From the past week, not a bummer among 'um:
Dom. Charvin, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 1999 Deeply colored, the nose - initially - is quite closed, but with airtime moves to a densely packed adult candy store of black cherries, rootbeer, ginseng, and autumn forest bark. Youthful cherry bark and cola flavors come out in the mouth, with the afterthought of rosemary, herbs, and a floral dimension (lilacs?). There's excellent balance here, with the tannins feeling as smooth as toothpaste, I feel this could be an even smoother brew in 3-4 years, but it is just lovely right now. My only complaint is that I only have one bottle left An easy A-
Dino Torti, Oltrepo Pavese, Bonarda, 2001 Lightish cherry red in color. Some bitter herbs, redcurrants, and sour cherry emanate, with the theme echoed when drunk. Light in tannins and with decent acidity, this would make a good, refreshing summer drink. Finishes with a pleasant slightly bitter note reminiscent of dried leaf/Chinese keemun tea. B/B+
Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe, Münsterer Pittersberg, Riesling-kabinett, 2002 Some things are still sacred in the world. Thank goodness riesling grape is difficult to spoofalate, although why anyone would want to is beyond me. This lightly colored wine has a delicate nose of linden-flower with a light calcium touch. Greengage plums, green apples, flaxseed, and a linden tea finish on a medium frame that has some soft acidity and minerals (limestone & calcium). Not one to keep for ages, but for the next several years. In a good zone right now. B+