Domaine Famille Ligneres Le Signal 2003

Sometimes a great wine just finds you. Browsing one of my favorite local shops, I found myself dreaming of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Graves, and Margaux on shelf when I saw a "clearance" selection from a French viticultural area unfamiliar to me named AOC Corbières (Montagne d'Alaric).

I had to do a little research before I learned this is the area nearest the Pyrenees Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Not often known for wine, I was a bit leery about trying this, but at the low low discounted rate of $9.98, why not?

Le Signal contains Carignan 80% , Grenache 10%, Syrah 5%, and Mourvèdre 5%, similar to Cotes du Rhone wines. I expected a similar taste and nose, but was surprised to find something more like a Crozes-Hermitage or Gigondas. This is a very fruit, bold, and somewhat peppery wine with some cellar potential... I cannot believe the price I paid.

I find this very like the Chateauneuf-du-Pape reviewed last month. It is very bold for a red French wine and ready to open now. I tried it out of the bottle and found it too tight. I decanted after utilizing the Venturi and it mellowed into a nice fruity big "in your face" Rhone-style red.

The winemaker adds these notes:

Juicy, dark black plums, black cherries and spicy, bloody meat on the nose. A mouthful of delicious, juicy blackberries, cinnamon, and a judicious hint of oak.

I can't explain it better than that. T-Scale 90+. Regular price is $15 - $22 but a super deal at $10 on closeout. I'm going back for more of this, so if you want some, better get there before me. I'll tell you where after I get my stash.

2005 Chateau Doisy Daene Barsac - Sauternes!

My first adventure into Sauternes was a great experience! Everything I've read about the great things "noble rot" or botrytis cinerea can do to semillon and sauvignon blanc and there really is something to it.

Sauternes whites are all sweet dessert wines which are generally known as the world's best sweet wines. Chateau d'Yquem is usually the first name in Bordeaux whites, but others from the area also produce wonderful examples, such as this one from Denis Dubourdieu.

Very different from other sweet whites, I detect minerals and spices on the nose - think nutmeg. Sweet, but not sickly so on the tongue, I get a bit of salt and apricot with a refined smoothness on the finish.

Even this 2005 is probably too young, but nonetheless, a great experience in the glass. I bought it by the half-bottle and found that it was just enough for ME! 14% alcohol, it's no softy. Acidity, fruits, and big long finish make this a winner at a fraction of the price of the big boys like d'Yquem.

T-Scale 91. I highly recommend this for an impressive finish to a big evening out, or a small evening in. $30 - $40 per 375ml bottle. A good way to get your feet wet in Sauternes.

Commanderie de la Bargemone - AOC Rose 2008

Who's afraid of Rose? Shouldn't be you! Do avoid anything that claims it is a "white zinfandel" or "white merlot" but DO enjoy one of these dandies from Tavel, Cotes-de-Provence or Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence.

Kickin' little area very near Chateaunuef-du-Pape and Cotes-du-Rhone that makes little more than dry rose. This is truly the world's best dry pink wine.

This area has been doing this wine for a long long time. The grapes are generally the same as those making up the big time Chateaunuefs of lore - syrah, grenache, mourvedre, and even a little bit of cabernet sauvignon. Add them all up and take off the skins and you get this terrific warm-weather off-red that is French Rose!

I've had many and this is among the best. The wine maker says the 2008 contains 40 % Syrah 30 % Grenache 10 % cinsault and 20 % Cabernet. The nose is watermelon and light citrus. Quite dry on the tongue, much more than one would think by it's color which is more salmon than pink (typical of the region). Taste is a bit briny, but full of citrus and melon. I really taste the cabernet in the middle and the syrah on the finish. It works like a light red more than a white, but it is dynamite for a deck in the warmer weather!

Make this a must for your summer outside. This is a super alternative to the same old whites you consume now. Give French Rose a try, I swear you'll love it. Start here and you won't be disappointed.

T-Scale 91+ Very good, very well priced for quality French. Less than $20 most everywhere. Compare to quality Tavels.

Two sparkling ideas from unexpected places

In our search for the unusual bubbling wines, two surfaced at our Friday night blind tasting: Punkt sparkling Gruner Veltliner and Greg Norman's Pinot Noir/Chardonnay sparkling NV.

Both show quality well above their price points. The Punkt

is a real surprise, showing green apples and mild citrus. I've had Gruner in still form, but it makes for a blanc de blanc-like sparkler. In the blind, I guessed it a Chardonnay cuvee, but surprise! This resembles an Alsace sparkling Riesling with its minerals and tart overtones.

Greg Norman offers a real deal in his NV sparkling chard/pinot blend. It is produced in the "Methode Champenoise" so it is easily mistaken for a wine much higher in price. More bold and showing less residual sugar, compare this to a Mumm, Va Di Vi, or Taittinger at twice the price. Long on finish and citrus. Some earth and apple tastes make the middle round and full. Great finish with tart overtones.

Either of these should please your palate at a price that won't upset your weekend tasting budget. T-Scale 90 each. Plukt is $15 or so... so it's a great deal for an unusual sparkler. Greg Norman is under $20, so it too is a winner for your bubbling dollar.

2008 Buitenverwachting "Beyond" Sauvignon Blanc

Quite a mouthful, eh? In more than one way, fortunately. The South African wine makers will become more and more renowned with time as they are producing very good whites, roses, and some reds. The best part is the price, most are very good values.

So comes the "Beyond" sauvignon blanc from Buitenverwachting, which scores a 90 and a "best buy" from Wine Enthusiast. I concur, this is a large value for quality sauvignon blanc.

Inspired by the sunshine and the above near 45 degree weather today, a nice summer wine seemed appropriate. I was correct, this will be one of my favs this summer when I am fighting off the sweat and bugs on my deck.

A little briny, you soon discover the white grapefruit underneath. The citrus is dominate on the nose as well, missing the grassiness and smokiness normally associated with fume blanc and Pouilly-Fume. This is quite dry with no residual sugars, smoke, or farm qualities.

Sauvignon blanc is my idea of a fun wine. One cannot be sad under its influence! Also, you don't have to take yourself too seriously as a wine drinker to enjoy it. Get ya some of this! Your non-wine drinking friends will dig it as well. And, at this price, what the heck.

T-Scale 90+ as this is a steal - $10.99 to $13.99 is the range. Warm weather is soon upon us, start thinking fun whites!

2008 Zolo Torrontes

I turn once again to the Torrontes grape for an interesting white wine. Anyone else tired of the regular suspects? Yeah, me too.

If you try torrontes and like it, you will be rewarded handsomely with an interesting, tasty, and best of all, inexpensive white wine. I haven't seen torrontes offered outside of Chile and Argentina, but it appears to be of European origin (according to Wikipedia).

It is unique. I've blogged about the Montes Torrontes recently, but I think I'll give the edge to this one.

Zolo offers the big citrus and floral nose often associated with this grape. It really jumps from the glass as if it was waiting too long for you to uncork it. (I've read that Torrontes does not shelf long, so don't be afraid to open a new one the same evening you purchase it.)

Large citrus notes and key-lime pie are present on the tongue. Nothing much subtle here, it's quite fruit forward with plenty of flavor throughout. I find it bold and refreshing, a great wine for the outdoors and warmer weather.

Pair this with something spicy like sushi, Thai or Mandarin. It does serve well as a stand-alone without food, however. This is one of my new "deck favorites" along with rose from Province and Tavel, sauvignon blanc from New Zealand, and others.

T-Scale 89+. Super nice price $11.99!