TN: Recent wines

[Florida Jim]

2005 André et Michel Quenard, Chignin:

It seems like every time I go to the wine store I come home with a couple more bottles of this; charming aromatics of light honey, alpine flowers, ripe pears and a nice mineral water tone; terrific on the palate as it is smooth, fleshy and deep but has mouthwatering acidity that carries it through a long, fresh finish. I’d almost believe there’s some RS here but the finish is bone dry so I suspect its just really ripe fruit. 11% alcohol, imported by Kermit Lynch and about $13; a great value.

2002 Thomas, Pinot Noir (magnum):

If Mugnier made Oregon pinot noir, this is what it would taste like, with black raspberry, black cherry, mineral aromas and gentle oak; all finesse in the mouth, its got fresh, bright and layered flavors that follow the nose and its earthy accents seem to bring it together; a medium length, peppery finish. Showing quite young and absent the gunpowder scents I often get from this producer’s wines; surely it could use a decade in the cellar. But on this day it was fine accompaniment to chicken with yellow rice and black beans and delicious even without food. 13% alcohol, the magnum was about $80 on release and worth every penny.

2004 Dom. d’Aupilhac, Montpeyroux:

30% mourvèdre, 28% carignan, 25% syrah, 12% grenache, 5% cinsault; 13.5% alcohol; and, 20 months in old and new wood, this Coteaux de Languedoc is meaty, salty, black fruited juice that has good body, a worsted texture and lots of length. You can feel that it’s only showing part of what it holds but that part is very good, indeed. A wine for the cellar and for now. Imported by Kermit Lynch and about $15; stealing, at that price.

2002 Ogier, Syrah La Rosine:

Light bodied, almost delicate Côte-Rôtie-esque wine; charming in its own right but nothing serious. Good accompaniment to chicken in red sauce. 12.5% alcohol, imported by Robert Kacher and about $19 wholesale; I’d buy it again at that price.

Best, Jim

[kazuo]

Jim:

Those Thomas pinots are something else, aren't they? They're hard to come by in Tokyo, but when I see them, I buy. Really lovely wines.

I also wanted to thank you for your notes on the 2004 Villaine Cote Chalonnaise Les Clous. Your notes were so evocative that I had to try the wine, loved it and bought all I could find here in Tokyo. Should do well as the house pour starting in the summer of 08.

[Florida Jim]

I also wanted to thank you for your notes on the 2004 Villaine Cote Chalonnaise Les Clous.  Your notes were so evocative that I had to try the wine, loved it and bought all I could find here in Tokyo.  Should do well as the house pour starting in the summer of 08.

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Or 2010. That one may take awhile to come around.

Best, Jim