Wine Focus March 2024: "Saint" wines (notes in main forum)

[David M. Bueker]

Yes it's the month of St. Patrick's Day, but we won't ask you to drink green wine! This month we'll celebrate all wines with "saint" in their identification. That includes AOC/AVA (e.g., St. Jospeph, St. Helena), vineyard name (e.g., Clos Ste. Hune, Clos St. Jacques), producer name (e.g., St. Urbans-Hof) and any other saint reference you can find.

This leaves things a little more wide open, but that's OK. Celebrate March with the saints!

[Robin Garr]

Saint Louis Armstrong would never forgive me if I didn't drop this into the discussion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLjbMBpGDA

There are quite a few wine place names in France which include the word "Saint", including three of the best Bordeaux commune appellations. Curiously I can't think of many in Italy, Spain and Portugal, in spite of the important Catholic history in those countries.

[David M. Bueker]

I hadn't thought about that, but you're right.

I bought this at a newly opened wine store in a nearby village. He has some interesting wines but overpriced. He asked c.€13 for this one which I subsequently discovered to be available at €8 at a coastal village slightly further away. I don't think his business will last long; the Normans are notoriously thrifty. Quite a nice example of Languedoc and good QPR at €8.

2021 L'Aphyllanthe Pic St. Loup - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Pic St. Loup (03/03/2024)
At Pic Saint-Loup, the French Mediterranean blend is usually Syrah dominated. Here, this shows in polished berry fruit and notes of peppery spice which grace this medium++ bodied wine together with decent acidity and tannic grip. I think this could open up and sing a bit more in a year or so. Good.
Posted from CellarTracker

[David M. Bueker]

Sounds very nice at either price, but especially 8 euros.

Oooohh, good for me to get suggestions.

For my next time hosting our U3A group tasting I intend doing Saints & Zinners (I like punning titles) to consist of whites with Saint in name and red Zinfandels. I'd got as far as St Croix du Mont........

[David M. Bueker]

Nice theme Peter!

Peter - love the theme, may yet steal it!