Domaine du Haut des Terres Blanches Chateauneuf du Pape, 1994

It has been several years since I have had this old favorite Chateauneuf du Pape, and I assumed it had gone over the hill. No chance. It is showing at least as strong as any of the bottles we have had over the past two decades and showing no sign of decline. Unfortunately, though, it is my last bottle.

Medium deep with some bricking. Unmistakeable nose of mature Chateauneuf, bright and fresh. Grenache red berries, fresh and dried, countered against savory notes of sea salt, minerals, spice and peppercorn. Lovely ripeness carried by mouth watering acidity from front to back. Beautiful finish with layers of ripe flavor. This is what Chateauneuf is all about. A perfect match for grilled rack of lamb. 
 

Domaine du Pelican Arbois Trois Cepages, 2014

The three grapes comprising the cepage in this Jura red are Pinot Noir, Trousseau and Poulsard. It is a light red with the qualities of good Pinot Noir grown in a cool--very cool--climate. I liked it but acknowledge it is a bit too tart for many tasters.

Very light red color, like looking through rose-colored glasses. Pretty aromas focused more on fruit that floral traits. Nothing ripe in the smells or flavors. Cranberry, sour cherries, lemon zest. The citrus zest reminds me of some Oregon Pinots, but this lacks the ripe fruit flavors that provide balance in those wines. An interesting wine with good depth of fruit but definitely on the tart side.

Barton Vale The Changeling Eden Valley Barossa Shiraz, 2001

 

Eden Valley is an elevated cool climate area of Barossa that produces some of 

Australia's best Shiraz wines, including those of Stephen and Pru Henschke (Hill of Grace, Mount Edelstone). Eden Valley is always on my radar, and that's why this wine caught my attention...and my winning bid.

Medium deep ruby. Black fruits evolving to red: blackberries, red currants, boysenberries, pomegranates. Beautiful strructure with acidity that keeps me coming back for sip after sip of that deep, concentrated fruit. Tannins have softened. Long, evolving finish. A special wine for a special occasion. A perfect match for rack of lamb.

Famille Perrin Ventoux, 2021

The slopes of Mont Ventoux provide a perfect environment for growing wine grapes. The elevation lowers temperatures in the sunny Southern Rhone while acidity in the soil assures fresh, bright fruit flavors. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ventoux was my favorite source for high quality every day wines, but this wine from the makers of Chateau Beaucastel is one of a very few Ventoux estates still offering this kind of value..

Bright, medium deep ruby red. Beautiful red berry smells and flavors. Medium bodied with supple tannins. I love the spicy, peppery finish. I buy this from Plum Market (online or in Ann Arbor), for $6.89; it's worth at least twice that much.
 

Point Ormond Victoria Shiraz, 2020

Previous vintages of this Point Ormond Shiraz have had a Heathcote appellation, and I suspect a good portion of the produce for this 2020 comes from that highly regarded cool climate area of Victoria, Australia.

Deep ruby red, but the dark color seems to me to come from skin contact rather than new oak barrels.Not muich oak in the smells or flavors, either. Fresh scents of blackberries, boysenberries, bay leaves and eucaplyptus. Good acidity and supple tannins; very easy to drink right now, but I suspect it will get even better over the next year or two. Subtle after taste of currants and black peppercorn. Reminds me a bit of a good Crozes-Hermitage.

Available for $14.99 online from Plum Market in Ann Arbor--a real bargain for Shiraz of this quality/.

 

Elyse Hudson Vineyard Le Corbeau Red, 2008

This is, if you will, a Napa (Carneros) Chateauneuf du Pape. Crafted from 90% Grenache and 10%  Syrah,  the back label states that the goal is to echo "the great wines of Chateauneuf du Pape." As a long-time fan of the Southern Rhone appellation, I can say that this wine, while very good, is no Chateauneuf du Pape.

Dusty, brickish color. To be expected from a 16-year-old wine that is 90% Grenache. Enticing scents of strawberries and cherries and rather explosive flavors that include orange zest and vanilla. Friendly on the palate as you would expect from a Grenache-heavy wine. Compared to Chateauneuf, what it lacks, in my view, are those savory mineral and herb driven flavors that dominate a well aged Chateauneuf du Pape. 

I bought this wine for $15 at WineBid. This and other vintages of the same wine are still available for that reserve price in this week's auction.
 

