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: 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: 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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Winery: Domaine du Grand Montmirail

Bottling: 2007 Gigondas “Les Deux Juliette” (80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre)

Importer: Charles Neal Selections

Region: France

Sub-Region: Gigondas, Southern Rhone Valley

Estimated Retail Price: $20

Purchase Details: Purchased for around $20 at the Arlequin Wine Merchant in Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco.

Tasting Notes: Visually, this wine sports a maroon, red brick hue.  On the nose, aromas of garrigue, smoke, violets and cherry liqueur.  On the palate, flavors of dusty raspberry, cherry, licorice, charcoal, pepper, spice and warm rocks.  Medium-bodied, caressing tannins and a nice seamless flow of flavor from beginning to end.

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Winery: Chateau de Beaucastel

Bottling: 2005 Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone

Importer: Vineyard Brands

Region: France

Sub-Region: Southern Rhone Valley

Estimated Retail Price: $25 – $30

Purchase Details: Purchased this for $12 and change from the R. Field Wine Shop in Honolulu, HI.  I’m pretty positive that it was mis-priced.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, an interesting melange of red and purple hues.  On the nose, loads of red, blue and black berries, vanilla, spice and a synthetic, hot, molten plastic smell.  In the mouth, black and red raspberries, pepper, and cherry cream.  Medium body, friendly tannins, decent flavor length and a creamy finish.

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Winery: Domaine des Tours

Bottling: 2007 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse (Grenache, Cunoise, Syrah, Cinsault, Merlot & Dious)

Importer: Martine’s Wines

Region: France

Sub-Region: Southern Rhone Valley, France

Estimated Retail Price: $18

Purchase Details: Purchased for around $18 and change from Arlequin Wine Merchant, in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, a soft, pretty red hue.  On the nose, lavendar, garrigue and cranberries.  On the palate, flavors of lavendar, red cherries, cranberries, more garrrigue, spice and a mineral tinged finish.  The wine was of a medium-bodied weight, had velvety tannins and a very silken and caressing finish that lasted about 24.8 seconds.

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