Saturday Wines Under $25

Washington, DC
Tasted Saturday, September 8, 2012 by isaacjamesbaker with 437 views

Introduction

I had a solid Saturday drinking some wines at Weygandt Wines, my place with friends and out at dinner. All the wines were less than $25 retail, and there were some impressive bottles. It's all about the bargain.

Flight 1 (9 Notes)

  • 2010 Bonnet-Huteau Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie La Levraudière 87 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie

    I've long been a fan of the quality and value of Bonnet-Huteau. This wine seems like something of a diversion from the usual sea shore and mineral explosion of most of their muscadets. It's much softer, with lots of white flowers on the nose. The palate shows subtle pear and green apple fruit along with fresh herbs and minerals. A fresh but restrained muscadet that was great with a couscous salad.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2010 Bonnet-Huteau Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie Les Gautronnières 88 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie

    First time I've tasted this in 8 months and it's still fresh and young as ever. Strong aromatics of minerals, slate, sea salt and lemon zest. Lots of acid and cut on the palate, and those sea shell and mineral flavors abound. I imagine this well get even better with a few years of age because the flavors are still quite compact.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2008 Weingut Wurtzberg Riesling Spätlese trocken * 87 Points

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    Bright gold color in the glass. Showing aromas of lamp oil, marmalade, orange rind and white flowers. High acid on the palate, with bright apple and pear fruit. Dry and balanced, with significant weight on the palate. Those aged characteristics of honeycomb and oil are starting to show.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2011 Château Mourgues du Gres Costières-de-Nîmes Galets Rosés 87 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Costières-de-Nîmes

    I like this even more than the last time I had it. Floral aromas, watermelon and hints of pepper. This pink wine has some guts, even some fine-grained tannins and flavors of pepper and spice. The fresh melon flavors taste great on a hot summer day.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2009 Domaine Michel Juillot Bourgogne 88 Points

    France, Burgundy, Bourgogne

    I love that clear cherry color. This wine continues to show a lot of finesse and complexity for $20. It's very elegant for a 2009 and shows better with more maturity. Aromas of fresh cherries, earth and charcoal. Such pure flavors on the palate, with fine tannins and fresh acid. This is really what I'm looking for when I go for a basic Bourgogne, that fresh cherry fruit, but also some complexity. And this shows charcoal, some herbs and a deep loam aspect. Very nice.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2010 Domaine de Prion Fleurie Vieilles Vignes 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Fleurie

    This new import from Peter Weygandt has got me pretty excited. It's delicious now, but this is clearly a Cru Beaujolais for the long haul. It's got an Old World syrah color to it, like a dark ruby with just a bit of cloudiness from being unfiltered. The aromas are really big for a Fleurie, with plum skins, iron, mineral and sod. The wine is mouthcoating, with bold, espresso bean tannins. The purity of plum and black cherry fruit is really something. There's a hint of olive on the finish. Very impressive, maybe somewhat atypical, but lovely.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2010 Easton Zinfandel Amador County 85 Points

    USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County

    Wow, there's some differing opinions on this wine. I'll say this: it is what it is, but under the right circumstances, it delivers. I had this with some friends on a Saturday night and everyone really enjoyed it. It's very sweet on the nose and palate. Flavors of cherry ganache, raisins and caramel, with mild tannins and hints of white pepper. Very fruity and candied, but I still liked it.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2010 Domaine Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône Les Champauvins 89 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

    I was very surprised by the quality of this CdR. Some friends brought it over and it was a real crowd-pleaser. Aromas of black cherry, plum pits, charcoal and a distinct note of anise. Nice tannic grip, fresh acid and lots of dark fruit flavors. Black cherries, espresso bean, forest floor and pepper. Pure plum flavors and a hint of lavender linger on the finish. Wow, this has a lot of complexity.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2011 Domaine Collotte Marsannay Rosé 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Marsannay Rosé

    This has been up there with the 2011 Tempier on my favorite roses of the year list. Lots of melon, minerals, blood orange and crushed rocks. The palate is so elegant, with creamy cranberry fruit. I was surprised by the tannins, which are significant. Fresh acid keeps this balanced. Long, lingering finish. Very impressive stuff, especially for $17.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

×
×