Under $20

[Florida Jim]

N/V Bottex, Vin du Bugey-Cerdon La Cueille:

8%, pink bubbly, with a fine bead, a fresh fruit taste and made to be drunk ice cold on a hot day – for one glass – the second glass is too sweet. $15, from Kermit Lynch.

2004 Quinta do Ameal, Vinho Verde Loureiro:

Still wine from the loureiro grape at 11.5% alcohol; powerfully scented with aromas of stones, almonds and apples; vinous, bone dry, very slightly bitter, perfectly balanced and quite long. Not what I am used to with vinho verde but certainly a distinctive, savory and character driven wine. Worth every nickel at $10. European Cellars imports.

2004 de Villaine, Bourgogne La Fortune:

Always, this wine plays in the treble register – it has notes in the bass and mid-range but its delineation and aromatics take it ‘up a notch;’ fantastic with rare, grilled, wild salmon. 12.5% alcohol, imported by Kermit and about $19.

2004 Dom Saint Luc, Coteaux du Tricastin:

My third or fourth bottle of this beautiful, full-flavored but utterly weightless wine; a fine southern Rhone – woven of lace. 12.5% alcohol, imported by Kermit, and, wait for it . . . about $9. Stealing, my friends; stealing!

Best, Jim

[chefboy24]

i dont understand your musical metaphor

[Florida Jim]

i dont understand your musical metaphor

←

High toned aromatics and bright in the mouth.

Best, Jim

[Raoul Duke]

N/V Bottex, Vin du Bugey-Cerdon La Cueille:

8%, pink bubbly, with a fine bead, a fresh fruit taste and made to be drunk ice cold on a hot day – for one glass – the second glass is too sweet. $15, from Kermit Lynch.

2004 Quinta do Ameal, Vinho Verde Loureiro:

Still wine from the loureiro grape at 11.5% alcohol; powerfully scented with aromas of stones, almonds and apples; vinous, bone dry, very slightly bitter, perfectly balanced and quite long. Not what I am used to with vinho verde but certainly a distinctive, savory and character driven wine. Worth every nickel at $10. European Cellars imports.

2004 de Villaine, Bourgogne La Fortune:

Always, this wine plays in the treble register – it has notes in the bass and mid-range but its delineation and aromatics take it ‘up a notch;’ fantastic with rare, grilled, wild salmon. 12.5% alcohol, imported by Kermit and about $19.

2004 Dom Saint Luc, Coteaux du Tricastin:

My third or fourth bottle of this beautiful, full-flavored but utterly weightless wine; a fine southern Rhone – woven of lace. 12.5% alcohol, imported by Kermit, and, wait for it . . . about $9. Stealing, my friends; stealing!

Best, Jim

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[Raoul Duke]

So then, if Zin's are Jimi exactly what are Syrah's?

Raoul

[Florida Jim]

So then, if Zin's are Jimi exactly what are Syrah's?

Raoul

←

What???

Best, Jim

[ludja]

So then, if Zin's are Jimi exactly what are Syrah's?

Raoul

←

What???

Best, Jim

←

Jimi Hendrix is to Zinfandel as ??? is to Syrah...

beatuiful and instructive tasting notes, Florida Jim. I'm going to make a note of them and keep an eye out.

[Florida Jim]

Jimi Hendrix is to Zinfandel as ??? is to Syrah...

beatuiful and instructive tasting notes, Florida Jim. I'm going to make a note of them and keep an eye out.

Thanks for the kind words. If you happen to try any of these, I'd be curious as to your thoughts.

I don't think I can fill in the blank, though. My first thought is "syrah from where?" But what I really mean is, I don't think the comparison works - not even for zinfandel.

I've tasted some very elegant, pure zins. and then there's Turley and that ilk. So different one wonders if the same grape was used. Likewise syrah.

And even Hendrix had his slow songs - Rainy day, dream away . . .

Best, Jim