Friday with a quick dinner of leftovers, the 2007 Familie Iche "Les Heretiques" Vin de Pays de l'Herault. Juicy, forward, earthy, nice. Dark berries, decent acids for the south, not trying to be anything more than what it is - a nice ripe and slightly rustic red. I miss the days this was $6, but at $9 still a very good value. B
Later, I went over to Marc's for our monthly local tasting group. Theme was Gamay, blind as usual.
Wine #1 : black cherries and raspberries, nice balance of ripeness and acids, a nicely structured Beaujolais with good length, a bit of a coffee note makes me confused for a moment. I like a lot. All agree a bigger Beaujolais, I take a stab at Julienas or Brouilly. It's the 2006 Diochon "Vieilles Vignes" Moulin-a-Vent. B+
Wine #2: This is mine, so no guesses. Out of magnum, redder fruit, bright acids, a pretty good dose of horse's ass. Too bretty for one taster, a couple of others say they like, couple others question what we are talking about. It's just under my limit, much more and I wouldn't drink this, as it is I revisit a couple of times during night. Holding up well for it's age, the one guess is late 90s, it's the 1989 Pierre Ferraud (Domaine Rolland) Brouilly. B/B-
Wine #3- again, a rather structured and ripe Beaujolais. I like, remark it's similar to the first, so I'm guessing 2006. Rob tries to throw false hints, but it is similar, it's also the 2006 Diochon "Vieilles Vignes" Moulin-a-Vent. B+/B
Roger and Rob both bought at local store, where there is limited selection of non-DuBoeuf Beaujolais. Turns out Alex ALSO brought the same wine, so I tell him to put cork back in, and we'll use my backup bottle.
Wine #4- Dark color, black and red fruit, moderate acidity, light tannins. I'm not loving this, but not bad. I'm thinking Moulin-a-Vent or Morgon, but I'm in wrong region, it's the Loire, though without that potted plant/geranium thing I often get in Loire Gamay. NV Puzelat "Le Telquel" B/B-
Wine #5- Red candied fruit, a little herbal note, not impressed, I'm thinking '03 Beaujolais, wrong region again, once I know I do get just a hint of the pottled plant thing. It's the 2005 Bellevue Touraine Gamay, C+
Wine #6 - my backup substituted for third Diochon. Nice ripe red and black cherries, some smoke, decent finish. 2006 Brun (Terres Dorees) Cote de Brouilly. B+/B
Wine #7 - maraschino cherries with pine needles and green pepper, short, really my least favorite of the night. 2007 Cloister de Clerget Beaujolais-Villages. C
Fun night with the guys, spirited debates about music and life.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.