Just some quick notes from a tasting I attended last night of some wines from France and Spain. Nothing stellar here but met some nice people, had some good food and a lot of fun.

Domaine Les Pallieres Gigondas 2000....
Nose of mixed berries and raspberry in particular, medium body, well balanced with cigar box, light oak, pepper and a mouthcoating soft finish. (90)

Les Brugueres Blanco 2000....
Nose of ripe peach and apricot. Smelled just like a German Riesling but tasted completely different. A pleasant taste but light bodied, a bit thin and quite dry with citrus. A bit short on the finish. (83)

Cervoles Costers del Segre 1999....
Olive and light oak scent. Kind of a creamy texture with a hint of smoke. Lacked some fruit but has a beautiful, long finish with smooth tannins. (88)

Domaine d'Andezon Cotes du Rhone 2001....
Scent of dried flowers. This tasted a bit 'fizzy' with tart cranberry and a rather short finish. (82)

Domaine Zind Humbrecht Pinot d'Alsace 1999....
Light scent of fresh flowers. A very rich, fresh, and clean taste with notes of ripe peach, apricot and light citrus. Long finish with a mineral taste. (89)

Chateau Maris Minervois la Liviniere Syrah 2000....
Scent of mocha and oak. Full body with coffee and spice taste but lacks complexity. Reminded me of a Merlot. Drying tannins on the finish. (84)

Mas Douis Barrica Monsant 2001....
Light scent of boysenberry and mixed berries. Light taste of pepper, tobacco and cranberry. A little bit tart and tannins need to mellow out. Should be better in a couple of years. (86)

Dominio de Atauta Ribera del Duero 2001....
Muted scent of blackberry. Medium body with a light tobacco taste and light oak. Very smooth finish and great with food. (87)

Vall del Calas Montsant 2000....
Interesting scent of cinnamon and olive. Kind of a floral taste, medium body and lightly spicy. Unfortunetely finishes just a little short but a very interesting and different wine. (88)

Domaine de l'Hortus Coteaux du Languedoc, Pic Saint Loup bergerie Classique 2001....
Light, fruit forward wine but very simple and lacks charactar. Almost no tannins in this wine but very fruity finish. (83)

Hi Emilio. Got a drinking window for the Les Pallieres? See you in 4 weeks.

Just one more sip.

Board-O,

I thought the Les Pallieres might be just a bit better in a year but it's good right now so I wouldn't sit on this too long. I would say drink this now or within the next 2 years.

Alot of interesting wines, thanks for the notes.