Thursday, August 21, 2008

LES MERCADIERES - BORDEAUX

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $12 / Half Bottle
Producer: Aureuen Grenouilleau
Region & Country: France
Grape Variety: Bordeaux
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: Leon de Bruxelles, Paris, France - 08/21/2008
Place & Date Tasted: On the famous Chaps-Elysee, down the street from the Arc de Triomph - 08/21/2008
Lunch: The restaurant pretty much serves Mussels, so take a guess at what I ate that afternoon?

Appearance: Light to medium red
Nose: Light, citrus aroma
Taste: Spicy; mildly sweet
Finish: Warm after-taste
Overall Impression: I thought this wine was great, especially with my mussels which were delicious. Perfect combination. I also thought that the warm after-taste was pleasant.

Overall Rating
: 90/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

CHATEAU SAINT-CHRISTOLY - CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Vintage: 2003
Price Range: $22
Producer: Chateau Saint Christoly
Region & Country: Saint Christoly de Medoc, France
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: Eiffel 38, Paris, France - 08/20/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Right across the street was the Eiffel Tower - 08/21/2008
Dinner: Duck patte, steak and pieces of Ray's blue cheese crumbles
Special Note: I had crazy dreams where I was dizzy and seeing all kinds of colors. When I woke up the next morning, I was so dizzy. Every time I would turn in bed, the room would spin. I think the blue cheese may have been psychedelic blue cheese.

Appearance: Burgundy
Nose: Light, but not much of a fruit scent
Taste: Sweet, but also slightly bitter
Finish: Dry with very bitter aftertaste.
Overall Impression: I have had so much better. Being that this was my first wine to drink in France, I expected a little bit more. It was an experience.

Overall Rating
: 80/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars

Friday, August 15, 2008

GELISI ANTONIO - MOSCATO DOLCE

Whoever said that wine should not be enjoyed for breakfast has never had Gelisi Antonio. As most friends will tell you, I'm not a fan of white wines, but this one... oh man, I could have just had that for breakfast and been happy.

Vintage
: 2007
Price Range: $8
Producer: Gelisi Antonio Vineyard
Region & Country: San Quirino, Italy
Grape Variety: Moscato Dolce
Recommended By: Raymond Hamilton

Place & Date Purchased: N/A
Place & Date Tasted: Raymond Hamilton's home, Rattelsdorf, Germany - 08/15/2008
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits and jelly

Appearance: Light gold
Nose: Light, sweet and fruity
Taste: It is light, but there is a lot of sweetness.
Finish: Sugary, candy sweet that dissolves away
Overall Impression: This moscato dolce was not too over-powering. It was very smooth. I liked that it wasn't tart like a lot of whites I come across are. I definitely enjoyed it.

Overall Rating
: 95/100
Overall Value: ??? / 5 Stars

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

LA BAUME - CABERNET SAUVIGNON MERLOT

Vintage: 2007
Price Range: ???
Producer: Chateau La Baume
Region & Country: Costieres de Nimes, Languedoc-Roussilon, France

Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Recommended By: The Flight Attendant on Air France...actually, that's the only wine they offered on the flight. But it was free, so I wasn't about to complain.

Place & Date Purchased: Not purchased - 08/13/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Somewhere over Canada, flying to Paris - 08/13/2008

Appearance: Deep purple

Nose: It didn't have a scent when poured; it was very light
Taste: Slightly fruity, but not strong. It has more of a hot taste to it.
Finish: Warm after-taste that slightly lingers
Overall Impression: The bottle was cold when they served it. I think I would have enjoyed it more at room temperature. The taste was fair and plain. I know I've had better.

Overall Rating: 80/100
Overall Value: ????? / 5 Stars

Saturday, August 9, 2008

MAS CARLOT - CABERNET SYRAH

Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $20
Producer: Nathalie Blanc-Mares
Region & Country: Nimes, France
Grape Variety: Cabernet - Syrah
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 07/07/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 08/09/2008
Dinner: Seafood Medley - salmon, shrimp and scallops

Appearance: Very dark red; almost black
Nose: Floral and chocolate scent
Taste: Dry; Very little fruit taste with aerator
Finish: Same as the taste. I find it is better when not aired.
Overall Impression: The taste is definitely fuller without airing it. I still don't think it is worth the price though. I also didn't think it was that fruity either.

Overall Rating: 75/100
Overall Value: ** / 5 Stars

ST. CLEMENT

Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $20
Producer: St. Clement Vineyards
Region & Country: St. Helena, California, USA
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 08/04/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 08/09/2008

Appearance: Very daffodil
Nose: Apple, pear and floral aromas
Taste: Buttery; creamy sweetness
Finish: Fruity with a warmth to the tongue
Overall Impression: This would make a good dessert wine and stand-alone wine. Nothing in particular stands out more than others I've had.

Overall Rating: 89/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars