Rose' War

2010 Chateau d'Aqueria, Tavel, France ($19.99 at Nielsen's Market)
This wine had an intensely dark color for a rose'. Lindsay (my girl) and I had this in Carmel with our friend's Mike and DeeAnn and enjoyed it with the sunset and hors d'oeuvres. This was more like that of a light red (think Beaujolais). I don't like rose' that's that darkly colored or that expensive. We liked this, but it wasn't worth the price.




2010 Quinson & Fils, Provence, France ($4.99 at Trader Joe's)
This was lightly colored, simple and easy to quaff. It was dry and fresh although, it did have some nice aromas of watermelon. We sipped this one down at Lover's Point and we realized that you don't need to have a lot of money to have class. I prefer this one over the Tavel and you can buy four bottles for the same price.

Riesling and Cotes du Rhone

2010 Clean Slate Riesling, Mosel, Germany ($11.99 at Lopez Liquors)
It was dry and had flint on the nose. It wasn't super memmorable, but tasted good with the Thai food we were eating at Pacific Thai (on Lighthouse in Pacific Grove, CA). The sweet and spicy flavors paired well with the wine. I would've liked more acid and more residual sugar to keep up with the cuisine.



2007 La Pialade Grenache Blend Cotes du Rhone, France ($60 at Sierra Mar Restaurant)
Imagine dating someone you didn't think was that cool...at first. There were nuances of dead mouse (brettanomyces) and some volatile acidity that was a lot like worsteshire sauce. We thought the wine needed to open up, but it was our palates that did. Once we got adjusted to all it had to offer, we started to appreciate its flaws, layers and mystique. It had nuances of: fennel, cinnamon, and tar. Its color was clear and its modesty added to its complexity.

Gigondas

2003 E. Guigal Grenache (blend) – Gigondas, France
This spicy, gamey pounder is lot like a Chateauneuf du Pape but a lot less expensive. These winemakers are renowned for their triage system in which they check to make sure each grape is up to par (i.e. not bruised or overripe). Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2010 

Chateauneuf du Pape

2004 Vieux Telegraph-Brunier, Chateauneuf Du Pape - dark color in the glass with port-like chocolaty over ripe strawberries. The black pepper and tobacco nuances made this wine seem like a dirty old man thinking up ways to lure the ladies. Maybe not, but it was dirty and had tons of character. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2004 Ch. La Gardine Chateauneuf du Pape ($336 case) - Christmas candy mixed with pine trees, and port-like black pepper jam. The hot climate's indigenous grape types lead me to fall off the wagon. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2003 E. Guigal Grenache (blend) - Chateauneuf du Pape, France
With tobacco, red raspberry, and black pepper qualities this is perfect for customers who just ate garlic and need something to slake their thirst. Cotes du Rhone Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2013 

1985 Beaucastel Chateauneuf $235 (10/15/07) – this isn’t as good when the sediment integrates with the juice. The nose is so funky and the fruit is quite raspberry-like. The psycho-group deserves to drink the sediment. I’m glad the bottle has been shaken. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Sardon del Duero

2003 Rivola, Sardon del Duero $15 - Grenache dominates. You’re jammy, hot and thin. This is hot-blooded and sweat strawberries make me think of iodine. It’s port-like and hot. Last tasted 10/1/07 Drink now-2015 