On Jun 18, 1:51*pm, "Bill S." > wrote:
> Blind tasting notes, theme – southern France and Iberia
>
> 2006 Luca Chardonnay (Mendoza) – the starter wasn’t in theme, nor were
> the finishing wines. This chard is well made, showing slight colouring
> and a good varietal nose with a fair bit of oak, but far less than the
> most excessive California or Australian woodies. *Made by Laura
> Catena, it saw 12 months in 30% new French oak, was matured sur lies
> and came across as very finely balanced, slightly sweet on entry and
> with a smooth lengthy finish with just the right amount of acidity.
> This is the best Argentine chard I have tasted.
>
> 1996 Faustino Rioja Gran Riserva – right off the bat we were in
> trouble, as this wine showed some real Rhone notes in the nose,
> although also a perplexing vanilla note from the wood that would have
> exceeded most Rhone wood use. Warm in the mouth with a titillating
> acidity and good length.
>
> 1999 Brusset Les Hauts de Montmirail Gigondas – mellow smooth wine
> with good length and soft tannin, and some nice dark fruit aromas in
> the nose.
>
> 1998 Ch. St. Sosme Gigondas Valbelle – I trotted my wine out following
> the Brusset as I thought it would be a nice comparison. *It showed
> good colour and enough of a floral element in the nose to have some
> thinking I’d slipped in a northern Rhone ringer. *It also had some
> black cherry and a hint of smoked meat and olive, along with
> significant black pepper. *I liked this a lot. *In prime drinking
> window now but no rush.
>
> 2000 Brusset CduR Cairanne ‘Homage Andre Brusset – I was with the
> person in the cellar in Gigondas when we picked this up and remember
> being impressed with the wine. Big and with good weight and flavour
> concentration, sweet nose and developed with time in the glass,
> although I felt it fell a little short of what I’d remembered it to be
> when tasted in France.
>



Quick question. I'm assuming that the Brusset is not available in the
US.