2008 Dom. Monpertuis, Côtes du Rhone Vignoble de la Ramière:
13.5% alcohol; more savory than sweet with salt pork, lavender, iron and spice tones up front and subtle red fruit in the background; focused, integrated and firm in the mouth with complexity and intensity, the structure is hidden but evident; good length. I think this all grenache but doesn’t taste like any other grenache I’ve had – not about the fruit but not without it. Rosenthal imports, it’s about $14 and more than worth the price. With grilled chicken and Caesar salad, excellent (and this from someone with little use for grenache).
N/V Bortolotti, Prosecco di Valdobbiadéne Brut:
11.5% alcohol; crisp, dry, ripe fruit but plenty of cut and a strong bead. Pleasant, even engaging. About $15.
2008 Peique, Bierzo Ramón Valle:
14.5% alcohol; 55 year old vines, 8 months in wood, 3 months in bottle; oaky, tannic and obviously more ripe than the “tinto” I wrote about last; disjointed but polished; at some point, this may be more interesting than the tinto but not today. About $16. Okay with pizza.
2009 Bodegas v Viñedos Neo, Ribera del Duero Matiz – Roble:
13.5% alcohol, 100% tempranillo from 25-45 year old vines, 4 months in barrel; (this is the sister wine to the Tinto I wrote about last which sees no time in barrel); sweeter on the nose with gentle oak notes, cherry and some spice; likewise on the palate this is more polished and smooth although slightly candied; medium length, integrated finish. A pleasant wine but with less character than the unwooded bottling and this costs $2 more ($13). Good with vegetable stew but I prefer the Tinto (as is often the case, when the only real difference between bottlings is oak aging, I prefer the one without – cheap date).
Best, Jim