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Cheers!

Vertical: Domaine de Pegau CdP!

Before my very eyes were three Domaine de Pegau, lined up in a vertical.  The three latest offerings of the Cuvee Reserve (which I think is just the regular release) from 2007, 2008, 2009. 

Tasting notes and ratings were provided beforehand.  I know, I shouldn't look at those before tasting, but I saw "RP" and 97 points next to the 2009.  Normally, this might cloud my judgement, but this time, Mr. Parker was right on the money.

The 2007 had mellowed out quite a bit since the last time I tasted it a year ago.  It still retains a bit of earth, spice, and light tannin, but mostly, it's mellow if not a bit too short.  Great fruit flavors remain along with suggestions of rare red meat and fig.  The finish is short, but still nice.

The 2008 received lower scores from the reviewers, but in my review, it still had a great Chateauneuf-du-Pape "old school" feel.  Cigar box and spices dominate the nose.  More spice and some red earth fill the palate.  This one feels a bit more alcoholic with noticeable heat remaining after several years in bottle. The finish is slightly longer than the 2007, therefore, this wine is more my style.

The 2009 is a monster.  The tannin is strong, but not overly so.  The finish is one of, if not the longest I've found on a Chateauneuf.  This was decanted 5 hrs prior to tasting and it improved as I moved it around in the glass.  This wine is structured for a long cellar life, but you won't want to keep it that long.  I'd give it 3 - 5 years, but couldn't fault you for opening it now.  Plums, fig, smoky dry meat are obvious up front.  The finish is a long wave of cherries and the tiniest bit of bandaid (hopefully not a sign of bad things to come).  This is a truly wonderful wine, grab up what you can find, it will not last.


T-Scale: 

2007 - 91 points, great wine, short finish
2008 - 92 points, has more character but will not cellar as long as 2007 or 2009
2009 - 96 points - a true monster.  This truly IS everything a great Chateauneuf-du-Pape strives to be

Average price for all of these is $75.  I've seen them for less.  Other vintages are still out there as well.  Look for the 2004 which compares to the 2009.

Williams Selyem and Etude comparison - Pinot Noir du jour

Hmm...

Not a bad pair to compare! After visiting both Etude and Williams Selyem last year, I've managed to secure bottles of each. Etude, the famous maker of Carneros Pinot Noir, makes one of, if not the best, from that area. I grabbed three of the Carneros Estate Pinots off WTSO not long ago for about half price! Our Williams Selyem bottles are resting in my cellar, waiting for their time - but this one is now beginning to hit its drinkability window, so the cork came out.

Etude shows the nice light red fruity nose expected from Carneros Pinots, along with baked strawberry pie and herbaceous spices. Very nice spicy and lightly earthy palette shows this wine as a cooler climate California Pinot which I prefer to the bigger, riper warm climate offerings. If you see it discounted, jump on it.

Williams Selyam is royalty in the Kingdom of Pinot Noir and the Russian River blend is the entry level wine. Blended from their famed Estate grapes, as well as Bucher and Drake vineyard grapes, you get great blast of cola, raspberries and mild acidity. Not cheap, but half the price of the Estate Pinot, it's a great way to find out what's going on over there at Williams Selyem. What I saw there was old-school hand grape presses, much attention to detail and one of the most beautiful estates in Russian River. If you have the chance, pick one up and schedule a visit... if you're in the wine club, that is.

Etude Carneros: T-Scale 90 point, at $32 (below $20 on WTSO!) this is a good choice for the entry level Etude, but still a wonderful overall Pinot Noir.

Williams Selyem Russian River: T-scale 90 points, at $46, it's not a bargain, but it's a good way to get your feet wet on Williams Selyem Pinot Noir. Unfortunately, it will leave you wondering what's at the top tier! In a few years, I'll be able to tell you.

Taltarni Brut Tache - Australian non-vintage sparkling

So I was looking at the "close out" wine bin the other day at a big-box retailer and spotted one bottle of the Taltarni Brut Tache going for $14. I've heard about the reds from this Australian maker, but not the sparklers.

After chilling, I popped this dandy and had a bit with some smoked salmon. Impressive is the first word that came to mind. Looking into this cuvee, I found that the winemaker uses all three traditional grapes. This particular bottle is the non-vintage, but it still retains a high quality I've come to expect from much more expensive French offerings. In fact, this bottle rates above most of the American sparkling wines I've tried lately.

Look for baking bread and earthy tones on the nose - note the yeast suggestion. Faint brick pink color will suggest the pinot noir influence on the tongue. Quite complex with a long long finish, high above what I would expect in this price range. This is a true sleeper, one might (and will again) pay more for less.

T-Scale 91++ - I bought a case after I learned the last of this bottling is already stateside. What you find is all there is folks. Bonus: I got a $60 rebate on a full case, making my bottles about $10 a pop!