France

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• Tavel

This was a treat.  Lafite was not at the top of their game back in the 60's but still a first growth is cool.  I believe this came from a private collection that was sold to a wine store.  No idea about storage.  The cork was soaked to the rim and the very bottom disintegrated upon opening.  The wine was then decanted for sediment.  Purple in color which was surprising.  The nose took about 30 minutes to blow off all of the bottle stink.  At first it seemed corked but that blew off so clearly it was not (TCA doesn't blow off).  Eventually showing some tobacco, dried fruit, some cassis, and

This wine is in the beginnings of its prime drinking window IMO.  It should be good for at least another decade.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with black cherries, black raspberries, cherries, raw meat, and floral notes.  On the palate, this has a great almost soft texture.  Slight tannins.  Layers of black raspberries, black cherries, licorice and earth.  This is a very clean wine.  Nice acidity especially for the vintage.  Long finish.  This kept improving all night.  It worked well my pasta dish after being open for a few hours.  

This is a top of the line Muscadet.  It was $25 back on release and I doubt it costs much more than that today.  Muscadets are some of the best values in the wine world.  At age 16, this one was gorgeous.  Medium golden in color.  The nose has crushed shells and a salinity to it.  Very nice.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Its all about the minerals.  Complex and deep.  Great with lighter foods.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  

For around $30, this is a reasonably priced actual Champagne (not just a sparkling wine).  Light golden in color with a good amount of small bubbles.  The nose is a bit chalky with some green apples.  Very clean.  On the palate, the apples carry thru.  Good acidity.  Worked well with food.  Good value.

What a fantastic wine.  Deep golden in color.  Very pretty.  On the nose, there is honey, sea air, and apricots.  On the palate, this is very complex.  Apple, honey, some citrus (almost a burnt sugar-ish citrus if that makes sense).  With air, some creme brulee emerges.  Long finish.  This is sweet but not as sweet as I expected and no where near cloying.  Good acidity.  The wine has decades left.   

Purple in color.  The nose is dusty and warm.  With air, it opens to show cassis and some tobacco.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Black cherry fruit.  Light tannins.  Juicy acidity.  At $80, this will hopefully be better with some cellaring.  Not a lot of value at the moment, but it is a very pleasurable wine that is good with food.  

Purple in color.  The nose is very nice with cassis, tobacco and spice.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  A lot of depth but the wine is very tight now.  It kept improving all night long and probably needs  at least a decade.  But, that patience will be rewarded with at least a few points of upside potential.  In the glass it shows nice cassis fruit, cigar box and earth.  Good balance.  $75

At this point in my life (almost 60), this is what I am really looking for in great Bordeaux vintages.  That is to say, wines that are affordable, drink with out requiring a decade or more of cellaring and provide pleasure.  This one is $23 and is drinking quite well today.  However, unlike most of the wines on the table this night, this started strong, held out for a while and faded.  Based on that, it would seem prudent to drink these up in the next few years.  And that's OK.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has leather, black cherries and slight cassis.  Also a bit of tobacco and oak spi

This winery as been on a roll, certainly over the last twenty years, but especially, the last 10.  This is the best 2015 I have tasted so far.  Purple in color.  The nose has great cassis, some char, tobacco and cedar.  On the palate, this has soft black cherries while still having firm tannins.  Cassis, earth and tobacco.  Some spice.  It is big and bold, yet accessible in the glass.  Improved all night long.  Certainly a few points of upside if cellared for a decade or two.  $130 is expensive but for this quality, probably fair.  

Purple in color.  The nose is very tight at first.  Eventually, it opens with a perfumed nose of cassis, slight menthol and cigar notes.  On the palate, this is very tannic.  Boysenberries with some earthiness.  Nice finish.  This kept improving all night.  It is an expensive wine at $130.  There is no reason to open this for at least a decade to justify the price.  The potential is there but it will take time.