I went to pick up my son today from pre-school.  I was going to get there way too early, so as luck would have it, the school is really close to a PLCB store (purely coincidental, I swear).  So I spent a few moments in the store looking for some fun in a bottle.  I was making mussels that night, so I needed a white (yes, I have some at home, but that is not my point here–although it is always my wife’s refrain).  I also thought I would get a red (specifically, a Chinon that just came out).  I did not ask anyone, since PLCB employees are well, useless, but that is an upcoming post.  In the end, I bought these two today:

2010 Charte d’Assemblage Blanc Gascogne

$7.99    Code 32394

I actually bought this because I thought I was buying something else (way to go ‘Wine Guy’), but it was cheap ($7.99), had a twist off, and I was in a hurry.  I was making mussels and I needed to add a couple of cups of white wine and well, since it was my first time making mussels, there was no way in heckolla that I was going to waste a Clos Pepe on my incompetence.  So I bought this 75% Colombard, 25% Ugni Blanc.  Back in the kitchen, when I was about to steam the poor little mussel bastards to their doom, I gave myself a little splash of this puppy in my favorite glass (I should have concentrated on rinsing the mussels and getting rid of the sand/dirt/schmegma instead of pouring myself a glass and getting loaded–what a moron).  How should I put it?  Well, I have to say–not the worst wine ever.  Had some bright citrus and even some pineapple, and tons of tartness (acidity).  Short to medium finish, but hey….  87 points.

I might even buy more.  Maybe 3-4 bottles.  Cheers!

Le Paradis Chinon Loire Valley 2010

$9.99     Code 32425

Well.  A couple of things upfront: 1. I am a big fan of Chinon in general.  I have spent a bit of time in the town of Chinon as a tour guide and I have always enjoyed being there.  2.  I am also a big fan of cabernet franc in general–it tends to be a bit big while also austere, and it is a pretty good food wine (as long as the food is red meat).  This wine, however, made me curse the time I have spent in Chinon.  This was not good.  Even with food.  Even with cyanide.  EXTREMELY green–no ripeness, no fruit (unless green pepper is a fruit now). I drank this over several hours and it never came around.  This is a pass.  Unless you are buying this for your boss, she is an incompetent, micromanaging megalomaniac, and you don’t like her much.  75 points.