Wednesday, May 04, 2005
I’ve been traveling a lot but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention some wines of note of late.
The 2002 Ethan Grenache was super. Drank it with Helene and some friends in Sacramento after finding this wine and the 2002 Ethan Syrah. Both were outstanding with the nod going to the Syrah. Ethan wines are made by Ethan Lindquist, son of Qupe founder and Winemaker Bob Lindquist. The wine is really coming into its own with a nice blueberry flavor and hints of toasted bread (pain grille).
Yesterday super wine rep Bill Gillespie popped by and poured a new wine. It’s the 2001 Peter Paul Merlot, from the makers of Grove Street who found a stash of Merlot at Jaeger Vineyards. Super saturated, loaded with fruit but oh so elegant. Then there was the 2001 Deerfield Cellars Super T-Rex. This blend of fruit from all over Sonoma and Napa is a charmer. Made from Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and some old vines Dolcetto, the limited production wine is a real class act.
Then there was the 2003 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Village. I’m becoming a huge fan of this producer. Given the spotty year 2003 was in the Rhone, where some producers made some good wines and missed with others, Alain Jaume has a hit vintage on his hands all across the board. The Cotes du Rhone Village, which sells for in the range of $13.00 a bottle is a winner from start to finish. Lovers of Guigal’s Cotes du Rhone won’t do badly jumping ship and buying this wine that is a blend of Grenache and Syrah. Soft, easy to drink, yet full of life, this wine, which will easily age for three to five years offers up a light plum scent, with flavors of black raspberry, cola, blueberry and blackberry, plus of course red plums.
Last but not least was the 2001 Domaine de la Modoree Lirac. Talk about a mind blowing wine that is sadly unavailable in the USA, but the 2003 is now enroute. This wine can easily be classed as a competitor to Gigondas of Chateauneuf du Papes. Black color, briary fruit. Layers upon layers of juicy flavors, I get goose bumps every time I drink this hearty Rhone Valley red. It’s got great elegance, restrained power, will likely age for another ten years at least while you enjoy the blackberry, blueberry and black cherry flavors with a hearty steak or even some Thai curry flavored fish.
Cheers,
The 2002 Ethan Grenache was super. Drank it with Helene and some friends in Sacramento after finding this wine and the 2002 Ethan Syrah. Both were outstanding with the nod going to the Syrah. Ethan wines are made by Ethan Lindquist, son of Qupe founder and Winemaker Bob Lindquist. The wine is really coming into its own with a nice blueberry flavor and hints of toasted bread (pain grille).
Yesterday super wine rep Bill Gillespie popped by and poured a new wine. It’s the 2001 Peter Paul Merlot, from the makers of Grove Street who found a stash of Merlot at Jaeger Vineyards. Super saturated, loaded with fruit but oh so elegant. Then there was the 2001 Deerfield Cellars Super T-Rex. This blend of fruit from all over Sonoma and Napa is a charmer. Made from Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and some old vines Dolcetto, the limited production wine is a real class act.
Then there was the 2003 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Village. I’m becoming a huge fan of this producer. Given the spotty year 2003 was in the Rhone, where some producers made some good wines and missed with others, Alain Jaume has a hit vintage on his hands all across the board. The Cotes du Rhone Village, which sells for in the range of $13.00 a bottle is a winner from start to finish. Lovers of Guigal’s Cotes du Rhone won’t do badly jumping ship and buying this wine that is a blend of Grenache and Syrah. Soft, easy to drink, yet full of life, this wine, which will easily age for three to five years offers up a light plum scent, with flavors of black raspberry, cola, blueberry and blackberry, plus of course red plums.
Last but not least was the 2001 Domaine de la Modoree Lirac. Talk about a mind blowing wine that is sadly unavailable in the USA, but the 2003 is now enroute. This wine can easily be classed as a competitor to Gigondas of Chateauneuf du Papes. Black color, briary fruit. Layers upon layers of juicy flavors, I get goose bumps every time I drink this hearty Rhone Valley red. It’s got great elegance, restrained power, will likely age for another ten years at least while you enjoy the blackberry, blueberry and black cherry flavors with a hearty steak or even some Thai curry flavored fish.
Cheers,
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