2019 Réserve de Bonpas

 Interesting vintage. Mix of berries and spices in taste and nose. Just a hint of old leather in the taste. A lot of tannins. A bit of sugar, which is nicely balanced by tannins. Very good potential. But, this wine is not mature enough to drink yet. Maybe in a year or two.

Was OK with pizza.

2018 Château Haut Perouguet

 I had some hope after disastrous 2016 vintage. Well, this one is a bit better. But still. It still has a bitter note, more sutiable for Médoc. It's still a bit harsh. Too much minerals in the nose (to put it simpler, it smells chalk). In short, I will not buy it again. Even though some people might like it, tastes differ.

2019 M.Chapoutier Belleruche Rouge

As with Delas, I was reluctant to buy new vintage of M.Chapoutier because of 2017 disastrous vintage. But this one is good. Maybe could spend a little bit more time in the barrel. Well balanced, with pronounced note of chokeberry, just a little bit of mineral notes in nose and taste.

Was very good with grilled flank steak. 

Update 09/13/2021: It's obviously better after spending some time in my cellar. Surprising for the wine with a screw on lid.

2019 Landskroon Pinotage Rosé

Another greate wine from South Africa. Wonderful vintage. Pretty similar to 2016. Well, different label on the bottle. Again, the taste and feel of Rosé from Provence. Honey, citrus and spices.

Was great with frutti di mare pasta.

2019 Carayon la Rosé

 

Great Rosé from Languedoc, courtesy of Trader Joe's. Notes of honey, lemon and spices, beutifully balanced.

Was perfect with baked dover sole.

2018 Delas Saint Esprit

 Was careful after 2017 vintage, which was a total disaster. But no, it's a pretty good vintage. Well balanced, not much sugar, notes of a mix of berries in nose and taste, with prominent chokeberry, as it should be for Côtes-du-Rhòne.

Was good with pizza. 

Update: it's much better if to open 1 hour before dinner.

2019 Laroque

 

This is not like any wine I tried before. Strong nose and taste of a mix of rowanberry and chokeberry.  Very interesting. Very unusual. Tart, very little sugar.  Like this wine, definitely will buy more. But pairing might be challenging.

Was very good with baked mahi mahi.