Domaine de Villeneuve - Chateauneuf-du-Pape (2004)

Domaine de Villeneuve "Les Vieilles Vignes"
Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Appellation Chateauneuf-du-Pape contrôlée)
Domaine de Villeneuve, Route de Courthezon, Orange, France (2004)

Full strawberry nose on opening this bottle - divine! Full, robust, great legs, and great longevity. Complex layering of fruit, earth notes, and slight spice, this wine is definitely reflective of the price tag ($$).

We enjoyed it this evening with boeuf bourgignon, artichoke risotto, cheese, and salad.

I was saving this wine for a special occasion, and I am very glad I did. It was worth the wait, and the investment.

Château Aydie - Tannat (2005)

Château Aydie
Tannat
Vignobles Laplace, Madiran, France (2005)

Dry start that quickly evolves into a dark sensuous fruit. This Tannat has all the character and elegance of the grape, with the slight French zing. Best decanted and let to breathe for the best body.

Brumont - Tannat-Merlot (2005)

Brumont
Tannat-Merlot
Vin de pays des côtes de Gascogne, France (2005)

Light, full-berried wine. Simple at first encounter, but mellow, warm, and smooth with each additional. The merlot adds much to the body and berry (cherry), but the Tannat, a grape local to the Gascogne region of France, keeps the wine feeling like smooth silk on a warm summer's eve.