Gruet brut Sparkling

$14, New Mexico. Decent dry sparkling wine. Nothing spectacular. Much better than most cheaper sparkling wines though.

Gruet blanc-de-noirs

New Mexico, $14

Excellent purchase. Aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and a near-overwhelming floral finish. Quite fantastic and I will purchase again.

E Guigal Chateneuf du Pape

$45. Outstanding. One of the top wines I've ever drank. This is my first Chat du Pape and I wasn't let down at all. Made from mostly Grenache and Syrah, it has a soft, drinkable quality with an amazingly strong tannic backbone and peppery spiciness. I could drink this everyday for the rest of my life. Definitely some tar and blackberry flavor. Considering the price, I'm nervous to try the great producers of CdP...wine is quickly becoming an expensive habit.

Georges Du Boeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

07

My first time buying Beaujolais Nouveau on its release date and I'm not impressed. It's just not good. I don't find it complex or even drinkable. I'll buy another from a different producer, but I don't have very high expectations. I think this is just a wine that I don't like. It reminded my date of "church wine" and I think it's an apt comparison. It tastes extremely "grapey" and there isn't any softness. I drank it after chilling for about a half hour.

Update: I drank the same bottle a week later and it seemed better. A little more flavor and definitely more drinkable. Still not impressed and I probably won't even finish the bottle.

Paul Joboulet Aîné

03. Crozes Hermitage. Domaine Raymond Roure

Very dark color, almost black. The easiness is amazing. It's hard to believe that it's made from mostly syrah. Nose is currants and raspberries. Medium body with only a small amount of tannins. A very nice sipping wine and doesn't need a full meal to accompany it. A bit of spiciness is left on the palate but not very strong. A very delicious wine that I will purchase again and recommend.

Stonehedge Reserve Petite Syrah

Outstanding. I think I got it at TJs so it was probably relatively cheap. If I had to guess, I'd say around $15, but I really can't remember. A floral, almost sweet sensation on the nose. Medium body, surprisingly so for a PS, but so smooth... each glass begs for another and I'm so happy with this wine. Finish is a bit quick, but pleasant. Definitely purchase again and recommend.

Mirrasou Cab 04

Nothing. This was a Wine Spectator top value CS. It was so brawny and rough that I couldn't detect any delicacies whatsoever. Really let down.