Red Burgundy

Daniel Rion, 2011 Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy, France

I found this to be a great value by Burgundy standards, which is kind of like saying that’s great sex for an octogenarian. The nose displays ripe, sweet cherry aromas, and the palate has some satisfying fleshiness for this price-point. Dried, slightly tart cherry flavors fill out the middle. $21 – $24.
Rating:3 out of 5 stars (3 / 5)

 

Daniel Rion, 2011 Nuits-St-Georges, Les Grands Vignes, Burgundy, France

Take notice all you Burgundy hounds, this has that earthy, smoky nose that makes you want to bury it in the back yard with your other Beaunes (and Cote de Nuits). The palate is a smorgasbord of rich, roasted and smoked meats offset by an underpinning of ripe black cherry and plum fruit flavors. $48 – $52.
Rating:3.5 out of 5 stars (3.5 / 5)

 

Domaine Romy, 2015 Vieilles Vigne Les Pierres Dorées, Beaujolais, France

Upon sampling this wine I discovered it did not undergo carbonic maceration, rendering everything I’ve just written about pairing with spicy Super Bowl foods meaningless. I was really upset and felt more deflated than Tom Brady’s football. To spare my guests I did the right thing and drank the bottle myself. Romy’s Beaujolais is a serious wine with black plum, cherry pit and delicate grape skin aromas swirling through elusive scents of smoke, stone and clay. This is a medium-bodied red with supple, tea-like tannins supporting flavors of black cherry and plum complimented by subtle floral notes reminiscent of violets.
Rating:3 out of 5 stars (3 / 5)