So I was finally able to try the Peyre Rose wines I had been so looking forward to and was very disappointed. The Marlène had some soaking fo the cork which may indicate some sort heat damage at some point but the Syrah Leone had a pristine cork. This is as bummed as I've been about a producer this year. I have 2 more bottles to try: 2005-05 Clos des Cistes. Let's hope they show better. Standouts were another great 2011 Cappellano, a Boillot showing up strong and continued excellence, this time in red, from Collier.
2016 Domaine du Collier Saumur La Ripaille - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (10/22/2020)
This was really impressive. Deeply pitched dark berry and pitted fruits shaped by an underlying steel structure of tannin and acid. The kind of fruit where the aftertaste leaves hints of skins and pits. I think this wine has a chance to be really fabulous and is just showing hints of its potential. (92 points)
NV Fabio Gea Onde Gravitazionali - Italy, Piedmont, Vino da Tavola (10/23/2020)
Consistent flavor profile wise with the last bottle but maybe just a bit more muted. I gave this 1.5-2 hours to breathe prior to dinner. Maybe it is best right after opening at this point. Still a ton of fun to drink and great at the table. (90 points)
2018 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (10/24/2020)
Good if straightforward and a bit one dimensional. Interestingly, it tightened up a bit over the next several days in the fridge. (89 points)
1998 Domaine Charvin Ch“teauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Ch“teauneuf-du-Pape (10/25/2020)
There was nothing wrong with this and the storage has been impeccable since release (cork only stained at the top) but I think it may just be a bit long in the tooth for me. We were drinking outside (COVI rules) so maybe that played a part (it didn't effect other, younger wines as much). Not hot or alcoholic. Warm spices and some cherry compote with a smattering of Provencal herbs as you'd expect. Color is a watery ruby. Fully resolved, for sure. (89 points)
2013 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban (10/25/2020)
This was sort of just a WTF flyer. Really young, dense and chewy. Savory but with deep fruit. Not aggressively tannic as Eric seems to avoid that texture but firm in structure. Let it sit a few more years before trying another bottle. (91 points)
2005 Domaine de Peyre Rose Coteaux du Languedoc Marlène N°3 - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc (10/25/2020)
This was really disappointing. From a trusted source I can only assume this is representative or it something happened prior to them getting their hands on it. Oxidized and OTH.
2011 Cappellano Barolo Piè Rupestris Otin Fiorin (Gabutti) - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (10/25/2020)
This wine has always shown well and tonight was no exception. We didn't give it much time open before we dove into it. Sweet cherry and baking spices with the classic Nebbiolo rose water only hitting on the finish. Gained complexity in the glass. I really loved the texture which was gentle and easy to drink but with some sneaky length and persistence and some fine tannins. Lovely to drink now and my last bottle won't make it more than a few more years. (93 points)
2016 Ch“teau Yvonne Saumur-Champigny Le Beaumeray - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur-Champigny (10/25/2020)
While this was undeniably impressive and well made in the vin de garde style I found it less compelling than recent Collier, which for my personal preferences may be setting the bar too high. Real density of fruit without excess weight but really captured by its structure. I'd be interested to taste this in 4-5 years and see what happens with it. All of the Yvonne wines have been promising and I will keep and eye on this estate. (91 points)
2017 Maisons Brulées L'Erebe - France, Vin de Table Français (10/25/2020)
Fun, bistro styled natural wine but a bit too high toned with VA for my taste. Some may appreciate the style more. (85 points)
2006 Domaine de Peyre Rose Coteaux du Languedoc Clos Syrah Leone - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc (10/26/2020)
This was disappointing. It was very roasted and seemingly tired. We tried it right away then gave it plenty of air. Put it in the fridge and then tried it again the next day. It's just roasted and tired or it was exposed to some sort of heat that didn't cause it to leak or even penetrate the cork which was only stained at the top. (83 points)
2019 Julien Sunier Régnié - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Régnié (10/27/2020)
Juicy, fun and full of life. Robust in the natural Beaujolais style. Well fruited but with floral and herbal meadow-like notes. Structured enough to work well at the table with a salad and charcuterie. Will probably improve with a couple years in the cellar, but good to drink now. (90 points)
2010 Domaine Louis Boillot et Fils Volnay 1er Cru Les Brouillards - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru (10/29/2020)
Well, there we go! This was a WTF moment. While I'm enthusiastic in general, Boillot wines can often be hard to get a read on and this was a young wine from a big vintage. The gamble paid off with a wine that while on the darker fruited side for Volnay wasn't rough or closed. It does give the sense that there is more to come once it finally relaxes and there is plenty of structure but there is also a good bit of stuffing draped over that structure and fine Burgundian notes of earthy, licorice and even a touch of dark cocoa powder. Excellent and bright finishing fruit. This is excellent now if you don't mind young, structured wine, but will certainly be even better in 3-5 years or longer, depending on your preferences. (92 points)
