1999 Gaston Chiquet Brut Champagne **

A very refined "Special Club" bubbly.  Sawdust, smoke, and birch on the nose.  Elegant citrus notes and white rose petals on the attack...finishes hinting at NYC-Korean-market-day-old-fruit-salad (watermelon, pineapple,grapes, orange, honeydew) -- but this is a good thing.

I am used to a more forward style Champagne, so to be honest ... I'm not exactly sure what to make of this Chiquet, and although I'm convinced this is a wine to seek out and enjoy at least once, I'm not quite sure about the $75+ price tag.

A Thierry Thiese Estate Selection.

2005 Araujo Estate "Altagracia" Napa Valley ***

Deep purple almost inky. Briar patch licorice, menthol and hints of violets and leather. There is a strong suggestion of vanilla and oak, but overall, this is gorgeous.
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2004 Merus Napa Valley **

I picked this up to celebrate the last day of law school - ever. It's hugely extracted - a black hole wine. Blackberries, violets, mild whole clove, and a little menthol. Secondary flavors include semi sweet cocoa and vanilla. But there's an aggressive spice, too, which isn't integrated, and the wine is a tad heady/hot. This needs time to evolve and will probably merit another star.
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Duvel - Belgian ale **

Deep honey color. Heady nose of mixed fruit, predominantly apricot. Good medium bodied ale with starch, loam, and white flowers on the attack, and mild sweets on the finish.
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2006 A. Clape "Le Vin des Amis" *

(Rhone red table wine) Saturated purple color. Musk and pepper on the nose. Tart raspberry and red currant on the approach. A very enjoyable table wine and even, solo, served as an apertif. In addution to the Cornas, it seems that Clape is making good to excellent wines at a number of different price points.

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Dom. du Banneret Chateauneuf du Pape 2005 ***

Not surprisingly, the 2005 Banneret is just as gorgeous as the 2004. Successive and integrated layers of sour cherry cola, red currants, quince, ripe oranges, and pinewood, with a mellow peppermint note riding the wood. Underneath it all there's some raw meat, and as the wine opens up - chocolate and mild, whole pepper notes. This is firm, warm, long and complex. A breath-taker.

Dom. Lafond Roc-Epine Lirac 2006

Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine, from Lirac, a blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne and 20% Viognier.  White gold in color, with a rather straightforward nose of honeysuckle and citrus, and good/bright acidity.  This was a very refreshing, fun summer wine, but probably best served with food.

For more on Lirac, check out Les Vignerons de l'A.O.C. Lirac website.

Dom. Bernard Ange Crozes-Hermitage 2005 *

Purple.  Standard pepper, raspberry and currant.  Light and restrained.  A work horse wine under $20 and all good here.

Dom. Michael Cheveau "Or Rouge" Beaujolais-Villages 2006 *

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Day 1: Deep color with a very fruity gamay nose.  A bit over the top for me, but sweet and ripe with rich red berries...not too much to think about here, just a pleasing wine.

Day 2:  Showed some real strengths after a night in the fridge and a warmup in the microwave.  The aromatics had developed some complexity, the sweet red fruits had mellowed and overall it gained some balance.

This might sound odd, but I'd decant this wine in the near term and let it breathe for an hour or cellar it for a year.

Breton Bourgeuil 2006 * and Dom. du Closel - Chateau des Vaults "La Jalousie" Savennieres 2005 *

I purchased both these Loire Valley wines as part of a case of under $20 wines at Smith & Vine last week.  The Bourgueil was deep and dusky with cabernet franc typicity - loam, graphite, and sweet blackberries.  The Savennieres was gold, with honey, musk and white peaches.  Both are good values.

Dom. du Banneret Chateauneuf du Pape 2004 ***

One of the most interesting wines I've tasted recently was this Domaine du Banneret Chateauneuf du Pape 2004 ***

A deep purple, nearly opaque. Old oak on the nose, huge, gorgeous liquid blackberry on top with chocolate, mint, and mellow cola.

For more information, check out the estate's website at:

http://domaine.banneret.free.fr/US/index.html

Or visit:

http://www.chateauneuf.dk/en/cdpen6.htm

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape 'La Crau' 2005 **

Here's what Robert Parker Jr. had to say, "The 2005 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape, this estate's strongest vintage since 1998, has put on serious weight since last year. Dense ruby/purple-colored with an exquisite perfume of black raspberries, kirsch, ground pepper, and incense, this full-bodied, powerful, concentrated wine reveals fabulous purity as well as a finish that lasts over 45 seconds. Purchasers of this beauty will need patience. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025." Reported score: 92-95, depending on which retailer you ask.

This was actually a great wine. Notes of cherry, balsamic vinegar, lots of ground black pepper, and graphite. Truly grenache in all its glory...to me, a very traditional CdP and proof positive of just how awesome 2005 was for the region.