13% alc./vol. - Crozes-Hermitage AC, Rhone, France - $21.95 in Ontario (127720)

8 Grapes

I’m leading this description with egg whites. Yeah, egg whites. (Two guesses what they used to fine it, maybe?)  Creamy mouth.  Fleshy, filling.  White flowers, chalk dust, pineapple core and lemon zest. Acid muted around 10 degrees but really lights up around 13. I may yet be sold on Marsanne, but it’s taking its time.  Uber-compatible with curried lentil soup. (JW)

15% alc. — AC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France — $47.95 in Ontario (989061)

8 Grapes

Smells like thick, spice-marinated meat drizzled with blackberry sauce, echoing vanilla and sweet cream.  (Yikes… what kind of party were we planning?)  Heavy yet generally balanced, with very good depth mid-palate ensconsed in brawny, unshaven tannin.  Could go well with some thick, spice-marinated meat, I’d wager. (JW)