WTN: 03 Medoc, natural wines, SBs, Barolo

With lamb and delicata squash, I had a glass of the 2003 Clerc Milon. Not as roasted as I expected, but pretty tannic and tight. I took it along to local group’s monthly tasting, an hour or two of air let it open some. Very sweet cassis fruit , but no ‘03 heat (label only says 13%), tannic, new oak, some smoke. B

Marc had some nice charcuterie and cheese out, theme was broad- Organic/natural wine from Southern Europe.

2014 Volpaia “Citto” (Tuscany)
I just guessing Merlot or CS from Languedoc or something. Just says “organic grapes” no variety mentioned. Ripe plummy fruit, a little vanilla, lower acid. B-

2015 Chantereves L’ Intrus
Apparently this is Rhone Syrah vinified in Burgundy. Bright, with tangy berry fruit, fun and reminds me of the Texier Chat Fou. B/B+

2011 Foillard “Cote du Puy” Morgon
Mine. First guesses were Burgundy, then Fred got Beaujolais. Rich black cherry fruit, smoke and coffee, little herby note. Long finish. Delish. A-

2015 Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico
Good acids, bright, cherry and leather. B+/B

2013 Domaine Boisson Cotes du Rhone
Somewhat red jammy fruit, lower acid, decent finish. B-

2006 Mustilli Aglianico (Sant' Agata dei Goti)
Big, still tannic, long. Darker fruited. B/B+

2015 Mannucci Droandi Chianti Colli Aretini
Fresh red and black cherry, earth, mushrooms. Nicely structured. Good deal for $11 B/B+

With scallops over pasta and caprese, the 2013 Schiopetto Sauvignon (Collio). Soft, formless, melon fruit and short. This is SB? This is Collio? Disappointing. C+/C

2016 Luc and Noel Raimbault Sancerre
Touch of grass and gooseberry, some citrus and a little flinty minerality. Good not compelling. B/B-

With more leftover lamb and a turnip/leek soup, the 2012 Mirafiore Barolo. Stern chewy tannins, good acids, herb and red cherry. I think this will be a good deal ($25), but it needs time. B- for drinking now.

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

[David M. Bueker]

I keep eyeing my bottles of 2003 Duhart Milon. Not yet?

I really don't have enough '03 experience to opine (but will anyway). This, I thought needed time, and they're usually on about same level. I do seem to find that the more northern Medoc appellations did better than Margaux or Graves, and that Right Banks are roasted and unlikely to prove. So if it was me I'd probably hold and feel reasonably positive, but that's a wild@$s guess, no data.

[David M. Bueker]

Once the actual cold weather hits I may open one. It can be a test case for my (few) other 2003s.