2000 Clos des Menuts, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Posted on by Dave

2000 Clos des Menuts, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru $19 – 375ml

Dark color, nice legs. Fruity and spicy aroma. Dry with a touch of green pepper. I matched this with the lunch special which was escargots in phyllo pastry dough and a mesclun salad. This was a beautiful dish. The escargots were Sautédin garlic butter, they and spinach were stuffed into the phyllo dough and baked. A red sauce, containing tomato, basil and an infusion of parmesan and perhaps cream – I’ll have to try it again. I finished the meal with crème brûlée – which was one of the best I’ve ever tasted.

The Wines of Robert Hill

Posted on by Dave

The wines of Robert Hall

2002 Sauvignon Blanc
No big deal, an objectionable aluminum foil taste in the finish.

2000 Merlot $13
Someone messed up and put Cabernet Sauvignon in this bottle. It is very nice, smoky, peppery, nice finish. It went very well with pepperoni and cheese.

2000 Cabernet Sauvignon $13
Light aroma, flavor is okay, there is a bit of matchstick in the flavor, not bad but not great.

2000 Syrah
Nice dark color. Aroma has a touch of roses or something floral. Flavors of ripe fruit and espresso. Typical Syrah finish.

2000 Rhone de Robles
Very dark for a Rhone style wine. Very smoky, cigar box, tobacco. This is BIG! Very smoky finish! This is very nice.

2001 Rhone de Robles
Not as good as the 2000. Not as smoky, not as big, not as much cigar box or tobacco. Nice but not as nice as the 2000.

2002 Rhone de Robles
Better than the 2001 but not as nice as the 2000.

1998 Massoni Langhorn Creek Shiraz

Posted on by Jim

This one was a gift, so don’t have a definite price, but think it is the $20 range. Actually a fairly weak Shiraz, but not horrible. Think it will open up though. First thoughts after uncorking was a nice deep purple color, but a weak nose; maybe a bit of black cherry. Not much in the middle but a typical Shiraz finish of some pepper with a bit of heat. After sitting and swirling, it got a bit better — call me crazy but the nose started to lean toward cherry cola. So far, nothing to earn a repeat purchase. Will see what it’s like tomorrow.

Lane Tanner 2000 French Camp Syrah

Posted on by Jim

Very well balanced… a touch of cinnamon on the nose with mild blackberry and currant on the palate. Soft black pepper (with not much heat) and a touch of smoke on the finish. Light tannins make this a great choice at around $18. Alcohol is 14.3%

2000 B&G Cotes du Rhone Tradition

Posted on by Dave

2000 B&G Cotes du Rhone Tradition

A nice light bodied color. (I’ll admit it is a deeper purple color than most French Grenache-based wines that I’ve tasted. but it is very light compared to an Australian Grenache.)

Raspberry aroma.

There is nothing special in the taste. There is a touch of pepper, which is nice, but the finish is a bit tart and hangs on too long. I would say that the balance is off on this wine. I was expecting to really taste the classic Rhone terroir.

Koehler Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on by Dave

2002 Koehler Santa Barbera County Cabernet Sauvignon $13

This was really awesome too!

Intense but well-balanced with aromas of black cherry and coffee followed with just a touch of earthyness. Flavors of black cherry and a touch of dark chocolate with a nice finish.