Volume 33, Issue 5: March 2009
MERLOT SUBSCRIBERS ONLY The negative parts of Merlot's reputation are certainly deserved, but as wine drinkers and collectors have proven by their continuing love of the grape, it has great ability to deliver serious wines that will age very well and also wines that can be a very enjoyable, flavorful drinks in their youth. SYRAH SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Syrah's quick rise in California has hit the skids, but a few producers are getting it really right, and one new wine looks to be proving that the nuanced and subtle side of the grape is also beginning to come into view. Syrah also makes some of the best values in red wines. VIOGNIER SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Look to Viognier for both lovely, complex yet intriguingly perfumed dry whites on the one hand, and for an amazing selection of Good Values on the other. 2006 BORDEAUX --The Right Bank and Graves/Pessac-Leognan SUBSCRIBERS ONLY In a lesser but acceptable vintage, selectivity is critical. In this Issue, we look at the wines of Pomerol, St. Emilion and Graves/Pessac-Leognan. Best Buys SUBSCRIBERS ONLY				SUBSCRIBERS ONLY CONNOISSEURS' FORUMS with edtiors Charles Olken and Stephen Eliot. · wine price vs rating 2006 Chateau Figeac Saint Emilion 35% Cabernet Sauvignon; 35% Cabernet Franc; 30% Merlot. Figeac's high percentage of Cabernets is made manifest in its strong focus on cassis and briary, slightly tobacco-leaf spice, and the wine is fairly sturdy and quite well-structured. It is both very deep and neatly proportioned, and its ample tannins are met step for step with nicely extracted fruit. We expect that it will age gracefully for very long time, and it is must be counted among the real Right Bank successes in 2006. $90.00 Score: 91