2004 J Wines Pinotage

A clean brilliant dark cherry color with just slight rim variation is the first thing you see. With long narrow legs streaming down all around the glass.

The nose explodes with red berries. Chocolate, vanilla, and earth all follow. The nose alone tells you this will be a complex wine with a moderate amount of alcohol.

While the weight is on the lighter side, the body is full with a soft cotton t-shirt texture. This wine has a moderate to long finish. Over all this is a great well balanced complex wine. It's an over all winner with me and a repeat wine for sure.

Wine: J Wines Pinotage
Vintage: 2004
Varietal(s): Pinotage
AVA/AOC: Russian River Valley
Country: USA
Area: Healdsburg, California
Alcohol: 15.3%
Est Price: $35

Domain La Buissiere Red Rhone

Before I can say that this is a winner of a wine I'd have to try it again. Food pairings and taste buds may not have been right for the night, however.

This was a clear wine with a raspberry to rose petal rim variation. Extraction was dark almost like molasses. The noes was vinous with leather, mushroom, toasted oak, and chocolate smell. Cherries, violets, and black pepper accent a black berry jam finish. Alcohol, tannin and acid all seemed to be moderate to complex. Over all the nose was powerful.

The initial reaction to the palate was much hotter then expected and none of the fruit that was expected was seen. Body and weight were full and heavy respectively. A fine steal wool texture was left lingering on the palette.

Overall I wasn't satisfied with this wine; especially for the price. I wouldn't say to no to tasting it if it was in front of me; but I won't go buy a bottle.

Wine: Domain La Buissiere Red Rhone
Vintage: 2004
Varietal(s): Syrah
AVA/AOC: Appellation Giondas Contrôlée
Country: France
Area: Giondas (Rhone)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Est Price: $33

2004 Banyuls Rimage

Abbe Rous Mute Sur Grains is a medium bodied late harvest wine packed with black berries, roses, and black licorice Touches of walnut, vanilla, and chocolate coat your pallet. This moderate to complex wine carries strong alcohol, moderate tannins, and little to no acidity.

First tastes reminded me of a light blueberry syrup (not sticky). It has a moderate to full body and weight with a soft velvet texture.

A moderately long finish gives a good complex and balanced experience.

These Fresh Wines can be difficult to supply all information when the bottle isn't present. However here goes.


Wine: Banyuls Rimage Abbe Rous
Vintage: n/a
Varietal(s): Grenache
AVA/AOC: Appellation Banyuls Contrôlée
Country: France
Area: Bayuls Rimage
Alcohol: 16%
Est Price: $36

2006 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc

This savoring Sauvignon Blac, from Marlborough, had a nose filled with grass, mint, dill, and a touch of green pepper. Colors were star bright with pronounced tears rolling down the glass.

Minerals, clove, lemon, and grapefruit are just a few additional features of this wine.

This wine filled your mouth with confirmation of all the flavors in the nose. A moderate body well balanced experience lead to a soft nap sack texture. The acid was full with just a touch of tannins. Repeat wine for sure.

Wine: Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2006
Varietal(s): Sauvignon Blanc
AVA/AOC: n/a
Country: New Zealand
Area: Marlborough
Alcohol: 13.5%
Est Price: $24.00



Would I buy again? Yes

We made it here

Bonjour,

After traveling for what seemed like 24 hours we finally made it to our first night's stay; the Marriott Paris Rive Gauche Hotel.  Sleeping over the Atlantic Ocean doesn't count as a "good nights rest".

 

But after 3 shots of Espresso I should be able to make it until maybe 8 or 9 PM (Currently 3 PM).

 

Not sure where dinner will be yet but rest assured it will include a le vin rouge; that's red wine for those of you who don't speak French.

 

Keep an eye out for updates on our trip at http://winepalate.blogspot.com/

 

For now, Au Revoir

 

 

Trip To France

The journey has begun.  Kathy and I are on our way to visit France.  In fact it will be our first International trip together.  I don't count Canada or Mexico as International.

I'll try to keep everyone updated with how the trip is going what we see and what we do.

Most important though, what we eat and what we drink.

Au Revoir