September 17, 2017
Viva La France!
1. 2013 Domaine Berthet-Rayne Chateauneuf du Pape - 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault and 5% Syrah.
"A pretty, classically styled effort, the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape checks in as a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault and the balance Syrah. Aged 13 months in stainless steel, it offers plenty of peppery herbs, leather, earth and black cherry-like fruit in its medium-bodied, well-made and delicious style. The tannins here are nicely integrated, and the acidity stays in check as well. It should be ready to go on release and drink nicely for 5-6 years." The Wine Advocate
2. 2015 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas - blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, Syrah and Cinsault grapes
“A textbook version of the brawny side of Gigondas, this offers a grippy alder bass line underneath layers of dark currant and fig fruit, while lots of tobacco, rosemary and bay fill in throughout. Muscular and energetic, this is built for the cellar. Best from 2019 through 2030.” 91-93 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE "Starting with the 2015 Gigondas Classique from Barruol, this blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and the rest Syrah and Cinsault will be a wine that readers will want to stockpile. Full-bodied, rich, beautifully textured and layered, with killer notes of crème de cassis, white pepper, spice and garrigue, it’s a classic Gigondas that will drink well for 15+ years." Rated 95 POINTS WINE SPECTATOR
3. 2015 Selon Frederic & Daniel Brunier le Pigeoulet Vaucluse IGP - 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Cinsault and 5% Carignan
Vineyard is divided into two parcels: 3 hectares on the left bank of the Rhône, 15 km north of Avignon; 7 hectares in the commune of Caromb (beneath Mont Ventoux). Blend assembles fruit from both the Côtes-du-Rhône and Ventoux appellations. Grapes are harvested by hand. Grapes are de-stemmed. Grapes are pressed gently by pneumatic press. Vinification occurs in temperature-controlled cement tanks for 15-20 days. Wine ages for 18 months in 50% cement tanks, 50% foudres. The name “Le Pigeoulet” is derived from the foothills of the noble La Crau plateau. The “Pigeoulet” (and “Mégaphone”) are fresh, rich in fruit, pleasantly representative of their terroir, and easy to appreciate young. Kermit Lynch, Importer
4. 2014 Maison Nicolas Perrin Crozes-Hermitage - 100% Syrah
Refined and silky in feel despite the heft of the plum, blackberry and black cherry fruit core, featuring a racy iron note and long echoes of white pepper and tobacco on the finish. Drink now through 2018. Rated 91 Wine Spectator Magazine
5. 2014 Domaine d'E Croce Ile de Beaute Yves Leccia IGP - 80% Grenache 20% Niellucciu
Gobs of delicious fruit fill your palate without a hint of heaviness. I personally approveit for drinking with hamburgers, aged prime rib, and pork belly (not all at the same meal, of course). Kermit Lynch, Importer
6. 2012 Chateau Puech-Haut Le Prestige Languedoc - blend of Grenache and Syrah
The inexpensive 2012 Prestige Coteaux du Languedoc is a blend of 55% Grenache (60-75-year-old vines) and 45% Syrah (40-year-old vines) aged 12 months in concrete. It is a disarmingly juicy, complex, full-bodied, dark ruby/purple-colored effort displaying a sweet kiss of lavender, acacia flowers, pepper, black raspberries and kirsch. Round, generous and medium to full-bodied with elegance as well as flavor authority, this pure, beautifully textured 2012 should continue to drink well for another 3-5 years. Rated 91 The Wine Advocate
7. 2014 Cuvee du Vatican Cotes du Rhone Reserve de l'Abbe - blend of Grenache and Syrah grapes
The 2014 Côtes du Rhône is a delicious and Provençal beauty that gives up lots of peppery spice, loamy earth and leather in a medium-bodied, juicy, fruit-forward style. It’s ideal for drinking over the coming couple of years. The Wine Advocate
8. 2012 Chateau LaBrousse Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux - Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
The color is strong and bright and its bouquet is elegant and delicious Château Labrousse combines fruity and woody in a rich and dense bouquet. Generous and well built, it can be served with a duck breast with mushrooms, rabbit with prunes or roast beef. This is a wine to keep that once it’s opened a little before (no need to decant), is served at 18-19 ° C. Winery
Dessert Wine: 2009 Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes
The 2009 is one of the greatest wines ever produced from the estate. It has a riveting bouquet of quince, honey, pear and a touch of clarified butter that is beautifully defined, offering scents of yellow flowers with continued aeration. It is a little heavier and more intense than its peers at this stage. The palate is beautifully balanced with perfectly judged acidity and immense purity. The finish offers crisp honey, quince and clementine notes laden with botrytis that is counterpoised by wonderful acidity. It possesses an unerring sense of completeness and composure that is irresistible. Bravo! Drink now-2050. Rated 98 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate