TN: St. Cosme, Termes, Two Hands Max's, Cheysson, Sterling Three Palms

Xmas at the in-laws.

• 2007 Château de Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône Les Deux Albion 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  (12/25/2009)

  Popped and poured. This took about an hour to open up as it was very tight at first. Then some excellent ripe, but not over ripe cherries and raspberries (black and red). Leathery. Nice texture. Long finish. This should be great drinking in a few years and for the $17 I paid, a great QPR.

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• 2005 Bodega Numanthia Toro Termes 88 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

  (12/26/2009)

  My in-laws really like fruited (over)oaked wines, so this bottle was opened. Not as bad as it was on release, but there is still way too much oak. It seems to be developing well though. Plenty of fruit left and the oak was not as obtrusive. Some heat on the finish, as the balance is not what I would prefer. If I had any more bottles, I suppose I would be comfortable letting them rest. Not bad, but there was some left and I am curious how it shows on Day 2.

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• 2004 Two Hands Shiraz Max's Garden 89 Points

  Australia, Victoria, Central Victoria, Heathcote

  (12/26/2009)

  I had gotten this at a Ukranian Dance School Fundraiser and forgotten about it. Ceertainly seemed unhurt by holding a few years. This was youthful with lots of black raspberries and black pepper. Plenty of fruit. Some noticeable oak on the finish but all in all, a pleasant wine. Nice texture. I don't drink much Aussie Shiraz, but there are some I enjoy. I had no problems drinking this one. Solid wine.

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• 2006 Domaine Cheysson Chiroubles 88 Points

  France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Chiroubles

  (12/26/2009)

  I mostly open large wines at the in-laws but popped this when we sat down for dinner. I have had a few of these as my local grocer carries it. It was hard to tell if it had lost something or tightened up or was just milder compared to the big wines I had been drinking. Either way, it was a welcome respite for my palate. Nice cherries and cherry juice with some complexity. A slight sour cherry note on the finish. Softer but with good acidity.

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• 2005 Sterling Vineyards Merlot Three Palms Vineyard 83 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (12/26/2009)

  My brother-in-law popped this for Xmas and then hid the bottle so it would not be slurped down. He is well meaning and I am sure this is an expensive bottle. Since I was assigned bringing the wine, it was not a problem. That is, until, I had to drink a glass. It looked innocent enough in the glass, kind of pretty purple and ruby. The nose was like walking into a the back of Home Depot. Fresh cut lumber, some of it burnt on the table saw. Also some raspberry juice box notes. On the palate, this was drying, alcoholic, hot and though the fruit was there, it was too painful to drink. I gave it as high a score as I could with the understanding that the target audience loves this wine and those in my family given some were raving about it. It just is not for me.

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