Trader Joe's Reserve Lot #254 Rasteau, 2022

I have reported on this wine before and, fortunately, I have a few more bottles in the cellar because it is a very good Southern Rhone. 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault.

Bright ruby red. Very open aromas--strawberries, blueberries, cherries--and flavors to match. Medium plus body. Medium acidity. Ripe tannins. Smooth texture. Beautiful ripe fruit with spice and black pepper. At $9.99, this is a fantastic value.
 

Point Ormond Victoria Shiraz, 2020

There is, to my knowledge, no Point Ormond Winery, but the person or group that produces this wine clearly knows how to seek out good grapes from good vineyards--in this case, probably in Heathcote. It is moderate alcohol (13.6%), moderate oak and drinks beautifully from the time it is released. Moreover, it sells for about $15 retail--in my opinion, one of the best values in Australian Shiraz. I buy it every chance I get.

Medium deep violet. Lifted aromas of black and red fruits, eucalyptus and Mediterranean herbs. Tangy flavors with some tobacco and black pepper. I don't know how this wine will age but it drinks so beautifully right now that it's a shame to wait.
 

Hook and Ladder Spider Web Ranch Russian River Chardonnay, 2022

Spider Web Ranch is named after a huge, perfectly crafted spider web near this vineyard that produces similarly impressive Chardonnay wine. This bottling by Hook and Ladder typically sells for $35 to $40 a bottle, but I obtained it a couple of years ago for $22 from Wine Spies, an online site.

Medium deep gold. Beautiful lime and mineral smells and flavors. French oak speaking. Has the acidity and spice characteristic of Russian River Chardonnay but also has an incredibly ripe, rich mid-palate. Intricate spider web finish.
 

Paul Jaboulet Aine Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert, 1995

This 1995 Thalabert has lived four additional years in the same cellar as the 1999 we drank on May 26. of this year.  Yet tonight it is showing at least four years younger than the highly rated 1999. I purchased (and cellared) both on release.

Good deep Syrah color with minimal amber at the edges. Beautiful fruit-filled bouquet from the moment the cork is popped. Black currants, cassis, lavender and a savory touch of black olives on the finish. Characteristic Northern Rhone acidity,but it's the fruit that is stealing the show right now. Only a few premature glimpses of the well aged Thalabert personality that I love so much. With all due respect, Mr. Parker, this is a better, more ageworthy vintage of Domaine Thalabert than your highly rated 1999. I have one more bottle of each and know which I will open first.

 

Ici la Bas Les Reveles Elke Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, 2009

I have had many bottles from many vintages (1996, 1997, 1998, 2006) of Ici la Bas It was made by the late Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat from grapes grown in Mary Elke's Donnelly Creek Vineyards. From vintage to vintage, it has always been excellent, confirming for me the high quality of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. This 2009 measures up to the high standard although this bottle at least may be nearing the end of its best drinking window.

Has lightened considerably since the last bottle, and the aromas are bit less intense, although still very good. Cherries, red raspberries, earth. Tannins have faded but acidity is carrying it and may continue to do so. Fine Pinot texture and body. Long, savory finish.
 

Bava Nizza Piano Alto di Crena, 2014

In 2013, this wine was labeled as Barbera d'Asti. But in 2014 the Nizza region was given its own AOC, giving the area the status it has long deserved. Persons who know Piedmont wines should know that Nizza has the ideal limestone soil and micro-climate for growing Barbera and, as a result, some very old and esteemed vineyards. Nizza means Barbera just as Barolo and Barbaresco mean Nebbiolo.

Intense, deep ruby red with only a sliver of amber at the rim. Has been aged for 18 months in large (1500 liter) upright tanks. This wine is aging beautifully. Equally intense aromas of black currants and cherries. Dark tones of licorice and pepper on the palate. Ripe tannins plus the characteristic acidity of Barbera. Sweet fruit upfront with a rich mid-palate and black fruited complexity on the finish.

 

Azienda Agricola PACE Langhe Nebbiolo, 2018

This Langhe Nebbiolo comes from vineyards in Canale, in the Roero appellation, across the river from Barolo and Barbaresco.

