2009 Southern French "Rustic" Reds Wine Tasting

We attended the Rustic Red tasting at Vino last night and it reinforced my penchant for earthy, terroir driven wines. I did rate some above others but ALL were good and if I had additional space in my cellar (and could actually procure some of these wines), I would fill my cellar with several bottles of each. This was the lineup with Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya's own notes followed by my personal notes and ratings.

2009 Domaine Maxime Francois Laurent “Il Fait Soif”

an amazing, au naturale Grenache, whole cluster fermented in cement vats for 10 days done by a new age winemaking prodigy.  This is truly the way it used to & should be. 

1 case came to Hawaii.

Grapey and beaujolais-like on the nose with hints of violets and fresh herbs. Very good acid with a nice balance of acid and fruit and a medium finish (3.75/5)

2009 Domaine Leccia Rouge

from the rugged, sun scorched Isle of Corsica, 80% old vine Grenache & the rest Niellucciu

1 case came to Hawaii.

Gravel and concentrated red fruit on the nose with hints of dried herbs. A burst of fresh red fruit on the palate then the mineral notes take over with a medium long finish (4/5)

2009 Domaine Philippe Faury Syrah

a 100% soulful Syrah from “up above” the hillside.

Loads of earth, underbrush and a touch of barnyard with dried herbs and fleshy semi-dried red fruit on the nose. Very balanced with a seamless flow over the palate with mineral, herb and fruit in balance and a long finish. (4.5/5)

2009 Domaine Clape “ Vin de Amis”

another majestic Syrah from the Master of Syrah.

Currant and raspberry with gravel and earth on the nose with black olive and licorice on the back end. A seamless flow over the palate with fruit and mineral in balance and a long finish. (4.25/5)

2009 Domaine Gramenon “Sierra du Sud”

soulful, old vine Syrah done as naturally as they come

3 cases came to Hawaii.

Dried red fruit mixed with licorice and olive on the nose. Concentrated on the palate with a seamless flow over the palate with a rich mouthfeel but not heavy and a long finish. (4/5)

Of course, man (and woman) does not live by wine alone... (we don't?)... so we sampled both the Vintage New York steak:

And the Red Veal Saltibocca

The next Rustic Reds tasting at Vino is scheduled for Thursday, June 16th at 6:00pm at Vino. Hope to see you there!