After seeing a few mentions in the thread “Should Wineberserkers Try to Attract Younger Members?” about the idea that people offering normal tasting notes might be helpful, I decided to do a bit of it myself. I think it will be interesting (for myself at least, maybe someone else too) to have catalogued a year of tasting wine, most of it moderately-ish priced. No scores and no formal grades. Just some quick notes and prices listed for value indication on anything I purchased retail. Without further ado, I’ll dive in.
M. Lapierre “Raisins Gaulois”, 2023 ($20)
Very light body and color. Very fruity on the nose. Tastes like it smells but with a welcome addition of violets. Mouth watering acidity. The label leads you to think this is not serious wine, and it isn’t. But it is really delicious and an absolute pleasure to drink with a meal. Bought a few more bottles to have chilled through the hot and humid Houston summer.
Jean Foillard “Beaujolais Villages”, 2019 ($25)
Should have had this a few years ago. Definitely still perfectly palatable wine, but its lost some of the vibrancy that makes Foillard’s entry level wine compelling when young and lacks the true depth to make up for that. That said… still darn good for a $25 bottle.
Jean Foillard “Beaujolais Villages”, 2022 ($27)
Another delicious bottle from my favorite of the “Gang of Four.” Great balance of light fresh red fruit, minerality, extra fine tannin, acid, and a hint of the barnyard. Not a wine with endless depths, but something I am always happy to drink. Surprisingly wonderful with spicy Thai food BTW. Back to back banger years (for my tastes) from Foillard in 2021 / 2022 - guess I like the cooler years.
Wren Hop “Oracles Whisper”, Sonoma 2013 ($80)
This is not a style of wine I generally like - hyper extracted very oaked Pinot. But yeah, bring on more of this! Spicy, leathery, herbaceous. Citrus peel and vanilla. Just barely enough fruit and acid to remind you this is a wine after all. Cohesive and comforting, there is something seductive about it. Not very pinot-y at all (in my opinion), but it works for me. Not something I want often but when the mood strikes I’ll be a very happy campy with another bottle of this.
Château Angélique de Monbousquet, Saint Emilion 1994 ($55)
When I got the cork out I was smacked in the face by a smell that can only be described as a sulphuric fart. Figured that was the end of my birth year wine shenanigans. After a 30 minute decant, however, that blew away and was left with something very lovely. Lots of dark fruits (cassis, plums, overripe cherries), anise, leather, cigar smoke, and other classic Bordeaux characteristics. Good wine at a very fair price, especially considering the age.
Les Voires Jeffries “BRUTAL”, Languedoc, Terret Blanc, 2019 ($35)
Though labeled “white wine,” I’d call this one orange. Lots of potent florals (magnolia, maybe?) and ripe peaches on the nose. And the same on the palate but the addition of citrus peel and a richness that reminds me of cream soda. Finishes with a hint of smoky minerality. Sadly, there is a reductive, Brussels sprout like aroma that lingers around the wine that keeps throwing me for a loop. I tried to let that blow off but after an hour being open the VA ramped up to place I didn’t like. Too wild for me, but interesting none the less.
Houas Boukella “Fleurette”, field blend, Loire 2023 ($68)
More hype than substance. Given the color, label, story, etc. I was expecting something seriously natty and instead got a surprisingly clean orange wine. Great stone fruit aroma and palate and good structure, but wasn’t good enough for price IMO.
Danielle Etienne-Defaix “Les Lys, 1er Cru”, Chablis, 2004 ($50)
Lovely, I’d buy another bottle if there was more to buy. Beautiful golden hue with flashes of green as it twinkles in the light. Beautiful aroma of lemon cream, a pleasant hint of matchstick, and golden raisins. On the palate there are hints of dried tropical fruit, but mostly just beautiful grape and apple and that striking oyster-like minerality I associate with Chablis. Very viscous, round feel in the mouth but with a linear acidity that keeps it from being cloying. Sadly there was a hint of oxidation here, like someone put a teaspoon of sherry in my glass of Chardonnay. Not enough to keep me from polishing off the bottle, but enough to make me wish I’d purchased and drank the bottle years earlier.