Medium deep color with characteristic orangeish tints. Has probably been made traditionally in large Slavonian oak barrels rather than barriques. A  bit tannic on the first night but opens up beautifully on the second night. Violets, rose petals, red cherries, black  licorice. Medium bodied and well textured Plenty of grip but flavors flow freely. Still young but no need to wait. What Nebbiolo is all about.

 

J-M Gerin Syrah La Champine, 2013

This Northern Rhone Syrah is just reaching the stage where the fruity flavors are beginning to evolve into savory ones. J-M Gerin is located in Cote Rotie, producing some very expensive wines that take those savory tones to their limit. This Syrah la Champine, though, is made with only a small quantity of estate fruit (from young vines) combined with grapes from IGP Collines Rhodaniennes. It's Gerin winemaking but not Gerin fruit and, as a result, is a relative bargain.

Still deep and dark with some bricking at the rim. Very expressive aromas--flowers, ripe black raspberries, anise. Savory notes of black olives with a hint of cured meats,  on the palate, qualities I love most about Northern Rhone Syrah and something rarely found in Syrah wines from the Southern Rhone or Australia. Acidity keeps it lively. Good wine.
  

Saumur Blanc Les Pouches, 2024

 Saumur is a good source for Loire Valley Chenin Blancc--generally drier than Vouvray and less expensive than Savennieres.  This Saumur Blanc is made by a cooperative, Cave des Vignerons de Saumur and sells for about $14 a bottle.

Light yellow, bright and clear. Beautiful aromas of white flowers, green apples and minerals. Straight out of the refrigerator, it's a bit tart. Let it warm for 20 minutes and you will be rewarded with rich flavors of lemon custard, melon and chalk. Pleasantly tangy, savory, salty. There is a lot to enjoy here.

 

Reserve Mont-Redon Cotes du Rhone Rouge, 2022

Chateau Mont-Redon is one of the top estates in Chateauneuf du Pape, making very long lasting red wines. The Reserve Mont-Redon label is for wines made from premium grapes purchased from nearby appellations of the Southern Rhone. This one is made primarily from Lirac produce, about 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah.

Deep and bright color. Enticing aromas, bright, fresh and already complex. Black as well as red fruits--raspberries, cherries. Medium bodied. Ripe fruit flavors, delicious right now but probably will gain depth and complexity over the next 5 yeaars or more. A very good Cotes du Rhone at a reasonable price. I paid $13.39 two years ago  at Saratoga Wine Exchange.
 

Domaine du Font-Sane Vieilles Vignes Ventoux, 2023

Font-Sane is one of my favorite producers of Gigondas, and for many years the estate's inexpensive Ventoux was one of my favorite every day wines. I bought it regularly in case quantities through the 1990s but I haven't been able to locate in my marketing area since the very good 2006. Dick Scheer managed to snag a few bottles of this 2023 for me, and I am grateful.

It is 7i0% Grenache, 30% Syrah from 50 to 60 year old vines. Winemaking is traditional with punching of the cap and 15 days fermentation in concrete vats.

Beautiful purple color. Many years ago, I remember drinking this wine in the backyard and having to fend off the dives of our local hummingbird, who apparently loved the color as much as we did. Flowers, raspberries, strawberries--oh, the hummingbird would love a taste. Medium body with Ventoux acidity and focus. Light peppercorn on the finish.
 

Ridge Califronia Geyserville, 1991

Since 1966, Ridge has been crafting excellent wines from 100 year old vines in Alexander Valley., its Geyserville estate. A field blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignan, it is one of the most ageworty wines produced in California, and this 1991 is an excellent example.

Still a good deep, dark color. Vibrant bouquet of blueberries, grilled strawberries and fresh herbs. Very powerful. Has that essential sweetness that characterizes fine wines at full maturity. Warm and inviting. Combines the robust body of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah with the delicate texture of a Pinot Noir. Delicious plus.

 

Luigi Ferrando Carema Etichetta Bianca (White Label), 2006

Compared to the Covalli Barolo beside it at the table, this wine from Carema offers a different  face of Piedmont Nebbiolo. It is from the mountainous cliffs north of Barolo where the weather is cooler, the soil is different and the tannins are friendly at an earlier age. It is also 20 years old compared to 12 for the Barolo.

