Rhone (Rhône)

• Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• Cornas
• Crozes-Hermitage
• Gigondas
• Hermitage
• Lirac
• Saint Joseph

White Rhone wines are such a tricky thing to age.  This should have been great but alas, it wasn't.  It seemed dead on opening but eventually showed a bit of life, but not what one hopes for.  Deep gold in color.  The nose initially offers some cider notes but with air, some wax, almonds and maybe fresh apples.  Full bodied.  On the palate, not much at first but with some air, a bit of citrus and slight minerals.  Followed over tow hours or so, it just never really showed up.  It probably would pay to open early, let it breathe and if necessary, give it a decant.  If it opens up, re-cork un

This is a Marsanne/Roussanne blend from the northern Rhone were less than 10% of production is in white grapes.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is all about minerality with a slight waxy/apple note as well.  Medium bodied.

Always one of my favorite wines from the Châteauneuf.  They have a more elegant style.  Deep garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, garrique, licorice, and meaty notes.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is complex and also delicious.  Cherries, black cherries with underlying earthiness and some pepper.  Long finish.  This drinks well alone but really deserves a nice meal, perhaps some meaty stew.  This bottle seemed at peak at age 20 but could go another five years at this level.  

This wine is proof that good producers make good wine even in challenging vintages.  It is mostly 85% Grenache with the rest Mourvedre and Clairette.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries and black cherries, char and slight floral notes.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is chewy with fresh cherry fruit.  Some underlying char.  Quite tasty.  Long finish.  This is at peak now and should be drunk over the next five years.  A nice drink on its own, it will work better with food.  Stews, chili or meatloaf would work well.  

White Rhone wines are certainly unique and this one, at age 30, is no exception.  I quite enjoyed it for what it offered.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is interesting with pears, Crème Brûlée, honey countered by a bit of oxidation and minerality.  Full bodied and quite rich.  On the palate, it has a deep complexity.  Some fruit; baked pears with layers of minerals and some oxidized apples (not in a bad way).  Long finish.  This was served with a Gazpacho and it worked well enough for a difficult pairing.  It seems like it will be at this level for a while longer, but it shou

This is their top of the line wine.  It is a blend of 60% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, 10% Counoise, and 10% Syrah.

Great showing for this top Châteauneuf-du Pape! Served side by side with Hommage a Perrin, it held its own.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is clean with plums, black cherries, slight balsamic, some spice and slight meatiness.  Medium to full bodied.  Great texture.  On the palate, this is fresh and vibrant but pretty much at peak although with years left.  This release as some variability, but well stored bottles should easily go another decade or more.  It drinks great on its own, this worked very well with Indian food.  

Nice showing for this although still on the youthful side.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slightly meaty with b lack olives.  Full bodied.  Great liveliness.  Nice texture.  On the palate, black raspberries with underlying char and just a bit of black olives.  Nice finish.  This should continue to improve for another three to five years and drink well for ten to twelve more after that.  This drinks well on its own and even better with food.  Stews or chili is a nice choice.  

Purchased on release and well cellared.  Pop and pour, the cork was stained about half way up but not compromised.  The first sip really grabs one's attention.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, lots of earthiness, black cherries and a bit of roasted meats.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Lots of vibrant fruit; black raspberries and black cherries.  Great balance.  Seems to be just about at mature peak.  Nice finish.  The bottle improved over a few hours before just starting to tail off.  Drink over the nex

Nice to try this on its own (not compared to its big brother).  Very crisp and refreshing.  What it might lack in depth it makes up for in energy.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has slight wax, peach, and slight white flower notes.  Medium to full bodied.  Lovely acidity.  On the palate, ginger, tangerine and peach with some minerality.  Nice finish.  This will drink well over the next ten to twelve years.  It worked very well with vegetarian spring rolls and chips and guacamole.