Tried these last night w/ my pizza as fires raged up in the mtns above:
1. OjaiVnyd Viognier RollRanchVnyd/Calif (14.0%) 2009: Light gold color; lovely pear/peach/Viognier spicy/nutmeg bright/racy/vibrant slight earthy/mineral very attractive nose; fairly tart rich very spicy/nutmeg bright/pear/peach/Viog slight mineral flavor; very long tart/bright very spicy/nutmeg bright/pear/peach/floral/Viog slight stoney/mineral finish; a lovely/spicy/bright Viog of the non-DollyParton style at a great price. $20.50
___________________
2. AlainGraillot AC: Crozes-Hermitage (13%) 2004: Dark color w/ slight bricking; lovely Rhonish/green olive/smokey/very roasted/bacon fat light toasty/oak strong blackberry/Syrah lovely classic NorthernRhone nose; soft strong smokey/roasted/green olive/NorthernRhone some blackberry/Syrah light toasty/oak some tannic flavor; very long/lingering very Rhonish/green olive/roasted/smokey/pungent strong blackberry/Syrah/blueberry finish w/ fair tannins; probably best to drink over the next 2-3 yrs as the tannins may never fully resolve; pretty tannic & gone by the next morning sitting out in the decanter. $26.00
______________________________________
A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. I think the Graillot C-H, now up around $30 or more, remains one of the best values in a NorthernRhone Syrah. Always one of my must-buys.
Tom