70% Syrah & 30% Grenache grown in an accumulation of rounded pebbles; "Made by draining off the vat. Its color is obtained through a short maceration of between 4 & 12 hrs. Fermentation takes place in s/s tanks with the temperature controlled at 64°F."
N: FRAGRANT grapiness slightly atop flowers, with minerals WAY underneath?
P: Med body; Very RNDISH entry with nice, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) counterbalanced by an acidity which keeps things in check into & through the LONG, balanced, tangy/swt finish with an OCCASIONAL *glimpse* of a very, VERY slight bitterness that encourages... MORE. Strikes me as being equally adept as a quaff or @ the table with lighter fare. For now & through '20, poss longer. My VG+/EXC-, the higher arguably for QPR? [This vendor's $9.95 puts it in the top 1/3 of wine-searcher's postings.]
N: Fairly fragrant, intriguing melding of grass & earth, POSS with toasty notes?
P: Med, poss LM, body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) NICELY counterbalanced by a TANGY acidity which subtly directs the action into & through the LONG, BALANCED finish with an attractive tangy/swtness. VERY nicely done, & could also serve as a quaff for those who enjoy tanginess. For now & into, poss through, '21. My EXC-. [I didn't see any wine-searcher competition for this vendors price, which is now $10.95.]
85% Sangiovese with a 15% blend of C.S., Montepulciano, Canaiolo, & P.V. for the assemblage; After controlled fermentation at 28°C the wine ages for at least 12 mos in medium toasted, Allier oak tonneaux; 14% ABV
N: Fragrantly creamy oak with notes of bacon fat, ripe berries way underneath; Intensity lurking?
P: LM, poss Med, body; NICE, ALMOST swtish bacon-tinged frt met by some puckerish astringency which DOES pretty much resolve by the LONG, very, VERY slightly tangy finish with ULT a pleasant BITTER/swt choc tint to the few, dusty tannins. Approachable now with food, DESERVES through '19, then drinking into '23. Nicely done in a rustic style. My VG+/EXC-. [This vendor's $13.95 would appear to be VERY competitive!]
Grapes from Russian River Valley, Clarksburg, & coastal Monterey hills, aged 11 mos in AM and FR oak; 13.5% ABV, 0.54g/100ml T.A., & 3.74 pH.
N: RIPE cherries with forest floor which SOMEWHAT blows off to notes of flowers; At least for THIS price pt, complex;
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.) met by just a bit of puckerish astringency which pretty much resolves by the LONG finish with a bitter/swtness to the few dusty tannins. MINIMAL var char, but otherwise NICE as a generic red table win. Drink now & through '20. My VG+/EXC-, but as generic red rather than P.N. 95 pts & Gold @ '18 CA State Fair, and Silver @ '18 S.F. Chronicle Wine Comp. [Check with this vendor if interested in their very COMPETITIVE price.]
Note: Also tasted 5/12 & 10/13/2018, TNs fairly consistent
A joint venture between Michel Gassier, importer "Eric Solomon, & Philippe Cambie from several sites throughout the Rhône valley;" 80+ yr old vines grown @ 150m elev in soils of clay limestone topped with galets; This vintage supposedly 85% Grenache & 15% Syrah, typically hand harvested, destemmed, with natural yeast fermentation & 6 mos aging in concrete tank;
N: Closed; Cherries slightly atop garrigue with notes of earth & smoke; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by astringent pucker which SOMEWHAT resolves by the LONG, very, VERY slightly tangy finish with a bitter/swtness (55:45) to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '19, then drinking into '23? A fairly substantial style for this AOC. My VG+/EXC-, the higher poss for QPR? 91-93 pts Jeb Dunnuck & 88-90 WA. [This vendor's $11.95 is as good as anyone on wine-searcher.]
2018 Château de Campuget Costières-de-Nîmes Rosé Tradition de Campuget
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Costières-de-Nîmes
70% Syrah & 30% Grenache grown in an accumulation of rounded pebbles; "Made by draining off the vat. Its color is obtained through a short maceration of between 4 & 12 hrs. Fermentation takes place in s/s tanks with the temperature controlled at 64°F."
