Gibert Domaine Faillenc Sainte Marie 2009 Vin de Pays dOc Ros des Glacires (Languedoc) Almost violet-magenta in hue, and shockingly alive. Very present, even forceful, with a near-explosion of purple flowers and bright fruit exotica. Theres a little residual sugar, perhaps, but only the extremely averse will mind. Absolutely terrific. (7/10)
Miquel Domaine de Barroubio 2005 Muscat de St-Jean de Minervois (Languedoc) White minerality and flowers with big acidity. So incredibly vibrant. Among the best that Ive ever had the pleasure of tasting from this appellation. (5/10)
Chapoutier 2008 Ctes du Roussillon Villages Les Vignes de Bila-Haut (Roussillon) Boring, paint-by-numbers wine. Utterly without soul. Dark fruit, chewy structure, blocked-off and dull-witted. Theres not a flaw to be found, but youll fall asleep before the end of the first glass. (7/10)
Peyraud Domaine Tempier 1993 Bandol (Provence) Corked. (5/10)
Lafage 2008 Vin de Pays des Ctes Catalanes ct EST (Roussillon) 50% grenache (blanc I assume, though the label doesnt specify), 30% chardonnay, 20% marsanne. Usually a reliable bargain wine, but performing very awkwardly from this bottle, showing pointed elbows of alcohol and jittery melon with sun-drenched lemons. Finishes white peppery. (5/10)
Chteau du Roquefort (a/k/a Domaine du Roquefort) 2006 Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhne Gueule de Loup (Provence) A blend of grenache, the cabernets, and merlot. At a cost of a few dollars, this would be fine: basic fruit, basic structurethe kind of wine one un-jugs and sloshes at a picnic, or in front of the kitchen TV. Its more than that, and as a result its less than that. I dont see what cabernets and merlot add to grenache, and I dont see the reverse either. (6/10)
Boudouresques Chteau Massiac 2006 Minervois (Languedoc) Earthmeat, grit, layers of rough structure, and the darkest precursors of blackened berries. Scowling. Probably closing up, but it feels a little overstructured anyway. I guess time will tell. (6/10)
Boudouresques Chteau Massiac 2007 Minervois (Languedoc) More open than the 2006, with much greater generosity of black fruit and a lighter foot on the tannin pedal. Otherwise, mostly the same in terms of overall organoleptics and structure. This is promising. (7/10)
Triennes 2009 Vin de Pays du Var Ros (Provence) Pink melon and grapefruit, soft and plushy, with tarragon and something else herbal that I cant put a papilla on. Balanced. Some lead sinkers appear amidst the finish. Just OK. (7/10)
Miquel Domaine de Barroubio 2005 Muscat de St-Jean de Minervois (Languedoc) White minerality and flowers with big acidity. So incredibly vibrant. Among the best that Ive ever had the pleasure of tasting from this appellation. (5/10)
Chapoutier 2008 Ctes du Roussillon Villages Les Vignes de Bila-Haut (Roussillon) Boring, paint-by-numbers wine. Utterly without soul. Dark fruit, chewy structure, blocked-off and dull-witted. Theres not a flaw to be found, but youll fall asleep before the end of the first glass. (7/10)
Peyraud Domaine Tempier 1993 Bandol (Provence) Corked. (5/10)
Lafage 2008 Vin de Pays des Ctes Catalanes ct EST (Roussillon) 50% grenache (blanc I assume, though the label doesnt specify), 30% chardonnay, 20% marsanne. Usually a reliable bargain wine, but performing very awkwardly from this bottle, showing pointed elbows of alcohol and jittery melon with sun-drenched lemons. Finishes white peppery. (5/10)
Chteau du Roquefort (a/k/a Domaine du Roquefort) 2006 Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhne Gueule de Loup (Provence) A blend of grenache, the cabernets, and merlot. At a cost of a few dollars, this would be fine: basic fruit, basic structurethe kind of wine one un-jugs and sloshes at a picnic, or in front of the kitchen TV. Its more than that, and as a result its less than that. I dont see what cabernets and merlot add to grenache, and I dont see the reverse either. (6/10)
Boudouresques Chteau Massiac 2006 Minervois (Languedoc) Earthmeat, grit, layers of rough structure, and the darkest precursors of blackened berries. Scowling. Probably closing up, but it feels a little overstructured anyway. I guess time will tell. (6/10)
Boudouresques Chteau Massiac 2007 Minervois (Languedoc) More open than the 2006, with much greater generosity of black fruit and a lighter foot on the tannin pedal. Otherwise, mostly the same in terms of overall organoleptics and structure. This is promising. (7/10)
Triennes 2009 Vin de Pays du Var Ros (Provence) Pink melon and grapefruit, soft and plushy, with tarragon and something else herbal that I cant put a papilla on. Balanced. Some lead sinkers appear amidst the finish. Just OK. (7/10)