Lighter color, also with orangeish tones. Sips within the first two hours after opening showed peppery tannins. By mealtime, though, the wine was displaying all of the glories of an upper Piedmont Nebbiolo. Wild cherries, bright and fresh. Also some cranberries, sweet and savory herbs and minerals galore. Flavors that dart in and out, on and off the tongue. Incredible wine!

I paid $40.25 for this wine at auction 20 years ago, and I was well rewarded not only for paying the price but also for exercising due patience. 

Donna and I spent several days in Carema in October, 2019. It is a small village facing a huge rock face of mountain. Vines grow directly out of the rock  nearly everywhere you look and are harvested, by hand of course, on tiny rock terraces. At the time. Ferrando was the sole producer aside from the local coop known as Produttori di Carema. I spent several hours at Produttori, tasting many excellent, but less expensive, barrel samples of Nebbiolo. They are lying in wait in the cellar.

Covalli Barolo, 2014

When this wine was released, it got good reviews for its bright cherry and floral smells and flavors as well as its unbelievably low price of $15 at Costco and Garagiste. Tonight, it lacks all of those good qualities except the price tag. It is not over the hill, as many would believe, but is closed down for awhile until the iron-clad tannins typical for Barolo lose their grip.

Medium light with some characteristic orange tones. Pretty ordinary on the nose. Not much to like on the palate, either. Lots of acid, lots of tannin. I feel confident it will eventually come around, but I am not opening another bottle for awhile, maybe two or three years. 
 

G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso, 2020

G.D. Vajra's Langhe Rosso is always a delight to drink. It is a blend of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa. Albarossa and Pinot Noir--all from the Piedmont.

Medium dark ruby with some orangeish tints, though not as much as you would expect from 100% Nebbiolo. The aroma, though, is pure Nebbiolo--very floral with dark cherries and pomegranates. Bright fruit on the palate with dark licorice on the finish. Engaging but maybe not quite as vibrant as bottles we had a few years ago. Even with a good portion of Nebbiolo, this is a wine to drink early and often.
 

Trader Joe's Reserve Lot #254 Rasteau, 2022

This wine brings back happy memories of the late 1980s, early 1990s when Cotes du Rhone Villages wines of this quality were readily available at prices that made them accessible for daily fare and approachable from day one. This Rasteau will probably improve over the next five to seven years, but it is so good tonight that there is no reason to wait.

Medium deep crimson. Bright red fruit smells and flavors--red raspberries, currants, pepper and spice. 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 10% Mourvedre. Great mouth feel with just the right balance of fruit and acidity. Long finish. For those familiar with Southern Rhones, this has the correct Rasteau personality and is a fantastic bargain for $9..99 at Trader Joes.
 

Evolution by Sokol Blosser Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, 2024

Sokol Blosser was created in 1971 by Bill Blosser and Susan Blosser, who shared a passion for fine wine. Their offspring have continued their tradition, producing excellent single vineyard wines. But the vision has also evolved, resulting in the Evolution brand of wines priced for frequent, more casual consumption. This 2024 Evolution is crafted from Willamette Valley fruit and is a good buy at $18 to $20 a bottle. But if you are on the Sokol Blosser mailing list, as I am, you get occasional crash bargain offers. For this wine, I paid 119.00 for a 12-bottle case with free ground shipping. Unfortunately, the offer has now expired, but there will be more in the future.

Medium light garnet color. Vibrant aromas and flavors--cranberries, red raspberries, cherries with a hint of cinnamon. 2024 was a dream vintage, according to the winemaker, "allowing the fruit to hang on the vine and develop a solid personality." I am just starting to enjoy that personality...and the special price. It is plenty good tonight, and I am sure it will get even better before I reach the bottom of the case.
 

Domaine la Roseliere Cotes du Rhone, 2021

This Cotes du Rhone comes from the Arnaud family who have been making wines in Laudun and Tresque in the Southern Rhone since 1641.

Deep ruby/purple. 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Cinsault, 10% Carignane. Mostly dark fruits at the moment: black raspberry, currants, black pepper. More Syrah than Grenache. Medium body, more tannins than I expect from a five-year-old Cotes du Rhone. Probably has seen some new oak and may be more inviting in a few years. Still a good dinner wine and was a good buy at $14.99 on Wines Till Sold Out.
 

