Domaine du Grand Montmirail Gigondas Les Deux Juliettes, 2012

Les Deux Juliettes is named after the Juliette daughters of the French producer, Yves Cheron, and the American importer, Charles Neal. It is 80% Grenache from vines 55 to 65 years old, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre from 30 year-old vines--all on alluvial soil in the  well regarded southeast corner of Gigondas.

Deep crimson. The quality is apparent from the first sniff: violets, red fruit, rosemary and thyme--bright and full of life. Dark cherries, wild strawberries, licorice and black pepper on the palate. Full bodied but with ripe, supple tannins and a long, delicious finish. Power and beauty--the essence of Gigondas. At least as good as my last bottle opened on April 7, 2024.
 

Domaine du Pegau Cuvee Reservee Chateauneuf du Pape, 1995

This is my first go at the 1995 Pegau, after numerous bottles over the years of the 1988, 1989 and 1990 Cuvee Reservee.  It differs remarkably from these earlier vintages, but still shows the great viticulture of Paul Feraud and the great winemaking of his daughter, Laurrence,

Deep crimson, bright and clear. Cherries, red raspberries plus tertiary notes of black olives and leather. Particularly enticing for a Chateauneuf du Pape. Not as bold as the earlier vintages but with flavors than unfold beautifully over the course of the meal. Others on Cellar Tracker have compared it to red 'Burgundy, and I agree. Ripe tannins, good acidity to balance and a long, glorious finish.

My bottles of this wine were imported by J.C. Mathes of J et R and the label gives the alcohol content as 13.5%. Other tasters, who apparently have bottles imported by Dan Kravitz, report ABV as 14.5 to 15.5%.
 

Hidden Hill Estate McLaren Vale Shiraz, 2021

I paid $5.99 for this wine a few years ago at Trader Joe's and didn't expect much. It does have an appellation on the label, though, and that appellation (McLaren Vale) has a very good reputation for Shiraz. Tonight, it is showing itself as a true value.

Deep and dark as is typical for Aussie Shiraz. It was very bold and a bit one dimensional a couple of years ago but, at age 5, it has developed maturity and complexity. Dark cherries, berries, plums with a spicy edge. Medium to full body and the rough tannins have mellowed, allowing McLaren Vale fruit to show its best. Very enjoyable right now.

 

Franco Serra Langhe Nebbiolo, 2015

Franco Serra produces my favorite low-priced Barbera d'Alba, and the Langhe Nebbiolo costs only a few dollars more ($13 to $15) for a poor man's taste of Piedmont Barolo.

Medium ruby with orangeish tints characteristic of traditional Nebbiolo. After fermentation was aged four months in stainless steel, then six months in large oak barrels and three months in the bottle. Needs at least two hours of aeration to show its best. Classic Nebbiolo profile of dark cherries, black licorice, earth and pepper. Medium body with firm tannins and acidity to match. Complexity comes through with enough aeration.
 

Domaine Couturier Saint Veran La Coeur des Bois, 2021

Grapes for this lovely wine come from 70- to 80-year old Chardonnay vines in the southern Maconnais. La Coeur du Bois is a small plateau with alluvial soil and large stones--very acidic, sandy loam on a clay base that is also very acidic. The resulting wine is more like Chablis than white Burgundies fron the Cotes de Beaune.

Medium deep yellow. Elegance personified. Intense bouquet of flowers, pears, apples and white peaches. Lemon curd acidity. Not too sweet upfront but fresh and lively leading to a long, refined fruit-oriented finish. Exciting flavors that cling to the memory long after the final sip. A special wine.

Marcel Couturier's La Coeur des Bois retails for $40 to $50 a bottle--well out of my price range. But I have found it several times for $15 to $20 on WineBid.
 

Gigi Rosso Barolo Arione, 2001

I opened this wine two hours before dinner, but it still benefited from another hour or two of aeration. Not until then did the classic Nebbiolo bouquet begin to emerge.

Medium ruby. Violets, roses and cherries on the nose....after sufficient aeration. Dark cherries, black licorice on the tongue. Not as powerful or tannic as I expected from Barolo but plenty of sweet fruit flavors that get more complex as the meal progresses. 
 

Perticaia Montefalco Sagrantino, 2016

For me, this was the major attraction of the AWS Central Italy National Tasting Project. I was anxious to taste a good Sagrantino, and I was not disappointed.

Deep and dark, bright and clear. Garnet shading in from the rim. Bright scents and flavors of red and black fruits, violets, eucalyptus and black pepper. Fine grained tannins, some alcoholic warmth but doesn't detract. Silky texture. Long, sweet fruited finish. 

I gave this wine 18.0, a close second to the Nobile di Montepulciano, compared to 17.0 for the Selection Committee.