Three light, rewarding reds under $20: Produttori, Pataille, Michaud
Finding rewarding light reds under $15 can be as hard as searching for the Holy Grail (but without the killer rabbit). Bump it up to $20 and you can have more options, such as this trio of 2006s. I stretched my dollar by purchasing these in a mixed case.
Produttori del Barbaresco, Langhe, Nebbiolo, 2006 about $19
This wine is such a trip! Light in color, the unsuspecting taster might presume it to be “thin” (the ultimate put-down for light bodied reds). Instead, delicious aromas of rose petal and damp earth great the nose. On the palate, great acidity precedes vigorous but interesting and manageable tannins. A great entry-level nebbiolo, a grape that can often escalate in price quickly. I haven’t tried the ’07 of this wine yet, have you?
Lot: 8.143. Imported by VIAS
Domaine Sylvain Pataille, Bourgogne-Passetoutgrains, 2006. about $18
Blending Pinot Noir? Say it ain’t so. But the practice gets a big “oui” in the appellation of Bourgogne-Passetoutgrains where the wines must be minimum one-third Pinot Noir with the balance the Gamay grape. The result in this 2006 offering from Sylvain Pataille’s 70 year old vines has lipsmacking fruit and acidity and, at 12 percent alcohol, gulpable. On a warm summer evening (when it’s not raining–grr), try serving chilled to 60 degrees for maximum enjoyment.
Lot tasted: LR 01. Becky Wasserman Selection
Alain Michaud, Brouilly, 2006. about $18
I hadn’t tried this Beaujolais producer before but I threw it in my cart. This straight up gamay (as opposed to the Passetougrains) from the strong vintage 2006 has a slight savory note to it as well as wild strawberries. It’s a bigger, broader style within the realm of cru Beaujolais that has a structured but chewy finish. Lot tasted: L. 02 Becky Wasserman Selection
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On August 1st, 2009 at 12:52 pm ,Dale wrote:
It’s nice seeing you note lot numbers on your reviews. I wonder if other reviewers will be so savvy.
Dale
On August 1st, 2009 at 1:56 pm ,Claude Kolm wrote:
Actually, 1/3 Pinot Noir is the minimum, and it can legally be up to 2/3 Pinot Noir: http://www.vins-bourgogne.fr/gallery_files/site/321/402/5417/5436.pdf
Some producers of top Passetoutgrains will privately concede that they have more than 2/3 Pinot Noir in the blend.
On August 1st, 2009 at 2:09 pm ,Dr. Vino wrote:
@Dale glad you noticed!
@Claude thanks, corrected above! What are some of your favorite Passetoutgrains? We don’t see too much of it here in the States. I guess a lot is consumed locally (for much lower prices, no doubt).
On August 3rd, 2009 at 7:34 pm ,Francesco wrote:
I am dying to try one of these passetoutgrains. Here in Florence I cant find much else out side of Tuscany. Cant wait until I get back to the states.
FV
On August 31st, 2009 at 8:57 am ,pmg wrote:
Try the 05 Produttori , if you can find it. I’ve drank both the 05 and 06 and thought the 05 much better. The tannins were softer…perhaps just a year’s additional age