Susan & I tried these 4 wines over the weekend:
1. Jean-Paul Brun TerresDorees Roussanne VdF Blanc Authenticite Garantie (13.5%; Louis/DressnerSlvtns/NY) Jean-Paul Brun/Charney en Beaujolais 2020: Med.dark gold color; fairly fragrant floral/gardenias/varietal Rouss light peach/pear slight herbal slight waxy quite attractive nose; lightly tart/tangy strong varietal Rouss/floral/gardenias/pear/peach totally dry quite spicy slight tangy/metallic light bodied quite attractive very varietally correct Rouss; very long/lingering classic Rouss finish that mirrors flavor; quite a lovely Rouss at a very good price; a steal. $21.00 (SFW&S)
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2. Cline Viognier NorthCoast/Calif (14.5%) V&B by ClineCllrs/Sonoma 2022: Light gold color; attractive pear/peach/Viog/bit floral somewhat quiet/understated rather pretty nose; soft fairly rich/textured slightly porky quite pretty floral/peach/pear/Viog bit earthy fairly understated/quiet somewhat pretty flavor; med.short finish that mirrors flavor; a pleasant/pretty Viog but a bit disappointing; fairly priced at $13.00 (SFW&S)
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3. Dom.Bibich Plavina Dalmatia (13.0%; 50 yr old vines; Natural wine) 2018: Fairly light some bricking color; strong rustic/coarse rather Zin-like/boysenberry/blackberry some dusty/OV bit oxidative nose; lightly tart/tangy quite coarse/rustic/earthy fairly Zin-like bit oxidized rather unattractive flavor w/ ample coarse/rough/bitter tannins; long coarse/rustic finish that mimics flavor; a rough/coarse/bit oxidized rather unattractive red but no natty character apparent; overpriced at $25.00 (SFW&S)
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4. Georges DuBouef Ad'OP: Beaujolais Noveau (13%; Quintessential/Napa) Georges DuBoeuf/Romanache-Thorins 2023: Med.color; strong Gamay/grapey some earthy/loamy bit candied/tutti-frutto/CM fairly aromatic/grapey nose; slightly off-dry strong grapey/Gamay CM/tutti-fruitti simple flavor w/ little tannins; a grapey Gamay totally devoid of any interest. $15.00 (SFW&S)
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More dirkledroc from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. Brun: He is a producer in the Southern part of Beaujoila (hence, the mere VdF designation since it is not a permitted variety in Bojo), right on the border of the Rhone AVA. He was interested in seeing how Rouss would do in his AVA, so planted a small plot. Obviously it can do quite well. Clearly, Rouss is a variety they should be planting all up&down the Coast of Calif.
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2. Cline: This used to be one of my favorite reasonably-priced Calif Viogs in the low $20's. Originally, their Viog came from their Estate planting over in the PetalumaGap. They now get most of their Viog grapes from over in the Delta I believe. And the quality has suffered. It's a pleasant enough Viog but just that. Probably won't revisit Cline Viog.
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3. Bibich: Plavina is a descendant of Tribidrag or Zinfandel. It definitely speaks of Zin. But is too coarse/rustic for my tastes.
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4. DuBoeuf: The Noveau arrived last Thurs. When I walked into Susan's FW&S on Sat, this squeaky little voice just inside the door was saying "buy me". How could I resist the urge?? I am such a wuss!! Every year I fall for the hype of the Noveau. And every year I scold myself for not having more of a backbone. Ohhhh...well. I did what I had to do & take one for the team.
Tom