1999 Caves des Papes Gigondas Oratorio, $21.99, 13.5% alc.: This is an inky garnet that shows an attractive bouquet of leathery black currant, plum, blackberry and a hint of violet that follows through on the palate with rich flavors that aren’t constrained by the fine tannins, given two hours in a decanter.  Full and round in the mouth, this is drinking well already, with balanced acidity and a long finish, and it’ll be even better in three years or so.  It sees at least some new oak, according to the back label, but it’s really not that apparent in the glass.

Imported by Cannon Wines Ltd., San Francisco

1999 Monterius Gigondas, $26.99, 14% alc.: Of this standard dark garnet colored Gigondas, Kim opined, “This has a Welch’s Grape Juice kind of grapey flavor that I don’t like.”  I didn’t particularly agree, finding decent southern Rhône character in the earthy red currant, plum and leather profile.  The nose isn’t giving a lot, but the flavors are good, and it’s not too tannic to drink now with a few hours of air.  It’s really not a bad wine, but it IS overpriced for what’s in the bottle.

Imported by Michel Schlumberger Wines Ltd., Healdsburg, CA

1999 Domaine “La Fourmone” Vacqueyras Sélection Maître de Chais, $15.99, 13.5% alc.: I really enjoyed this purple/ruby dark garnet, with its attractive leathery black currant, plum and prune bouquet that echoes and expands on the palate.  It shows excellent southern Rhône character, with earthy tannins, good acidity and a decent finish that should lengthen as it matures.  However, someone remarked that it reminded them of “a jar full of marijuana roaches or old weed that should have been smoked five years ago, not that I’ve smoked marijuana, but I know marijuana; I’ve been around the block a few times.”

Hmm…

Imported by Eurpovin U.S.A., Oakland, CA  

1997 Domaine des Amouriers Vacqueyras, $11.99, 13.5% alc.: I was happy to find this old friend at such a good price, and even happier to find that it’s holding up quite well, with its smoky roasted meat, red fruit and stemmy underbrush aromatics that follow through, fan out and expand on the palate, where impressions of red currant, black cherry and raspberry come to the fore.  It’s showing solid depth, concentration and intensity, and is still a few years away from peaking.  Nice stuff!

Imported by J et R Selections, Mount Pleasant, MI

2001 Domaine la Monardière Vacqueyras Les Calades, $11.99, 14% alc.: The infamous Mr. E opened this pink-rimmed dark garnet for us; it features earthy blackberry and plum flavors and aromas, shaded with a note of chocolate.  There’re some good tannins present, but it’s still quite approachable, being almost creamy on the palate, with a nice finish.  It would seem to have seen some oak, but it didn’t overpower or detract from the enjoyment. 

1998 La Quintessence du Château Pesquié Cotes du Ventoux, $15.99, 14% alc.: This deep dark garnet exudes a pretty perfumed bouquet with a decidedly cola-like character enhanced by a nice note of oak; these impressions follow through on the palate, with some hard black fruit underneath, due to some significant tannins that cut the finish a little short, leaving a lingering stemmy, brambly quality.  This needs a few years to soften up some, at which time, it should be very nice, but it’s not so tight that you can’t drink it now with grilled meats or a hearty stew.

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

By Bastardo

1999 Caves des Papes Gigondas Oratorio

1999 Monterius Gigondas

1999 Domaine “La Fourmone” Vacqueyras Sélection Maître de Chais

1997 Domaine des Amouriers Vacqueyras

2001 Domaine la Monardière Vacqueyras Les Calades

1998 La Quintessence du Château Pesquié Cotes du Ventoux

2000 Domaine Chaume-Arnaud Côtes du Rhône Villages Vinsobres

2000 Domaine de l’Espigouette Côtes du Rhône

2000 Domaine du Vieux Chêne Côtes du Rhône Cuvée de la Haie aux Grives

Part 1

1996 Domaine Bois de Boursan Châteauneuf du Pape

1998 Caves des Papes Châteauneuf du Pape Les Closiers

1998 Domaine Saint Benoit Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée de Grande Garde

1999 Les Cailloux Châteauneuf du Pape

2000 Domaine du Pegau Châteauneuf du Pape

2000 Paul Jaboulet Aine Châteauneuf du Pape Les Cedres

1999 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf du Pape

1988 Chateau Mont-Redon Châteauneuf du Pape

2000 Domaine Chaume-Arnaud Côtes du Rhône Villages Vinsobres, $14.99, 13.5% alc.: There’s a pretty ruby dark garnet hue to this earthy wine, with a deep dark plum and black cherry nose that echoes in the chunky flavors.  A few years worth of tannins soften up some with a couple hours of air, but they still keep the finish from being all that it can be, and it seems to lose just a little intensity from the mid-palate on back.  Still, it’s a nice glass o’ mojo. 

Imported by J et R Selections, Mount Pleasant, MI

2000 Domaine de l’Espigouette Côtes du Rhône, $10.99, 13.5% alc.: The pretty black cherry, plum and raspberry aromatics of this ruby dark garnet gain some added hints of earth, leather and cola on the palate; the wine is dense, rich and concentrated, with good tannins and acidity, and an earthy, twiggy finish that should smooth out with a year or two.  A solid, if unspectacular Côtes du Rhône.

Imported by J et R Selections, Mount Pleasant, MI

2000 Domaine du Vieux Chêne Côtes du Rhône Cuvée de la Haie aux Grives, $10.99, 14% alc.: A perennial favorite at our house, this dark garnet features black cherry, plum and blackberry flavors and aromas adorned with a pretty note of violet; there’s a good dose of tannins here, as these always need at least a few years to show their best, and the wait is usually well worth it.  Buy a few and put ‘em down; you’ll be glad that you did.

Imported by J et R Selections, Mount Pleasant, MI

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