The Detroit Red Wings kicked off the defense of the Stanley Cup with a convincing 6-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks.  Playing without the Captain, Steve Yzerman, who is recovering from corrective knee surgery and out of the lineup until at least late December, and goalie Dominik Hasek, who retired after last season’s cup winning drive, the boys still looked to be close to championship form, as Kirk Maltby had 2 short-handed goals in the 1st 7 minutes and 5 seconds of the game, and Sergei Fedorov added 2 goals.  New netminder Curtis Joseph acquitted himself well, as 2 of the 3 Sharks’ goals were of the power play variety, 1 being in a 5 on 3 situation.  I almost gave in to the temptation to feel pity for beleaguered San Jose goalie Miikka Kiprusoff, but us Wings’ fans don’t cut no slack for nobody... };^)>  

Of course, the game was enjoyed along with a couple of good red Rhônes.

2000 Feraud-Brunel Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne, $13.99, 13.5% alc.: A note of oak graces the red and black berry bouquet of this ruby dark garnet, and hints of rhubarb, garrigue and dust add notes of interest.  Flavors echo, with good acidity, but ample tannins clamp down even before the finish, begging for a good 5 years to mellow.  There’s a nice density of fruit here, and some black cherry shows up with extended air.  Good potential, and good QPR to boot.

Imported by J et R Selections LTD., Mount Pleasant, MI

1999 Feraud-Brunel Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau, $14.99, 14% alc.: This ruby dark garnet shows a little heat on the nose, along with earth, cola, blackberry, plum and a subtle perfume that’s elusive and intriguing.  The earth comes out even more in the flavors; in fact this is one of the "earthiest" wines I’ve had in a long time.  I’ve never dined on potting soil, but I imagine that it’s a bit like this particular component in the flavor profile here.  Less tannic than the Cairanne, but still in need of a good 3 years of cellaring, this has good acidity and a decent finish.  Some black cherry and garrigue come out with air, rounding out what is an interesting and enjoyable wine.

Imported by J et R Selections LTD., Mount Pleasant, MI  

More of What We've Tasted Lately

1999 Domaine la Soumade Rasteau, $19.99, 14.5% alc.: This one came from my buddies over at Cloverleaf; it’s a dark garnet, with a little heat over black cherry and plum flavors and aromas, the nose isn’t giving a lot right now, but there’s a big mouthful of chewy fruit on the palate.  It’s not so tannic that you can’t drink it now with an hour or 2 in a decanter, and the zippy acidity may actually be more in need of cellaring to soften it up some.  It finishes fairly long with some earth and stems; give it at least 3 years to smooth out the rough edges.

An Eric Solomon/European Cellars Selection - Imported by European Cellars Direct, New York, NY

1995 Château de l’ Isolette Côtes du Luberon, $12.99, 13% alc.: I was rather surprised to find several bottles of this at a local retailer in August, and after trying one, I kept going back for more until there wasn’t any.  It’s another dark garnet with the barest hint of brick to its color, along with earthy barnyard, forest floor, cedar, leather, prune and stewed tomato characteristics in roughly equal proportions that create interesting and enjoyable aromatics.  The flavors echo, more or less, with the prune and some plum coming to the fore, and while this still has some tannins to resolve, it’s drinking really well now with a little air.  The acidity is good, and it finishes well enough, delivering a good bang for a few bucks.  We popped 3 of these with Bree while he was here in August and September which were very well received, then went through another 4 once hockey season started.  There’s 1 still left in the cellar from hell, but while it will probably improve for a year or 2, I don’t think it’s going to last that long.  Good stuff! 

Imported by J et R Selections LTD., Mount Pleasant, MI  

2000 Domaine du Colombier Crozes-Hermitage Cuvee Gaby, $19.99, 12.5% alc.: The deep dark bacon, olive, plum and garrigue bouquet of this deep dark garnet colored Syrah needs some coaxing out of the glass at first, and the echoing flavors have to battle through some rather ample tannins.  Still, swirlatude helps this to open up nicely, though it would be best to give a few hours in a decanter before drinking it now.  With good density, concentration and acidity, this finishes with the kind of astringency you’d expect, given its youth.  3-5 years should rectify that situation, however.

Imported by Kysela Pere et Fils, Ltd., Winchester, VA

2000 Paul Jaboulet Aine Crozes-Hermitage "Les Jalets," $13.99, 13% alc.: An inky garnet with a reticent plum and chocolate nose, the flavors in this old standby pick things up nicely with nice rich black currant, plum and black olive, along with significant tannins and acidity.  Those tannins really clamp down from the mid-palate on back, making for a typically astringent finish to this chewy mouthful of earthy young syrah.  Like the Cuvee Gaby, 3-5 years will help this one along nicely too.

Imported by Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd., New York, NY

1997 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf du Pape, $25.99, 13.5% alc.: Kim described this slightly cloudy ruby dark garnet as "kind of poopy, wet earth, mud...," amending that to "good mud."  I’d agree with her, adding that the barnyard blows off mostly, but never quite completely, leaving leather, plum and prune flavors and aromas, with big fruit, good tannins and acidity, and a finish that suffers some because of those tannins.  This is a 10-year wine and no doubt, though it shows well enough now, given plenty of air.  We love Pegau at our house, so I was most happy to find a stash of these recently in an out of the way location, and picked up several; it’s solid Châteauneuf, and a bargain, considering what the current vintage is selling for at most retailers in southeastern Michigan.

Imported by J et R Selections LTD., Mount Pleasant, MI

2000 Plan Pégau, $13.99, 12.5% alc.: This slightly cloudy ruby dark garnet is the entry level bottling from the aforementioned Châteauneuf du Pape producer, but it’s anything but entry level quality, with its leathery plum, prune and black currant flavors and aromas shaded with overtones of smoke, cola and a good dose of that distinctive Pégau character.  Not too tannic to drink tonight, with decent acidity and an earthy finish, this is a nice glass of wine that should improve over the next 2-3 years, but we went through our half a case and now there’s precious little to be found in Day-twah!  4 thumbs up from Kim, Bree, Scott "the Geek" Tobias and this taster. 

Imported by Hand Picked Selections, Warrenton, PA

By Bastardo

2000 Feraud-Brunel Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne

1999 Feraud-Brunel Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau

1999 Domaine la Soumade Rasteau

1995 Château de l’ Isolette Côtes du Luberon

2000 Domaine du Colombier Crozes-Hermitage Cuvee Gaby

2000 Paul Jaboulet Aine Crozes-Hermitage "Les Jalets

1997 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf du Pape

2000 Plan Pégau

Part 2

2000 Domaine de l’Enclos Côtes du Rhône

2000 Domaine Andre Brunel Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Sommelongue

2000 Domaine Saint Gayan Côtes du Rhône

2001 Domaine de la Mordorée Côtes du Rhône

2000 Domaine d’Andezon Côtes du Rhône

2000 Mélodie d’Amour Côtes du Rhône

2000 Clos de l’ Hermitage Côtes du Rhône

2000 Chateau de Segries Côtes du Rhône

On to Part 2

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