Upchurch “Southward Facing”, Sauvignon Blanc, Washington 2021 ($35)
Superb - will buy more and plan to keep around at all times moving forward. Great balance of weight and freshness. Strong minerality, tropical and orchard fruits, a hint of yeasty bread, and just enough grassy herbals to let you know its sauv blanc. You can spend a lot more to get much less.
Domaine Pêcheur, Vin Jaune, Jura 1998 ($121)
Saline, citrusy, nutty, and spicy. A classic vin jaune which is something I’m occasionally in the mood for. I really enjoyed this bottle, which was given to me by a friend who knows I enjoy this type of Jura esoterica. Was sublime with roast chicken and some wild mushrooms. Truthfully though, for the price, it’s not something I’d buy very often at all.
Origin (JM Dreyer) “Muscat Macération”, Alsace 2018 ($41)
Apricots, mangos, peaches, almonds, white florals, and a tasteful dose of VA (yep, it’s possible, just not common). The velvety body was a bit of a surprise, but very enjoyable. I really enjoyed this unique wine and would buy again in a heart beat.
Origin (JM Dreyer) “Pinot Gris Macération”, Alsace 2017 ($41)
Okay… weird one. Lots and lots of VA right off the bat, overpowering. Also noticeably savory. Almost like drinking lacto-fermented tomato water infused wine. some honeysuckle lurking beneath the surface too. But really this bottle wasn’t for me and I ended up cooking with it…
Vignoble du Rêveur “Un Instant sur Terre”, blend, Alsace 2021 ($38)
There’s citrus peel, herbs, tropical fruits, a hint of petrol, and a salinity of almost call tomato like if that makes any sense at all. A bit of prickly carbonation on the palette. Finishes with some gingery spice, some very fine tannins, and mouthwatering acidity. This is precisely the sort of playful, food friendly wine that keeps me interested the more aggressively natty side of things despite the occasional flaw. Absolutely delicious.
Gaël Petit “La Combes des Rieu”, blend, Tavel 2021 ($41)
Maybe the darkest colored rosé I’ve had. But the body is ethereal and much more in line with a white wine. Cranberry, cherry, strawberry, grapefruit peel and a hint of spice. Also thirst quenching and light. Good lime-stoney influence as well. A bit of a mind game balance the appearance, taste, and body. Would happily buy again.
Cleto Charlie e Figli “Vecchia Modena”, Lambrusco ($40, 1.5L)
Nothing says you’re hear to party like showing up to your wife’s work Christmas party with two magnums of sparkling wine. Not the most complicated wine, but it is crowd pleasing. Mandarin orange, cranberry, cherry, and maybe some red florals too. Hard to argue with the value and the wine fit the moment.
Veuve Clicquot “La Grand Dame”, 1990 ($280)
Krug “Grand Cuvée, 171ème” ($105, 375mL)
Birthday treat. My platonic ideal champagne. Precise, yet rich in style. Just the right balance of fruit and brioche. Never regret the splurge.
Bistrøtage (Charles Dufour & Francoise Martinot) “B.17”, Champagne ($74)
Hedonistic - immediately went and bought more, absurd QPR to boot. Extremely rich style - very ripe fruits, brioche, and all manner of other sensuousness. Quite oxidative in style, but in a very pleasant way. I wouldn’t cellar this, but I definitely will drink new releases any time I have an excuse to do so.
Domaine de Bichery “Les Fontaines”, Champagne ($73)
A very solid rosé champagne. Strawberry, challah, a bit of apple / pear. Good body and length. Not something that I’m thinking about days later but something quite enjoyable. I’ve spent more and gotten a good bit less.
Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey “Cordier”, Sauternes 1986 ($45)
Cheap WineBid thrill. Very rich, very tasty - crème brûlée, caramelized apple, dried apricot, honeycomb. Not the most complex wine, but I’m glad I bought and tried it.
