Paul Jaboulet Aine Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert, 1999

 Most agree that the best Thalaberts were made in the 1980s, but Robert Parker gave high praise to this 1999, saying it was the best Thalabert since 1990. Having tasted the very good wines from 1991, 1994 and 1995, I disagree with that assessment but still found this 1999 very enjoyable and a good representative of this great Crozes-Hermitage vineyard.

The color, once a deep, dark ruby, has lightened appropriately, and the smells and flavors have become more mature and complex. Still some blackcurrants and dark fruit but also sun dried tomatoes and leather with a top note of lavender. Acidity carries it all gracefully to a long, glorious finish. Full Thalabert personality.

Curto Marco di Nadia Curto Nebbiolo Langhe L'Informale, 2023

This wine is a blend of Nebbiolo (60%) and Dolcetto (40%) from the Curto Marco estate in Barolo. The Dolcetto is picked in mid-September, the Nebbiolo in mid- to late-October. The Dolcertto is fermented on the skins for three days, the Nebbiolo for two weeks and aged separately in stainless steel tanks. Blending is done in the Spring and bottling in the Summer with the goal of producing a wine that is fresh and fruit-forward but with the tannic structure of Nebbiolo for every day drinking.

Medium deep ruby color, more like Dolcetto than Nebbiolo. Lovely smells and flavors of dark cherries, black berries, rose petals. Nebbiolo demeanor with a fruit friendly smile. Medium body, silky texture, tannic grip that leads to a long finish. I love this wine, and for $17 to $18 a bottle (Saratoga Wine Exchage), I can afford to keep a good supply on hand 

Heathvale Barossa Eden Valley Shiraz, 2002

The Eden Valley is a cool oasis in Barossa, and 2002 had a cool growing season. The result is apparent in this delicious Shiraz.

Beautiful ruby red, not too light, not too dark. Aged in new, 2- and 3-year old French and American hogsheads. Lifted fruit-oriented aromas announce the flavors that are to come. Red as well as black raspberries. Excellent fruit/acid balance. Deep flavors. Black olives, black pepper., spice. Long finish. Robert Parker gave this wine a good review and 92 points. He predicted aging potential of 5 to 7 years, but this lovely 24-year-old could drink beautifully for another five years.
 

Angel Ranch Russian River Chardonnay, 2019

I could find very little information on this wine when I purchased a six-bottle lot at a very good price at WineBid. But Russian River is a very good appellation for Chardonnay, as well as for Pinot Noir, so I took a chance.

Medium deep yellow. Very distinctive smells and flavors. Lemon curd, butter, mango with a touch of nutmeg and cinnamon Medium bodied with fantastic texture. Moderate use of oak. Has the acidity of a good Oregon Chardonnay plus the spicy complexity of Russian River Valley.
 

Willakenzie Estate Willamette Valley Chardonnay, 2018

Some but not all of the grapes for this Willakenzie Chardonnay are grown on the estate in the Yamhill-Carlton area, known for its Willakenzie soil But all come from the Willamette Valley, and the wine, selling for about $30, is a relative bargain (the Estate Cuvee is $75). I bought some for half price a few years ago when the merchant was apparently worried about selling a Chardonnay with almost five years of age. No need to worry with this wine even at age 8 to 10.

Full lemon yellow. Lemon curd, white peaches, sea salt with floral notes. Legs clinging to the glass indicate good viscosity and body. But cool rather than warm (13.5% alcohol). Rich mouth feel with mineral-laden flavors that seem to expand with each sip. Finish is broad as well as long. One of my favorite Oregon Chardonnays.
 

Reserve del Puech Vieilles Vignes Cotes du Rhone, 2022

This Reserve del Puech reminds me of the many great Cotes du Rhone wines that I enjoyed in the 1980s and 1990s. And at less than $10, it is priced similarly.

Medium ruby, bright and clear. 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Carignan. Fresh fruit smells. Raspberry, blueberry with hints of anise seed. Firm but friendly tannins with a peppery finish. Excellent balance
 

Jean Michel Gerin Syrah La Champine, 2013

Jean Michel Gerin has prime land in Cote Rotie, and his Cote Rotie wines sell for $150 to $225 a bottle. Some of the grapes for this Syrah La Champine come from young vines on Gerin's property but most come from nearby Ardeche, hardly as prestigious. I bought a case of La Champine from Saratoga Wine Exchange for $144 ($12 a bottle). Perhaps the wine had less value on the market because the winemaker, on the label, advised drinking "now and during the next 5 years." But it sold out at that price and I am very pleased with my purchase.

Syrah dark, all the way to the rim. Black fruit, cassis and a touch of black olives on the finish. Just what I like in French Syrah. Matured 12 months in old oak barrels (similar to my prized Domaine Thalabert wines from the 1980s that are still drinking beautifully). Don't get me wrong; this is not Domaine Thalabert quality, but it has good fruit, good acidity and developing complexity on the finish. I like it.