2007 J.V. Fleury, Ventoux:
14% alcohol and about $12; 60% syrah, 30% grenache, 10% mourvèdre; salty meat and fruit nose with a hint of VA; salt/mineral flavors with meat, fruit and a touch of jam – as it opens, it becomes more integrated; slightly hot at first but becomes smoother with air. Eh; there’s no ‘there’ there.
2002 Brégeon, Muscadet:
12% alcohol, served at room temp., about $24; expansive nose of pepper, flowers and almonds; broad in the mouth but bright and lively, flavors echo the nose, good balance and sustain. There is more depth here than with most Muscadet I try but this also seems a bit more diffuse. Outstanding along side cauliflower soup with truffle oil.
2007 Drouhin, Chablis:
12.5% and about $24; lemon oil and seashore nose with hints of flowers, quite something as long as the wine is not too cold; much the same in the mouth, medium weight, a smooth texture but nothing flabby and real intensity; medium length finish. The best sub-$25 chardonnay I can remember and smashing with boiled shrimp and Caesar salad.
2007 Edmunds St. John, Pinot Gris:
13.5% alcohol, screwcap, $10 on sale; spicy on the nose; equally so on the palate with some fruit and some savory notes, strongly flavored and bright; medium finish. With swordfish salad and green beans, delicious.
2008 Edmunds St. John, Gamay Prophyry:
13% alcohol, screwcap, $20; beautiful mineral driven gamay nose; clear and intense in the mouth, some fruit, some mineral and all together in a complex yet integrated wine that has energy and kick; medium finish. Lovely with assorted cheeses.
Day two: with pizza; this will always have its firm, mineral side, but now the fruit is wide open, ripe and juicy, and still, the energy remains. Expressive wine.
Best, Jim