Over the past few weeks, in addition to tasting Washington wines for the May issue of the Review of Washington Wines, we have been drinking several wines that are particularly interesting. Here they are.
Lail Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
One of the Napa Valley's most legendary figures was John Daniel Jr. who in the 1950's and 1960's headed Ingenook Vineyards which was founded by Gustav Niebaum in 1879. Today, Daniel's daughter Robin Lail and her daughters own Lail Vineyards in Calistoga, which continues the John Daniel heritage. A couple of nights ago, our next door neighbor brought over the following wine.
2012 Lail Vineyards "Blueprint" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($80) - Semi opaque ruby colored, this 88% Cabernet (with 8% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot) emits seductive, ripe aromas of blackberries, cherries, plums, crushed black roses, sweet tobacco, cedar, sandalwood and incense. The flavors are thick and fleshy, almost opulent, yet focused, with notes of licorice, Belgian chocolate, French roast and minerals. The saturation continues on the back with roasted berries and nuts, mocha, toffee and graphite. The alcohol registers at 15.4%, but is smoothed over by the continuing opulence that continues on through the lingering ripe tannin finish. 19+/20 points.
The Lirac Wines of Domaine de la Modorée
Lirac is a commune near Avignon in the South Rhone Valley. It is adjacent to Tavel which is known for its rosé wines. The principal grapes of Lirac are Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah for the reds and Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier for the whites. Domaine de la Modorée is one of the best producers.
2016 Domaine de la Modorée Lirac Blanc, "La Reine des Bois" ($39.99 - wine.com) - Composed of one third each of Grenache Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne, this displays a brilliant gold color and floral aromas of pear, peach, honeydew melon, papaya and citrus. The flavors are wide ranged, yet laser-like, with notes of peach stone, pear skin and granitic minerals. On the back, the wine turns deliciously juicy, yet crystalline, with sensations of poire and pêche liqueurs, and recurring melon and papaya rinds, and touches of nougat and grapefruit zest on the lingering, lightly spiced finish. 19/20 points.
2015 Domaine de la Modorée Lirac, "La Reine des Bois" ($39.99 - wine.com) - This combination of 34% Grenache, and 33% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre exhibits a deep purplish-ruby color and an intoxicating nose of wild raspberries, blueberries, pomegranates and black currants, with scents of crushed roses, mulberry, sweet tobacco, lavender, Provençal herbs and violets. The flavors, as well, are alluring, bathed with black and blue fruits that are imbued with licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and granitic minerals. The saturation continues on the back with macerated berries, roasted nuts, framboise and cassis liqueurs, orange peel and charcoal, followed by a lingering, spiced warm (15% alcohol) ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.
The Villages Wines of Louis Jadot
Maison Louis Jadot, founded in 1859, is one of the most respected negotiant-proprietaires in Burgundy. Its portfolio comprises of wines from a wide range of appellations from Beaujolais and the Maconnais, Côte Chalonnaise, the Côte d'Or and Chablis. While the Premier and Grand Crus are the stellar wines, Jadot also produces fine wines from the communal "Villages" appellations. Here are some fine examples.
2015 Louis Jadot Givry ($31.99 - wine.com) - From the Côte Chalonnaise, this Pinot Noir offers a medium brick red color and attractive aromas of strawberry, cherry and red currant, with scents of red roses, tobacco leaf and whiffs of white incense. The flavors are pleasingly supple ("tendre," as the French say) with notes of red licorice, herbal tea and light earth, leading nicely into a smooth moderate tannin and acid finish. 18.5/20 points.
2015 Louis Jadot Mercurey ($32.99 - wine.com) - Mercurey, along with Givry, produces mostly Pinot Noir. This one shows a medium brick red color and perfumed aromas of strawberries, pomegranates, and red currants, with scents of crushed roses, light sweet tobacco and violets. The flavors, as well, are alluring, with pleasing medium bodied red fruits that are imbued with red licorice, cocoa powder and medium roast coffee. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs on the way to a soft moderate tannin and acid finish. 18.5/20 points.
2015 Louis Jadot Santenay ($39.99 - wine.com) - Santenay is situated at the southern end of the Côte d'Or, adjacent to Chassage-Montrachet. This version offers a brilliant purplish-ruby color and an unmistakable Pinot Noir nose of strawberries, cherries, cassis, rose petals, orange peel and light incense. The flavors are generous and round, yet focused, with notes of red licorice, cocoa powder, medium roast coffee and earth. The back reveals sensations of pressed berries, toasted nuts and soft pencil lead, followed by a smooth light tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.
2015 Louis Jadot "Le Chapitre" Bourgogne ($35.99 - wine.com) - Le Chapitre is a Jadot Domaine wine, sourced from vineyards in Chenôve, adjacent to Marsannay at the north end of the Côte de Nuts. It displays a medium purplish red color and enticing aromas of wild strawberries, black currants, red plums, rose petals, sweet tobacco, wildflowers and light incense. The medium bodied flavors comprise pressed red and blue fruits that are endowed with red licorice, cocoa and chalky earth. The supple textured back picks up pressed fruits, toffee and light graphite, followed by a smooth soft tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.
2015 Louis Jadot Côte de Nuits Villages ($37.99 - wine.com) - From selected vineyards in Fixin, Brochon, Preméaux and Comblanchien, this shows a brick red color and enticing aromas of fraises de bois, framboise, and cerise, with scents of red roses, orange peel, spring flowers and whiffs of incense. The flavors are supple, yet well delineated, with considerable Pinot character, accompanied by notes of licorice, chocolate and chalky earth. The back picks up pressed berries and red fruit liqueurs on the way to a supple finish. This is what the Burgundians call a vin de plaisir. 18.5/20 points.
2015 Louis Jadot Fixin ($41.99 - wine.com) - Fixin is located near the north end of the Côte de Nuits, just past Gevrey-Chambertin to whose wines this is similar. It displays a brick red color and enticing aromas of fraises de bois, wild cherries, black currants, crushed red roses, tobacco leaf, sweet pea flowers and white incense. The medium bodied flavors are varietally pure, replete with red licorice, cocoa powder, medium roast coffee and minerals. The seduction continues on the back with sensations of pressed berries, toasted nuts, fraise and cerise liqueurs, and creme de cassis, followed by a moderate alcohol (12%) and satiny tannin finish. As a vin de plaisir, this gets a plus. 18.5+/20 points.