Domaine la Remejeanne Cotes du Rhone Blanc Les Arbousiers, 2020

I bought this wine by mistake. It wasn't my mistake though. WineBid listed the wine as a "proprietary red" rather than a proprietary white. For a six-year-old Cotes du Rhone that is an enormous difference. I informed WineBid of the discrepancy but did not return the bottle or seek compensation. Jancis Robinson gave the wine a good review, saying that the estate is better at whites than reds. Having tasted many very good Remejeanne reds during the 1990s, I respectfully disagree.

Fairly deep gold betrays its age. It is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourbulenc, Viognier, Rousanne and Marsanne, and early reviews stressed its vibrant acidity. Much of that zing has faded by now, and I don't smell or taste any of the floral notes associated with Viognier. It does have body and  apricot-like richness, however, what you might expect from Marsanne. It is okay but not what I expected. 

Wind Gap Russian River Syrah, 2008

My last bottle of this Russian River Syrah was a year ago, and I tagged it as at or near its prime. It is still there, but I will open my next, and last, bottle soon.

Bright maroon, still dark but lightening at the rim. Quite a bit of sediment crust. Beautiful nose: fresh berries with some floral tones. Red and black fruits with spice and pepper. More acid and less alcohol (12%) than most New World Syrah wines but not much resemblance to Northern Rhone Syrah. Tannins have faded away, and the wine is very drinkable right now. No need to wait.
 

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.
 

Shingleback The Davey Estate McLaren Vale Shiraz, 2011

I paid $10 to WineBid back in December 2022 for this McLaren Vale Shiraz. Tonight, I am getting at least twice that much pleasure.

Impressively deep red with purple tones. After a gentle pressing, the wine was aged in a combination of French oak and "fine grained American oak" for 14 months. Even so, the wine is showing a strong fruit presence with minimal oak influence on the smells or flavors. Blackberries, boysenberries--ripe up front and carrying nicely to the medium long finish. Some heat from the 14. 5% alcohol. Under a screw cap, this wine has maintained its youthful fruit very well over 15 years.

Chateau Canon (Canon Fronsac), 1990

This 1990 Bordeaux from the satellite appellation of Canon-Fronsac, is past its prime but still drinking reasonably well.

Lots of amber in the color and not very bright. Smells are lively and pretty. Dark fruit. With a couple of hours of aeration, sweet Merlot flavors emerge. Not much acid, not much tannin at this stage and not very complex. Modestly priced wines from the 1980s and early 1990s probably did not have best conditions for transport and storage.
 

Elke Blue Diamond Donnelly Creek Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, 2013

I have had many excellent Pinot Noir wines from Mary Elke's Donnelly Creek Vineyard--the 2006 and 2009 Ici la-Bas and earlier vintages of this Blue Diamond. When Mary was selling out prior to closing shop, I was an eager buyer of this and her Boonville Barter.

Medium cherry red. Very aromatic--red cherries, flowers, a touch of licorice. Ripe fruit with enough acidity to keep it fresh and lively. Probably at its peak now, but I suspect, from past experience, it will stay there another three to five years, maybe longer.
 

Vola Schiava Vigneti delle Dolomites, NV

This is a wine, new to me, that showed up last week on the shelves of my local Trader Joe's. The label indicated "red wine" but through the clear bottle it appeared very light, almost rose. I have had Schiava before and figured it was a good buy at $6.99. And it was.

Very light ruby. Magical scents of red raspberries, ripe strrawberries, spring flowers. And more of the same on the tongue. Donna likes white and rose wines to be well chilled so I put this in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. As an aperitif wine, it was very good at that temperature, but as it warmed through the meal, light tannins began to emerge, expanding the ripe, fruity flavors. This is not a wine for those who like them "big"; it is deliberately small and decidedly delicious.
 

Domaine de la Janasse Vieilles Vignes Chateauneuf du Pape, 1989

I was away from home on my 87th birthday, but this is the wine I had slated for that day, just as it was for 81st birthday in 2001. I opened it tonight, a few days late but no less great. The fruit comes from the estate's oldest vines, some planted in 1920 in the esteemed, stone laden Crau area of Chateauneuf. 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre, 2% other grapes.

