2002 Hut Vouvray Brut - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (12/26/2009)
An original release, this was singing. In a really lovely place, showing nice development already.
2004 Domaine du Trapadis Ctes du Rhne Villages Rasteau L'Adrs - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Ctes du Rhne Villages Rasteau (12/22/2009)
This is not the time to open one of these. But after 2-3 hours in the decanter, it began to open up. Whoa, this is benchmark stuff: pure black fruits, earth, leather, truffle, layer upon layer. It maintains that all-too-rare balancing act between power and restraint, rusticity and refinement. This is special. Revisit in a couple of years.
2006 Domaine du Trapadis Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Rasteau (12/26/2009)
Has nice acidity and material to balance the sugar. No match for the VT, but still a very nice version.
2001 Domaine le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Oumage - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Vacqueyras (12/25/2009)
Grande deception. I was curious to try this, to see what pure Grenache from the stone would taste like. For me, it was too intense, not spoofulated, but tending towards cough syrup, dense and extracted. It could be that it just needs time, but I think it will dry out before it settles down. Others liked it more than I did. I want to give this another four or five years before trying my remaining bottle.
2001 Domaine des Tours Vacqueyras - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Vacqueyras (12/25/2009)
Showing beautifully, this is lovely wine. Soaring aromatics of pure red fruits; the palate follows the nose. Lovely depth. Prime time.
2003 Domaine le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Cuve Lopy - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Vacqueyras (12/24/2009)
This has completely transformed since release. I remember it as a backward monster, brooding, dense, dominated by black fruits; the Syrah, maybe 20%, dominated. It is supple, even subtle today. Red currents and forrest berries joint the black fruits. The aromatics are a bit faint but lovely when coaxed out. I don't think this will get any better.
N.V. Domaine Rabasse-Charavin Ctes du Rhne Villages Cairanne Capricious - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Ctes du Rhne Villages Cairanne (12/25/2009)
Showed ok. A nice curiosity to sip by the fire, but not as nice as last year.
2000 Domaine la Soumade Rasteau Rouge Vin Doux Naturel - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Rasteau (12/25/2009)
Hopelessly sweet.
2006 Hut Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Mont - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (12/25/2009)
Not the greatest time to be checking in on this, but my options were limited -- and it's still delicious. Showing a Riesling-like petrol note I don't recall seeing in Chenin before. Better on day two, but not what it was or will be.
An original release, this was singing. In a really lovely place, showing nice development already.
2004 Domaine du Trapadis Ctes du Rhne Villages Rasteau L'Adrs - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Ctes du Rhne Villages Rasteau (12/22/2009)
This is not the time to open one of these. But after 2-3 hours in the decanter, it began to open up. Whoa, this is benchmark stuff: pure black fruits, earth, leather, truffle, layer upon layer. It maintains that all-too-rare balancing act between power and restraint, rusticity and refinement. This is special. Revisit in a couple of years.
2006 Domaine du Trapadis Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Rasteau (12/26/2009)
Has nice acidity and material to balance the sugar. No match for the VT, but still a very nice version.
2001 Domaine le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Oumage - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Vacqueyras (12/25/2009)
Grande deception. I was curious to try this, to see what pure Grenache from the stone would taste like. For me, it was too intense, not spoofulated, but tending towards cough syrup, dense and extracted. It could be that it just needs time, but I think it will dry out before it settles down. Others liked it more than I did. I want to give this another four or five years before trying my remaining bottle.
2001 Domaine des Tours Vacqueyras - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Vacqueyras (12/25/2009)
Showing beautifully, this is lovely wine. Soaring aromatics of pure red fruits; the palate follows the nose. Lovely depth. Prime time.
2003 Domaine le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Cuve Lopy - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Vacqueyras (12/24/2009)
This has completely transformed since release. I remember it as a backward monster, brooding, dense, dominated by black fruits; the Syrah, maybe 20%, dominated. It is supple, even subtle today. Red currents and forrest berries joint the black fruits. The aromatics are a bit faint but lovely when coaxed out. I don't think this will get any better.
N.V. Domaine Rabasse-Charavin Ctes du Rhne Villages Cairanne Capricious - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Ctes du Rhne Villages Cairanne (12/25/2009)
Showed ok. A nice curiosity to sip by the fire, but not as nice as last year.
2000 Domaine la Soumade Rasteau Rouge Vin Doux Naturel - France, Rhne, Southern Rhne, Rasteau (12/25/2009)
Hopelessly sweet.
2006 Hut Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Mont - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (12/25/2009)
Not the greatest time to be checking in on this, but my options were limited -- and it's still delicious. Showing a Riesling-like petrol note I don't recall seeing in Chenin before. Better on day two, but not what it was or will be.