Domaine de Fontsainte, Corbieres 2006
The rose wines from this domaine have shown complexity and suppleness. This wine exhibits cedar, vanilla, a sense of the garrigue and some earthiness in the nose. The tannins are supple, the acidity is lively and the fruit is in the background. The horse saddle character is too much for some [...]

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Mas Jullien, Coteaux du Languedoc, Rose 2007 The nose is clean and full of red fruits with brambles as well. In the mouth the red fruit shines and there is structure, reminding us that this was produced from black grapes, showing a light grip of tannin - good value. The property is planted to 25% [...]

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Domaine J. Laurens, Cremant de Limoux, Blanc de Blancs, Brut ,Tête de Cuvée, Méthode Traditionnelle nv There is candied fruit in the nose and a little sense of biscuits. The mouth is a bit hollow, low in concentration and not very acidic. Yet this has proved a good alternative for cheap French bubbly.

Prod in La [...]

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Chateau Sainte-Eulalie, Minervois La Liviniere, La Cantilene 2005 There’s lots of beautiful, sun-drenched New World fruit with black pepper as well. The wine is moderately dense, structured with chewiness and acidity and nicely balanced - delicious.The grapes are 55% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 15% Carignane, aged in 40% new oak and the rest in 1 [...]

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Noilly Prat, Original French Dry Vermouth nv This is always a great example of the complexity of herbs, white wine and fortification; yet the students usually hate it. Tonight a full 25% of the group enjoyed the wine or at least wouldn’t turn it away if served as an aperitif at a friend’s home. Aged [...]

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Hugues Beaulieu, Coteaux Du Languedoc, Picpoul de Pinet 2007 Each vintage of this wine has been marked by true-to-form high acidity. The ‘07 is the same with lip-smacking acidity, green herbs of the landscape and a sense of lemon peel - good value. Mis par la cave “Les Costières de Pomerols @ 34810, a coop [...]

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Excitement and innovation from the south of France
Les Calades Vin de Pays d’Oc Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Very overt berries, very light-bodied and a little bit of an astringent edge. 13.5% $7.99 at Bottle Barn
Mas de Daumas Gassac Vin de Pays de L’Herault 2006
Lots of reduced sulfur smells of onion and garlic; there’s quite an astringent grip [...]

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Les Carabenes Vin de Pays d’Oc 2006
Too bad this sample is corked. Imported by PlanetWine in Oakland Mis in the postal code F-11300 13.5% 14.99 at Traverso’s
Greenstone Point South Island Pinot Noir 2006
A little weedy, very firm and tart - quite an unyielding wine. Produced in Marlborough 13% $10.49 at Bottle Barn Greenstone Point
Cono Sur [...]

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