Lucien Le Vieux Donjon 1990 Chteauneuf-du-Pape (Rhne) Smells like a Burgundy, tastes like a Rhne...but something more northerly, perhaps Cte-Rtie, in its elegance and restraint. And its still very primary tannic and tight, albeit from a glacial cellar; more typical cellaring environments might lead to different results. Its full of suggestions, gestures, and hints, with a peacock tail of aromas just waiting to burst forth. Classy and portending beauty. (3/10)
Texier 2001 Ctes-du-Rhne-Villages Laudun (Rhne) Concentrating down towards the classic Rhne destination of meat juice, but theres still blackberry and even a little bit of strawberry lingering about. Straightforward and simple, but good. Id drink this soonish if I had any moreand hey, what a surprise, I do. And will. (3/10)
Texier 2001 Ctes-du-Rhne-Villages Laudun (Rhne) Pretty much ready, perhaps even a touch past ideal, as the well-soiled meat and rough underbrush are showing signs of male-pattern baldness in the midpalate. The fruit, structure, etc. arent fully matured, but I dont think theres going to be sufficient body in the future to support continued effort along these lines. Im glad I aged it, though, as its more interesting than it was in its more monolithic youth. (3/10)
Domaine de Mourchon 2005 Ctes-du-Rhne-Villages Sguret (Rhne) Open for 24 hours by the time I taste it. Big, dusty, and dark, showing strawberry bubblegum and hard tannin. Very purple in nearly every aspect. A little angry. But good. (3/10)
Texier 2001 Ctes-du-Rhne-Villages Laudun (Rhne) Concentrating down towards the classic Rhne destination of meat juice, but theres still blackberry and even a little bit of strawberry lingering about. Straightforward and simple, but good. Id drink this soonish if I had any moreand hey, what a surprise, I do. And will. (3/10)
Texier 2001 Ctes-du-Rhne-Villages Laudun (Rhne) Pretty much ready, perhaps even a touch past ideal, as the well-soiled meat and rough underbrush are showing signs of male-pattern baldness in the midpalate. The fruit, structure, etc. arent fully matured, but I dont think theres going to be sufficient body in the future to support continued effort along these lines. Im glad I aged it, though, as its more interesting than it was in its more monolithic youth. (3/10)
Domaine de Mourchon 2005 Ctes-du-Rhne-Villages Sguret (Rhne) Open for 24 hours by the time I taste it. Big, dusty, and dark, showing strawberry bubblegum and hard tannin. Very purple in nearly every aspect. A little angry. But good. (3/10)