GSM Blend/Rhone Blend

Upon first tasting, this wine wasn't giving up a thing.  Really tight.  But after an hour or two of air and multiple other pours being taken, this finally started to open up and show something.  That said, drink this quick or be prepared to wait a while before revisiting as if not shut down, it is getting there quickly.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries with rocks and dust.  With air a bit of a floral note.  On the palate, this is almost jammy but not quite with black cherry fruit.  A nice minerality underneath.  It is delicious and only going to get better from here.  It ne

From Magnum.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, plums, grilled meat, white pepper and char.  On the palate, this has an incredible texture.  Smooth and velvety yet powerful and muscular.  Notes of black raspberries, spice and slight charred earth.  This is deep and complex yet still has a long life left.  This vintage has opened and shut a few times since release but seem like it has settled and is open.  There is a lot of alcohol but it doesn't show up anywhere in the glass.  One of those wines that each sip makes you want to have another.  Spectacular wine. 

This is a GSM blend.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with black cherries, cherries, black raspberries, floral notes, slight earthiness, black pepper and spice.  On the palate, this is lush and deep.  Almost but not quite jammy.  Medium tannins.  This is still young and in need of time to delineate its complexity.  Right now it is fun and delicious.  Depends on how you like them.  Probably another 10 years to get to peak.  

Consumed from a Magnum.  Purple in color, ruby swirls.  The nose is clean with black cherries and spice.  On the palate, this has a soft texture.  Black cherry fruit.  Slight, slight bitterness to it.  It seems advanced considering the format and the age, but that's fine.  Drinking well now.  While it has some complexity it is broader rather than deep.  This is very good for the vintage and should be good for the next ten years.  Not sure if there is any upside though.  

This is always one of the best Cotes du Rhone and in good vintages it is worth stocking up on.  It cellars well for five  to ten years.  Drinking great right now.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is very nice with black cherries, violets, spice and slight cedar.  On the palate, juicy black cherries, spice and gravel notes.  Not quite layered but more of a mosaic.  Good acidity.  Food friendly.  This retails for close to $20 which makes it a great value.  Better than a lot of Chateauneuf du Papes!

This is a go to wine at parties, weddings, etc. as it is often served due to its low price.  It retails for around $13 and is an exceptional value.  Of course, in great vintages, it is usually even better and 2016 is another great vintage.  Purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, dark cherries, charcoal and pepper.  On the palate, there is some fruit here but this is not a fruity wine.  It has nice fruit with an underlying minerals/earthy streak and good balance.  Works well with a wide variety of food.  Drinks easy but has some interest and depth.  

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

I love Saxum, they are certainly one of my top favorite wineries.  But, over the years, their styles have changed.  Presumably, that has been consistent with owner/winemaker Justin Smith's preferences changing.  For my tastes, 2012 was another year of change in styles.  The wines became a bit more intense and need a decade to really strut their stuff.  That said, with a bit of air, this one was delicious at six years from vintage.  Deep purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, leather, roasted meat and black pepper.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  It is packed with delic

This is excellent.  From a winery who will undoubtedly raise their prices once the critics start scoring their wines.  This is a GSM blend.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cherries, black raspberries, char, leather and spice.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Firm yet sinewy.  Great black raspberry and cherry fruit with some spice.  Deep and will undoubtedly age well.  Good finish.  Works great on its own or with food.  A winery to follow.  

Possibly my favorite Cotes du Rhone wine.  I bought a case of this back on release and this was the last bottle.  No regrets, but it would be fine if I still had more.  It is drinking just fine.  It might be a good idea to try and track some down from the 2016 vintage.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is nice with black cherries, black pepper, slight earthiness, garrique and still some floral notes.  On the palate, this has some complexity.  Slight layering.  Still some sour cherry and black cherry fruit.  Tannins are integrated.  Good acidity and balance.  At around $15 per bottle on relea