Light color, as to be expected. Mature Grenache scents of strawberries (dried and fresh), mint, a touch of cinnamon. Takes its time opening up but no disappointment. Compact, concentrated red berry fruit. Savory, salty tones with acidity that keeps it lively on the tongue. Oh, I do love well aged Chateauneuf du Pape, and this is a prime example
 

Beauregard Ducasse Graves Blanc, 2024

When a friend who had traveled to Australia mentioned how much she liked Semillon as a white wine choice, I realized how rarely I see Semillons in my marketing area. This wine, selling for less than $10 at Trader Joe's, is 50% Semillon and 50% Sauvignon Blanc, and it may come close to offering what she likes.

Medium gold with some green glints. Peaches, beeswax, canteloupe and fig. Has the mellow attack and rich texture of Semillon, none of the aggressive acidity of Sauvignon Blanc. If you like Semillon, you will enjoy this wine.  Graves is a premium appellation for white Bordeaux and wines from this area rarely sell for less than $15.

 

Vietti Nebbiolo Perbacco, 2011

I was disappointed with this 2011 Perbacco when I tasted the first pour. It was good but not the complex Nebbiolo that I expected from the highly respected Perbacco. I soon discovered that the hour and a half of aeration I had given it was not quite enough. By the end of the meal, it was singing.

Mediuum deep ruby. Proabbly has had some time in barriques but not enough to spoil the wonderful scents and flavors of Nebbiolo. Dried fruits and flowers, some toasted oak. Dark cherry but also some red raspberry, mint, spice and dark licorice tones. All of this is hidden behind tannin in the early going but opens up with airing, as to be expected from good Nebbiolo. This is a fine baby Barolo, usually selling for $25 to $30.
 

Courtois La Source Cotes du Rhone, 2021

Although "La Source" is a simple Cotes du Rhone, sold at CDR prices ($12 to $14), the Jaume family's vineyards are in Vinsobres, which is a designated CDR cru village. It is 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah.

Bright ruby. Black raspberries, boysenberries, dark tones of peppercorn and black licorice.  Fresh fruit and approachable tannins coupled with the complex savory qualities of a top Southern Rhone. Fills out substantially on the second night and even the third. Good now, will get even better.

Domaine de la Roquete Chateauneuf du Pape, 2006

I am amused to think that this bottle is now in its 20th year; yet I think of it as one of my "young" Chateauneufs. I expect to open the 1988 Vieux Telegraphe for my birthday next week and know that the only surprises I will get will be positive ones.

The Brunier brothers of Vieux Telegraphe bought this estate in the early 2000s because they liked the old vineyards on the Plateau of Pielong. The soil is sandier than that of Vieux Telegraphe and, as a result, produces wines that are more accessible early. As stated on the label, the Bruniers' "priority is to express the character of the local terroir."

Good Chateauneuf color, bright and relatively dark. Has some sediment crust on one side; it has not been fined or filtered. 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre. Dark cherry, raspberry with a touch of menthol and garrigue. Strong fruit presence with a youthful edge but also the savory traits that I love in Chateauneuf du Pape. Great concentration and depth. 

 

E. Guigal Cote Rotie Cote Brune et Blonde, 1990

This is mature Northern Rbone Syrah at its best. Even from a 375 ml bottle at 36 years of age, it is drinking beautifully.

The color has lightened, of course, with brickish tones. And the smells and flavors are tertiary. Red and black fruits, savory, salty, meaty. Proper acidity: cured meats and grilled tomatoes. Light in body with a cool, silky texture. Nuanced flavors that keep growing through the meal. During my birthday month, I am drinking cellar treasures, and this is by far the best I have had so far.
 

Buena Vista Sonoma Valley Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, 1978

The 1970s was a good decade for wine--at home or across the ocean. For my birthday month, I have been drinking up some of the oldest wines in my cellar, and so far I have not been disappointed. The 1975 Fourcas Hosten Haut Medoc was shockingly good at 51 years; this Buena Vista Cabernet is even better at age 48. The appellation is Sonoma Valley rather than Napa but the vines were actually in the Sonoma portion of Carneros, now reserved mainly for Napa Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The cool climate has created  a Cabernet that is elegant, silky and clearly ageworthy.

