claret. The aromas showed red/dark fruit (some plum), a nice herbaceous edge with some wet leather, the palate was harmonious with medium body, good fruit, lively acidity, some minerality and just a hint of bitter dryness in the tannins on the finish. Not quite so good as my memories of 1995 and 1996 but pretty good; 15.5/20.
Saint-Joseph Le Paradis Saint Pierre 1995 – Pierre Coursodon – Alc.12.8%, 100% Syrah. I bought a half-dozen of this wine untasted on the strength of a ***** rating in La Revue du Vin de France when young. What a mistake! Until this one all the bottles (the last about 4 years ago) have been tightly acidic and tannic. The bottle still looked and tasted quite young but was at last beginning to open up. The aromas showed red fruit (attractive sour cherry) and mineral; the best feature of the palate was very good length, the tannins were firm and acidity lively but both tamed compared with the last bottle, aromas and fruit were now showing quite well but were somewhat one dimensional and the mouth-feel was somewhat mat. I somehow doubt if it will now improve much. Not a ***** wine but now an enjoyable 15/20++.
Jurançon sec Cuvée Marie 2005 – Charles Hours – Alc.14% - (€11 for 2007), made from Gros and Petit Manseng with Courbu, has now blossomed into being as good as the excellent 2004. This is much closer to my idea of a ***** wine. The aromas show white fruit (a lot of pineapple), a lot of honey and abundant minerals; the nose could presage a sweet wine. The palate is dry, medium bodied, harmonious (with no alcohol burn), quite aromatic with plenty of lively/crisp acidity yet with caressing fruit and mouth-feel and good length; 17/20++ QPR!!!. Jurançon rocks!!
Palette Grand Cru de Provence 2001 (white) – Château Simone, near Aix-en-Provence – Alc. 12.5% - (€32 for 2007), made from Clairette 80%, Grenache, Ugni and Muscat. I always think that Ch.Simone is one of the finest whites from the South of France and this bottle was no exception. It was showing considerable complexity and breed with gently burnished notes of wax, discreet exotic fruit and acacia on a medium/full bodied palate with good length, gentle fruit and minerals, smooth/lively acidity and some backbone. The overall effect was elegant and classy; 17/20++.
Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau 2007 - Domaine du Beaurenard (Paul Coulon et fils) - Alc. 14.5% - (€11,50). Last summer I sang the praises of this spicy and generous wine drunk with a barbecue but more recently have been troubled by a candied streak. Serving it straight from the cellar obscured this streak and enlivened the wines which was delicious; 16/20 and QPR! confirmed.