2016 Domaine du Collier Saumur La Ripaille - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (10/22/2020)
This was really impressive. Deeply pitched dark berry and pitted fruits shaped by an underlying steel structure of tannin and acid. The kind of fruit where the aftertaste leaves hints of skins and pits. I think this wine has a chance to be really fabulous and is just showing hints of its potential. (92 points)
NV Fabio Gea Onde Gravitazionali - Italy, Piedmont, Vino da Tavola (10/23/2020)
Consistent flavor profile wise with the last bottle but maybe just a bit more muted. I gave this 1.5-2 hours to breathe prior to dinner. Maybe it is best right after opening at this point. Still a ton of fun to drink and great at the table. (90 points)
2018 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (10/24/2020)
Good if straightforward and a bit one dimensional. Interestingly, it tightened up a bit over the next several days in the fridge. (89 points)
1998 Domaine Charvin Ch“teauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Ch“teauneuf-du-Pape (10/25/2020)
There was nothing wrong with this and the storage has been impeccable since release (cork only stained at the top) but I think it may just be a bit long in the tooth for me. We were drinking outside (COVI rules) so maybe that played a part (it didn't effect other, younger wines as much). Not hot or alcoholic. Warm spices and some cherry compote with a smattering of Provencal herbs as you'd expect. Color is a watery ruby. Fully resolved, for sure. (89 points)
2013 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban (10/25/2020)
This was sort of just a WTF flyer. Really young, dense and chewy. Savory but with deep fruit. Not aggressively tannic as Eric seems to avoid that texture but firm in structure. Let it sit a few more years before trying another bottle. (91 points)
2005 Domaine de Peyre Rose Coteaux du Languedoc Marlène N°3 - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc (10/25/2020)
This was really disappointing. From a trusted source I can only assume this is representative or it something happened prior to them getting their hands on it. Oxidized and OTH.
2011 Cappellano Barolo Piè Rupestris Otin Fiorin (Gabutti) - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (10/25/2020)
This wine has always shown well and tonight was no exception. We didn't give it much time open before we dove into it. Sweet cherry and baking spices with the classic Nebbiolo rose water only hitting on the finish. Gained complexity in the glass. I really loved the texture which was gentle and easy to drink but with some sneaky length and persistence and some fine tannins. Lovely to drink now and my last bottle won't make it more than a few more years. (93 points)
2016 Ch“teau Yvonne Saumur-Champigny Le Beaumeray - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur-Champigny (10/25/2020)
While this was undeniably impressive and well made in the vin de garde style I found it less compelling than recent Collier, which for my personal preferences may be setting the bar too high. Real density of fruit without excess weight but really captured by its structure. I'd be interested to taste this in 4-5 years and see what happens with it. All of the Yvonne wines have been promising and I will keep and eye on this estate. (91 points)
2017 Maisons Brulées L'Erebe - France, Vin de Table Français (10/25/2020)
Fun, bistro styled natural wine but a bit too high toned with VA for my taste. Some may appreciate the style more. (85 points)
2006 Domaine de Peyre Rose Coteaux du Languedoc Clos Syrah Leone - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc (10/26/2020)
This was disappointing. It was very roasted and seemingly tired. We tried it right away then gave it plenty of air. Put it in the fridge and then tried it again the next day. It's just roasted and tired or it was exposed to some sort of heat that didn't cause it to leak or even penetrate the cork which was only stained at the top. (83 points)
2019 Julien Sunier Régnié - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Régnié (10/27/2020)
Juicy, fun and full of life. Robust in the natural Beaujolais style. Well fruited but with floral and herbal meadow-like notes. Structured enough to work well at the table with a salad and charcuterie. Will probably improve with a couple years in the cellar, but good to drink now. (90 points)
2010 Domaine Louis Boillot et Fils Volnay 1er Cru Les Brouillards - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru (10/29/2020)
Well, there we go! This was a WTF moment. While I'm enthusiastic in general, Boillot wines can often be hard to get a read on and this was a young wine from a big vintage. The gamble paid off with a wine that while on the darker fruited side for Volnay wasn't rough or closed. It does give the sense that there is more to come once it finally relaxes and there is plenty of structure but there is also a good bit of stuffing draped over that structure and fine Burgundian notes of earthy, licorice and even a touch of dark cocoa powder. Excellent and bright finishing fruit. This is excellent now if you don't mind young, structured wine, but will certainly be even better in 3-5 years or longer, depending on your preferences. (92 points)