Rhone (Rhône)

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

This is in a great place right now (as seem to be many of the top 2005 CdP's).  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight black raspberries, char, black pepper, nutmeg and black pepper.  With air some dried flowers and roasted meats.  Full bodied.  Complex and layered.  This is a big, "masculine" styled type of CdP.  On the palate, black cherries, with layers of forest floor, spice and earth.  Lively acidity.  Good balance.  Long finish.  This bottle is at peak but should have another five to seven years at this level.  Great on its own, it will be even

This is a blend of 85% Grenache and then 5% each of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Vaccarese.  At age 16 it is just about at peak and drinking beautifully.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, raspberries, licorice, slight roasted herbs and spice.  Medium to full  bodied.  This is the elegant side of Chateauneuf.  On the palate, its about red fruits with some underlying spice, char and herbs.  Complex and layered, it unwinds in the glass.  Lots of energy and precision.  Nice finish.  Drinks great on its own but will work well with food.  It will work well with Chinese or simila

This is a nice Syrah from the Northern Rhone that is not expensive and drinking well now.  Garnet in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight at first but opens quickly showing black cherries, char, slight black raspberries and slight black olive.  Medium bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with char and good acidity.  Nice finish.  This should drink well for the next five to seven years.  A nice wine with pizza or a (veggie) burger.  

White Rhone wines can be so finicky, so when a friend opened this for his birthday, it was nice to see this was firing on all cylinders.  Earlier in the day while reading a book about the White House and Wine, it mentioned that Thomas Jefferson referred to White Hermitage as France's greatest white wine, and this bottle gave that some credence.  These wines are so unique when on that they are not for everyone.  It doesn't seem fair to group with Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc as they drink more like a red in that they are not crisp or refreshing or tart.  This one is golden in color, clear a

A classically styled CdP, the word "rustic" no doubt comes to mind.  It is a blend of 65% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, and 5% (Cinsault, Clairette, and others).  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, funk and garrigue.  Full bodied.  On the palate slightly silky texture.  Medium tannins.  Cherries and black cherries with some earthiness.  Black licorice on the finish.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own, this will work nicely with braised beef.  

This is a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Picpoul, Vaccarèse, and Counoise.  It was very tight and most likely shut down at this point.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose shows some cherries and black raspberries with dust and slight garrigue.  It does have a wonderful texture which is often an indication in wines that are shut down of future greatness.  On the palate, it comes off a sweet cherry pie filling at the moment.  This should be cellared for another five to seven years and then drink over the next eigh

Nice to revisit this wine at age 18.  2003 was a very hot vintage that was problematic for many winemakers.  This one is holding up just fine.  It is 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and the rest Cinsault and Mourvedre.  This is fully mature but only showing a bit of age.  Light purple in color but still opaque and mostly bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, garrigue and dried tobacco.  Full bodied.  On the palate, nice cherry and black cherry fruit with underlying tobacco and some char.  Good complexity.  Long finish.  This will work better with hearty food; beef stew would work well.  D

This is 100% Grenache from organic grapes grown in Pignan.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries and spice/garrigue.  Full bodied.  On the palate, black cherries and some plums with underlying spice and char.  Nice energy and balance.  Long finish.  This needs more time to mature and open and surely will improve with five to seven more years.  It drinks well now though and will continue to do so for another twelve to fifteen years.  It will work well with lamb stew and other slow cooked, savory dishes.  

This is an excellent producer, but this was a real treat.  Besides their regular bottlings, they make 5 prestige cuvees and this is the top one.

This is a luxury cuvee for this wine who make a few different CdP's.  It is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 20% Mourvedre.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has raspberries, black cherries, garrigue, pepper and black olives.  Full Bodied.  On the palate, this is drinking well now.  Very concentrated notes of black cherries and black raspberries with underlying pepper and smoke.  This has a long finish.  It will improve over the next five to seven years but either way will drink well for the next twelve to fifteen years.  Great on its own, but better with grilled