Very tight aromatically, but there are hints of chalky rock and citrus fruit, and there is a definite oxidative character to the fruit. We then enjoyed two wines from the 2005 vintage with my fish soup. 2005 is thought to be a great vintage because, as in most of France, conditions were essentially perfect. But close.

Lassaigne is not what I would call cult Champagne, like Selosse, but this is definitely Champagne for the Champagne lover. blend of grapes from 8 parcels, this version is 72% 2006, the rest 2005. About 10% of the final blend is 2004 and 2002, but from bottles that are disgorged for this blend. Excellent wine.

love Burgundy and Beaujolais, and Poulsard is definitely of the same phenotype. Several years ago I drank the 2002 and didn't get it at all. 2005 Jacques Puffeney Poulsard Arbois "M" , $26, Neal Rosenthal Selections. I've recently emerged from a bit of a "red wine stand-still." I've wanted to branch out some more.

Then there's Quivira Vineyards , a family run Demeter certified estate whose 2002 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel ** was chunky and polished at the same time, not overripe, and not too dense, with good texture and Zzzzing! Rafanelli , whose 2005 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel ** at 14.8% At the top of my list is Dashe Cellars. on the finish.

The 2005, by contrast, was in a very nice spot, exhibiting more muted lime and floral character. The 1998 was oddly phenolic and, while quite solid, not as rewarding today as the 2005. The 1980 Pewsey Vale Rhine Riesling Eden, golden in color, was interesting but definitely in the “drink now&# part of its bottle evolution.

These are piercing wines of great definition, and they can seem like turtles, just their head visible underneath all of that shell. The 2006's from Chidaine are quite good, although if you're used to the 2005's they will seem light. The 2006's are probably typical and the 2005's are probably extra rich and intense.

2002 Domaine du Closel Savenniè res Clos de Papillon. 2005 Puzelat Touraine La Tesni è re , a lovely smoky and funky white made of Menu Pineau, and the 2004 Puzelat Touraine La Tesni è re , a red made of Pineau D'Aunis. love these wines, but let me tell you - they definitely got a mixed reception from this crowd. Who knew.

wine I will definitely keep an eye out for in the future. wine I really loved and found quite unique was the 2005 Domaine de Roally Vire'-Clesse' from the Macconnais, France. tasted 4 of them; a 2005 from grapes with botrytis (a desirable mold that when properly managed leads to long lived sweet wines), and 3 Vouvray.

You will find both 2005 & 2006 vintages in stock. The 2005 is selling for $12.50 While I am not VERY familiar with all the Gamla wines I hear good things and definitely recommend trying them. have found 2003 -2005 in stores ranging in price from about $ 13.50 Buy it up, drink it and be proud. The Dalton Canaan Red.

My past includes exactly one Jura red ( 2002 Pierre Overnoy Arbois Pupillin - my notes say that I didn't like it) and a couple of Crémants - love 'em. liked them enough to bring two of them home to meet my family, and I will definitely explore them further. Reds 2005 Puffeney Arbois Trousseau , $30. Not even a little bit.

decided about 6 months ago that I wanted to out-do these people, the folks who taste blind and confidently declare "this is definitely an Opus One, and the slightly lower concentration makes me think it's an 02. guessed the 2002 Louis Boillot Pommard 1er Cru Les Fremiers. guessed the 2005 Kistler Durell Vineyard. was wrong.

BrooklynLady and I went to France together for the first time in October of 2005. If you spend $55 on a Burgundy, are you definitely getting the finest example? Had I used this kind of thinking a few years ago I would have purchased and cellared some of the 2002 Le Bourg. The white is called Breze and is 100% Chenin Blanc.

But without the definition and focus that I have come to expect from my favorite Champagnes. The 2002 Colin-Deleger Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers was much better. Not sure that it was so much better than, say the 2005 Macon-Charnay Vieille Vignes by Manciat, and that is literally one quarter of the price, but whatever.

Before getting into the specifics, here are a few things that jump out at me when looking at our notes as a whole: 9 out of the 14 reds tasted were from the 2005 vintage, a ripe and glorious year. Lyle Fass of Rockss and Fruit also participates for the first time, writing about a Tres Vieille Vignes 2005 Mâcon Bussieres by Eric Texier.

2005 Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Tuffeaux (about $23, Dressner stuff again, might be sold out at this point but there are other Chidaine wines on the shelf - try one). 2002 Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses (about $17, readily available). This is the top wine from that estate and 2002 was a good vintage in Chinon.

My "4"s: 2005 Lieb Pinot Blanc , $19. 2005 Waters Crest Private Reserve Chardonnay , $25. 2002 Scarola Merlot , $?? 2005 Channing Daughters Enfant Sauvage Chardonnay , $35. 2005 Waters Crest Nightwatch , $45 (375ml). Did I make a mistake on the vintage here - shouldn't this be 2001 or 2002? alcohol. Yummy.

2005 Eric Texier Vins de Pays O Pale , $16 - This is a sweet wine made entirely from Viognier grapes. My 4's 2002 Domaine du Closel Savennieres les Coteaux Moelleux , $28 - this is a rare sweet wine from Savennieres, crafted only in certain vintages. 2005 Marechal Pommard La Chaniere , $50 - who would have thunk it? Just yummy.

JS Score: 93, Oct 2005, Release Price: $78 Piero Busso Barbaresco Borgese 1999 x 3 WS: Refined red. JS , Score: 90, Nov 2002, Release Price: $52 Guido Porro Barolo Vigna S. JS , Score: 90, Release Price $40 Tua Rita Toscana Giusto di Notri 2002 x 2 WS: This shows beautiful vanilla, violet and berry character on the nose.