Ogier 1998 Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah La Rosine (Rhne) Desert-blown red dust, with breaths of iron and blood, carrying the vivid memory of soil and old red fruit. Not as old as Im making it seemin fact, its still quite lovely, and Im glad I held on to some this longbut its a faded rose, still brilliant with color and the illusion of life, but never going to get any better than it is right now. (12/09)
Clavel 1999 Coteaux du Languedoc Terroir de la Mejanelle Copa Santa (Languedoc) Clinging to life, but with one foot in the graduated-care center and the other in a cast. Rough at the core but smooth at the edges, showing salt, sand, and soil with a light waft of baked red berries and a tinny edge of tannin. A little too old, but still a pleasant memory. (12/09)
Leydier Cuve Slectionne par Kermit Lynch 2007 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse (Rhne) Purplish, sticky, and even a little goopy. This is seriously thick compared to the 2006 version, which I loved. Im not at all sure about this vintage. (12/09)
Terres dAvignon Cuve Slectionne par Kermit Lynch 2006 Ctes-du-Rhne (Rhne) Good, classic CdR aromas of underbrush and slightly mammalian fruit. White pepper dust. Not too much of anything. In good form, but gentle and not the best of recent vintages; those in search of something a little more obviously pleasurable will want the Vin de Pays de Vaucluse. (12/09)
Terres dAvignon Cuve Slectionne par Kermit Lynch 2006 Ctes-du-Rhne (Rhne) Better than the previous bottle, in that its earthen charms are more generous, and theres a little more fruit (and fruit) as well. (12/09)
Terres dAvignon Cuve Slectionne par Kermit Lynch 2007 Ctes-du-Rhne (Rhne) Definitely a step up in fruit intensity over the 2006. This is at the sacrifice of a bit of the earthy/meaty elements, but to the wines overall appeal; a lot of effort towards a brownout Provenal complexity isnt really whats wanted here, I think. Simpler pleasures are in order. And its not like its Lodi zin. Herbs, some animal, some dirtstill there. With more baked cherry. (12/09)
Costires & Soleil Slection Laurence Fraud 2005 Sguret (Rhne) Better than these bottles sometimes are, with earthy/smoky black fruit and a fair collection of dried herbs, but these jeans are fading and a little stretched. Id be looking for the most recent vintage, if youre of a mind to drink this. (12/09)
Clavel 1999 Coteaux du Languedoc Terroir de la Mejanelle Copa Santa (Languedoc) Clinging to life, but with one foot in the graduated-care center and the other in a cast. Rough at the core but smooth at the edges, showing salt, sand, and soil with a light waft of baked red berries and a tinny edge of tannin. A little too old, but still a pleasant memory. (12/09)
Leydier Cuve Slectionne par Kermit Lynch 2007 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse (Rhne) Purplish, sticky, and even a little goopy. This is seriously thick compared to the 2006 version, which I loved. Im not at all sure about this vintage. (12/09)
Terres dAvignon Cuve Slectionne par Kermit Lynch 2006 Ctes-du-Rhne (Rhne) Good, classic CdR aromas of underbrush and slightly mammalian fruit. White pepper dust. Not too much of anything. In good form, but gentle and not the best of recent vintages; those in search of something a little more obviously pleasurable will want the Vin de Pays de Vaucluse. (12/09)
Terres dAvignon Cuve Slectionne par Kermit Lynch 2006 Ctes-du-Rhne (Rhne) Better than the previous bottle, in that its earthen charms are more generous, and theres a little more fruit (and fruit) as well. (12/09)
Terres dAvignon Cuve Slectionne par Kermit Lynch 2007 Ctes-du-Rhne (Rhne) Definitely a step up in fruit intensity over the 2006. This is at the sacrifice of a bit of the earthy/meaty elements, but to the wines overall appeal; a lot of effort towards a brownout Provenal complexity isnt really whats wanted here, I think. Simpler pleasures are in order. And its not like its Lodi zin. Herbs, some animal, some dirtstill there. With more baked cherry. (12/09)
Costires & Soleil Slection Laurence Fraud 2005 Sguret (Rhne) Better than these bottles sometimes are, with earthy/smoky black fruit and a fair collection of dried herbs, but these jeans are fading and a little stretched. Id be looking for the most recent vintage, if youre of a mind to drink this. (12/09)