2013 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

This is in a lovely place right now.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, slight black cherries, violets, spices and just a hint of funk.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  Great energy and balance.  On the palate, this is complex, layered and delicious.  Cherries and black cherries with some char, spice and earthiness.  Long finish.  This is just about at peak right now and should be at this level for five to eight more years, but this will drink well for another five to ten after that.  Great on its own, this will work 

2014 Remy Nodin Cornas

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is maturing on a nice path is while not at peak, it is getting pretty gosh darn close.  Purple in color with a ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is classic with boysenberries, char, black pepper and bacon fat.  Medium to full bodied.  Well balanced.  On the palate, lots of boysenberry fruit with some black pepper and a bit of char.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own and will also work with food.  Cassoulet would be a classic pairing.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

2020 Domaine de Couron Viognier Côtes du Rhône Blanc, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

This is a nice wine.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  It has a very pretty nose.  Peaches with a floral note.  Slightly viscous texture.  On the palate, nice acidity.  Peach fruit notes.  Good finish.  This is refreshing and an excellent value.  Nice on its own, but better with food.  This would be nice with lighter foods such as fresh seafood.  

2018 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$73.00USD

Having just recently tasted the 2017, it was interesting to try the 2018.  For my tastes, this was just a bit better than the 2017, but that is probably because it is more open and accessible.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright.  Very nice nose with black raspberries, black pepper, spice, slight fresh cut lumber and slight violets.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is drinking well if young.  Lots of black raspberry fruit.  Depth but tight.  Underlying char and spice.  A fair amount of oak on the finish.  This will get better and holding ano

2014 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Impériale, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$121.00USD

This is 95% Grenache.  Ruby/purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, char and floral notes.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  Great texture.  On the palate, this has lovely black cherry fruit, some cherries and spice.  Nice finish.  This seems to be about at peak at this point.  It should drink well for another five to eight years, but won't get better.  Nice on its own, this will be better with food.  A nice wine with beef stew.  

2017 Les Halos de Jupiter Châteauneuf-du-Pape Adrastee, France, Rhone Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

From the late Phillipe Cambie, this is 100% destemmed Grenache.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black cherries, graphite, spices and roasted meat.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with great minerality.  Not as big a wine as one might expect from Cambie.  Deep.  Delicious.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next ten years.  Nice on its own, but better with food.  This would work well with fried chicken.  

2017 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$85.00USD

Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with plums, black pepper, and black cherries.  Full bodied.  Lovely texture.  On the palate, plums and cherries with slight char.  Clean.  Good balance.  Long finish.  This is young and showing ripe fruit.  It is drinking well but may improve with a few more years of cellaring.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  it will work well with braised meats.  

2000 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$105.00USD

This is a blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and the rest is the other permitted varietals.  At age 22, it is showing some age and a bit past prime.  This bottle had been bought on release and well cellared.  Ruby/brown in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, dried cherries, soy/umami, and spice.  Medium bodied.  There are some drying tannins left.  Better on the palate.  Complex with layers of dried and fresh cherries.  Good balance.  Nice finish.

2001 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This was from a 375ml bottle bought on release.  Purple in color, slightly flat, opaque.  The nose is dusty with black cherries, black raspberries, and some roasted meat.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is past maturity but still with plenty to offer.  Nice complexity.  Black raspberry fruit with underlying char.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  These should be consumed soon.  Better with good.  Chili would work well.  

Pages