Weekend wines: open thread and some picks

Sometimes you can seek solace in wine. Our town was shaken by an unthinkable tragedy this week. Right now, all I want from wine is to act as a bit of a balm.

So here are a few wines that I brought some joy to my NYU class this week. We opened with the Roederer brut premier Champagne, and that was enjoyed by everyone but the few bubbles haters in the room. The Francois Pinon, cuvée tradition, Vouvray 2009 was almost unanimously liked, and rightly so. The vintage was on the warm side and the wine has an enticing balance between acidity and some residual sweetness. I poured a Clos de la Roilette, cuvée tardive, Fleurie 2010 from magnum. Everyone was wowed by the large format–and cru Beajolais is a large format that isn’t priced into the stratosphere. They really liked the wine too. And a final wine that met a very warm reception was the Domaine Montpertuis, vignoble de la Ramiere, Cotes du Rhone, 2009. The estate is an old-school Chateauneuf producer and this is their mostly-grenache CdR blend that clocks in at a mere 13.5% alcohol. At about $15, the class really liked it as a relative value too. (find these wines)

Which wines are you looking forward to this weekend? Or what have you had recently that provided you some joy or solace?

10 Responses to “Weekend wines: open thread and some picks”


  1. What town are you from?
    We’ll try a Masperla Priorat tonight.
    Saturday is a Duckhorn tasting – 6 wines. Sunday is up for grabs.


  2. I live in Northern Westchester County.


  3. Well, strangely I am loving the Domaine Monpertuis. This wine was the standout at a recent tasting and a screaming bargain at approx. $15 bucks. Not surprised it was a favorite amongst the group. This kills everything coming at it under $25+. Truly sublime and delicious stuff…

    http://thezinfidel.com/?p=1741

    Sorry for the shameless plug, but this 2009 Monpertuis brings it!

    (z)


  4. Domaine Montpertuis also makes a 100% varietal Counoise that sells for under $20 and it is really awesome, but also really different. I believe it’s the only 100% Counoise wine that is commercially available. It’s a fun experiment.


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  6. […] just need time to ripen (Montreal Gazette) Hong Kong hosts Wine & Dine festival (India Blooms) Weekend wines: open thread and some picks (Dr Vino) why winemakers with big personalities make equally big wines (Guardian) Can American Fans […]


  7. If someone can’t appreciate a bottle of Roederer Brut Premiere, then they are a Champagne hater of the highest degree.

    I was going to open one of my last bottles of 2009 Owen Roe Chardonnay, but crush is in full-swing in the Willamette Valley, so I didn’t have time to sit back and relax. There was a nice session of Trinity Vineyards Pinot Noir being drunk straight from the bottle, which is always nice


  8. I cracked a bottle of 2008 Rombauer Cab. With my budget this was a huge splurge for me and a nice detour from our usual <$10 per bottle wines we normally get. It was so much more complex than what I am used to and we all really enjoyed it. Last night, a bottle of Ballentine Bianca, which was fabulous! We picked up a bottle from the winery last year and they are all sold out now. Tonight, my favorite bottle of Pinot Noir (in the $10-15 price point), Estancia Mendocino.

    Side note: Any recommendations for another Pinot Noir like the Estancia? I'm dying to find more! 😀


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