The Grape Crusader

Winery: Bonny Doon Vineyards

Bottling: 2004 Le Cigare Volant (35% Syrah, 38% Grenache, 12% Mourvedre, 8% Carignane, 7% Cinsault)

Region: California

Sub-Region: Santa Cruz Mountains

Estimated Retail Price: $30 – $35

Purchase Details: Purchased for $44 off the wine menu at Spork SF in the Mission District neighborhood of San Francisco.  A great deal considering restaurant pricing.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, pretty violet hues.  On the nose, spices and wild berries.  In the mouth, flavors of cherry, blueberry, pepper and dried herbs.  Tightly wound and taut tannins and a fairly long finish.  I think this wine has a nice blend of savory and sweet flavor components.  The sweet kirsch flavors are very apparent as well as the spiciness and meatiness of the wine and they work very well together to balance out the wine and give it a little yin and yang flavor dance.

This is a new world wine with an old-world sensibility that can easily age for several more years.  I think its worth having several bottles lying around the home cellar.

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Winery: Saint Andre de Figuiere

Bottling: 2008 Le Saint Andre Vin de Pays du Var Rose (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cinsault & Grenache)

Importer: Paul M. Young Fine Wines

Region: France

Sub-Region: Vin de Pays du Var

Estimated Retail Price: $14

Purchase Details: Purchased from Solano Cellars in Albany, California for $13.50.

Tasting Notes: Very pale coral and salmon hue in the glass.  On the nose, delicate aromas of roses and mineral.  In the mouth and interestingly enough, this rose has flavors that are more reminiscent of white wines.  Apples and white peaches are the main flavors I remember tasting.  Unripe Safeway strawberries added actual rose flavors.  A very light-weight mouth feel and a crisp, dry finish complete the wine.
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Unfortunate zuchinni in the background, awaiting their fate.

Winery: Chateau Trinquevedel

Bottling: 2008 Tavel Rose

Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchants

Region: France

Sub-Region:  Tavel, Southern Rhone Valley

Estimated Retail Price: $17

Purchase Details: Purchased directly from Kermit Lynch Wine Merchants in Berekeley, California for around $17.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, a saturated and intense, dark pink hue.  On the nose, ripe red stone fruits and ripe strawberries.  In the mouth, flavors of ripe strawberry and spice.  The wine is firm, rich and juicy and has a dry tea like, but surprisingly refreshing finish.  Although the fruit takes center stage here, the wine never seems heavy or cloying and retains a nice fresh quality.

I’m not sure what the grape make up is on this particular Tavel, but the grapes that are typically used include grenache, syrah, cinsault, mouvedre and carignan (not to exceed more than 10%).  Also, not one grape can exceed more than 60% of the blend.

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Winery: Corte Gardoni

Bottling: 2008 Bianco di Custoza (40% Garganega, 20% Trebbiano Toscano, 15% Trebbianello, 25% Various local varieties)

Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant

Region: Italy

Sub-Region: Custoza, Veneto

Estimated Retail Price: $13

Purchase Details: Purchased directly from Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant in Berkeley, California for $12.95 plus tax.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, a very pale straw, yellow hue.  Aromas of banana, white peach.  An immediate acid attack on the palate, followed by flavors of banana, dried pineapple, apple and a slightly bitter lemon rind finish.  This wine has a light body and an underlying creaminess that’s really interesting.

This is a white wine with some surprising substance and complexity that you wouldn’t expect in this price range.

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Winery: Domaine de Fontsainte

Bottling: 2007 Cobieres Rouge (60% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 10% Syrah)

Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant

Region: France

Sub-Region: Corbieres, Languedoc-Roussillon

Estimated Retail Price: $13

Purchase Details: Purchased for $12.95 plus tax directly from Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant in Berkeley, California.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, the wine exhibits a purple and ruby color.  On the nose, dark fruits and fennel.  In the mouth, flavors of dark and red fruits – raspberries, boysenberries, blackberries, charcoal, black pepper, fire roasted herbs and a little meat.  Vibrant acidity, clean, but firm tannins, a medium-bodied texture and weight and a dry finish complete the ride with this wine.  I think we drunk the wine too quickly as it could have benefited from a little more air.  I also think you could lay this down for a couple of years for future enjoyment.

