Laurence Feraud Côtes du Rhône Villages Seguret 2006

A new CDR in DM's to try, this opened to a rich bouquet of plum, berries, earth, licorice, kirsch, coffee, leather and spice. The palate again was quite rich and concentrated with fruits over solid tannins. Good length and finish. Quite a gutsy and well made CDR.

50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Domaine La Barroche Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2006

Friday evening and we indulged with a Chateauneuf. On the bouquet were aromas of blackberry, cherry, kirsch, olive, rich soil, menthol, coffee and some spices. The palate was quite solid and integrated, with just a touch of alcohol heat. Tannins were fine and finish quite long. Quite an interesting wine although perhaps a little green. Quite good.

50+4+14+17+7 = 92/100

Chateau Jolys Jurançon Sec 2006

Before dinner we opened this wine made from Gros Manseng. On the bouquet were aromas of lemon, melons, almonds, yellow flowers, grapefruit and mineral. The palate was well balanced with good acidity and minerals, citrus fruits leading to a dry, tangy salty finish. Quite a interesting wine and works well just as an aperitif.

50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Louis Latour Nuits-St-Georges 2005

Some Burgundy for dinner, and this Nuits-St-Georges opened to aromas of cherries, currants, violets, fennel, spice, earth and some mushroom. On the palate it was well balanced with good acidity, oak, fine grained tannins and dry finish. Seemed a touch young but very nice now.

50=4+14+17+7 = 92/100

Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga d'Alba 2004

Time for a Barolo and we opened this to have with our Bolognese. On the nose were aromas of red berries, strawberry, currant, tar, vanilla, rose petals, amaretto and herbs. The palate was medium bodied, firm in structure and length long and dry. Seemed a little green and could do with further cellaring but still very drinkable. Lovely.

50+4+14+17+8 = 93/100

Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Rouge 2008

This blend of Syrah, Grenach, Carignan and Cinsault from Languedoc opened to aromas of red cherry, blackberry, strawberry, spices, herbs and warm stones. On the palate it was light in body, with rustic tannins and some more stone and earth notes. Overall charming and slightly rustic drinking. Not bad and fairly cheap.

50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Pio Cesare Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese 2009

The grape Grignolino from the Piedmont is something I have never tried before so was curious. Opened to a bright bouquet of raspberry, red cherries, pepper, rose and musk. The palate again was bright in fruit and acidity, but nicely balanced. Finished clean and dry. It did remind me a little of a dark rose, even a pinot a little. Nicely handled and interesting.

50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Chateau Du Cedre Heritage Malbec 2006

It's been 3 years or so since drinking a Cahors, so needed to try once again. This wine being I think the 2nd wine from Chateau Du Cedre opened to a nice array of cherry, blackberry, cassis, spice and a little oak. On the palate it was well balanced and integrated, with dense but soft tannins, more spice and deep black fruits. Finished soft and composed. Quite a decent effort.

50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Mas De Daumas Gassac 2008

Having tried their 2nd wine, Reserve De Gassac and not being that taken, I was curious about their flagship wine. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Pinot Noir and 3% Syrah, the nose was very expressive and awash with red and black fruit, cassis, mint, rose hip, cloves, green olive, cumin, earth and more. The palate was very fruit driven, with the blended varieties well integrated and holding together with nice dry tannins and mineral underneath. Certainly this wine is more successful than the Reserve, and would cellar well. A very well handled blend.

50+4+14+17+7 = 92/100

Bouchard Pere & Fils Meursault Les Clous 2005

Our aperitif for Saturday evening, this Meursault showed a fairly tame nose of soft citrus, musk, honey, butterscotch, chamomile, flowers and mineral. The palate was fleshy with good texture, nice acid and mineral and the finish quite elegant. It did seem a little locked and not as expressive as I hoped. Not a bad effort but have had better Meursault at the price. Still it was good drinking.

50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Moulin De La Lagune 2005

The second wine from the 3rd Growth Chateau La Lagune, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc displayed pleasant aromas of crushed red berries, cassis, chocolate, cherry, tar, pepper and soft spice. The palate was nicely balanced, with very soft velvet tannins leading to a smooth soft finish. Overall quite a delicious and well made wine.

50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Les Vins de Vienne Côte-Rôtie Les Essartailles 2007

Not since a Rhone tasting last year had we had a Côte-Rôtie so we picked up one. Opened to a broody dark nose of violet, plum, raspberry, leather, spice, cedar and some foliage. The palate was quite solid, with dense fruit over fairly prominent and slightly green tannins. There was definitely power and complexity in this wine, however it seemed fairly young and definitely needs a good cellaring to further its potential.

50+4+13+17+7 = 91+/100

Paul Jaboulet Cornas Les Grandes Terrasses 2006

Some Rhone for dinner, this one from Cornas. Opened to a dark bouquet blackberry, black cherry, meat juice, tar, violet, black pepper, hints of cumin and earth. The palate was quite robust with tight tannins, but did slowly open and smooth over time. Towards the end of the bottle the wine was evolving and showing promise. Good dry savoury finish this wine really needs some cellaring but still quite good now. Suited our fillet steaks very well.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100+

Dominique Portet Fontaine Rose 2009

I not sure why we got some rose, but we did and one from Victoria. Blended from Cabernet, Shiraz and Merlot the bouquet showed aromas of candied red fruits, strawberries, cherry, cream and a touch of white pepper. On the palate it was well balanced, with soft acidity and clean juicy fruits. Finish was soft, dry and a little creamy. A well made rose, which stylistically reminded me a little of an Anjou.
50+4+13+16+7 = 91/100