more blasts from the recent past...
Pierre Gonon, Saint Joseph (blanc), 'les Oliviers', 2006
Light-to-medium gold colored. Buttered hazlenuts, lemon verbena, and field straw on the attractive nose. Hazlenuts, nut oil, pearskin and a dull plod toward the chalky-straw finish. Fresh in it's medium-bodied frame, not heavy or fat at all. A beautiful Rhone white. A-
Chapoutier, Hermitage, 'la Sizeranne', 1998
Medium maroonish clear red. At first, full of bretty iron oxide and dark fruits. On the palate, the initial brett disipates to reveal a masculine wine full of sour Santa Rosa plums, metal file shavings, beetroot and blood. Drying spiky tannins on the earthy finish. Good to go now, but can hold. B+ 13%
Black Ankle, Albarino, Frederick County, 2007
From perhaps Maryland's best winery, comes this pleasant white, full of accacia, lime blossom, with refreshing acidity and a chalky-cilantro filled finish, which finishes slightly sweet. 13% B+/A-
Chateau Citran, Haut Medoc, 2005
Dusty plums and licorice, along with vanillin oak tannins. Fruity, modern Bordeaux blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon and 50% merlot, open for business. On the lighter to medium bodied side. Good, for around $20. B+
J.L. Chave, Crozes-Hermitage, 'Silene', 2006
I don't see this bottling around much. Very youthful color of vibrant, deep maroonish-cherry red. There is initially a strong funk to the nose, but this blows off and reveals plummy-cherry aromas. Surprisingly easy to drink already, though a couple of years in the cellar certainly won't hurt it. made in a fresh, clean Old World style. Around $20. A-/B+