The Grape Crusader

Winery: Laetitia Vineyard & Winery

Bottling: 2006 Estate Pinot Blanc

Region: California

Sub-Region: Arroyo Grande Valley

Estimated Retail Price: $16

Purchase Details: A friend who shared this with us bought it at the winery for approximately $12.

Tasting Notes: In the glass the wine is a pale gold color.  On the nose, stone fruits, flint and tropical fruit.  In the mouth I get hints of papaya, white peaches, flint and wet stone.  This is a pretty full-bodied white wine with a little bit of an abrasive and hard edge to it.  The flavor profile is more mineral and stone driven than fruit-driven.

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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: Domaine Richou

Bottling: 2006 Anjou Rouge “4 Chemins” (Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon).

Importer: Vintage ‘59 Imports

Region: France

Sub-Region: Anjou, Loire Valley

Estimated Retail Price: $15

Purchase Details: Purchased for $14.99 plus tax at the K&L Wine Merchant in the South of Market neighborhood in San Francisco.

Tasting Notes: Looking at the wine in the glass, I see a dark, opaque purple core with dark red edges.  On the nose, perfumed aromas of violets, fresh dark fruit, and a little meat and pepper.  Flavors of fresh blackberries, plum, pepper and more violets lead to a lasting spicy finish.

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Winery: Gerard Boulay

Bottling: 2008 Sancerre Chavignol Rose (Pinot Noir)

Importer: Polaner Selections

Region: France

Sub-Region: Loire Valley, Sancerre, Chavignol

Estimated Retail Price: $20

Purchase Details: Purchased at the K&L Wine Merchant in SOMA neighborhood of San Francisco for $19.99 plus tax.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, a light pink grapefruit hue.  On the nose, fresh strawberries and raspberries.  Upon first sip, lively grapefruit, strawberries, raspberries and even a little watermelon.  Light in body, but substantial in impact of flavor, acid and mineral.  Finishes dry and snappy.  This is a great food pairing rose.

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Winery: Castellare

Bottling: 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva

Importer: Winebow Imports

Region: Italy

Sub-Region: Chianti, Tuscany

Estimated Retail Price: $31

Purchase Details: A friend who shared this with us paid approximately $40 for this wine.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, an opaque red, black color.  On the nose, oh yeah, old world baby.  Socks and a little barnyard funk of the good kind that is.  On the palate, wow! Rich dark cherries, dark berries, cassis, licorice, mint and a dusty finish.  Super firm tannins, well-structured and mouth filling with a seemingly endless finish.

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Winery: Yalumba

Bottling: 2007 Viognier, Barossa Eden Series

Region: Australia

Sub-Region: Eden Valley

Estimated Retail Price: $19

Purchase Details: Friend who shared it with us purchased it from Costco for approximately $12.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, a light yellow straw color.  On the nose, aromas of white flowers, pear and jasmine.  In the mouth, flavors of apricot, pear, white peach, flint and wet stone.  A nice rich and creamy mouth-feel, accented by a lasting stony finish.  Even though viognier is typically a low acid wine, the combination of rich fruit and a slightly hard, wet stone edge keeps it from being flabby and one-dimensional.

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Winery: Villa Granda

Bottling: NV Pinot Prosecco (75% Pinot Bianco, 15% Prosecco, 10% Pinot Nero)

Region: Italy

Sub-Region: Veneto

Estimated Retail Price: $12

Purchase Details: Purchased for $11.99 plus tax at K&L Wine Merchants in the South of Market neighborhood.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, a watermelon bubble gum pinkish tint.  On the nose, aromas of white roses, fresh peaches and a little yeast.  In the mouth, the aromas of peaches, white roses and yeast are echoed as flavors.  Nice and  tangy, with a hint of nuts and almond on the finish.

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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: Pali Wine Co.

Bottling: 2007 “Bluffs” Pinot Noir, AVA Blend

Region: California

Sub-Region: Russian River Valley

Estimated Retail Price: $20

Purchase Details: Purchased from Plumpjack Wines in the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco for $19.95 plus tax.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, a very dark ruby garnet.  On the nose, dark fruits that were slightly muted and a little shy.  In the mouth, black cherries, rosemary, plum, forest floor and mushrooms – quintessential, broad shouldered Russian River Pinot Noir.  Mouth-filling, well-structured, muscular, juicy and ripe; this is a cab lovers pinot.

I kept forgetting that we paid only twenty bucks for this wine.  I think this wine over-delivers and is a great value for a pinot noir in this price range.

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