Bodegas Riojanas 2003 Rioja Medieval, $8.50
This has a modest nose of cherry accented by some herbs and spice. On the palate, there is more effusive bright cherry fruit with some light spice (yet it doesn’t seem woody) and some earth and herbs. Some tannins are present but overall it’s light-bodied and smooth with good acidity. It’s somewhat like a Beaujolais except the fruit is more cherry than strawberry. A delight and no evidence of the hot vintage whatsoever. Excellent match with garlic top/basil pesto and an almost equally fine match with a pretty hot veggie chili. Super value. Importer: Vintage Wines.
Cantine Sant’Agata 2004 Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato Il Cavaliere, $10
Restrained nose with some wild strawberry, white pepper, flowers and minerals. It’s more effusive on the palate with bright, delightful strawberry/cherry fruit accented by lots of white pepper and minerals and a little dusty earth. Light- to medium-bodied with bright acidity and very smooth texture. A vibrant, enjoyable wine, great value considering most other Ruchés I've seen cost around $20, and an excellent match with garlic top/basil pesto. Interestingly, this reminds me of the Domaine de Bellivière Rouge Gorge, which makes me wonder whether there could be any relation between Pineau d’Aunis and Ruché. Importer: Siema LLC.
Agribergidum Pieros 2001 Bierzo Mencia Crianza Consensus, $15
This has a mix of red and black cherry aromas and flavors accented by a fair amount of earth and a little spice. Some oak is evident but not much; it’s in the background and certainly less than most other Spanish reds. It has good acidity and while the tannins are still quite notable, they add to the structure and don’t interfere. Quite nice overall and an excellent match with black bean stew. Next day, it’s even better, richer and more textured, with more herbal and earthy notes.
Clos La Coutale 2001 Cahors, $11
My first ever Cahors. This has a subtle but pleasant nose of black fruits, herbs, dusty earth, a little tar and chocolate, and some minerals. On the palate, there is both red and black cherry fruit that’s quite vibrant, with some herbal, earthy, chocolate and mineral accents. It has plenty of tannins, but it's not the tannic monster I've been led to believe is often the case with Cahors under 10 years of age, and they don’t get in the way, especially with food. Very enjoyable wine, somewhat rustic but also somewhat smooth, and an excellent match with homemade pizza. Well worth getting again. Importer: Kermit Lynch.
Domaine Brusset 2001 Côtes du Rhône-Villages Cairanne Côteaux des Travers, $10
This has some mild black fruit, smoke and earth aromas with a little brett. On the palate, there are rich blue and black fruits with earth, smoke, herbs and some spice. Medium to big-bodied with some tannins and moderate acidity. Makes for a very fine match with take-out chicken shawarma from a Middle Eastern restaurant. Importer: Calvert-Woodley.