Spring comes with a vengeance. Explosions of blossoms. Green everywhere. Popcorn buds. The warmth we sought all winter. Crusty bread sops up the leftover homemade soup. We have turned a corner, and now, summer is on the mind. And wines are drunk.
Domaine Digioia-Royer, Chambolle Musigny, 2008
Dark fruited, full and dark, with a fairly strong wood overlay. There is good material underneath, but would like to see this get incorporated more. 13% B+
Il Poggione, Brunello di Montalcino, 2009
Those Cellartracker folks who say this is 'browning' or has 'light tannin' are full-of-shit, as this shows the still fresh color of a young wine, which it is. Fresh and lively, with red fruits and floral aromas with a sweet-sour dimension to the cherry-raspberry fruit. Young but accessible. Give it another year or two, but no harm to consume now. A-/B+
Scherrer, Zinfandel, Alexander Valley, 'Old and Mature Vines', 2014
Perfumed black raspberries on the nose/palate with sour plums. Good acidity and balance, touch of oak barrel on the end. Young. 14.8% A-
Huet, Vouvray, 'Le Mont', demi sec, 2002
Still kickin' it's sweet ass off. Holding, but no more upside. Stasis. B+
Shaw Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes, 'unoaked', 2014
Really weird color: medium-light red with purplish highlights. Sweet, musky tasting red fruits with mild tannins. Light for a cab franc, even if it is from the Finger Lakes. Almost gamay-like. 13% B+/B
Le Piane, Boca, 2010
A little closed at the moment, with tight cherry and red raspberry, tree-herbal roots, silty tannins, and a hard candy finish. Give it another 3 years. 13% NR
Quinta do Vale Meão, Douro, 2002
Thought it about time to check on this, as someone here mentioned it so. Perfumed plums, blackberries, dark chocolate and bitter aromatic roots. This is rich and opulent, nearly like a Cali cab that has balance. Tannin from wood and/or concentration still holds it's grip on the end. 14.5% This year, the blend is: Touriga Nacional 60%/Touriga Franca 30%/Tinta Roriz 5%/Tinta Barroca 5%. A-
Jaboulet, Crozes Hermitage, Domaine Thalabert, 2009
Yes it's rich and ripe and rather big, New Worldy, but it has slurpability in spades, actually feeling lighter than the stated ABV of 14%. Old school Rhone lovers, AVOID. A-
Clos de la Roilette, Fleurie, 'cuvee tardive', 2009
Yup. Crunchy red fruits, strangely feels lighter in weight and concentration the regular cuvee. Bit of rubber on the finish, and a slight mercaptan note. Merely 'good'. 13% B+
Donnafugata, Passito di Pantelleria, 'Ben Rye', 2007
Medium dark tawny orange color. Explosive orange-kumquat jelly aroma, fig paste. Unctuous. 14.5% A-
Not the most complex stickie out there, but man o man, the Impact...!
Forlorn Hope, Picpoul, Napa Valley, 'Haug Vineyard', 2013
Zesty lemon with a refreshing finish, almost Zotz candy fizz on the end. Bracing, light-medium weight. 12.06% Wish I could compare with Matt's own vineyard site, because I'm thinking the Napa location might be the better one for this grape. A-