The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. Part II: Reds Last month we presented some lessons we learned from tasting whites and roses at the 2007 edition (March 18) of the annual Rhone Rangers tasting at Fort Mason in San Francisco. This month we discuss some lessons we learned from tasting reds.

It’s no secret that South America is a hot wine producing area. It’s hard to beat malbecs from Argentina and cabernet sauvignons from Chile for price to quality ratio. But how many people can point to the country of Uruguay on a map, let alone say they’ve tasted a wine from there?

“This determined red comes forward with aggressive scents of plum, eucalyptus and blackberry. Surging flavors of currants and peaches flood the tongue before surrendering to a rounded finish of tobacco and coffee. Pair with stewed rabbit or wild boar, or anything else savory and Mediterranean.”

Many wine lovers have come to have an intimate appreciation for grape varietals like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s no secret that many French wines are supremely developed blends, as well as one-grape standouts, but what does remain mysterious are those lesser-known, succulent grape varieties that create the foundation for many a fabulous creation. It’s time to pay homage to a few of the red and white grapes that help make France one of the most marvelous wine regions in the world.

Sauternes 2009 91 D/H 2008 88 D/H 2007 93 D/H 2006 88 D/H 2005 90 D/H 2004 88 D/H 2003 91 D/H 2002 89 D 2001 99 H 2000 87 D 1999 88 D 1998 85 D 1997 88 D 1996 89 D 1995 82 D 1994 81 D 1993 75 D 1992 68 D 1991 73 D 1990 95 D/H 1989 92 D/H 1988 95 D/H 1987 77 D 1986 95 D/H 1985 88 D 1984 78 D 1983 83...

Southern Rhone 2009 95 H 2008 88 D 2007 97 H 2006 91 D/H 2005 93 D/H 2004 90 D/H 2003 90 D/H 2002 55 D 2001 97 D 2000 94 D 1999 90 D 1998 96 D 1997 85 D 1996 88 D 1995 80 D 1994 82 D 1993 71 D 1992 78 D 1991 70 D 1990 92 D Vintage Charts should be used for a generalized guide in lieu of specific...

Northern Rhone 2009 93 H 2008 87 D 2007 88 D/H 2006 90 D/H 2005 89 D/H 2004 87 D 2003 96 D/H 2002 77 D 2001 90 D 2000 88 D 1999 95 D/H 1998 92 D 1997 90 D 1996 88 D 1995 89 D 1994 86 D 1993 70 D 1992 78 D 1991 91 D 1990 93 D Vintage Charts should be used for a generalized guide in lieu of specific...

Vintage Ports 2007 94 H 2003 92 H 2000 96 H 1997 90 D/H 1994 93 H 1992 94 H 1991 92 D/H 1985 90 D 1983 91 D 1982 88 D 1980 87 D 1978 86 D 1977 93 D/H 1975 90 D 1970 94 D 1966 93 D 1963 95 D 1958 92 D Vintage Charts should be used for a generalized guide in lieu of specific knowledge about a bottle...

Interview with Dan Kosta Anecdotal evidence suggests the raison d’etre of Pinot Noir has been challenged, stretched, and reshaped in the past ten years. Pick up a Wine Spectator from the mid to late 90’s, and there is a lot of commonality. Dehlinger, Rochioli and Williams Selyem shared face-time with perennial star, Marcassin. Not only do those wineries make a lot of Russian River Pinot, but their alcohol levels in years of ratings dominance held consistently in the 13-14.5% range.