'98 Chateau Valcombe Claude Fonquerle cuvee

[Drew]

Sipping on it as I type. 70% Old vine Grenache Noir, 15% Old vine Carignan, 10% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. Clear ruby. Funky "Garrique" nose, barnyard, earth, mushroom dark fruit and cherry with the bright nose of Grenache. Beautiful like flavors that are equally balanced and don't fight each other. Long finish. 14% Alc/vol., paid $9.40 at Coastal Wine and Spirits outside Rehoboth, Delaware.

Drew

[mrdutton]

I'm headed up that way for Thanksgiving with the parents in Newark next month.

Mayby I should give them a call, give them a credit card number and have them hold a case for me.

This juice sounds like it is just the kind of stuff I like to drink!

[Drew]

Mike, I hope they have a case for you but there were only 2 bottles, sale priced, and I bought 1 of the 2. Good luck.

DRew

[Drew]

Tried the '99 version last week and found it to be thinner in body and more international in style...Where'd the terroir go? '98 was much better.

Drew

[Drew]

Popped another of these for Eileen before I left for work at 1600. Back home a 0100 this A.M and found she left 1/2 a bottle so poured a glass and wow, what a nose. Floral raspberry and cherry. The flavors the same as previous reported but more intense and this bottle had more coarse tannins which were tamed by the sausage in a plate of black beans and rice I had as a middle of the night snack sitting in the woods in the new digs. A really wonderful wine under $10 if you can find some.

Drew

[Drew]

Happened on a 2000 and opened it the other night. This signature bottling is starting to disappoint since the '98 version. This 2000 was VERY international in style, medium bodied and very one dimensional. A blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Carignan, 10% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. 14%Alc/vol. $10

Drew