Couple of quickie TNs from the past week:
Charles Joguet 2004 Chinon, Cuvee Terrior - $14.99
12% ABV. Color medium garnet with darkish core, bright edges. Currents, and black cherries, followed by green bell pepper and dill on the nose. Tastes follow the nose, light, good firm acidity with a bit of brine/mineral, moderate tannins, finishes with strong bitter tea. Not bad with some boneless pork chops with a sauce made with garlic, shallots, balsamic vinegar, red wine, and plum preserves. Nice Loire red for mid-teens, will buy again.
Château de Cugat 2000 Bordeaux Supérieur - $9.99
12.5% ABV. I purchased this a few days ago, my guess is that the distributor is clearing out some old inventory as the store had several cases on stacked on the floor. According some info found on the web, a blend of the usual Bordeaux suspects – Merlot, Cab. Sauv. and Cab. Franc, winery and vineyard located in the Entre-Deux-Mers, hence the regional designation for their reds. Med. ruby with some light bricking, clear edges. Bretty barnyard that turns more band-aid after a while, a bit of pencil lead and tar on the nose. Tastes of sweet raspberries, earth, and bitter dark chocolate, finishing with a splash of acidity and dusty tannins, light to medium mouthfeel, and decent finish. Had this wine last night with some take-out "Lebanese" food from the local gyro shack (chicken kabobs, falafel, rice, etc.) Decent bargain basement low-end Bordeaux. Buy again? For a sawbuck, sure.