The color has lightened with garnet/amber tones. The cork was sound and dry with wine stain less than a quarter of the way up from the bottom of the cork. I bought the wine soon after release at the old Sam's Wine store near the subway on North Streetr in Chicago. $11.95 says the sticker, a markdown from $13.95. Smells and flavors are glorious after all that time in the bottle. Ripe strawberry, red currants,  sweet spices. Could easily be mistaken for a mature Pinot Noir. No tannin but enough acid to brighten the flavors. I'm sure the wine was even better 10 years ago, but tonight I have no complaints.

Fourcas Hosten Haut Medoc Listrac, 1975

Yes, 51 years is a long time for a wine to be in a bottle, but this is one of the rare few that have made it that long in good shape. But 53 years is a long time for a couple to be married, and that marriage is doing even better. The 1975 Fourcas Hosten, served wih lamb shanks, proved to be a good anniversary wine.

On a small tasting pour, the color is medium light with amber creeping in from the edges. But on a full pour, it is almost opaque! Lifted bouquet with a touch of mint and herbs. Sweet Cabernet and Merlot flavors on a savory, slightly salty background. Not soft but no obstructive tannins. Red fruit acidity keeps it fresh and lively. 

1975 was a very backward vintage in Bordeaux and critics worried that the fruit would not outlast the tannins. As the Village Corner salesman told me,  this wine, selling for only $9.95, was an exception. "Just give it time," he said. And I did.
 

Carpe Diem Anderson Valley Chardonnay, 2019

This is my last bottle of Carpe Diem, and I think I seized the day fairly accurately. It has beautiful Chardonnay flavors but has deepened in color and beginning to show its age.

Medium deep gold. Showing a maturity that I like in a Chardonnay. Pear, citrus, flowers. Lively on the tongue with a fine array of flavors on the finish.Some Chardonnays are best at 3 to 5 years; some at 5 to 7 and a few (very few) will last 10 years or longer.  I rank this one in the mid-range and would gladly go back for more from a recent vintage
 

Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Bersano Estate Nizza Lot 117, 2019

Nizza is Barbera at its finest. The appellation includes ony18 villages in Monferrato that was, according to the label, "the historic home of Barbera." Soil and climate are perfect, vines have a classic ancestry that defines Barbera. 

Dark ruby, bright and clear. Has been aged 30 months, at least 12 of which were in wood. From the aromas and flavors, I would say that some of the wood was new. Vibrant red cherry with leather tones. Layered flavors, nuanced and complex. Medium body, bright acidity. Silky texture. I bought this last year for $14.99; the 2020 vintage is now on the shelves for $15.99--still an excellent value.
 

Terramata Barbera d'Alba, 2017

This is the last bottle of a case that I bought on close-out for $60 at MegaBev (formerly Russo's) in Grand Rapids. At nine years of age it is showing no decline whatsoever.

Medium deep ruby. Dark cherries, anise, maybe a touch of vanilla. I believe this has seen some new oak but it is highlighting rather than dominating the smells and flavors. Medium deep body. Barbera acidity. Long ripe fruit finish.
 

Reserve del Puech Cotes du Rhone, 2022

Cotes du Rhone wines were eminently drinkable and affordable in the 1980s and 1990s. Times have changed and it is now hard to find a CDR for less than $15. I found this Reserve del Puech for $8.99 at MegaBev  (formerly Russo's) in Grand Rapids, and it satisfies my longing for the wines of yesteryear.

Medium deep ruby, bright and clear. 60% Grenache and it shows its face: strawberries, red raspberries, ripe cherries. 30% Syrah for color, body and weight. 10% Cinsault for that spicy, peppery flavor. Ripe enough to drink easily with no hard edges. Enough acid and tannin for structure and complexity. For the price, I should have bought more.
 

Kirkland Signature Cotes de Provence Rose, 2024

I usually think of rose wines as being a bit sweet. This one is definitely dry, less than 1 gram residual sugar, and delicious.

