A shorter list for me, as a busy July and a heat wave in August meant less overall consumption and more beer/cheap and very cold but unremarkable rose.
- 2017 La Source du Ruault Saumur La Coulée D'Aunis - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (8/20/2020)
Quite rich nose. Ripe apricot. Just a touch of oak character but there is a certain litheness as well (it seems this sees only six months of wooden vats which I assume is larger and older oak). Slightly unctuous on the palate but with good balance and a driving acidity which keeps it fresh. This is really rather good and splendid with local chicken paired with forestier sauce and stupidly rich mash. (91 pts.) - 2018 Le Fief Noir Anjou L'Âme de Fond - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Anjou (8/18/2020)
Serious packaging, pretty label. Mid yellow, flecked with green in the glass. This has an immediately "serious" nose. The 15 months it got in oak are obvious to sense. The palate shows a touch of apricot, a touch of nuttiness. There is a creaminess to the finish as well. Blind I think I would mistake this for Chardonnay, which I see as a compliment for a Chenin Blanc. Absolutely unchanged on the second day, which supports the producers view this can age for at least a few years. (91 pts.) - 2016 Château de Targe Saumur-Champigny - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur-Champigny (8/18/2020)
Sweet brambly fruit with the characteristic cab franc green notes but also good depth of flavor. Totally disagree with the last taster (also I haven’t seen any beef saucisson in this region). There is certainly a bit of barnyard or maybe Brett which might put some people off but this is quite nice. Drink now. (88 pts.) - 2016 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Cèdres - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (8/11/2020)
Quite rich and opulent, with layers of velvet plum notes. Perhaps a bit monolithic, and a touch warm (fifteen % ABV) but rather good. I think one for medium term drinking rather than the long haul. (90 pts.) - 2018 Domaine Yves Cuilleron Condrieu La Petite Cote - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu (7/26/2020)
Pale yellow. Classic nose, with ripe apricot and pleasing purity. Balanced with good depth and persistence on the palate. Open overnight, this fell away a bit on day 2. (91 pts.) - 2015 Lyrarakis Okto red. - Greece, Crete, Peza-Iraklion (7/22/2020)
A gift from my father maybe two years ago, I finally got around to opening this to celebrate a different milestone. This is a blend of Kotsifali, Mandilari, and Syrah. I will admit I am not at all familiar with the wines of Crete. Good, bright garnet colour. The Syrah is noticeable on the nose- there is fresh and preserved plums, and a certain herbal or even medicinal character (although I don't imply a fault). The palate is quite juicy up front, finishing with medium length and rustic but fading tannins. Maybe it finishes a bit short, but this is pretty decent. (87 pts.) - 2018 Domaine Yves Cuilleron Roussanne Les Vignes d'à Côté - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes (7/19/2020)
Bright yellow. Waxy citrus and honeysuckle character on the nose, which carries through on the palate. Slightly clipped finish, maybe the acid just pokes out a bit? Would like to see this in a year or two, I think it might resolve into something that would score higher. (87 pts.) - 2016 Château Vieux Maillet - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol (7/18/2020)
Bright garnet red. Intense and fruit driven nose. Purple fruit, blackberry, cassis, graphite and cedar. Quite flamboyant. Sweet red fruit on the palate. Very approachable now, but there is a decent balance and still firm, gritty tannins to provide structure - so I expect this to evolve nicely over at least 5 years. (92 pts.) - 2019 Cheval Quancard Cuvée Hortense - France, Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers (7/17/2020)
Rather pleasant wine. Quite light, with spritzy lemon and a gentle grapey character. Unsurprising this has Muscadelle in the blend. Available for under €4 this is remarkably decent for the price. (86 pts.) - 2015 Les Charmes de Kirwan - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (7/13/2020)
Mid red. Takes a long time to unwind on the nose, so if drinking now give it a good decant. At first, this seems a bit flat, almost with a sour note. With air it shows cool red fruits and cedar undertones. Juicy cassis as well. Fleshy, medium bodied palate with red fruit and sweet cola. From a supermarket shelf this might be a slightly bad bottle or could this be in a bit of a dumb phase? Could score higher in time if it’s the latter. (87 pts.) - 2015 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Capellanía - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (7/12/2020)
Pale yellow. A bit subdued at first. With air, this shows a sort of oily citrus character. Quite rich on the palate. Good length. Just a shade one dimensional. Be interesting to see it in a couple more years. (88 pts.) - 2010 Bodegas Beronia Rioja Reserva 198 Barricas - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (7/11/2020)
Always a reliable house, this is an excellent vintage for one of their reserve wines. Deep red still, very youthful color. Intense nose. Lots of blood plums, almost black fruit but not at all over ripe. Some vanillin oak as well, but really it’s the fruit that shines through. Smooth and balanced on the palate, with excellent length. For the price, highly recommended. Will look better in at least 5 years and live for at least 20. (93 pts.) - 2017 Domaine Belle Crozes-Hermitage Rouge Carmin - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage (7/8/2020)
Bright purple red. Intense and pure fruit driven nose of crushed purple fruit and violets. Classic easy drinking Crozes, with a rich/ripe but balanced mouth feel, and plush, gentle tannins. Excellent value. (89 pts.) - 2012 Château Puy Razac - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru (7/2/2020)
Mid red. Soft plummy fruit on the nose. Mulberry, a touch of leafiness. Nice freshness and purity. Soft and fleshy on the palate. Smooth and round. Pretty decent but lacks a certain definition to score higher. (88 pts.) - 2012 Château Yon-Figeac - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru (6/30/2020)
Plum red. Very impressive on first opening. Elegant, comforting nose. Soft red fruits, spice, a touch of cedar as well. Smells serious but yielding. No real “green” character, and a lovely plummy palate with still quite furry tannins. Left open (in the fridge), on day two, a distinct herbal note had appeared and the conclusion the wine was tipping over was inescapable. I wouldn’t be worried about this falling over in the next couple of years but if I had a case I might well start cracking them to make up my own mind, as this certainly drinks well now. (90 pts.) - 2019 Château Ferry Lacombe Côtes de Provence Rosé - France, Provence, Côtes de Provence (6/30/2020)
Very pale pink. At first it seems quite dry and reserved on the nose, with cool strawberry, but some musk lolly notes appear with air. The palate is a bit broad, with just a touch too much apparent sweetness but it’s quite drinkable as a light aperitif. (85 pts.)
