La Valentina, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, 'Spelt', 2001
A black cherry red color. Perfumy musk ox, burnt house and cherry twig. On the palate are crushed aromatic flowers (roses, lavender, and lilacs come to mind) with blueberry-black raspberry, followed by youthful tannins. The 14.5% alcohol comes out on the finish, making it a little warm tasting. This is fine stuff, but a little too 'clean' tasting to be considered artisinal. B+
Domaine Ferrer-Ribiere, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes, 'Empeinte du Temps', Carignan, 2003
Ridiculously old-vine carignan (126 years) sold for a pittance (under US 20$). The color is a bright, dark raspberry red. Fresh crushed raspberry aroma, along with field mint, and uncured green olives. like drinking fresh raspberry juice with a touch of lemon squeezed into the glass. There's also oxtails & bone meal, with a bright and lively acidity (despite the warm year) and strapping tannins that could use another 3-4 years to shed. 13% Delish. A-
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Riesling, Brand, 1998
Color is a sunburned autumn gold leaf. Rich nose of lemon-orange rind flavored with lychee and bee pollen. Despite the high alcohol (15%), it feels lithe in the glass, at least until it warms up. In the beginning, sugar snap peas, light caramel, cyrstallized ginger are followed by key lime pie. Blatant power here, and borderline flamboyant, but it feels reigned in and I am taken by the lingering finish. One of the best recent rieslings I've had. A/A-
Robert Chevillon, Nuits-St-Georges, 'les Roncieres', 2003
A medium dark pinot red with slight purplish highlight toward the edge. Dark forest berry & cinnamon-ginger baked apple aromatics, Californianish baked fruit. Dark sweet fruits of black raspberry and Italian plums, and sweet roasted flavors are primarily the main attraction here. Hedonistic drinking now, but would question its aging curve. Very much similar to a Santa Rita/Santa Barbara pinot noir. Despite the cries of 'atypical', I quite enjoyed it for the sheer fun of it, much like how people enter watermelon throwing contests. Ok, bad analogy, but I gave it an A-
COS, Cerauolo di Vittoria, 2004
From Sicily, a blend of Nero d'Avola & Frappato. medium cranberry red color. Aromas of rose lotion, sour cherry, Flintstones vitamins. In the mouth is bright sour cherry, dusty talc, and wood-wasp bore hole filings. Surprisingly light feeling, but a little one-dimensional. Still, for the price ($20), not bad at all. FWIW, this stood up to Roquefort cheese. B+