Friday Sips

When it comes to 2010 Pinots we aren't exactly subliminal when it comes to their quality. As these wines have fleshed out, it's become very evident that this is a top-level Oregon Pinot Noir vintage and Robinson's warmer site plays very well with a vintage such as this.

Seemingly somewhere between the likes of 2007 and 2008 but with its own distinct personality, this Pinot possesses quite a classy nose with strawberry, cinnamon, herbs and black cherry aromas. Silky, creamy fruit aspects present themselves. The wine gains even more succulence and has fine palate coverage, spice and vibrancy. Rather impressive material is present here and while alluring and accessible at the moment, even more nuances soar as the bottle is slowly emptied which indicates good potential for aging. Drink with mushroom pasta, pork loin, roasted chicken or even Pho over the next 4-6 years.

Bandol has many stringent rules when it comes to making the wines from this picturesque Mediterranean wine region. Mourvedre is required to be the dominant grape and yields must be 35 hectoliters per hectare, even for the famous rosé wines. Combine all of these ingredients and then taste the wine - one can then truly see why this is one of the premier areas for top-drawer rose. If there is one area that deserves its prices to be a step above the norm for rose, Bandol would be it due to the seriousness and table-worthiness of the wines.

Primarily Mourvedre and augmented by doses of Cinsault and Carignan, Bastide Blanche's 2012 Bandol Rose is a knockout, and we are GIDDY to be able to sell it for 20 bucks, unlike Tempier’s Rose which is regularly hitting the 40 buck mark. The Bronzo brothers bought La Bastide Blanche in the 70s and in the last 30+ years they have brought their Domaine into prominence and has become one of the pre-eminent producers of Bandol Rouge and Rose.

Heaps of hawthorn berry, herbes de provence, lemon and strawberry fold over into a texture that is mouthcoating and fleshy, yet brisk. Gonzo complexity, richness and depth seemingly glimmers on the long, long finish. More than just a porch wine, this is wonderful with an array of dishes. Wash down this dry pink tsunami with seafood stew, grilled whole chickens with fresh herbs, or crusty bread and an assortment of olives. ALSO, one doesn't have to just drink Rosé for summer, this rosé is substantial and complex enough for fall, winter and spring-time!

Cuvee Castillons is a smaller quantity but equal quality Bandol Rose from Bastide Blanche. The biggest difference here is the percentage of Cinsault is significantly higher which makes for a fleshier version than the above-mentioned Classic Rose.

Hair-raising aromas that are prominently filled with Italian plum, thyme, pekoe, and underlying nectarine and grapefruit. The mouthfeel is rich, sumptuous and very livewire and fresh which allows it to maintain tightly-focused balance. Breathtaking juice indeed, this full-bodied Rose forms an outstanding alliance with scallops, grilled salmon jacked with some Provencal herbs, plus sweet and sour pork.

Chateau Charmail is regarded as one of the leading Haut Medoc estates and after drinking these wines, it’s easy to realize that these would be $75, not $35 if they were 2 kilometers south in St-Estephe.

A smaller Château of 70 acres, Charmail's vineyards planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot are contiguous around the Chateau. What makes these wines possess good distinction is the virtual mosaic of terroirs (gravel, clay, sand and limestone) that bring ultimate dimension and depth. In just about all vintages of Charmail, these are well-structured Bordeaux. Not only to name-check just St-Estephe, one could throw a baseball and it would land in the vineyards of the famed Chateau Sociando-Mallet who also happens to make quite renowned Bordeaux.

One of the great sleeper vintages that many wine insiders have figured out is the sneaky-fine 2008. Still no shortage of classic Bordeaux grip, the cool qualities of 2008 show up quite well, Laden with inviting cassis and red berry, smoke, engaging cooking herbs, potpourri and dark chocolate tones. Rather succulently textured and arriving in waves, the wine fills the mouth and has ample, underlying structure that will allow it to develop nicely. Decant about an hour in advance if you wish to open one now. Do have it with pan-roasted beef dish or soft-ripened cheese or cellar it and enjoy it through 2020+.