Most vintages of this have graced my table regularly since it is (sorry, was) cheap but true to its origins. I found the '07 to have been one of the best of '02-'07 that I've had, though I do miss that I didn't cellar more '04 since that transformed from a greenish wine into a beautifully understated MàV.
Cherry, ripe red fruit, some damp earth. It is very perfumed and I routinely like young Beaujolais on the second day open because the estery and fruity scents aren't so strong, but rather the rocky fruit and earthy characteristics come out with greater clarity. Ripe fruit, refreshingly noticeable tannins, moderate acidity (seems higher than what the technical sheet would imply), long, slightly mineral aftertaste. Very enjoyable though not at the highest level of Beaujolais.
Château Musar Blanc 1999 21,50€; 12,5% abv; Merwah & Obaideh grapes (Merwah is possibly an ancestor of Sémillon; Obaideh (=Arabic: "the little slave/servant girl") is possibly that of Chardonnay); IIRC from some of the highest vineyards in the Biq'a-valley
Yummy.
Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva 1989 12,5% c.17€
Also yummy.
The Musar and the LdH are remarkably similar: both have orange, old colour yet seemingly have lots of life in them. Both are full of sweet orange scents and are slightly oxidative, both are waxy and quite full bodied, both are deep and earthy. I love both. The LdH has a bit more acidity, but both are refreshing. Lovely wines both of them.
Eric Texier* Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2005 80% Grenache + 20% Roussanne, Clairette & Grenache Blanc
This is a truly wonderful wine. Full of red fruit, savoury despite the ripe Grenache aromas. Refreshing, with a spine of acidity running through the fleshy fruit, soft tannins, red fruit aromas despite some "gras". A product of a warm year but it is still incredibly refreshing and moreish. Lovely wine. There is also an American release with a multicoloured label which is a different blend to this, lighter and more feminine according to Mr. Texier - I would love to taste the American blend, too!
Tenute Loacker Morellino di Scansano Valdifalco 2006 14,95€; 14,5% abv; Sangiovese 87% the rest Syrah and Cab Sauv; 18 months in French and Slavonian oak of which 15% are new, a quarter of the wine was in Barrique; biodynamic.
The scent is a bit muddled: it started with some attractive, if rather ripe, Sangiovese aromas of bright red fruit/cherry and sandalwood and a delightful touch of funk. Unfortunately it turned to darker tones with air, and it seemed like the 13% Syrah and Cab Sauv and the Barrique took over. It is rare that I find the palate more interesting than the nose, but so it was here. As with many biodynamic wines, it was vibrant and very lively, bright despite the wine's copious fruit, with delightfully upright and refreshing tannins. A shame about the international and anonymous scent as I like the taste.