WineLovers Discussion Group

I recently opined it was best to leave all 2002 red Burgundies alone, but I am nothing if not inconsistent, and found myself opening a bottle of 2002 Domaine Chandon de Briailles "Ile des Vergelesses"Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Tuesday to accompany some leftover Copper River coho and potato gratin. Ok, okl, it was tight at first. But a lovely pure lighter bodied wine emerged with some air time. Strawberry and black cherry fruit framed by lovely minerality. Clean, pure, long, and satisfying. Very nice for under $30 Burgundy. A-

Wednesday Betsy had a late rehearsal and asked me to take care of dinner. I barbecued chicken (using leftover hoisin-garlic-chili BBQ sauce Betsy had made for ribs Monday) and grilled corn. The 2005 Domaine de Gournier (VdP des Cevennes) was an acceptable light rosé, hints of herb over sweet strawberry fruit (dry wine, just sweet impression from fruit)with
moderate acidity. Does anyone know where Cevennes is? I assume Provence or Languedoc. There are better rosés out there, but this is a decent value at $7.xx. B-/B

We also attempted to try a 2004 Banrock Station Riesling. I usually like Oz Riesling, but there's nothing to like here. Dull lemon flavors (lemon flavors but low acid, go figure), soft and short. Dilute, and that's a good thing in this case. Not worth drinking. C-

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.

Dale
Not too surprised by the Banrock Station - would have expected a lick of sugary sweetness in there as well. It's a shame as even Jacob's Creek do a very handy riesling at a fair price.
regards
Ian

The Banrock was indeed off-off dry. I kind of expect a little sweetness in the cheaper Oz Rieslings, but this was flabby, too. It was brought by someone to a large (non-geeky) Labor Day party and never opened. I always try everything. Though the Yellowtail 1.5 also left from party has me scared

Does anyone know where Cevennes is?

The southern part of the Massif Central, which empties onto the Languedoc, although it would be interesting to see where exactly in the moutain range the wine comes from.