First, a stickie:
Chateau Soucherie, Coteaux du Layon, 'vielles vignes', 1997 (Producer Tijou)
Medium gold colored. Honeyed quince and kumquat on the fairly light nose (it's not explosive). Sweet honeyed citron with a slight mineral touch, thick and viscous, but finishes rather short and simple. B / 86
Chateau Saint Cosme, Gigondas, 2001
My first St. Cosme wine. This is medium purplish red, with aromas of mint, licorice, kirsch, and blackcurrants. Lighter in flavors than the nose would suggest, but some licorice- roasted fennel and black cherry come out, along with noticeable roughness at the end. A couple of years could straighten this out from the tannin and oak jacket it has right now, but this is a medium-bodied sipper that could be drunk anytime going forward. B+ / 89
Chateau Charvin, Cotes-du-Rhone 'le Poutet', 2000
From the very first whiff, I'm thinking "this is some good juice here", and sure enough, it IS. The usual garrigue, black cherries, along with a pleasant floral component. Lovely to drink now, esp. at $14 delivered. Drink now or hold a few years. Surprisingly, the 14% alcohol only comes out AFTER it's drunk. A- / 90-91
Plus a couple of odd men out:
Chateau Paloumey, Haut Medoc, 2000
Lightish aromas, mostly blackcurrants. Smooth ripe tannins, nice fruit. Drinking well now and probably for the next 5-6 years. Nothing special or remarkable. B+ / 87
Domaine Court de Mautens (Jerome Bressy), Rasteau, 2000
Black cherry red colored, with smoky oak and dense underbush, ethanol on the nose. Smoky black fruits with a heavy toasted oak finish. Has a big frame, but the frame is a gross fit. 14% alcool. B / 84-85