2016 Domaine Raspail-Ay Gigondas, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Another classic Gigondas producer. From the stellar 2016 vintage. Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is great with earthy black cherries and roasted herbs. Great texture. Black cherry fruit, cinnamon and herbs over char and earth. Tight complexity. Nice finish. This is packed tightly and slowly unwinds in the glass. It probably needs another five to seven years to mature and should be good for ten to twelve after that. If drinking soon, decant for a few hours. It drinks great on its own this calls out for something fatty; lamb stew would work well.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2016

Current Price:

$35.00USD

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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2006 Château de Saint-Cosme Gigondas Valbelle, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2006

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Gigondas is often thought of as a "poor man's" Chateauneuf du Pape and for a lot of reasons that is true. But, the best Gigondas producers are certainly on a par with many of the better Chateauneufs and Saint-Cosme is certainly one of the best Gigondas producers. At 12 years from vintage, this seems to be at about peak. 2006 was a very good if not remarkable vintage. Being caught between the classic 2005 and the ostentatious 2007, it got a bit over looked. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cherries, spice, minerals, slight tobacco/dried leaves and dried cherries. On the palate, this

2016 Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$60.00USD

This is the basic Gigondas from the top producer of Gigondas. They also make a variety of single vineyard wines. The price on these has gone up over the years with the success of the winery and so, they now sell for as much or more than many Chateauneufs. This is a blend of , 70% Grenache with the rest Syrah and Mourvèdre. Purple in color, ruby at the rim and shimmering bright. The nose has black cherries, black pepper, slight black olive and spice. On the palate, this has a juicy texture. Black cherry fruit. Clean. It will undoubtedly improve and open over the next three to five y

2016 Domaine les Pallières Gigondas Les Racines, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$39.00USD

Given the outstanding vintage and pedigree of this wine, perhaps it was a bit shut down, but it under performed expectations in a recent tasting. That said, it was still excellent especially given the pricing of Gigondas. Purple in color with ruby swirls. The nose has black cherries, black pepper, spice and dust. Medium bodied. On the palate, slightly bitter black cherries. Clean. Tight. This didn't budge over the couple of hours it sat in the glass. It probably needs at least three to five more years to open and then should drink well for five to seven after that. If drinking soo

2017 Domaine du Cayron Gigondas, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$27.00USD

A classic Gigondas producer. A blend of 78% Grenache, 14% Syrah, with the rest made up of Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Ruby in color (a bit lighter), mostly clear and bright. Lovely nose with raspberries and bitter cherries. Some herbs come out with air. On the palate, a slight cough syrup quality, but very tasty. The alcohol is a bit noticeable at first but it blows off with some air. Light tannins. Cherry, bitter cherry and raspberries over a bit of alcohol and char. Some herbs and spice mix in as well. Long finish. This should improve over the next few years and drink great for ten

2016 Domaine Raspail-Ay Gigondas, France, Rhone, Wine Review

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

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2016 Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, France, Rhone, Wine Review

2016 Domaine les Pallières Gigondas Les Racines, France, Rhone, Wine Review

2017 Domaine du Cayron Gigondas, France, Rhone, Wine Review