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TN: Frei Bro. PN, Garrigue Vacqueyras, and a Sparky Marquis white

Invited to our former neighbors for dinner, I carried along a bottle that was recently given to me as a gift, the 2001 Frei Brothers Pinot Noir Reserve (Russian River Valley). Fairly lush red fruit, a little cedar and vanilla. Inoffensive if unexciting, B.

He was serving a beef curry with assorted Indian sides, had asked for a suggestion at a local store. He came home with a Hugel Gentil (never got opened) and a 2002 Marquis Philips "Holly's Blend" (I have no clue what the blend is). I can't say I was real excited over the thought of a MP wine, as I thought the reds I tasted were a bit overblown. But when he opened my first

2003 wine, I was pleasantly surprised, if not overwhelmed. Floral nose, fairly deep flavors of white fruit, good acidity, and a nice nutty finish. For a white that I'm pretty sure retails for less than $10 not bad at all. B

Last night Betsy made poussins with a calvados sauce. Last time we had this recipe (with Rock Cornish Hens, I think), Emery suggested Rhone red. So we had the 1999 Domaine de la Garrigue Vacqueyras. This is one of those bottles that I don't recall buying, have no idea what I paid for it, and have no knowledge of the producer. So again a little trepidation on opening. Pleasant surprise- bright spicy red fruit, a hint of smoke and herbs, a nice medium to full bodied red that could hold its own with most under-$25 Chateauneuf-du-Papes. As I'm guessing I paid $10-15 for this (if it was more or less I'd remember) , a very good deal. B++

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre at best. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Dale

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Dale Williams
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Dale Williams wrote: []

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Hi Dale,

Heh. Sounds like the "new wave" in Vaqueyras: very bright fruit, less depth in the mouth. I've had a few nice ones -- notably cheap from the coop -- but prefer the other style, as in Clos des Cazeaux. Do you know who made the wine?

Strange to think that so young an appellation has already changed style...

Anyway, I assume from the grade that the match was a success! :)

Sorry about my spotty participation of late. I've just been getting caught up. My wife has been undergoing chemo, which has reduced my time allotted to all things vinous. (Not to mention the havoc it plays with her taste buds :(. Still, that's the least of it I guess.)

-E

Reply to
Emery Davis

I don't have enough Vaqueyras experience to speak knowledgably about styles. But as a generality it did not strike me as a new wave wine. I think of newwave Rhones as centering on really ripe fruit & low acidity, with a big dose of new oak (I don't neccesarily dislike the style, some Parkerish CdPs are quite good). By bright fruit, I meant fruit balanced with bright acidity. The depth in the mouth was quite good, as was the finish. Actually the only thing that might strike me as "new-wavish" was that the tannins were somewhat on the ripe side.

Yes, thanks for the pointer.

I'm sorry to hear that. Having had several friends go through this, I realize how hard this is (on her and on you). Best wishes to both of you. Will be thinking good thoughts.

Best, Dale

Dale

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Dale Williams

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Dale,

I guess I understood, that's why I specified new for vaqueyras. What I was getting at is a lighter fruit component, more red than black fruit, if you see what I mean. Also (what I'm referring to) there is very clear fruit, less complexity and spice. I've had both oaky and not of these. Anyway, you enjoyed it, that's the important part! :)

Hey, here's a Loire bargain if you can find it. (Might be, I think they have a large production). Domaine du Tertre (Limeray) Touraine VV 2000, I picked it up for 4.50 eu. They say it's

50/50 "noble cepages", which to my palate is gamay/pinot. A very nice near term Loire, bright pinot fruit with a nicely balanced back palate. Too acidic to have without food, but very nice with a little duck soup. I was a client of this domaine some years ago, but haven't been to see them in a while, I actually picked this up from the supermarket (LeClerc for those interested).

-E

Reply to
Emery Davis

snipped-for-privacy@aol.comdamnspam (Dale Williams) wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@mb-m18.aol.com:

Wonderful family, they own a restaurant in Gigondas, Les Florets, that is worth the stop on its own.

Reply to
jcoulter

And my wife was operated on last week..., however, it seems that neither chemo nor radiation will be necessary - but the verdict depends on the final analysis ready by 18th this month... So I understand perfectly well your absence... Best wishes for the both of you! Anders

Reply to
Anders Tørneskog

I'll keep in mind if Rhone trip ever occurs (I talk, but things always get in way). Emery, the producer's name is A. Bernard.

Dale

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Dale Williams

snipped-for-privacy@aol.comdamnspam (Dale Williams) wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@mb-m25.aol.com:

Actually A Bernard, is I believe now deceased. It used to be that A whose name I forget ran the winery, the son ran the restaurant/hotel and the grandson was preparing to take over the restaurant.

Reply to
jcoulter

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