2012 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Calcaire - France, Alsace (6/4/2017)
I often feel that Alsatian Pinot Gris as well as the Zind Humbrecht estate lapse into excessive opulence but this one is harmonious and beautifully balanced. Medium++ bodied and not bone dry, it shows rich PG fruit with a touch of grilled meat, spice and cane sugar offset by moreish acidity, fine minerals and backbone. A tad more length on the palate would be ideal but that would asking too much at c.€15, which for Z-H is an entry level wine. An excellent pairing for farmhouse chicken with mushrooms, asparagus and a spinach and cream sauce. Very good wine.
2015 Domaine de la Madone Fleurie - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Fleurie (6/8/2017)
This followed the remainder of a bottle of Finca Monica Rioja and surprisingly showed the same sort of charm in fruit but it added slightly more colour, body and savouriness and did not display the same small hints of vanilla. Good+ wine and excellent QPR at c.€7.
2015 Romain Chamiot Vin de Savoie Apremont - France, Savoie, Vin de Savoie Apremont (6/9/2017)
It is a long time, if ever, since I had a wine from Apremont. It is made from the Jacquère grape and this bottle disconcerted at first by quite low acidity but, when I adjusted to its balance, it grew on me with its fruit, a medley of apple, citrus and peach, its floral aromas, its smooth texture and its gentle minerals which came out more with goat cheese. To be drunk young, I think, but good+.
2014 Château de Cruzeau - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan (6/11/2017)
I liked this bottle better than the previous some 6 months ago. Most of the description still applies but there seemed to be more complexity. Passage of time, mood or pairing? I would find it difficult to guess that this is 100% SB. Good+ wine and good QPR for Pessac-Léognan at <€11.
2013 Château Ollieux Romanis Corbières-Boutenac Cuvée Aristide - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Corbières-Boutenac (6/12/2017)
This bottle was more expressive right on opening than the previous with attractive aromatics and flavours as appeared overnight then. Rather up-front in shape on the palate which prevents an even better appreciation. Good though.
Retasted on 6/15/2017 and still showing well with attractive signs of greater evolution and complexity.
2016 Clos Sonnenta Corse Rosé - France, Corsica, Corse (6/13/2017)
Made from Niellucciu, Vermentinu and Syrah, this very pale salmon coloured and medium- bodied rosé is fresh fruited, lively and mineral with good acidity and backbone and I would rate it even higher but for a touch of boiled sweet flavour. Good.
Retasted on 6/15/2017 and still holding up well with the boiled sweet notes less in evidence.
2015 Domaine de Granajolo Vin de Corse Porto Vecchio Cuvé Tradition - France, Corsica, Vin de Corse Porto Vecchio (6/16/2017)
Richer fruited, more deeply coloured, sweeter, smoother and more evolved than the fresh and mineral Sonnentra of a couple of days ago showing the diversity of Corsica's terroirs and grape varieties, Sciacarello here. The most prominent fruit favour was strawberry and there was a liqueur touch on the finish but acidity was sufficient to avoid cloying and it was a good pairing with crab and Madagascar shrimps. Good.
2005 François Chidaine Vouvray Sec Les Argiles - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (6/17/2017)
Classic mature Vouvray sec with deepening colour and an expressive bouquet of white fruit, apples, citrus, pineapple, peach mainly, wax and a hint of honey. Palate was medium bodied, more tendre than bone dry, with a seamless profile of quite rich fruit, discreet minerals, fresh acidity, backbone and good length. At peak now, I guess. Very good.
2016 Château de Castillon Bandol Rosé - France, Provence, Bandol (6/18/2017)
A very nice rosé with, as befits Bandol, rather more body, backbone and class than most as well as the more usual strawberry tinged fruit and fresh acidity. Good wine and good QPR for Bandol at c.€9.
2015 Domaine de Bois Saint-Denis Reuilly - France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Reuilly (6/19/2017)
A refreshing and enjoyable Reuilly with typically SB fruit of grapefruit and gooseberry, minerals and with less rusticity than a recent Reuilly from Domaine du Chêne Vert. Good.
2015 Nicolas Reau Anjou La Vie Est Belle - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Anjou (6/20/2017)
Served on a hot evening initially at cellar temperature, this bottle was at first just as delightful as the previous 7 months ago but as it rapidly warmed up it tended to become progressively more bland. Good+ when cool.
2016 Château Tour de Bonnet Bordeaux Rosé - France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Rosé (6/21/2017)
Refreshing and lively pink with lively fruit, a touch of minerality and good acidity. Good wine and good QPR at <€5.
2015 Les Vignerons Ardèchois Ardèche Cuvée Orélie - France, Rhône, Ardèche (6/22/2017)
A sort of mini-Tavel made from Syrah and Gamay with the same deep colour and similar rose tinted flavours but, fortunately, less alcohol (12.5%) than Tavel and, not so positively, less complexity and expressiveness than the better ones. Good though and good QPR at c.€5.
Retasted on 6/23/2017 and seemed to have gained in expressiveness.
2001 Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage (6/27/2017)
My previous bottle's description still applies but I seemed to have enjoyed this one more. It is definitely a food wine. The first sip before eating emphasised the acidity but I soon as I tucked into rabbit with prunes stewed in beer, it came into balance adding a velvety texture to its bright elegance. Very good.
2014 Domaine du Cros (Philippe Teulier) Marcillac Vieilles Vignes - France, Southwest France, Marcillac (6/28/2017)
No side by side comparison but from memory I feel that this is fuller and more structured than Lo Sang del Païs '14 but less charming. It has the same mix of fresh fruit, tangy minerality and crisp acidity but more intensity and I feel that a year or two more will be beneficial. Good.
2014 Domaine Forca Real Côtes du Roussillon Villages Schistes - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages (6/29/2017)
Attractive and accessible Roussillon, medium /full bodied with dark fruit of sweetish brambly complexion, some minerals, spice and liquorice together with fresh acidity and some backbone. Good wine and reasonable QPR at c.€8.
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