Trio Inferno..or a Hot Threesome!

Another of our regular get-togethers at the local bistro....I bring the wines..the other two pay for the meal and corkage. After my last 'success'...the onus was on me to better it...not really.....but that's the perfectionist in me!
We are dedicated wine-lovers..who talk the same talk. I love the meetings...a pleasure shared....is a pleasure not forgotten.

Laurent Miquel Viognier Nord Sud 2007
Languedoc, France
Condrieu is where the Viognier grape reaches the heights....no contest from elsewhere...but...they are pricey. I have tried Australian and U.S.A.....and they are respectable wines..if a touch heavy on the exotic fruit Viognier exhibites.
This Vineyard in the Languedoc has been producing the variety since 1995. Since those early years, the tiny holding of two-and-a-half hectares has extended to more than 40.
Peaches and apricots spring from the glass..clear and fresh aroma...some oak...this spent some time in French wood...but so reserved...part of..not the main ingredient.There is a lively acidity that drags back anything wanting to dominate. Honey and melons..which could describe Dolly Parton...and a very good finish. This won first prize in a recent Viognier tasting done by the German magazine 'Feinschmecker'. At € 9...a super bargain. Whereas many of it's kind become a little boring after one glass..the citrus quality keeps this one really interesting throughout. Perfect with fresh Octopus salad. Well done indeed.
Points 16.75
Friedrich Becker Sankt Paul
Spätburgunder 2005
Schweigener Sonnenhof Grosses Gewächs
Pfalz, Germany
The romantic story is...the vines grow in France...the vineyard is, of course, German. I double checked with the new German Atlas...and the Schweigener Sonnenhof is really over the border.The vineyards are of sandstone and limestone soil, very similar to that of Burgundy. As for the labels, the dry wines produced by this estate do not go by the German Wine Laws which name wines by their Pradikat labels, such as Kabinett, Spätlese, and Auslese. They do not care to name their wines by the ripeness level of the grapes at the time of harvest; instead, they classify all their wines as Qualitätswein, and name the wines in a more international fashion, that is, by a three-tiered system whereby the entry level wines are called Estate, the mid-tiered wines given another name, and the reserve, single vineyard, Grosses Gewäch wines given that specific designation.
The first impression is.....superb....what a smell...look....but don't touch...or in this case..smell....and don't taste at once..take in all that wonderful aroma...you never know...maybe the taste will disappoint.....a mix of dark berries...cream...cassis..this reminded me of a top St. Emilion...I could have left my nose in all night!....OK...you gotta take the next step...a little 'empty' after the first sip..but this was followed by soft oak...firm, but very approachable chalky tannins...gorgeous silky style...perfect balance. Long finish...super wine..which will fill out and age beautifully...must buy a bottle or two....not cheap..only problem is...when I see the bottles in the cellar...can I resist?....Recommended.
Points 18

Follow that....well.. instead of trying to do it with a 'similar' wine.....kill 'em with a funky classic I thought....
Domaine du Pégau Reservée 1989
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France
I have had the 1990 and this one for ages in my cellar. Must have bought them about 15 years ago...Back in the 'old days'..I loved Ch-du-Pape...they were reasonably priced and aged well..turned brown and smelled funky..meat and smoke...Those days are gone...and the ageing curve is pretty short nowadays....So...how was this after 19 years? Well..Monsieur Féraud's wines are a cross between wine..and a dry port.
A mix of 80% Grenache, 17% Syrah..the rest Mourvèdre and others...A perfect contra for the previous wine...farmyard smells..funky animals...medium-bodied...no alcohol details on the label....not thought necessary back then...but there is a few per-cent here..but so well made....rich flavour...so silky and yet with a power that would have held it a few years more..if I hadn't decided the time was ready. Oh well..the 1990 is supposed to be better...can't wait...but I will. You can't 'buy' wines like this...and I don't mean currency.....from a time maybe lost forever.
Points 18