2014 Alain Voge Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review

More proof that great wineries make great wines in less than great vintages. Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose is nice with black raspberries, black cherries, spices, and black olives. Medium bodied. Firm backbone of acidity. Light to medium tannins. On the palate, this is deep and showing nice complexity. Flavors of tart black cherries with slight black raspberries and hint of black olives and spice. Long finish. This really needs food to show its best. A Provencal styles Beef stew with black olives would be perfect. It does seem to be on the fast track for development (for this wine). Drink over the next five to ten years.

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2014

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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2015 Alain Voge Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

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Current Price:

$79.00USD

Yes, this is young, but I have a few and wanted to try this. It was well worth opening, but it did need some air. Consumed over two days, it was better on day 2. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is great with black raspberries, roasted meat and herbs, slight bacon fat, and a slight floral (lavender?) note. Full bodied. Deep with firm tannins. On the palate, lots of boysenberry fruit with some earthiness and char. Long finish. This needs about five to seven more years to get closer to peak.It should be good for another twelve to fifteen after that

2015 Alain Voge Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$95.00USD

Coming around but still young. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, clear and bright. The nose has black raspberries, roasted meats, black pepper and slight floral notes. Full bodied. A nice backbone of acidity. On the palate, black raspberry fruit with underlying char and pepper. Clean. Juicy. Moderate finish. This probably will drink better on day 2. Patience will be rewarded. Hold off for another few years then drink over the next ten to fifteen. A nice match with roasted meats or veggies.

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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2014 Alain Voge Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes, 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

2015 Alain Voge Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review

2015 Alain Voge Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Northern Rhone Red: The Original Syrah