2006 Domaine de Belliviere Coteaux du Loir Vielles Vignes Eparses
Smelling of wet agricultural soil, this gold-tinged wine, made entirely of Chenin Blanc, was medium-bodied, lush with sweet fruit that combined well with enough earthy and mineral components. I like it for $21. Made for a pleasant aperitif or for casual lounge-around wine. B+
1990 Ch. Charmail, Haut Medoc
Leather, cigar and all the tertiary stuff on the nose, but the color was still that of dark cherry red fresh Bordeaux look. Unmistakably ripe but not in-your-face ripe, and which also allowed for nice bursts of red fruit acidity. Showed sweet fine tannin. Full bodied with a lengthy finish. Slight creamy notes in the last couple of pours. As enjoyable as a good friend who you’ve not seen in a while but just suddenly happened to have shown up for dinner. B+