TNs: some recent wines (Vall Llach, Télégraphe Blanc, etc.)

WINE TALK
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  • 1999 Domaine de l’A - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Côtes de Castillon (5/24/2009)
    Deep ruby color. Very pretty, bright nose of red cherry essence with a bit of tobacco leaf and nut oil. Medium bodied, a bit watery in the middle but with a good finish. (89 pts.)
  • 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat Vall Llach - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat (5/23/2009)
    Deep ruby rim, black center. Brilliantly focused blackberry essence on the nose with elements of black tea. Full bodied on the palate with fine structure, a touch of cocoa. Long finish. (93 pts.)
  • 2005 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc La Crau - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (5/16/2009)
    Light to medium lemon color, slightly cloudy. Complex, subtle minerality on the nose, with lemon, white fruit, and some dry grain. A touch of wood smoke as well. Medium bodied with good presence and backbone. Really tasty. (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

And three Italians – the Campoperi and of course the Ramitello are on the inexpensive side, the latter being a real knockout for the price (around $11 at the time). The Crognolo seems to be going through a difficult patch right now; I had a bottle back in 06 that I liked significantly more. Perhaps it’s closed down?

  • 2006 Fattoria Campoperi Selva del Moro Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (5/25/2009)
    Medium ruby color. Pretty nose of roast walnuts, sweet red cherry and dusty spice. Light to medium bodied with good acidity and fine tannins. Good mid-week wine. (88 pts.)
  • 2003 Di Majo Norante Ramitello Terre degli Osci IGT - Italy, Molise, Terre degli Osci IGT (5/17/2009)
    Really fantastic wine at the price; complex, lots of herbal and other notes, great depth and persistence on the palate. (91 pts.)
  • 2003 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (5/15/2009)
    Black with a deep ruby edge. This presented somewhat closed, particularly on the palate. Nose of bitter chocolate and dirt with black currants. Touch of floral. On the palate, tight with a good entrance but fades fast; dusty tannins and a short finish. (86 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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I have enjoyed every bottle of Vall Llach that I have had, but can never keep my hands off of them. I think I have one bottle of the 2003 left. Having tasted the 2001 side by side the 2003 a couple of years ago, I don’t know which I preferred.

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I want to like Vall Llach and have had a couple of great bottles but a lot of disappointments as well, too much oak and ripeness. Nice note there, I have been meaning to open the 03 and 04 side by side soon to get another read. 03 and 04 Embruix recently were both disappointing (for my tastes) unfortunately.

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I have been known to chew on 2 x 4s for midnight snacks on occasion…

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