wines tasted

Tasted through some wines at 5&10 yesterday with young Steven Grubbs, our valued wine director. Over the last ten years it has been so much fun watching Steve become completely immersed in the topic and become a force in his field. Steve was just awarded the Food&Wine Top 7 Sommelier award and is really at the top of his game.

Moulin a Vent, Henry Fessy, 2009
Love these wines. From the 10 possible cru Beaujolais regions Henri Fessy produces some gems. The Moulin a Vent from 09 is a beautiful silken, yet still firmly earthy wine. Gamay stars. This will keep for a while, like three years or so, longer than it will sit around my house.

 Cotes du Rhone, Delas, "Saint-Esprit", 2009 
Simple Rhone wine but great value. Pretty seamless for the bucks and drinks above its price point. A good summer grilling wine. Delas is a large Rhone negotiant but they have never steered us wrong.

Bordeaux, Lalande de Pomerol, Chateau Haut Sarget, 2008
A compact, weighty Right Banker. Good richness for the sub $25 price point. Not to totally get into the packaging but I like the classic Bordeaux style. I have a dream label that is very similar but has a line-drawing of a Tulsa one story bungalow with a rusty swingset in the yard... on a Bordeaux wine. No rhyme or reason, just my thoughts. I really like this wine. Great value again. Lalande de Pomerol is for those of us who can't even think about affording their more expensive neighbor, Pomerol.

 Haut Medoc, Chateau Bernadotte, 2004 
A definitive Left Banker. Classic and broad with time to give. It will be a beauty in a couple of years. I think it should retail for about $40 and its worth every penny, depending on your budget. Remember there are wines at all price points and should enjoy well in relation to your budget. That Parker guy said it would be ready by now... he's about three years off but close. Throw it into a decanter and enjoy with some grilled lamb!

 Priorat, Ferrer Bobet, 2006
I fell in love with Priorat years ago. Then we broke up. She got all needy and expensive. But that steep, stony landscape can produce some good personalities and this is a keeper. I am smitten again. Carignan-Grenache blend. Badass. Tempered and balanced. Those overwrought ways have been honed and the wild qualities of the region seem focused, in a really good way. I think the retail on this would be about $42.
I really liked this wine.