Paitin "Serra" Barbaresco 2007

Light ruby/garnet.

Opened 3 days ago - nose is still great - roasted hazelnut/almond, cherry jam, dried rose, leather...

Intense entry is simultaneously plush and rigid, thanks to great fruit concentration and serious acid/tannin synergy. Red cherry and spice flavors ride through it all. The real deal (and approachable now). Buy it and drink over the next 6-8 years.


$25. Stupid cheap.

Domaine du Mas Blanc "Clos du Moulin" Collioure 2007

Saturated purple/red.

Opened yesterday - wild nose - acrylic paint (daughter Claire's contribution), cinnamon stick, salt water taffy, black olive, dark chocolate, grilled meat, prune, blackberry, A1 steak sauce... Incredibly complex. Obviously. And smells "dense" too. Loaded.

Round and mouth-filling with crazy cinnamon stick flavor immediately taking over and adding "edge". Much less precise in the mouth, but has real weight and density without being ponderous. This has gained in depth considerably over the last couple of years, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it continue to improve for 4-5 more years and drink well for many more after that.


$28. A blend based on Mourvedre I believe. The south of France makes some of the world's most interesting, affordable wines.