2009 Dom. Chiroulet, Cotes de Gascogne (blanc):
Mostly gros manseng with some sauvignon and ugni blanc; 12.5% alcohol; smells like sauvignon, but tastes of vinous pear and grapefruit, very bright and fresh; nice aperitif. Thanks Brad.
1999 Verset, Cornas:
When first opened, all about poop; thereafter, the most thoroughly Cornas wine I have tasted; it isn’t the best syrah I’ve had, but its so damn Cornas its hard not to stare off into space and think grand thoughts; the folks who are with me look like they haven’t words for the experience - and then, a little at a time, I hear things like floral, rustic, violets, crazy good, weird, amazing, etc.
Nothing written describes it - but you want this wine.
I love it.
1999 Juge, Cornas Cuvee SC:
The Burgundy of Cornas; not even in the same world as the preceding wine but lovely in its own right and still has that sauvage element that seems typical of the AOC. This is lighter, more angular but not as funky, and clearly more about textures than the Verset. Call me crazy but I’ll take the Verset every time - still, this is preferable to most syrahs from anywhere else. I suspect this is ever so slightly oxidized.
Day three, after re-corking and storage in the fridge: I was wrong; this is not oxidized, it was just closed. Now, its at full song and every bit the equal of the Verset - more of everything and considerably greater flesh and power. The sauvage elements are even more emphasized and the wine is so complex as to be indescribable. Benchmark Cornas.
2007 McPhail, Pinot Noir:
Not a bad wine but too sweet for me; I just can’t get past the candied stuff.
2007 Argyros, Atlantis:
From Santorini, this white is 12.5% alcohol and entirely assyrtiko; citrus skin and pears on the nose with some minerality; somewhat fleshy in the mouth with flavors that follow the nose, a peppery note, considerable acidity (7 g/l) and a very clean finish. $19. A lot of Italian whites deliver the same pleasure for less but this was excellent with pasta with zucchini.
2007 Peique, Bierzo Tinto Mencia:
Jose Pastor’s imports are of interest to me - 45 year old vine mencia without wood but 14% stated alcohol; served too warm this shows its alcohol and is short - cooled slightly, it becomes a different wine with rich black fruit and black licorice aromas; concentrated and substantial in the mouth with flavors that echo the nose and are deep, grippy and intense; worsted on the finish. Evidence certain that the wrong serving temperature alters a wine for the worse.
This shows young but interesting - maybe a little too big but not so that one gets any cloy or tiring sensation. Definitely for hearty and strongly flavored food.
2009 Bedrock, Rose Ode to Lulu:
Medium color, maximum flavor, bone dry. From mourvedre vines planted in 1888, picked at 23 brix (finished alcohol of 13.5%), pressed directly into the fermentor (this is not saignee) and carries an earthy minerality that few roses have. Tempier at half the price. Superb.
And some quick impressions from a fine dinner with Lou and Betty Lou:
2005 Hirtzberger, Riesling Singerriedel:
In a good place; lots of fruit and concentration with plenty of acidity keeping it from getting loose or soft; complex, potent and long.
2001 Hirtzberger, Riesling Singerriedel:
More acidic than the 2005 and not showing as well - although I am guessing its just the stage - Hold.
1988 Leoville Las Cases:
A complete wine that is, IMO, still young. Another decade and this will be a little softer and I doubt it will lose anything. St. Julien couldn’t taste much better.
2007Do Ferreiro, Albarino Cepas Vellas:
Closed at first and took most of the evening to open; the depth here is unique for this variety and the overall wine is as good as albarino gets. But this needs cellar time.
Best, Jim