Before I realized it, February left me, and I, it. There's a reason this month is so short, despite being very presidential.
BioVio, Riviera Ligure di Ponente, Vermentino di Albenga, 2008
I believe this might have been my first 2008 wine. Color is a pretty greenish-grey light gold with a tingly herbal nose. Lots of Mennen aftershave fills the palate, with herbally ripe fruit. A bit pinot grigio-like, finishes soft. 13% B/B+
Tempier, Bandol, 1998
Bright cherry red colored. A muted nose, not sure from still being asleep or dumbstruck at being opened in the dead of winter. You can still make out the sweatsox and unopened, nighttime flowers. With air (lots of it, as in 'the next day'), this opens up to be an elegant mourvedre, despite having very tough nail-like tannins. There's tar, vine twig, campfire smoke, but also some cooked fruit compote as well. This is one wine that drinks better the second day than the first. B+
St. Cosme, Cote Rotie, 1998
Thankfully, my last and final bottle. But I repeat myself. Never wasting my money on this crap again, no matter how cheap it is, and it isn't.
Vincent Dauvissat, Chablis, 'les Sechet', 2002
Ahh...finally: real. good. wine. Salty lemon drop bonbons on the bright nose. Beautifully rendered chardonnay with salty-mineral infused lemon rind with the lightish touch of oaken vanilla. With further airing, the oaken notes fade and are replaced by talcum powder and candlewax. Slightly short finish, but I'm not complaining. This is a delicate wash of a wine, like dipping your hands in a bowl of cool lemon-water on a warm summer's day. Lovely. A-/B+
Domaine Bru-Bache, Jurancon, 'lEminende', 2001
Medium gold color with an almost green Chartreuse cast. Spring flowers and wood ear fungus on the nose. Sweet-sour dimension to the palate creating a nice interplay of flavors among the notes of kumquat and quince, and a finish of freshly burnt sugar with lemongrass, slight bitter note on the end. Interesting melange of flavors and not heavy, despite being 14% alcohol. The Mansengs can invite me to dinner anytime! A-
BioVio, Riviera Ligure di Ponente, Vermentino di Albenga, 2008
I believe this might have been my first 2008 wine. Color is a pretty greenish-grey light gold with a tingly herbal nose. Lots of Mennen aftershave fills the palate, with herbally ripe fruit. A bit pinot grigio-like, finishes soft. 13% B/B+
Tempier, Bandol, 1998
Bright cherry red colored. A muted nose, not sure from still being asleep or dumbstruck at being opened in the dead of winter. You can still make out the sweatsox and unopened, nighttime flowers. With air (lots of it, as in 'the next day'), this opens up to be an elegant mourvedre, despite having very tough nail-like tannins. There's tar, vine twig, campfire smoke, but also some cooked fruit compote as well. This is one wine that drinks better the second day than the first. B+
St. Cosme, Cote Rotie, 1998
Thankfully, my last and final bottle. But I repeat myself. Never wasting my money on this crap again, no matter how cheap it is, and it isn't.
Vincent Dauvissat, Chablis, 'les Sechet', 2002
Ahh...finally: real. good. wine. Salty lemon drop bonbons on the bright nose. Beautifully rendered chardonnay with salty-mineral infused lemon rind with the lightish touch of oaken vanilla. With further airing, the oaken notes fade and are replaced by talcum powder and candlewax. Slightly short finish, but I'm not complaining. This is a delicate wash of a wine, like dipping your hands in a bowl of cool lemon-water on a warm summer's day. Lovely. A-/B+
Domaine Bru-Bache, Jurancon, 'lEminende', 2001
Medium gold color with an almost green Chartreuse cast. Spring flowers and wood ear fungus on the nose. Sweet-sour dimension to the palate creating a nice interplay of flavors among the notes of kumquat and quince, and a finish of freshly burnt sugar with lemongrass, slight bitter note on the end. Interesting melange of flavors and not heavy, despite being 14% alcohol. The Mansengs can invite me to dinner anytime! A-
