2012 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

With all of the top level wines from Guigal, sometimes, this one gets lost in the mix.  That's a shame because this is am outstanding wine and an excellent value in Cote Rotie.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is a bit earthy with black raspberries, spices, black olives and slight dark chocolate.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is on the leaner side but still has a great delivery.  Boysenberries, char and some earthiness.  Good finish.  This seems to be about at peak but should have another ten years.  Goo

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

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

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.  

2003 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2003
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Found this lost in my cellar.  From an historically hot vintage, I had little hope for this wine, but opened it anyway.  I was wrong again.  What a lovely CdP.  This is not their luxury cuvée, so perhaps that helped get the less ripe grapes, but at age 21, this bottle was excellent.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, some black raspberries, "purple" flowers, slight barnyard and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Wispy tannins.  lovely, juicy texture.  On the palate, black cherries with depth and complexity.  Good finish.  The bottle

2012 Christophe Pichon Côte-Rôtie Promesse, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$44.00USD

Purple in color, opaque and slightly flat.  The nose features black raspberries, black pepper, bacon fat, and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this has some complexity and depth.  Black raspberries with black pepper and spices.  Nice finish. This seemed to be close to peak but should have another five to seven years at this level.  It went very well with a black olive tapenade and flat bread.  

2019 François Villard Côte-Rôtie Le Gallet Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

This is a delicious Syrah from the Northern Rhone value.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries with some funk/Brettanomyces.  Also a slight lavender note.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cleaner with black raspberries, minerality an char.  Nice finish.  Obviously young, but drinking well, it will mature and improve.  That said, drink over the next twenty years.  A nice match would be Lamb stew. 

1994 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1994
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B

When I saw this being opened, I had no hope.  But, it showed well.  Past prime and this was never a great wine (not a good vintage), but a very enjoyable wine.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has dried raspberries but a touch of fresh with dried floral notes and spice.  Medium bodied.  Tannins resolved.  Good acidity.  On the palate, raspberry fruit with some depth and complexity.  No off notes.  Good finish.  Way to go!  Drink now if you have this, but at least give it a chance.  It went well with some pasta.  

2016 Domaine Verset A & E Cornas, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright with some purple swirls.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, roasted meats and slight black pepper.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this seems open and ready to go.  Black cherries, some black raspberries with minerality and some char.  Nice finish.  A nice middleweight Cornas that is nice on its own but better with food.  A good match would be Indian cuisine.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

2016 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Renaissance, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$88.00USD

This is 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre from very old vines.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The boisterous nose has black raspberries, plums and black cherries with spices and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Great texture.  On the palate, this is young and raucous with big fruits; black raspberries, raspberries and black cherries along with char and spice.  Energetic acidity.  Long finish.  Delicious on its own, this needs bigger foods right now but will settle down soon.  For now, it would work well with some spicy Indian cuisine.  Drink over the next twelve to fifteen years.  

2010 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Renaissance, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

This is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, ad 10% Syrah.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, black cherries and garrique.  Full bodied.  Great plush texture.  Excellent balance.  Very concentrated.  On the palate, this is delicious.  It has shed some youth for maturity but should continue to develop.  Black raspberries, plums and black cherries with some char.  Long finish.  Delicious on its own, this worked very well with Sheppard's Pie.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

2021 Château Virgile Costières-de-Nîmes Cuvée l'Énéide, France, Rhone, Costieres de Nimes

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a GSM blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre.  Purple core with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  Nice nose of fresh black raspberries, cherries and spice/garrique.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black raspberries, black pepper and some spice.  Nice texture.  On the palate, black raspberries and black cherries with some underlying char.  Long finish.  This is an easy drinking red that is a step above and should get a bit better with age.  Drink over the next ten years.  Very nice on its own, this would work well with a bowl of chilli.

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