France

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This was initially very dusty on opening.  I thought there might be some TCA, but it was just bottle stink as it blew off.  After that, it kept getting better for the next couple of hours.  Ruby in color with some browning, a bit flat.  The nose had dust, cassis, dried currents and a bit of funk.  On the palate, this has slight tannins still.  Cherries and dried cherries.  Some complexity.  Probably a bit past peak but still drinking quite well.  It works better with food and was excellent with stuffed mushrooms.  This probably needs to be consumed sooner than later although it should still

Any time one gets a chance to drink Mouton it is special.  Even if it wasn't from a stellar vintage.  Such is the case here.  Sort of a dark brown/ruby in color.  The nose has cinnamon but not really much else going on.  On the palate, this has tart acidity.  Slight dried cherry fruit.  It does have a nice texture.  It is certainly drinkable if old.  No point waiting on these any longer.  It will work better with food.  This was consumed with a group and a couple of them really enjoyed it.  Such is wine.  

Yowza.  This is certainly a step up from the 2000 P2 and the regular 2002 version of this wine.  The P2 signifies that is saw about another 8 years of bottle ageing (under cork) before its final dosage.  The dosage is also less sugar than the regular version.  Just a stunning and youthful wine.  Light golden in color.  The nose is great.  It has this quality not too unlike homemade pie dough.  Not yeasty but doughy.  Also some tart lemons and minerals.  On the palate, this has a lemon candy quality with minerals underneath.  Tart lemons on the finish.  This is persistent and lengthy and see

I opened this to drink blind to start off one of my tasting groups annual parties.  Although it obviously has some age to it, it is drinking very well.

Every once in a while you open a bottle and its at peak.  It is a great feeling.  This was one of those times. Deep ruby in color.  The nose is great with black cherries, minerals, slight floral notes and garrique.  On the palate, this is layered and complex.  At the same time it drinks fresh and with vibrancy.  Plenty of black cherry fruit, some black licorice, and charred earth.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work great with casseroles and roasts.  It should be here for three to five years and then slowly fade while still great for another ten or so.  

I don't buy much white Burgundy anymore, but this one was reasonably priced and meant for short term drinking so I tried.  Glad I did.  Light golden in color.  The nose is slightly buttery with red apples and slight smoke/minerality.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is crisp with red apples and slight lemon.  Good finish.  This is enjoyable if not really showing a "sense of place".  It will work well with sea food and fowl dishes or buttery pasta.  Assuming no pre-mature oxidation, this should last for ten years at least.  

This was not a good vintage and its been a long time.  This bottle was DOA.  Oxidized.  Oh well.  Certainly representative of most bottles at this time.  

This is always one of the better values in Rhone wines.  They make two cuvees, this being the better of the two.  This is a blend of  40% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 30% Mourvèdre.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, plums, spice and smoked herbs.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Complex.  The fruits carry thru.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own but also works well with a wide variety of foods.  Works with casseroles, pizza or grilled foods.  It will continue to mature for a couple more year

This is a Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley.  2003 was an extremely hot vintage and also the vintage where Benoit came home to work the vineyards with his father Yannick.  This is fully mature and maybe a bit past for some bottles and depending how you like you wine.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, slight tobacco, dust and slight spice.  Medium bodied.  Tannins fully resolved.  On the palate, black cherries over a cigar box quality.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This should be consumed in the next three to five years.  It goes well with roast or casseroles.  

This is somewhat of a rarity in CdR as it is 100% Syrah.  This is also consistently one of the better values in Syrah.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, garrigue (an herbal/spice combination found in the Rhone), and black pepper.  Medium bodied.  Nice acidity.  A bit more austere than prior vintages but that's fine.  More than enough stuffing.  On the palate, black raspberries, black pepper and slight roasted herbs.  Good finish.  This might even get a bit better with just a hint of age.  This should drink well for the next five to seven years.  It will work well w