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March 2006 Collector´s Club
2003 Ross Andrew 40%Syrah 60%Merlot
Winemaker Ross Mickle likes to make wines that are soft and approachable on release, and this
is no exception. Full of soft, plush fruit, this wine makes a lovely accompaniment to
rich foods, and stands alone quite well. We have a good quantity available to us at
$18.00. We also have his Cabernet Sauvignon in stock in reasonable quantities; it is
also lovely. Both wines are ready to drink.
2001 Tenuta Bonzara Colli Bolognesi Cabernet Sauvignon
This is an outstanding Cabernet from the hills around Bologna in Central Italy.
A certain wine mag give this a very high score, consequently there´s none left ...
good thing I reserved some for the club! I´d give this another couple years in
the cellar. It´s dense and chewy dark fruit takes a while to open up right
now. It was $26.00. I´ve heard that more may come in later at a somewhat
higher price.
2004 Domaine Lavigne Saumur-Champigny
I´ve always wondered a bit as to why so much of the central Loire valley is planted
to Cabernet Franc; it´s fairly far north for such a late-ripening varietal.
This wine possibly explains why: it´s absolutely beautiful! It´s all
gone, and it was $19.75. I´d hold it for a couple more years and serve with
flank steak.
2002 Chateau Grande Cassagne Cuvee Hippolyte Costieres-de-Nimes
This Syrah-based wine comes from an area close to the southern Rhone valley, which was
inundated in 02. Many wineries in the Costieres de Nimes came through unscathed, and
made wonderful wine. This one is usually around $15.00, and is in the club this month
at $9.75 with a bit left over. I visited this winery in the winter of 03 and tried
this wine in barrel. It was good then, and it´s ready to drink.
2004 Cusumano Alcamo
A little white wine adventurism here! This wine hails from Sicily, and is made
primarily from the Insolia grape. It´s a crisp, minerally wine with excellent
acidity. Try it with sharp cheeses or shellfish. There´s a fair amount
around at $9.75.
2003 Chateau Grande Cassagne Cuvee Hippolyte Costieres-de-Nimes
Blanc
Yep, the same winery as the rouge above, next vintage up - which was hot as blazes.
Still, the Marsanne and Roussane in this wine did just fine. This is a lovely
southern Rhone-styled wine that´s ready to drink. We have a bit left at $9.75.
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