Some of the less expensive tibbles I've been tibbling back:
Guido Porro, Barbera d'Alba, 'vigna S. Caterina', 2007
Soft black cherry, brambleberry, refreshingly easy to drink. Ready now. B+ and around $15 or so.
Tissot, arbois, Poulsard, vieilles vignes, 2006
Rather dark for a poulsard, like a light pinot noir color. Stewy cinnamon stewed fruits. Slightly volatile, but not worrisome. nice weight. B+ Around $20
Baudry, Chinon, 'les Granges', 2005
Medium maroonish, murky cherry red colored. Perfumed green bell pepper and blackcurrants on the nose. Taut blackcurrant and leafy herbs, ashtray, nicely ripe but a bit on the lean side for such a ripe year. Used cigarette finish. Eminently drinkable. A-/B+ Uh, mid teens?
Domaine de la Louvetrie, Muscadet Sevre et Maine, 2008
No notes, but gave it a 'B'. Probably failed to deliver in the complexity department. I think I remember it falling apart and becoming not as nice the next day, a slight failing in my book, unless it's Burgundy. Wouldn't buy again, even at the low teen pricing.
Rudi Pichler, Grüner Veltliner, Smaragd,'Terrassen', 2006 No notes either, but give it a B+. Yellow ripe fruits but surprisingly light for a smaragd from a ripe year. Enough minerality and acidity to hold interest for a few more years, but not a long keeper. Very smooth and goes down quickly in a food-friendly way. And you cannot beat the $11, delivered, price tag.
Clos Roche Blanche, Touraine, 'cuvee cot', 2005
Leather, herbs, and red fruits on the aromatic nose. There's a strong herbal edge to this wine, slightly Scope-like in it's briskness, finishes with a bit of sour/unripe plum. Good and refreshing, but very youthful. A- $22 maybee?
Malbec made my way. I've never seen the designation of old vines on CRB bottles. Does it actually Say so, ever, or is it simply implied?