GSM Blend/Rhone Blend

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

This is always one of the top Gigondas of the vintage.  2013 was, however, a below average vintage.  This is still an outstanding vintage but this wine is expensive for Gigondas.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is tight but opens to show earthy black raspberries with a bit of smoke.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Nice mouthfeel.  Slightly bitter (not in a bad way) cherries with black cherries over char.  Slight tannins.  Moderate finish.  This is tight and may still improve a bit.  It should drink well for the next seven to ten years.  This will work better with food. 

Guigal makes a wide variety of wines in a wide price range.  There are some great values in the lower price range.  As the price for their Chateauneuf has risen, this wine has become a place to find some value.  Purple in color, with a thin ruby rim.  The nose is great with black raspberries, slight roasted herbs and meats with some spice and dust.  Medium bodied.  Nice texture.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with underlying roasted meats and some spice.  Nice energy.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue to drink well for ten to twelve more years.  A nice drink o

Very impressive showing for this bottle.  2015 is a great vintage and this wine seems to be drinking youthfully but generously.  Purple with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries and is dusty while slightly earthy.

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.  

Great showing for this wine.  In a recent tasting of Gigondas wines, this finished as the groups favorite wine.  It was the oldest wine in the tasting suggesting that ten years is a very nice sweet spot for the better wines of Gigondas.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, coffee with underlying herbs and earthiness.  Medium bodied.  Tart black cherries on the palate with underlying minerality.  Also spices with a hint of lavender.  Light tannins.  Nice finish.  This is drinking at peak now but should give at least five to seven more years a

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

There is good news and bad news about this wine.  The good news is that it is one of the least expensive Chateauneuf du Papes in the marketplace.  The bad news is that in reality, there are lots of Cotes du Rhones that are better for less money.  That said, it is certainly a fine wine to drink.  It is a blend of 60% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 15% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has tart cherries, cranberries with a bit of pepper.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the cranberries dominate with a touch of rhubarb.  One dimensional.  Easy drinking. 

One of the more humorous labels in the wine world (check it out).  It is a bland of 52% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, and 13% Syrah.  This is much less robust than prior vintages of this wine.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, bitter cherries, baking spices and black pepper.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Plenty of cherry fruit with underlying char and spice.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for seven to ten years.  It worked well with a curry dish and will work better with food.  

By.Ott is a third line of wines from Domaines Ott, the venerable producer of wines in southern France.  These are a tad less expensive but still on the pricier side of Provence rosé's.  The blend is 60% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 10% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre.  Pale pink in color, shimmering bright and clear.  The nose is very pretty with cherries, strawberries, minerals and slight grapefruit.  Light bodied.  Very refreshing.  Easy drinking.  The cherries and citrus carry thru to the palate.  This should be consumed in the next couple of years to enjoy its freshness.  This drinks well on its own