Verget du Sud Vin de Pays du Vaucluse Roussanne 2006 Jean-Marie Guffens’ impressive work with the grapes of Burgundy continues with grapes sourced further south, in this case from the Vaucluse, a department on the east side of the river Rhone which encompasses the great town of Avignon. In April ’08 a bottle was off but in October ’08 the wine is just right. While it is a little reductive when first opened, this blows off with a little air. Then the stone fruit and mineral notes emerge after a few minutes. In the mouth the wine is light-bodied with a little bit of viscosity and enough acidity to keep it lively. The fruit is not ebullient as in a Roussanne from the New World but nonetheless it does show through. Vinifie et mis en bouteilles by Verget in Sologny 13% $13.69 at Bottle Barn Verget
Zaca Mesa Santa Ynez Valley Estate Grown and Bottled Viognier 2006
The previous vintage of this wine was spot on with Viognier aromas and a soft low acid feel. Ferm began in stainless then spent 3 mos in neutral fr oak. Clay Brock Winemaker, GP&B in Los Olivos 14.5% $16.50 at Traverso’s Zaca Mesa