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Winery: Le Pigeoulet en Provence Rouge, F. & D. Brunier

Bottling: 2007 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge (80% Grenache, 10% syrah, 5% Cinsault and 5% Carignan)

Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merhcant

Region: France

Sub-Region: Vin de Pays de Vaucluse

Estimated Retail Price: $20.00

Purchase Details: Purchased directly from Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant in Berkeley, California for approximately $16.95.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, a dark red and purple tinge.  On the nose, red and black fruit aromas of raspberries and plum.  In the mouth, flavors of herbs that were roasted over an open campfire, ripe raspberries, cherries and pomegranate.  Medium grained tannins, medium body in weight and food friendly acidity.  A very well balanced wine with no highs, lows or curve balls.  Goes from lips to stomach in a nice seamless fashion.

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Winery: Domaine D’Aupilhac

Bottling: 2008 Coteaux du Languedoc “Lou Maset” (30% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 20% Syrah, 10% Alicante Bouschet and 10% Aramon)

Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant

Region: France

Sub-Region: Montpeyroux, Languedoc-Rousillon

Estimated Retail Price: $12-$15

Purchase Details: Can’t remember what I purchased this for at Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant in Berkeley, California.  I’m thinking $12.95ish.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, a lively crimson hue.  Aromas of raspberry, cherry, eucalyptus and a slight leafiness.  In the mouth, cranberries, sour cherries, raspberries and garrigue.  Fresh and lively acidity throughout, with a dry finish and floral aftertaste.

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Winery: Chateau Soucherie

Bottling: 2008 Rose de Loire (Not sure..Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc or a combination of the two)

Importer: Rosenthal Wine Merchant

Region: France

Sub-Region: Loire Valley

Estimated Retail Price: $15

Purchase Details: Purchased for $15 plus tax at Arlequin Wine Merchant in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco.

Tasting Notes: Pale salmon color hues.  On the nose, faint aromas of strawberries, roses and mineral.  On the palate, flavors hints of strawberries, lemon and citrus juices.  There’s a fair amount of acidity here that makes your mouth pucker and your face contort; in a good way of course.

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Winery: Chateau La Coustarelle

Bottling: 2005 Cahors “Cuvee Tradition” (80% Malbec 20% Merlot)

Importer: Charles Neal Selections

Region: France

Sub-Region: Cahors, Southwestern France

Estimated Retail Price: $13

Purchase Details: Purchased from K&L Wine Merchant for $12.99 plus tax in the South of Market neighborhood in San Francisco.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, opaque, motor oil black liquid.  On the nose, graphite, black fruit and a little meat.  In the mouth, blackberries, graphite, plum, licorice and smoke.  Burly, aggressive, but surprisingly velvety tannins rip through your mouth.  This is a full-bodied wine with a rough texture and a rough disposition.

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Winery: Saint Andre de Figuiere

Bottling: 2008 Cotes de Provence Rose, “Cuvee Magali” (25% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 30% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvingon)

Importer: Paul M. Young Fine Wines

Region: France

Sub-Region: Provence

Estimated Retail Price: $14

Purchase Details: Purchased from the K&L Wine Merchant in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco.

Tasting Notes: This wine has got one of the prettiest pale coral hues I’ve ever seen.  On the nose I get aromas of ruby grapefruit and strawberries.  In the mouth, barely ripe pink grapefruit, barely ripe strawberries, watermelon, rose water and even a little rosemary and spice.

This is a very delicate wine with a light, airy and feminine mouth-feel.  The wine finishes on a crisp and dry note.

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