Light pink, bright and beautiful. Lovely aromas of flowrers and wild strawberries. 44% Grenache, 26% Carignan, 15% Syrah and 15% Vermentino grown by the Sumeire family who have been winemakers and growers in the Cotes de Provence since the 13th century. Pears, melon, minerals. Savory rather than sweet. Light body and crisp finish. Would be great on the deck on a warm summer day, but it is also a match for garlic tomato pasta in the dead of winter. I don't buy Rose often but this one is on my listl.

 

Greenwing Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, 2024

Goldeneye by Duckhorn is one of the best (and most expensive) Pinot Noirs from the Anderson Valley of California. At a lower level and price point Duckhorn is now offering this Greenwing Pinot from the Willamette Valley of Oregon. It is well worth a try, particularly at the $16 price now being offered by Plum Market online.

Deep ruby/violet--dark for a Pinot. Cherry, cranberry, cinnamon, earth, lemon zest. Medium body, smooth texture. Acidity even higher than I expected from the Willamette Valley. A great match for grilled salmon.
 

Sartori di Verona Pinot Noir, 2022

This Pinot Noir hails from Verona, the Italian area just north of Venice. The Sartori family has been making wine there for more than 100 years.

Bright ruby, medium dark. Black raspberry, cherry, plums. Ripe fruit balanced by brisk acidity. Black pepper, spice, vanilla on finish. Medium body, supple mouth feel but it lacks the lacy texture of a fine Pinot Noir. For $12 to $15, a good wine for frequent use at the table.
 

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso, 2008

This Etna Rosso is the last bottle of a case we have been enjoying bottle by bottle since 2010. You can use the search function to find my previous notes. This is the first bottle showing what I perceive as a decline.

Light ruby, similar to that of a Pinot Noir of comparable age. The bouquet is a bit lacking. Somewhat cooked; maybe simply a bad bottle or one that was exposed to heat before I purchased it. (The case was filled from bottles already on the shelf.) With swirling, though, the flavors emerge--red fruit acidity and minerals. Still has the detail and definition that I found in previous bottles. Pinot Noir delicacy and texture. Still a very enjoyable wine.

Cecchi Chianti Classico, 2021

Ordering from the wines by the glass menu at Carrabba's Italian Grill, I was torn between the Bonizio by Cecchi Rosso ($7.79 for 6 ounces) or the Cecchi Chiantiu Classico for a bit more ($10.79 for 6 ounces)--both very good prices for resttaurant wine. While the Bonizio was tempting and had many positive reviews, I decided it was worth taking a step up to the Chianti Classico. I did not regret my choice.

Deep and dark violet ruby. From the first sniff and taste,  I was impressead by the depth, complexity and concentration. Great balance between the ripe fruit, firm tannins and Sangiovase acidity. Cherries, flowers and vanilla on the nose Red fruit, leather and spice on the palate. Powerful wine. Later in the meal, the tannins seemed to dominate. I would like to taste it in 2029 or later, but at this price it is a good choice for drinking now or later.

Famille Arnaud La Roseliere Co du Rhone, 2021

The Arnaud family has been working vineyards on sandy, silaceous soil in te Southern Rhone since 1641. La Roseliere gives a nod to modern tastes and international style, but it is srill traditional enough to satisfy me. The blend is 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache. 10% Carignan and 10% Cinsault--not the usual Grenache-heavy profile for a Cotes du Rhone.

Medium dark crimson. Probably Syrah rather than oaj. Ripe red berries and herbs on the nose. Dark cherries on the palate with a peppercorn finish. More tannin than to be expected from a CDR but still very approachable now and for at least a few more years.

Chateau Grand Traverse Grand Traverse Select Pinot Grigio, NV

Although no appeollation is listed on the bottle, I am fairly certain most of the grapes come from the Chateau Grand Traverse vineyards on Old Mission Penisula in Michigan.

Light straw. Fresh and clean from start to finish. Green apples, white peaches, lemon zest.  Less herbal than Italian Pinot Grigios such as MezzaCorona and lighter bodied than Alsace or Oregon Pino Gris. A pleasant twist of sweet fruit on the finish. The chart on the label shows this wine as semi-dry, but it comes across as crisp and tart because of the vibrant fruit flavors.

At $10 to $12, it is a good value every day white.