2006 Jean Louis Triboulet "Les Bacs" Vins de Pay des Cotes Catalanes. Typical Rhone varietal blend. Rather alcoholic for a French wine (14.5% abv nominal) Nonetheless, to steal a term from Steve Edmunds, "La Terre Parle." Certainly some big ripe plum fruit, and a big mouthfeel, but the earthinesss of this wine just showed through in a big way. No harshness from the alcohol, although it did, I have to admit, go to my head fairly quickly. One of the benefits of having a wine shop three blocks from home is no threat of DUI.
90 points and delicious for the sub-$20 price. I was comparing this to Paso Robles wines in climate, alcohol level,etc. Why do I like it so much more, especially given that the Paso wines I compared it to is twice the price? At dinner with my friends Joe and Donna, who prepared fantastic chicken pot pies.
2001 Domaine Henri Perrot-Minot Morey Saint Denis "En La Rue de Vergy" I don't know a lot about Burgundy (or anything else, for that matter) but this wine struck me as a very lovely "mid point wine" for those used to drinking fruit-forward California Pinots. Lovely dark garnet color with a beautiful nose of black cherry and earth. Not shut down at all. No evident oakyness to my oakaphobic palate, although I understand from bloggers I trust that the CHIRSTPHE P-M wines are supposed to be oaky messes. On the palate, beautiful black cherry fruit whispers "California," but the lovely earthy character of the structure and underpinnings of this wine says "France." I really enjoyed this Pinot quite a lot, although it was big and rich enough that I probably should have saved it for a big juicy steak. Still, solid 92 points.