The Montirius domain is in the south of the Vacqueyras appellation and has been under the ownership of the Saurel family for 5 generations. In 1996, they fully converted the vineyard to biodynamic methods and released their first biodynamic wine in 1999. Their wines are made entirely in large concrete tanks without any wood to [...]
Archive for September, 2008
Montirius Le Cadet 2006
Posted in France, Recommended, Value Pick, tagged Montirius, Montirius Le Cadet 2006, Saurel, Vacqueyras, vin de pays on September 24, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Bonny Doon Vineyard Syrah 1998
Posted in California, tagged Bonny Doon Vineyard, Randall Grahm on September 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I wasn’t very optimistic about this wine, I opened a bottle of it about 16 months ago and was disappointed. I thought that my pessimism might not be warranted given my recent experience with the Bonny Doon Vineyard DEWN Mourvedre Contra Costa County 2000. Perhaps Bonny Doon’s wines really are made for the long haul and [...]
Bonny Doon Vineyard DEWN Mourvedre Contra Costa County 2000
Posted in California, tagged Bonny Doon Vineyard, DEWN, Gary Taxali, Mourvedre, Randall Grahm on September 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
This is a 2000 Contra Costa Mouvedre that I acquired while I was still a DEWN (Distinct Esoteric Wine Network) member. I spotted it in the process of packing up and organizing my wine for the move. Given that my recent experience has not been so great with cellaring some of Bonny Doon’s wines more [...]
Domaine de L’edre L’Aibre Cote du Rousillon Villages 2004
Posted in France, Recommended, tagged Cote du Rousillon, Domaine de L'edre, Domaine de L'edre L'Aibre Cote du Rousillon Villages, Jacques Castany, Pascal Dieunidou on September 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
This wine is made by Jacques Castany and Pascal Dieunidou. Production is fairly limited and their wines are not very easy to find, but are said to be worth seeking out. Their first vintage was in 2002 and I believe they make 4 different wines (3 reds and a white). I have some of their [...]
K Vintners Viognier 2007
Posted in Recommended, Washington, tagged Charles Smith, Charles Smith Wines, K Vitners, Viognier, Washington State Viognier on September 11, 2008 | 1 Comment »
The 2007 Viognier from Charles Smith was fermented with native yeasts (as are all the K Vintner wines) in neutral oak. Beautiful Viognier characteristics on the nose with white flowers, honey suckle, apricot, white peach and nectarine. On the palate, stone fruits with some poached pear, apple butter, honey suckle with a touch of mango [...]
Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf du Pape 2003
Posted in France, tagged Châteauneuf du Pape, Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Pierre Usseglio on September 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
In 1931 an Italian Francis Usseglio left Italy and went to Chateauneuf du Pape and got a job working in the vineyards. In 1948, after the war, he got his own property. Francis had two sons, Pierre and Raymond. Pierre got his father’s property and Raymond established another estate. The third generation is in now [...]
Seghesio Omaggio 2004
Posted in California, tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, California Sangiovese, Healdsburg, Omaggio 2004, Seghesio, Zinfandel on September 5, 2008 | 4 Comments »
I visited Healdsburg for the first time some 18 years ago. Seghesio was near the top of my list of wineries to visit. At the time I was working at Bonny Doon Vineyard and became interested in CalItalian varietals. I was also a big fan of Zinfandel, making Seghesio one of my favorite producers in [...]
Domaine La Blaque Rosé 2007, AOC Coteaux de Pierrevert
Posted in France, Recommended, tagged Arrowine, Domaine La Blaque Rosé, Rose on September 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Summer might be over, but that doesn’t mean I am going to stop drinking rosé. Many consider it to be a summer wine, but rosé wines are also extremely food friendly (especially with hard to pair fare like Indian and Chinese), so they often find a place on my table no matter what the season. [...]
Marquis Phillips Blue Eyed Boy 2006
Posted in Australia, tagged Australian Wine, Marquis Phillips, Marquis Phillips Blue Eyed Boy, Sarah Marquis, Shiraz, Sparky Marquis on September 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I am moving at the end of the month and the thought of moving my wine is a bit overwhelming. So this month I expect to be opening a number of wines I would rather not take to the new place. Not bad wines, just wines that may no longer capture much of my imagination, [...]
