This is a Rhone blend. Ruby in color. The nose is dusty with black cherries. On the palate, the cherries continue thru. Its a bit clipped on the mid-palate and finish. This is nice easy drinking. A bit hot but not too out of bonds. It should probably be drunk in the next few years.
One of my favorite Rhone varietal producers in California. It is a blend of 61% Syrah, 24% Mourvedre, 13% Grenache and 2% Viognier. This wine gets extended barrel ageing. In my experience, the extended barrel ageing requires more patience and cellaring and this wine is very young. That said, for those who like big, ripe in your face wines, there is plenty to like now. For others, a bit of patience will be amply rewarded. Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright. The nose has black raspberries, char, black pepper, violets and slight roasted meats. Full bodied. Firm tannins
This is a blend of 54% Syrah, 21% Mourvèdre, 16% Grenache and 9% Petite Sirah. It is a big wine that really needed some time to settle down. Even 6 years from vintage isn't really enough. That said, with a couple hours of air, this was drinking beautifully. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has black raspberries, plums, black cherries, and spice. Perhaps a bit of black pepper. On the palate, this is thick and big. A bit chunky on opening but it smoothed out with air. Lots of black raspberry fruit with some black cherries. An underlying charred earthiness. Good finish. T
A blend of 57% Mourvèdre, 29% Grenache and 14% Syrah. Deeper ruby in color, purple at the core. The nose has black cherries, cherries, some floral notes, black pepper and spice. On the palate, this is medium bodied. Black cherry fruit with some black raspberries over a slight char and a slight dried lavender note. Good balance. Lots of energy. Good finish. This is drinking well now and while it might not get better it should morph a bit darker with age. It will work well with stews and casseroles. It should drink well for the next seven to ten years.
This is a mid level offering from the vast portfolio of Tablas Creek. It is a blend of 43% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 19% Counoise, 5% Mourvedre and seems to be their counter-part to a high level Cotes du Rhone. Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is great with black cherries, black raspberries, black pepper, char, plums and spice. Full bodied. Medium to firm tannins. Lively acidity. On the palate, black cherries and black raspberries with some char and spice. Long finish. This is drinking well now and should continue for another seven to ten years. Nice on its own, i
Normally, I like to let these wines rest for ten years or so prior to opening, but sometimes, it can't be helped. For me, the Hearstone opens a bit earlier than the others (along with the Paderewski). This is a blend of 54% Syrah, 35% Grenache, and 11% Mourvedre. Pop and pour, this took a while to open and the last glass was the best. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, roasted meats, slight black olives and a bit of black cherries. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, this has a great juicy, muscular texture. Powerful Load
