Invited to our former neighbors for dinner, I carried along a bottle that was
recently given to me as a gift, the 2001 Frei Brothers Pinot Noir Reserve
(Russian River Valley). Fairly lush red fruit, a little cedar and vanilla.
Inoffensive if unexciting, B.

He was serving a beef curry with assorted Indian sides, had asked for a
suggestion at a local store. He came home with a Hugel Gentil (never got
opened) and a 2002 Marquis Philips "Holly's Blend" (I have no clue what the
blend is). I can't say I was real excited over the thought of a MP wine, as I
thought the reds I tasted were a bit overblown. But when he opened my first
2003 wine, I was pleasantly surprised, if not overwhelmed. Floral nose, fairly
deep flavors of white fruit, good acidity, and a nice nutty finish. For a white
that I'm pretty sure retails for less than $10 not bad at all. B

Last night Betsy made poussins with a calvados sauce. Last time we had this
recipe (with Rock Cornish Hens, I think), Emery suggested Rhone red. So we had
the 1999 Domaine de la Garrigue Vacqueyras. This is one of those bottles that I
don't recall buying, have no idea what I paid for it, and have no knowledge of
the producer. So again a little trepidation on opening. Pleasant surprise-
bright spicy red fruit, a hint of smoke and herbs, a nice medium to full bodied
red that could hold its own with most under-$25 Chateauneuf-du-Papes. As I'm
guessing I paid $10-15 for this (if it was more or less I'd remember) , a very
good deal. B++

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B
a good wine, C mediocre at best. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a
party where it was only choice.
Dale

Dale Williams
Drop "damnspam" to reply

Dale Williams wrote:
[]
> Last night Betsy made poussins with a calvados sauce. Last time we had this
> recipe (with Rock Cornish Hens, I think), Emery suggested Rhone red. So we had
> the 1999 Domaine de la Garrigue Vacqueyras. This is one of those bottles that I
> don't recall buying, have no idea what I paid for it, and have no knowledge of
> the producer. So again a little trepidation on opening. Pleasant surprise-
> bright spicy red fruit, a hint of smoke and herbs, a nice medium to full bodied
> red that could hold its own with most under-$25 Chateauneuf-du-Papes. As I'm
> guessing I paid $10-15 for this (if it was more or less I'd remember) , a very
> good deal. B++
>
[]

Hi Dale,

Heh. Sounds like the "new wave" in Vaqueyras: very bright fruit, less
depth in the mouth. I've had a few nice ones -- notably cheap from
the coop -- but prefer the other style, as in Clos des Cazeaux. Do
you know who made the wine?

Strange to think that so young an appellation has already changed
style...

Anyway, I assume from the grade that the match was a success!

Sorry about my spotty participation of late. I've just been getting
caught up. My wife has been undergoing chemo, which has reduced my
time allotted to all things vinous. (Not to mention the havoc it
plays with her taste buds . Still, that's the least of it I guess.)

-E
--
Emery Davis

In article >, Emery Davis >
writes:

>Sounds like the "new wave" in Vaqueyras: very bright fruit, less
>depth in the mouth. I've had a few nice ones -- notably cheap from
>the coop -- but prefer the other style, as in Clos des Cazeaux. Do
>you know who made the wine?

I don't have enough Vaqueyras experience to speak knowledgably about
styles. But as a generality it did not strike me as a new wave wine. I think of
newwave Rhones as centering on really ripe fruit & low acidity, with a big dose
of new oak (I don't neccesarily dislike the style, some Parkerish CdPs are
quite good). By bright fruit, I meant fruit balanced with bright acidity. The
depth in the mouth was quite good, as was the finish. Actually the only thing
that might strike me as "new-wavish" was that the tannins were somewhat on the
ripe side.
>
>Anyway, I assume from the grade that the match was a success!
>
Yes, thanks for the pointer.

>Sorry about my spotty participation of late. I've just been getting
>caught up. My wife has been undergoing chemo, which has reduced my
>time allotted to all things vinous.

I'm sorry to hear that. Having had several friends go through this, I realize
how hard this is (on her and on you). Best wishes to both of you. Will be
thinking good thoughts.

Best, Dale










Dale

Dale Williams
Drop "damnspam" to reply

Dale Williams wrote:
>
> In article >, Emery Davis >
> writes:
>
> >Sounds like the "new wave" in Vaqueyras: very bright fruit, less
> >depth in the mouth. I've had a few nice ones -- notably cheap from
> >the coop -- but prefer the other style, as in Clos des Cazeaux. Do
> >you know who made the wine?
>
> I don't have enough Vaqueyras experience to speak knowledgably about
> styles. But as a generality it did not strike me as a new wave wine. I think of
> newwave Rhones as centering on really ripe fruit & low acidity, with a big dose
> of new oak (I don't neccesarily dislike the style, some Parkerish CdPs are
> quite good). By bright fruit, I meant fruit balanced with bright acidity. The
> depth in the mouth was quite good, as was the finish. Actually the only thing
> that might strike me as "new-wavish" was that the tannins were somewhat on the
> ripe side.
> >
[]

Dale,

I guess I understood, that's why I specified new for vaqueyras. What
I was getting at is a lighter fruit component, more red than
black fruit, if you see what I mean. Also (what I'm referring to)
there is very clear fruit, less complexity and spice. I've had both
oaky and not of these. Anyway, you enjoyed it, that's the important
part!

