Wine 1 = dark mahogany. Slightly sweet, hint of vanilla, cola. Medium acid, sharp cherry with woody mid palate and nutty finish. Tired but interesting. 14 pts.
Wine 2 - dark ruby, purple. Herbal leathery nose. Med acid, low/med to med tann, med body, nice fruit with a bitter nutty note. Long, slightly oaky finish. 15 pts
Wine 3 - med/deep ruby. Vanilla and slightly herbal nose. Med acid, low/med to med tann, med body, tanns build, a bit vegetal and med fin. 13 pts.
Wine 4 - dark ruby, purple rim. From the nose this wine seems a bit corked, smoky oak comes out. Low/med acid, med/deep body, rich smoky oak notes with a bit of dk cherry, woody. Med fin. The nose bothers me. 12.5 pts
Wine 5 - Inky. Light nose, oak comes out. Med acid, low/med to med tanns, med body, red cherry with med to long fin. Nice balance. 15 pts.
Wine 6 - Inky, purple rim. Light ns, vanilla. Med acid, med body, light fruit and wood. OK, shortish fin. 13.5 pts.
There you go. My faves were 5, then 2. 4 was last, as I think it was flawed. These were definitely not California wines, and received a mixed review from the assembled swines. Better with food, or course.
Wines were:
1. Aurora Gauthier Chateauneuf du Pape 1998, from Todd's vast cellar, approx $25.
2. Chateau Raspail Gigondas 2007, $17
3. Domaine Cecile Chassagne Gigondas 2007 $18
4. Domaine Des Senechaux Chateauneuf du Pape 2007, $40
5. Domaine Constant Duquesnot Vinobres 2007, $23
6. Perrin and Fils Vinobres 2007, $15
Vinobres is a newish appellation in the Cotes du Rhone area, near Gigondas.
