The wine manager at my favorite local gourmet grocery/wine shop hosted a tasting of wines imported by Vino Lefebvre (out of Ft. Wayne, IN). Nice lineup of wines, with some really nice Bordeaux in the mix.
Chateau Moncontour, Cuvee Predeliction, Vouvray 2007
A sparkling Vouvray. Good toasty body and mineral. Nearly as good as some Champagne NVs, but at $20, half the price of most. *** [11/14/11]
Chateau Moncontour, Cremant de Loire NV
A rose sparkler. Nice aromatic personality and delicate body. Great value at $12. *** [11/14/11]
Chateau Moncontour, Sec, Vouvray 2007
Nice ripeness and acidity. ** [11/14/11]
Giacomo Vico, Roero Arneis 2010
Wonderful fruit and body, with nice vegetal notes, citrus zest, and mineral. Creamy. *** [11/14/11]
Jigar, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2008
Lovely nose of nice, accentuated fruit. On the palate, nice ripe fruit, with some accentuation, but a little less expressive than the nose at first. With air, becomes much more expressive, with nice earth and clove notes. Really excellent Pinot Noir for only $20. *** [11/14/11]
Loring, Pinot Noir, Rosella's Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands 2008
Dense, ripe fruit. Good body, rather oaky. Serious, but not attractive. Opinion seemed divided on this one. Very hard to get excited given it's $40 price tag. *** [11/14/11]
Jigar, Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley 2008
Ripe warm fruit, but little personality. ** [11/14/11]
Chateau Cadillac, Bordeaux 2008
Good, savory red fruit. Nice Bordeaux for $14. ** [11/14/11]
Domaine Monte de Luz, Cabernet Franc, San Jose (Uruguay) 2008
Reticent. I expected more, given my experience with their exceptional Tannat. ** [11/14/11]
Chateau Pavillon de Poyferre, St.-Julien 2005
2nd wine of Leoville-Poyferre. Wonderful, leathery, aromatic nose, with meaty dark and red fruits. Same notes on the palate, with a nice savory quality. Good prospects for the next 5 to 10 years. At $38, a bargain in serious Bordeaux. **** [11/14/11]
Chateau Le Crock, St. Estephe 2005
Red fruit and spice. Austere, but with 2005 ripeness and structure. Some aromatic personality too. Another 5 to maybe 10 (at most) years ahead. *** [11/14/11]
Chateau Le Croix, St. Estephe 2006
Perfumey nose of dark fruit - very 2006. On the palate, dark fruit, tart, savory red fruit, and gravelly earth. Love it! Great prospects for the next 5 years. *** [11/14/11]
Cuvelier de Los Andes, Coleccion, Mendoza 2008
62% Malbec, 20% Cab Sauv, 8% Syrah, 7% Merlot, 3% Petite Verdot. Wonderful, ripe blueberry, blackberry, and tart currant, with French-style earth and grip. Love it! Drink now. **** [11/14/11]
Chateau Haut-Selve, Graves 2006
Dark fruit, gravel, and 2006 perfumey aromatics. As lovely as my previous experience. 5 years ahead. *** [11/14/11]