N: FRAGRANT grapiness slightly atop flowers, with minerals WAY underneath?
P: Med body; Very RNDISH entry with nice, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) counterbalanced by an acidity which keeps things in check into & through the LONG, balanced, tangy/swt finish with an OCCASIONAL *glimpse* of a very, VERY slight bitterness that encourages... MORE. Strikes me as being equally adept as a quaff or @ the table with lighter fare. For now & through '20, poss longer. My VG+/EXC-, the higher arguably for QPR? [This vendor's $9.95 puts it in the top 1/3 of wine-searcher's postings.]
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2017 Penedo Borges Sauvignon Blanc Finca Don Otaviano
Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Agrelo
PROBABLY 100% S.B. with lees aging & NO oak
N: Fairly fragrant, intriguing melding of grass & earth, POSS with toasty notes?
P: Med, poss LM, body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) NICELY counterbalanced by a TANGY acidity which subtly directs the action into & through the LONG, BALANCED finish with an attractive tangy/swtness. VERY nicely done, & could also serve as a quaff for those who enjoy tanginess. For now & into, poss through, '21. My EXC-. [I didn't see any wine-searcher competition for this vendors price, which is now $10.95.]
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2016 Poggio Nibbiale Morellino di Scansano
Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Morellino di Scansano
85% Sangiovese with a 15% blend of C.S., Montepulciano, Canaiolo, & P.V. for the assemblage; After controlled fermentation at 28°C the wine ages for at least 12 mos in medium toasted, Allier oak tonneaux; 14% ABV
N: Fragrantly creamy oak with notes of bacon fat, ripe berries way underneath; Intensity lurking?
P: LM, poss Med, body; NICE, ALMOST swtish bacon-tinged frt met by some puckerish astringency which DOES pretty much resolve by the LONG, very, VERY slightly tangy finish with ULT a pleasant BITTER/swt choc tint to the few, dusty tannins. Approachable now with food, DESERVES through '19, then drinking into '23. Nicely done in a rustic style. My VG+/EXC-. [This vendor's $13.95 would appear to be VERY competitive!]
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Bogle Vineyards Pinot Noir
USA, California
Grapes from Russian River Valley, Clarksburg, & coastal Monterey hills, aged 11 mos in AM and FR oak; 13.5% ABV, 0.54g/100ml T.A., & 3.74 pH.
N: RIPE cherries with forest floor which SOMEWHAT blows off to notes of flowers; At least for THIS price pt, complex;
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.) met by just a bit of puckerish astringency which pretty much resolves by the LONG finish with a bitter/swtness to the few dusty tannins. MINIMAL var char, but otherwise NICE as a generic red table win. Drink now & through '20. My VG+/EXC-, but as generic red rather than P.N. 95 pts & Gold @ '18 CA State Fair, and Silver @ '18 S.F. Chronicle Wine Comp. [Check with this vendor if interested in their very COMPETITIVE price.]
Note: Also tasted 5/12 & 10/13/2018, TNs fairly consistent
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2016 Michel Gassier Cercius
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
A joint venture between Michel Gassier, importer "Eric Solomon, & Philippe Cambie from several sites throughout the Rhône valley;" 80+ yr old vines grown @ 150m elev in soils of clay limestone topped with galets; This vintage supposedly 85% Grenache & 15% Syrah, typically hand harvested, destemmed, with natural yeast fermentation & 6 mos aging in concrete tank;
N: Closed; Cherries slightly atop garrigue with notes of earth & smoke; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by astringent pucker which SOMEWHAT resolves by the LONG, very, VERY slightly tangy finish with a bitter/swtness (55:45) to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '19, then drinking into '23? A fairly substantial style for this AOC. My VG+/EXC-, the higher poss for QPR? 91-93 pts Jeb Dunnuck & 88-90 WA. [This vendor's $11.95 is as good as anyone on wine-searcher.]
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue