The Grape Crusader

Winery: Stolpman Vineyards

Bottling: 2005 La Coppa Syrah

Region: California

Sub-Region: Santa Ynez Valley

Estimated Retail Price: $19 (Winery price)

Purchase Details: Purchased for approximately $16 at Arlequin Wine Merchant in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, California.

Tasting Notes: Blackberry and boysenberry flavors with an herbal, rosemary like finish.  There was a grainy textural quality that I find very appealing and more often than not, I find this quality in wines that also possess a “delicious” quality, the kind that makes you just want to go back to the well over and over again.

I haven’t had a wine like this in awhile and it was exciting to be drinking it.  I’ve tasted many wonderful wines that were well-crafted, impressive and downright outstanding.  There are few wines I’ve tasted though, that had the same quality this syrah had to make me want to drink it in the same voracious manner in which I would eat a can of Pringles.  Was there MSG in this wine, I wonder?
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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 Rousset

Bottling: 2005 Crozes Hermitage (Syrah)

Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant

Region: France

Sub-Region: Crozes-Hermitage, Northern Rhone Valley

Estimated Retail Price: $20

Purchase Details: I can’t remember the exact price, but I think I paid $19.95 for this at Kermit Lynch Wine Merchants in Berkeley, California.

Tasting Notes: Brick, red maroon colors sit in the glass.  Aromas of smoked meat, un-cleaned hibachi grill and plum and spice.  In the mouth, this wine is surprisingly feminine and elegant in texture.  Flavors of smoke, red plum, spice, olive, beef and pepper are framed by minimal, caressing tannins.

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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: 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: Jean-Louis Chave Selection

Bottling: 2006 St. Joseph “Offerus” (Syrah)

Region: France

Sub-Region: Northern Rhone Valley

Estimated Retail Price: $27

Purchase Details: Purchased for approximately $27 and change from Arlequin Wine Merchant in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco.

Tasting Notes: Visually, the wine was a pure, dark purple.  On the nose pretty floral aromas of lavendar, and flowers.  In the mouth, blueberries, plum, more lavendar, licorice, cherries, freshly cracked black pepper and mineral on the finish.  Surprising acidity, medium-bodied in weight and clean, smooth tannins.  A nice lingering finish.  A very pure tasting wine.

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