2016 Domaine de la Côte Sainte-Epine St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes Cuvée Special, France, Rhone, Wine Review

This is Syrah from the Northern Rhone Valley in France. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight bacon fat and spices. Medium to full bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, this seems to be close to peak. Some depth and complexity. Juicy black raspberries with some pepper and spice. Good acidity. Nice finish. This should drink well for another seven to ten years. It will work better with food although it is nice on its own. A nice match for a chunky beef tew with roasted veggies.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2016

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2015 Domaine de la Côte Sainte-Epine St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

Great showing for this. Tasted over two nights with little change. Of course, 2015 is young and a great vintage in the northern Rhone. Purple in color. The nose is pretty classic if a bit riper than typical. Black raspberry fruit with spice along side some bacon fat, slight grilled meats and black pepper. On the palate, this has a lovely rich texture. Good acidity to balance that out. Black raspberry fruit with an underlying crushed rock and slight roasted herbs. Primary now but it unwinds in the glass. A step up from a recent 2012 of this wine I had. Not yet at peak, this needs

2016 Domaine de la Côte Sainte-Epine St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes Cuvée Special, France, Rhone, Wine Review

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2015 Domaine de la Côte Sainte-Epine St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review