Oltretorrente
Colli Tortonesi Timorasso 2023
Daumas Gassac
Mas de Daumas Gassac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1986
[Back label says 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, and then (in a burst of French mathematical genius), the remaining 30% (hey, that’s what the label actually says), Malbec, Merlot, Syra (their spelling), Canernet Franc, Pinot (unspecified which Pinot??), and Tannat] OK, not trying to goof on the winery or the importer (uh, KLWM!?!?), but weird math and unclear varietal composition is kinda just odd, at best, or just weird?!?!?’ Production was 75,000 bouteilles, 1,400 magnums, 100 jeroboams, and 25 mathusalems (their spelling, not mine)??!!
OK, first whiff, I could honestly care less what the actual grape cepage is, tons of garrigue, but at age 40 still quite fresh, most of the tannic structure has faded away, but this shows those awesome tertiary notes, along with clear bottle sweetness, which makes these older bottles so amazing and, frankly, compelling to drink!! Great southern French wine from the Pays de l’Herault, super long finish, WOW!!! — 7 days ago
Clos des Papes
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 1990
Like the last bottle, this shows some VA (though nowhere as bad as the bottle from 3-4 months ago), redfruits, some earthy aromas as well, good depth and balance on the palate, lingering finish, overall a very good bottle of aged Clos des Papes CdP. — 10 days ago
Château Rayas
Chateau de Fonsalette Réservé Côtes du Rhône Syrah 1983
Iodine, smoke, classic well-aged Syrah aromas and flavors, this threw SO MUCH sediment that a decant WAS REQUIRED (and I wish I could post the picture of the sediment glop, it was equally as thick and dark as any great Vintage Porto I’ve ever seen after decanting). This is still youthful in so many ways, and still shows some big tannic structure, for now, it just needs food. Finish is super long, just an amazing “COTES DU RHONE” I purchased in 1986 when we lived in Brooklyn Heights, I was lucky enough to but TWO cases for $150/each, or $12.50/bottle, and I have 2 more bottles for sure!! Simply amazing juice!!!
OK, you guys KNOW I have some backstories here to tell — (1) This wine is a 250-case cuvée, which in this particular bottle’s case was made by the legendary Jacques Reynaud (who owned Rayas and the other properties, Chateau Pignan CdP and Fonsalette CdR, before tragically passing in 1997, when his nephew Emmanuel took over, and Emmanuel himemself just passed); (2) I used to buy Rayas and Pignan back in the 1980s in Brooklyn Heights at my neighborhood wine store, 10 to 15 year old vintages were available for $30 or so per bottle, but last ones I bought were 1988-1990 Pignan and Fonsalette in California; (3) my brother and I used to bring Rayas. (1974, 1976 and 1978) to restaurants in Napa (paying corkage) back in the late 1980s/early 1990s, where very few wait staff even knew what they were; and (4) I personally can no longer play with the big boys for younger vintages, but Rayas and Fonsalette “Cuvée Syrah” are truly collector wines, the latter in particular is built to last 30-50 years, I doubt many folks would ever age them that long, nor find them appealing at age 5/10/15, so most of the above information is likely of no use (last vintage I bought was 1989, but 2 or 3 bottle limit, and those weredrunk long ago). But damn, what a fantastic time capsule of a grape grown in the wrong place (southern France) making such an immortal wine!! Doug — 14 days ago
Doug Powers
Cherry cola and moderate new oak aromas and flavors, this tastes like a Ken Wright Oregon Pinot Noir (and I mean that in a good way, I remember tasting at Panther Creek with Ken 35 years ago), longish finish, I can only imagine how good the single vineyard wines taste!! — 15 hours ago