Eddie Feraud, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2004
Color beginning to get that look of maturity about it. Bretty, sweatsox nose that dissipates to mulled fruit flavors. Stewed cherry and spice, like a Christmas punch, beginning to take on tertiary characteristics. Old book bindings, leather, damson plum and mulberry notes.. Old school Chateauneuf. Reminds me of mid-80's Vieux Telegraph. 14.5% Very nice. A-
Bernard Baudry, Chinon, 'la Croix Boisee', 2007
Perhaps too young to open this, but what the hey? Purplish, almost magenta red. Tobacco-scented red frutied nose. Youthful, vervy flavors of charcoal, pomegranate, twigs and stems. This is young, but there also isn't a lot of depth here either on its medium-bodied frame. Still, I would like this to calm down some, so my next bottle gets opened in 3-5 years. B+/A-
Fronton de Oro, Gran Canaria, 'Malpais', 2008
This rough-hewn wine speaks of Mediterranean bistro reds, in that it is light with pleasant enough red-fruit aromas with creosote plume, creosote on the palate along with a hint of volcanic ash. This is nice, but there are better values out there rather than spending $20 on something like this. Perhaps the price is high due to the Cananry Islands being off the beaten track? high B+
Casa de Casal de Loivos, Douro, 2005
Purplish ruby red color. Fragrant blackberry, plum nose. This is pretty full-bodied, full of black and blue berries with a spiced vanilla, ginger spice cake finish, slightly one-dimensional, but the fruit is high-toned, and the acidity fairly decent, so it doesn't tire too much. Not something I would ordinarily have too often, today it's not bad, and has a nice touch of baked earthen tiles on the end. This is what a California cab could aspire to without becoming overdone. 13.5% B+/A- [a Lemos & Van Zeller wine]