Happy New year with ma and pa

As expected the little village in which I now live, didn't have a big street party to celebrate. In fact I think most of the villagers were asleep, that was until Ma yanked Pa and I into a three person conga to dance around the leafless plane tree in the front yard. Is it possible to still be embarrassed when your only audience is a parky Charolais cow? On the the wines

We started with a bottle of Nicolas Feuillate Rose NV. The bottle was pretty attractive but French market back label and the cork was quite slim. Light salmon in colour with attractive small bubbles. Delicate scent of cranberry, fresh raspberry (ma got a confected note but seemed to enjoy it). A rather zealous mousse that disappeared quickly, pleasant, simple but creamy.

Moving on to something a bit more interesting was Rully 'en colieres" SICA des vignerons reunis 2007. Now as far as I can work out SICA are a collection of farmers similar to a co-operative and I think have something to do with the cave at Buxy.
It was a pale lemon colour and on first opening had a light and delicate nose with little or no oak. Over the evening the nose developed into a rich nose of braeburn apple skin, apple tobacco, elderflower. Ma got cream soda, (think she was thirsty) and a touch of orange blossom. The palate was dry and more intense and generous than the nose would suggest. Lemon sorbet, granny smith apple and on the tip of the tongue a bit of acacia honey. A very unctuous mid-palate and overall very refreshing. Enjoyed this in its youth but would certainly like to see what happened to it over the next 3 years. Great value at 7 euros 49 (Intermarche)

Then on to Chateau Croizet-Bages Pauillac 2004 12.5% 5th growth. Decanted for an hour or so beforehand. A quite intense yet rounded nose with black cherries, cocoa and bramble, (pa got edges of tar and eucalyptus). Nuances of soft clove and cinnamon added some interest but overall juicy and youthful. The palate was very dry with soft and supple tannins, sour cherry, blackberry heart, blueberry. A very fresh and elegant style with a fine texture and an earthy chalky finish. We did however enjoy it less and less as the night wore on, too much air perhaps as it became slightly dull. I am a fan of this underrated vintage but this seemed a bit spiky at this age. A few more years would reveal a bit more interest. 14 euros 70 (Aldi)

Last was a huge bottle of Banyuls 3yo Terres de Soleil. Most that I have had before have been of the amber variety whereas this was made from pure Grenache Noir and gave a sweet liquorice note throughout and was reminescent of a light port minus the luscious sweetness. It was greedy and there was absolutely no need to finish the whole bottle, good with Stilton.

Happy drinking