Domaine de la Janasse Vieilles Vignes Chateauneuf du Pape, 1989

This mature Chateauneuf was a perfect accompaniment to an excellent Father's Day feast featuring grilled New Zealand lamb chops and sauteed cilantro and garlic potatoes. Compared to the 1989 Domaine Pegau Cuvee Reservee I had a few weeks ago, it is definitely a more mature wine but with equally deep and concentrated aromas and flavors.

Relatively dark for a 30-year-old Grenache-based wine, but there are oxidative notes that are most apparent right after the wine is opened. After a couple of hours in the decanter and glass, the fruit begins to open--dried cherries, sea salt and red berries. Deep and concentrated flavors with a long finish. Everything you expect from old Grenache vines that are well situated in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation.

Belles Vignes Sauvignon Blanc, 2018

This wine is a simple Vin de Pays from the Loire, but it has a lot to recommend it. And it can be purchased for only $4.49 a bottle right now at Trader Joe's in Kalamazoo.

Very light color. Still very young, but this is not a wine to put away. Peppery, spicy aromas--cilantro, jalapenos. Also some gooseberry and green fruits. Not as sweet as most New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. In fact, it may be too dry and puckery for some drinkers. I like this style of Sauvignon and will go back for more.

Nerello del Bastardo Vino di Tavola Rosso, 2000

This looks like a Barolo, smells like a Barolo and has the glorious flavors of mature Nebbiolo. It's not a Barolo, of course, but rather a simple table wine purchased for $5.99 many years ago at Trader Joe's. The back label refers to the wine as a "Super Piedmontese" made from grapes that didn't make the cut for Barolo or Barbaresco. The strict appellation rules require that "only a certain quantity after aging (minimum 4 years) to be classified Barolo or Barbaresco DOCG. (The excess) can only be sold as table wine." In this case, the winemaker added "just a touch of something secret." Hence, the term "Bastardo." Sensing the quality, I bought a case of Bastardo, and this is the last bottle.

Rusty, bricky color of traditionally aged Nebbiolo. Scents of cherries and flowers--bright and lively. On the palate, the wine sings. The crust of sediment reveals that the tannins have subsided, letting the deep, concentrated flavors shine through. More than just a table wine; wish I had more.

To my knowledge, Trader Joe's no longer carries this wine (although I have seen it at World Market). More recent vintages probably contain very little, if any, Nebbiolo but are decent wines for the price.

Bybee Vineyards and Habitat Russian River Pinot Noir, 2005

The last time I had this wine (May 26, 2016) I was tremendously impressed by the bouquet. The good scents are still there, but the flavors are even better.

Medium light garnet. This wine is beginning to show its age but still has plenty of life left. Pretty scents of flowers and sweet fruit. Dark spices typical of Russian River Pinot along with ripe fruit. Ripe cherry, neither sour nor sweet. Once again, the finish is remarkable.

Domaine du Haut des Terres Blanches, 1994

I have had two very disappointing bottles of the 1998 from Domaine du Haut des Terres Blanches, but this 1994 may be even better than the last bottle I opened a few years ago.

The color is a light brickish red. Grenache, which oxidizes early, is about 80% of the blend, and this is actually the strength of this Chateauneuf du Pape. A good portion of the Grenache comes from old vineyards in La Crau, one of the best areas of the appellation. The nose takes a few minutes to adjust to the 21st century but then becomes classic--menthol, dried cherries, herbs and sea salt. The flavors are beautiful from the first sip: intense, multi-layered with sweetish fruit and a long finish. Probably because of my negative experience with the 1998, this wine did not make the short list for my 80th birthday. But I'm sure it will be in line for #81.

Chateau de la Roulerie Anjou Chenin Blanc, 2016

In recent years, most Chenin Blanc wines I have consumed were from Savennieres and well aged. I had almost forgotten how good Chenin Blanc can be when it's young.

Full yellow, clear and bright. Scents of white flowers, lemon, honey. Plenty of richness in the mouth but also zesty and clean. Makes all the taste buds stand up and pay attention. Silky texture. An exciting experience; wish I had bought more.

Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico, 2016

This is not a Super Tuscan; it has the specified grapes (90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino) and meets the other requirements for the Chianti Classico appellation. It is, however, from Tuscany and has super-wine qualities--power, concentration and flavor.

Deep and dark with purplish tints. The wine is obviously well oaked, but there is plenty of ripe fruit to back it up. The aroma has some pretty floral notes along with ripe cherry and dark berries. Deep, concentrated flavors. Good balance of tannin and acid.

This is a top-notch Chianti that is well worth its usual retail price of $18 to $20. It's on the wine list (by the glass or bottle) at Gusto Restaurant in Texas Corners, near Kalamazoo, MI, and we took advantage of the Thursday night 40% discount for bottled wine.