It’s time for an overview of wines number 9, 10, 11 and 12 from the 50 Project.  I’ll start with a couple of fine French reds.

First up is a 2009 Laurence Feraud Plan Pegau (from KD, JD and TD).  Talk about a lot of grapes in one bottle: the wine is a blend of 65% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Carignan grapes with the balance a blend of Mourvedre, Merlot, Alicante and Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine Advocate gives this wine 87 points saying, “Essentially a high class Cotes du Rhone, this dark ruby blend of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, and Merlot exhibits lots of peppery, Herbes de Provence, black cherry, and earthy notes. It is a velvety-textured, fruity, classic example of a southern Rhone wine to enjoy over the next several years.”  The wine was medium-bodied and loaded with red fruits like cherry with a peppery finish.  Lovely.

Next is a 2009 Chateau Lilian Ladouys Saint-Estephe Grand Vin (from LD and CD).  Wow!  This French Burgundy (Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend) was absolutely delicious, with wonderful red fruits on the palate balanced by licorice.  It was also gorgeously dark ruby in the glass.  The wine is medium-bodied and soft, but with a fantastic long finish.  I hate to pick favorites, but this was of mine so far in this 50 Project journey.

Now to the whites.  Mr. GP presented me with a delicious 2008 Domaine des Baumard Savennieres.  This crisp French Chenin Blanc had wonderful pear/peach overtones with a great mineral quality.  The Wine Advocate gives this beauty 92 points.

And last but not least: a 2009 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Calcaire (from SE and AE).  I know almost nothing about German wines but they intrigue me.  Perhaps an exploration of German wines should be on my blog agenda at some point soon (and I can enlist the help of Mr. Cups to help me decipher the labels).  The wine was very mineral-y, which I enjoy, with overtones of apple, grapefruit and pepper spices.  It had a great aroma of spices and flowers.  (92 points from Wine Spectator, BTW, so I’m really drinking the good stuff here.)