Joszef Bock Ermitage 2007 - Villányi, Hungary
14% abv. A blend of pretty much everything red, but with the classic Bx blend making up most of it. Despite the bad glasses at the restaurant, this was a very enjoyable drop. Meaty, earthy aromas with primary fruit; crisp, more red toned palate than expected from the scent, good tannins, refreshing.
Éric Texier St. Gervais Vieilles Vignes des Cadinières 2005
13% abv. Charles Morgan once mentioned that mature Grenache can sometimes appear very similar to Ch. Musar. And this has all of Musar's lovely sweet red fruit, a pleasant lift (not full blown VA), delightfully savoury (instead of the more animal quality of Musar) - so it's not quite Musar, but I certainly see the kinship Charles mentioned. Quite full body, but still on the elegant side for the S. Rhône, refreshing and bright palate, good acidity for the grape/region. Delightful. And though this is already in a Musary stage of evolution, I still feel it is very young. Maybe this one of those wines to drink now and hold.