2018 La Bastide Saint-Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Secrets de Pignan, France, Rhone, Wine Review

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.

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Vintage:

2019

Current Price:

$60.00USD

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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2003 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2003

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Current Price:

$58.00USD

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

2018 Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$50.00USD

This is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% a field blend. It is quite tight and shut down at the moment so if drinking soon, give it about six hours of air or more. Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose has cherries and garrigue. With air a bit of lavender comes out. On the palate, this has a lovely silky texture. The fruit is quite tight but there are black cherries and black raspberries with a bit of black licorice and anise. Everything feels right about this wine but it just isn't showing much at the moment. Give it another five to seven years and then it should be o

2018 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

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Current Price:

$58.00USD

Charvin is a unique Chateauneuf and not to everyone's preferences. Its a bit lighter, more red fruits and on the more elegant side of a wine not typically known for its elegance. Utilizing a high percentage of Grenache, this one is 85% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Vaccarèse, and 5% Syrah.

2016 Saint-Cosme Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

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Current Price:

$50.00USD

This is a producer who first got recognition for their fantastic Gigondas wines. They have since expanded their releases all over the southern and northern Rhone. Their Chateauneuf is also stellar. It is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, and 10% each of Syrah and Cinsault. Deep ruby in color, purple at the core. The nose is tight upon opening. With air, raspberries, black raspberries and mineral/gravel emerge. On the palate, this is delicious. Lots of black cherry fruit with some raspberries. Medium tannins. Bright acidity. This will work well with roasts and casseroles. I

2018 La Bastide Saint-Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Secrets de Pignan, France, Rhone, Wine Review

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

2003 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

2018 Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

2018 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

2016 Saint-Cosme Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review