2007 Clos des Brusquières Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

This is really in a nice place right now. Mature but enough fresh fruit to keep it edgy. Ruby in color, purple at the core. The nose has opened up on this showing black cherries, cherries, and plums along with spice and slight dried floral notes. On the palate, there is plenty of vibrant black cherry fruit. Deep with layers that open up quickly. Good acidity. Nice balance. No hurry but I think a few more years and it starts moving the other direction. Works well with a wide variety of foods. A great example of why cellaring top wines in ripe vintages might be a good strategy.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2007

Rhone Valley & Spanish Rhone-style Wines Tasted at the 2008 Hospice du Rhone Events

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. Last month we reported on American Rhone-style wines we tasted at the 16th annual Hospice du Rhone events in Paso Robles, California from May 1 to 3, 2008. We noted that this event was an opportunity to consider Rhone-style wines from a fresh perspective because, unlike most tasting opportunities, these events included Rhone-style wines from the Rhone Valley itself (51 wineries), elsewhere in France (4 wineries) as well as from Spain (4 wineries), Australia (17 wineries), South Africa (6 wineries), Chile (2 wineries), Argentina (1 winery) and the United States. While this was a California-dominated event, and while many of the Rhone Valley’s best producers weren’t represented, there was still sufficient European and other entries to make for interesting comparisons and contrasts.

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2008 Hospice du Rhone Events: Highs & Lows of American Rhone-style Wines Tasted

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. The 16th annual Hospice du Rhone events in Paso Robles, California from May 1 to 3, 2008 was an opportunity to consider Rhone-style wines from a fresh perspective. Unlike most tasting opportunities, these events included Rhone-style wines from the Rhone Valley itself (51 wineries), elsewhere in France (4 wineries) as well as from Spain (4 wineries), Australia (17 wineries), South Africa (6 wineries), Chile (2 wineries), Argentina (1 winery) and the United States. The American wines were mostly from California (144 wineries), but a few examples from Arizona (2 wineries) and Washington State (5 wineries) were also included. While this is a California-dominated event, and while many of the Rhone Valley’s best producers aren’t represented, there is still sufficient European and other entries to make for interesting comparisons and contrasts. The events included two general tastings and a series of focused seminars.

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Northern Rhone Red: The Original Syrah

It’s summer, which means that for three months we say goodbye to rich, heavy red wines and welcome into our repertoire zippy whites and crisp roses to sip on the porch while soaking in the sun. That’s what most of the country does, at least. But not here. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, whose summer comes in the fall and spring, whose spring comes in the winter, and whose winter comes in the summer (and whose fall never comes).

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Lessons from the Annual Rhone Rangers Tasting, 2007 Part II

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.

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2016 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$140.00USD

One of the top producers in Chateaneuf and one with out a luxury cuvee. This is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah. Served pop and pour, this took about 30 minutes to really open and then drank beautifully. We shared the bottle with friends while listening to Latin jazz at an outdoor café.

2007 Clos des Brusquières Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

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Rhone Valley & Spanish Rhone-style Wines Tasted at the 2008 Hospice du Rhone Events

2008 Hospice du Rhone Events: Highs & Lows of American Rhone-style Wines Tasted

Northern Rhone Red: The Original Syrah

Lessons from the Annual Rhone Rangers Tasting, 2007 Part II

2016 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review