Hey, here's a Loire bargain if you can find it. (Might be, I
think they have a large production). Domaine du Tertre (Limeray)
Touraine VV 2000, I picked it up for 4.50 eu. They say it's
50/50 "noble cepages", which to my palate is gamay/pinot. A very
nice near term Loire, bright pinot fruit with a nicely balanced
back palate. Too acidic to have without food, but very nice with
a little duck soup. I was a client of this domaine some years ago,
but haven't been to see them in a while, I actually picked this
up from the supermarket (LeClerc for those interested).

-E
--
Emery Davis

amnspam (Dale Williams) wrote in
:

> Invited to our former neighbors for dinner, I carried along a bottle
> that was recently given to me as a gift, the 2001 Frei Brothers Pinot
> Noir Reserve (Russian River Valley). Fairly lush red fruit, a little
> cedar and vanilla. Inoffensive if unexciting, B.
>
> He was serving a beef curry with assorted Indian sides, had asked for
> a suggestion at a local store. He came home with a Hugel Gentil (never
> got opened) and a 2002 Marquis Philips "Holly's Blend" (I have no clue
> what the blend is). I can't say I was real excited over the thought of
> a MP wine, as I thought the reds I tasted were a bit overblown. But
> when he opened my first 2003 wine, I was pleasantly surprised, if not
> overwhelmed. Floral nose, fairly deep flavors of white fruit, good
> acidity, and a nice nutty finish. For a white that I'm pretty sure
> retails for less than $10 not bad at all. B
>
> Last night Betsy made poussins with a calvados sauce. Last time we had
> this recipe (with Rock Cornish Hens, I think), Emery suggested Rhone
> red. So we had the 1999 Domaine de la Garrigue Vacqueyras. This is one
> of those bottles that I don't recall buying, have no idea what I paid
> for it, and have no knowledge of the producer. So again a little
> trepidation on opening. Pleasant surprise- bright spicy red fruit, a
> hint of smoke and herbs, a nice medium to full bodied red that could
> hold its own with most under-$25 Chateauneuf-du-Papes. As I'm guessing
> I paid $10-15 for this (if it was more or less I'd remember) , a very
> good deal. B++
>

Wonderful family, they own a restaurant in Gigondas, Les Florets, that
is worth the stop on its own.

"Emery Davis" > wrote in message
...
> Sorry about my spotty participation of late. I've just been getting
> caught up. My wife has been undergoing chemo, which has reduced my
> time allotted to all things vinous.
And my wife was operated on last week..., however, it seems that neither
chemo nor radiation will be necessary - but the verdict depends on the final
analysis ready by 18th this month... So I understand perfectly well your
absence... Best wishes for the both of you!
Anders

In article . 17>, jcoulter
> writes:

>1999 Domaine de la Garrigue Vacqueyras. This is one
>> of those bottles that I don't recall buying, have no idea what I paid
>> for it, and have no knowledge of the producer. So again a little
>> trepidation on opening. Pleasant surprise- bright spicy red fruit, a
>> hint of smoke and herbs, a nice medium to full bodied red that could
>> hold its own with most under-$25 Chateauneuf-du-Papes. As I'm guessing
>> I paid $10-15 for this (if it was more or less I'd remember) , a very
>> good deal. B++
>>
>
>Wonderful family, they own a restaurant in Gigondas, Les Florets, that
>is worth the stop on its own.

I'll keep in mind if Rhone trip ever occurs (I talk, but things always get in
way).
Emery, the producer's name is A. Bernard.


Dale

Dale Williams
Drop "damnspam" to reply

amnspam (Dale Williams) wrote in
:

> In article . 17>,
> jcoulter > writes:
>
>>1999 Domaine de la Garrigue Vacqueyras. This is one
>>> of those bottles that I don't recall buying, have no idea what I
>>> paid for it, and have no knowledge of the producer. So again a
>>> little trepidation on opening. Pleasant surprise- bright spicy red
>>> fruit, a hint of smoke and herbs, a nice medium to full bodied red
>>> that could hold its own with most under-$25 Chateauneuf-du-Papes. As
>>> I'm guessing I paid $10-15 for this (if it was more or less I'd
>>> remember) , a very good deal. B++
>>>
>>
>>Wonderful family, they own a restaurant in Gigondas, Les Florets, that
>>is worth the stop on its own.
>
> I'll keep in mind if Rhone trip ever occurs (I talk, but things always
> get in way).
> Emery, the producer's name is A. Bernard.
>
>
> Dale
>
> Dale Williams
> Drop "damnspam" to reply
>

Actually A Bernard, is I believe now deceased. It used to be that A
whose name I forget ran the winery, the son ran the restaurant/hotel and
the grandson was preparing to take over the restaurant.

"Anders Tørneskog" wrote:
>
> "Emery Davis" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Sorry about my spotty participation of late. I've just been getting
> > caught up. My wife has been undergoing chemo, which has reduced my
> > time allotted to all things vinous.
> And my wife was operated on last week..., however, it seems that neither
> chemo nor radiation will be necessary - but the verdict depends on the final
> analysis ready by 18th this month... So I understand perfectly well your
> absence... Best wishes for the both of you!
> Anders

And to you both also, Anders. I hope your wife is recuperating
more or less comfortably.

The chemo is tough for a number of reasons, but if you've got to
do it, do it. (Radiation by itself is not much to worry about
these days, as I understand).

Thanks Anders, and hang in there.

-E
--
Emery Davis