I just realized I've been posting more of my wine notes on Facebook than on the blog. Perhaps that's a sign of the times. Regardless I would be remiss if I didn't share a wine note about pal Sylvain Fadat's 2002 Domaine d'Aupilhac Montpeyroux Coteaux du Languedoc Red wine from New Year's Eve here in Los Angeles.
Here's a wine of a perfect color, deep reddish purple, with absolutely zero browning around the rim. In many ways it reminded me of Sylvain's 1995, with amazing forward development, yet at teh same time it gave off the the sense that the wine is far from at its peak. If history has shown, Sylvain's wines are never reluctant to age for a long time, as a few bottles of his 1989 have shown at the house in Montpeyroux or at parties there. The same held true when he visited a few years back in Seattle and we opened 91, 93 and 94, none of which were even close to past their prime.
With that in mind, to end one year and start a new year, I popped open a bottle of gorgeousness from the Languedoc. Here was a soft, and sensually sweet nose of red, blue and blackberries. Start with black raspberry, follow through with blueberries, add in some strawberry and finish with red raspberry, cherry and black plums. What's obvious in the wine is how the Cinsault and Mourvedre play complimentary parts to the Carignan, Syrah and Grenache in the blend.
I admit, my friendship with Sylvain has me somewhat biased, but he's clearly underrated as a winemaker. If he plied his trade in the Rhone or Priorat the wines would be twice the price. Thankfully he stays home and makes great wines at very great prices.