DAWGS MARCH 2008 - NEW VS OLD WORLD RHONES - WineWave's house in McKinney, TX (3/8/2008)

Champagne starter

• N.V. P. Lancelot-Royer Champagne Cuvée de Reserve R. R. Blancs de Blancs brut - France, Champagne
  WIML92.
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of dough, citrus and yellow fruits. Flavors of creme, citrus and yellow fruits. Medium to bright acidity, medium to full body. Drink over the short term. Best bottle to date. (92 pts.)

White primer

• 2006 JC Cellars Roussanne The First Date - USA, California, Sonoma County
  WIML90.
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of orange, parrafin, lychee and honeysuckle. Flavors of lychee, pear, yellow apple with a waxiness to the texture. Light to medium acidity, medium body. Drink or hold. (90 pts.)

Rhone Reds

• 2002 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  WIML88
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking throughout. Nose of berries, leather, a touch of smoke and a hint of iodine. Flavors of black berries, cherries and mint on the finish. Medium to bright acidity, firm tannins, medium to full body. Seemed to perk up a little with extended air time so drink now with a decent decant time or hold. (88 pts.)
• 2006 Perrin & Fils Vacqueyras Les Christins - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras
  WIML88
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of smoke, roasted meat, florals and dark fruits. Flavors of berries and raspberries. Medium to bright acidity, firm tannins, medium body. Drink now with a decant or hold. (88 pts.)
• 2000 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  WIML91
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of potpourri, black berries and white pepper. Flavors of rich and juicy berries and cherries. Still a bit on the primary side but obviously good potential here based on pedigree. Vibrant acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Continue to hold. (91 pts.)
• 1999 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée des Cadettes - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  WIML92+
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008 from magnum. Opened and served immediately. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Beautiful floral nose with added aromas of melted red licorice and a mix of berries. Flavors of berries, cherries, a hint of bitters with a nice red licorice finish. Bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)
• 1999 Belle Père et Fils Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
  WIML88
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of barnyard, menthol and white pepper. Flavors of berries over a slightly metallic frame. Light to medium acidity, integrated tannins, medium body...maybe even light bodied. Ready to drink. (88 pts.)
• 1998 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
  WIML93
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple color in the glass, slightly dusty looking towards center. Nose of roasted meat and stewed plums over a lovely perfumed nose. Flavors of black cherries, berrie and black licorice, rich and full on the palate. Medium to vibrant acidity, medium tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (93 pts.)

New World Red "Rhones"

• 2001 Shafer Relentless - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML91
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of acacia flowers, plums, Crayola crayons and melted black licorice. Flavors of black currants, bitters and black berries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
• 2003 Radio-Coteau Syrah Timbervine - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
  WIML91
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Great aromatic nose of various spices, mixed dark fruits and cocoa. Rich flavors of berries, cherries and anise. Medium acidity, firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink now with a short to medium decant or hold. (91 pts.)
• 2005 Cristom Syrah Estate - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  WIML89
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black licorice, band aids and berries. Flavors of black cherries, berries and a hint of currant. Medium to vibrant acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Drink or hold. (89 pts.)
• 2004 Anglim Syrah Fralich Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  WIML88
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Tight nose giving way to some notes of peppermint, white pepper and dried herbs. Rich flavors of black currants, licorice, jammy berries with a hint of bitters on the finish. Light to medium acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Drink or hold. (88 pts.)
• 2005 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
  WIML92
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple to dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black cherries, thistle, potpourri and a hint of roasted meat towards the end. Rich berry flavors with a hint of jam, currants and black licorice. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, full bodied. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)
• 2004 Lagier Meredith Syrah - USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder
  WIML90+
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and decanted about 3 hours before serving. Purple to dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of dark berries, currants and cocoa. Flavors of black berries, black currants, cherries and black licorice. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Hold. (90 pts.)
• 2005 Saxum Syrah Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  WIML94+
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and decanted about 6 hours before serving and needed every minute of it. Purple to dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Lovely floral nose with added notes of dark chocolate and mixed dark fruits. Rich and luscious on the palate with gobs of dark fruits and cocoa. Medium acidity, firm tannins, full bodied and then some. Unabashedly new world style and proud of it. Hold. (94 pts.)

Sweet finish

• 2002 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume
  WIML93
  
  Tasted March 8, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of honey, apricot and lychee carries right through to the palate with an added flavors of light and sweet cherry. Medium to vibrant acidity, medium body. Drink or hold. (93 pts.)