Gigondas can offer great values on a Chateauneuf styled wine for a lot less money.  This is a great example.  And coming, from a less than great vintage, this is drinking quite well at age 5.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is tight but with air opens to show raspberries, black cherries, char and spice.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Juicy and full bodied.  Black cherry fruit over a bed of spice, earth and char.  Light tannins.  Nice finish.  This won't get better but should be at this level for another five to ten years.  It will go well with stews or roasts.  

The 2000 vintage was not well received on release.  Indeed, in Napa terms, it was one of the rare vintages that was not at least very good or better.  Yet, many of those wines have aged just beautifully.  At age twenty many are a bit past prime but still offering wonderful enjoyment.  Of course, that depends on how you like your wines.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.

This reminded me of a "classic" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from twenty years ago.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, a bit of cola,, spice and a slight funk.  Pretty.  On the palate, this has sweet black cherry fruits.  Moderate tannins.  Good acidity.  Some depth and complexity.  Lot of energy.  This is in a great place right now.  It should be at this level for another 5 to ten years.  It will go well with roasted fowl or meats.  

One of the interesting things about tasting wine is that everyone is sensitive to different things (especially faults) in wines.  Personally, I am not very sensitive to a bit of oxidation and I really enjoy many wines made in an oxidative style such as Sherry, wines from the Jura, or some Champagnes.  Which brings me to this wine.  This was bought on release and well stored, but at a recent tasting, some found it too oxidized and not enjoyable.  For me, I had no issues with it and found it quite enjoyable.  Your mileage may vary.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is tight at first but with som

This is in a good place right now and drinking well.   Deep ruby in color.  The nose is tight at first but with air shows cherries, sour cherries and an underlying earthiness.  Good balance.  Lively acidity.  On the palate, the sour cherries dominate but the underlying earthiness is still present.  A nice complexity as the layers unwind in the glass.  Seems very clearly of Oregon.  Long finish.  This will go well with fowl dishes.  No hurry, it should easily do another decade and closer to two.  

This is a blend of 75% Merlots and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is very tight but shows some black cherry.  Much more open on the palate.  Black cherry fruit with slight black raspberries.  Medium to light tannins.  Reasonably balanced.  A bit bitter on the finish.  This drinks quite easily on its own but would be better with a burger or other grilled food.  

This is a blend of 48% Carignan, 46% Grenache and 6% Syrah.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is warm with nice cherry fruit.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  slightly silky texture.  The palate has cherry fruit with a bit or herbal notes underneath.  There is warmth on the finish.  This drink ok on its own and would work with burgers or stews.  

This wine is outstanding.  The kinds of wine that makes people realize just how good wines from Beaujolais can be.  Ruby in color, slightly dark, clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, spice, slight soy sauce and some anise.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  Black cherries, slightly candied with an underlying spice/minerality.  Well balance.  This needs about three to five more years until peak and then should be good for another five to ten after that.  It will work well with fowl or heavier see food dishes.  

Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has candied cherries and a bit of earthiness.  It is slightly sweaty.  On the palate, this drinks quite easily.  Cherry lozenges with slight anise.  Good acidity.  This begs for food though works fine on its own.  It should probably be consumed in the next year or so although it might make older bones.  

Had this at a local wine shop and was told it was a sparkling Vouvray.  I don't see that on the label as it appears to Vin de Pays though that is not on the label either.  The importers web site states that this is "Based heavily on Chenin Blanc with a dollop of Chardonnay" from vineyards in Touraine.  In any event, I love Chenin Blanc and thought this was a very nice sparkler.  How much one enjoyed it seemed to be directly tied to ones appreciation fro Chenin (at least at the store).  Light gold in color with some green streaks.  On the nose, this has a nice salinity with a bit of chalk, c