Dom. de la Presidente Cotes du Rhone Villages 2005

8 1/2 Screwcaps


In the Rhone Valley, 2005 set record prices, just like the Rhone Valley's big brothers in Burgundy and Bordeaux. That having been said, it's all about finding the value. Look no further.
This Cotes du Rhone Villages ("Villages" means that there are a specific amount of villages in the Rhone Valley that have consistent quality that can produce this wine) is a blockbuster of cinnamon, currant and white pepper with a nose of cherries and vanilla. Typical for a GSM from the Rhone Valley (Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre), it needs a little more time for the acidity and tannins to settle down. Age this baby from 2-4 more years and just let it laugh with you at others that chose to buy a $300 bottle from the same area. At around $13.00/btl., you will laugh a lot!
Try this wine with lamb, roast beef and camembert cheese.

Barboursville Cabernet Franc 2006

8 3/4 Screwcaps

Virginia has many distinctions amongst the United States. It is the birthplace of Presidents, home of the Capital of the Confederacy, home of Arthur Ashe, the true country roads that are old Virginia (Look it up, under the Statler Brothers, not that hack John Denver). It is also the home of the best area to grow Cabernet Franc in the nation. And if Virginia is the capital of this grape, Barboursville is the White House.
With a beautiful nose of plum, green peppers and mushrooms, it follows through with cherries and fig as though it were handpicked from Sancerre in the Loire Valley. Buy it today and although you can drink it today, put about 1-2 years of age on this beauty.