Wines Tasted - June 20, 2010

Andre' Brunel - Cotes du Rhone - France - 2007 - $9 - (Classic, Easy Drinker, Food Wine) - With such a great vintage in 2007 for the Southern Rhone, I thought I'd toss a $10 bill at this reputable producer's nine dollar CdR.  I chose wisely!  This is a great Patio/Tuesday/Bring it out for those who don't know the difference wine.  Not big or awkward, nor under ripe or under fruited, just good old vine grenache at its ($9)best.  Clear, bright ruby of moderate concentration.  A touch reduced and alcoholic(13.5%) upon twisting the cap, but this all changed upon a little aeration.  The wine evolved to black olive tapenade, dried herbs and crushed raspberry.  Earthy notes abound, as do scents of fresh licorice and wet clay.  The acidity, tannin, complexity & body were moderate.  This was one of those: "How'd we get to the bottom of the bottle so fast?", wines.
Enjoyed this with Turkey Sandwiches with Foie Aioli from Bouchon Bakery.

Wines Tasted - March 1, 2010

 

Hauts de Pontet-Canet - Pauillac - Boudeaux - 2006 - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine, Earthy Style, Best Buy) - $26 - A deep clear garnet/black fading to a deep garnet rim. Opened with a nose of scorched earth, new shower curtain and rubber tires, not that it's a bad thing, just classic BDX qualities.  But as it opened the bluberry rush came on, as did the currant and chocolaty qualities, and once truely aired, it was ripe crushed plums.  That is what we expect from great Merlot dominated blends with Cabernet should evolve to.  I loved this, but my Modern wine drinking friends felt less intimate with it.  It had medium tannins for a young 2006, but with a ton of earth and gravel to each pound of fruit.  Great with a bit of Braised Pork Shoulder, as the tannins and moderate+ acidity were instantly cut by the mented fat, yum!  A great QPR on this.

Wines Tasted - March 1, 2010

Lucien Albrecht - Alsace- Gewurztraminer - Reserve - 2008 - (Classic, Food Wine) - $20 - Bright green straw, with some density visable. A classic nose of jasmine, honeysuckey and lavander with pear and apricot stewed in cardamom and chamomile. Alcohol was moderate+ (13%), and an off dry finish made for a ripe, rich glass of pure Alsace.