Franco Serra Barbera d'Alba, 2018

Over the past decade or so, Franco Serra has always offered one of the lowest priced Barberas on the market. And, at least for my taste, it is one of the best in that price range.

Beautiful bright ruby red color, characteristic of Barbera from the Piedmont area of Italy. Lovely bright red berry aromas and flavors. Montmorency cherries, raspberries, spices and minerals. More tannic and less sweet than other Barberas I have had in this price range, and I like that. But it is smooth and easy to drink with the characteristic Barbera acidity to give it freshness and lift.

Available at D&W in Kalamazoo for about $12 a bottle.
 

Rosa dell Olmo Langhe Nebbiolo, 2021

Nebbiolo is the grape of Barolo and Barbaresco. And even lesser produce, as found in Langhe Nebbiolo, is highly regarded and rarely sold for less than $20 a bottle. Tbis Rosa dell Olmo, though, is available for $8 at Trader Joe's and competes quite favorably with bottles selling for twice that much.

Medium light ruby/garnet. A typical Nebbiolo color for wines that have not been aged in small new oak barrels. This wine, I believe, was actually matured in stainless steel. Ideally, I open Nebbiolo wines an hour or two before serving them. I neglected doing that with this bottle, and it was a bit closed and tannic at first but opened up within 15 or 20 minutes. Subtle aromas typical of Nebbiolo. Intense flavors of rose, red raspberry, cherry and spice. Medium full bodied with good acidic structure. Tannins are remarkably supple for a wine this young. The wine will undoubtedly become more complex with aging, but it is drinking beautifully right now.
 

Vignobles Lacheteau Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie, 2022

I haven't had Muscadet for some time, and I have no good excuse for neglecting it. It is an excellent wine to accompany fresh fish or seafood. This little gem that is available for $6.99 at Trader Joe's put me back in the mood. 

Medium light yellow. The wine has probably seen little oak, but it has been aged on its lies (spent yeast cells), adding body and complexity. The crisp citrus acidity that is to be expected from young Muscadet but also some pleasant scents and flavors reminiscent of cool ocean breezes. Savory and dry. Medium bodied and easy to drink with or without food. I will go back for more.

Carpe Diem Andrerson Valley Chardonnay, 2019

As this wine ages, the cool climate acidity seems to be taking over from the rich California fruit. It is not Chablis; nor is it Dijon Clone Oregon Chardonnay but it has more in common with those appellations than with riper, fuller bodied wines from elsewhere in California.

Medium gold. Pretty floral scents and flavors backed up by green apples, lemon curd and minerals. Okay for sipping but works best with food. A good match for grilled salmon or pork medallions. I like it.
 

Tuatea Marlborough (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc, 2023

Donna's first response when tasting this wine was: "passion fruit!" Mine was: "grapefruit!" And yes, it has both as well as the vibrant qualities of a good New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Medium straw. Passion fruit, grapefruit and lemon grass. But also has a rich tropical fruit feeling on the mid-palate. Zesty and fresh with no hard edges. Clean, medium long finish.

This is one of my favorite Sauvignon Blancs on the market, and it's only $5.99 at Trader Joe's--a fantastic bargain.

 

Epicuro Puglia IGT Aglianico, 2022

 

At $5.99 from Trader Joe's, this Aglianico from Puglia is definitely one of the best wine buys on the market.

Bright rid, translucent. Aromas come through as soon as the cork is popped. Red raspberrie, cherries, spice. Some licorice and black pepper on the palate. On the sweet side but pleasantly so. Concentrated ripe fruit flavors on the smooth finish.

Domaine la Fourmone Cuvee Fauquet Gigondas, 2005

A 24-year-old Gigondas is a bit iffy, and James Livingstone-Learmouth.(drinkrhone.com) who rated this wine ***(*), listed 2018-2220 as an outside drinking window for this 2005. Even so, I was willing to bid $15, and tonight I am glad I did.

Deep ruby, minimal bricking. No sign of advanced age in bouquet or flavors.Plums, black and red raspberries, garrigue. Improves nicely over the course of the meal.Tannins are firm but ripe and well balanced by acidity. Peppery spice on the persistent finish.  Great accompaniment to roast lamb. 

70% Grenache with equal parts Syrah and Mourvedre from vineyards in Petit Montmirail.Matured traditionally in concrete vats and large barrels.