Cotes du Rhone

This is a Grenache/Syrah blend from the Rhone Valley in France.  Cotes du Rhone wines are often some of the best values in Red Wines and this one is included.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, spice, anise, and slight floral (violets?) scents.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries, slight cherry candies and a  bit of mint on the long finish.  This is drinking great on its own and will work well with most foods (not seafood).  Blackened chicken would work well.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  

This is a blend of Grenache and Syrah from the Southern Rhone.  Deep ruby in color, partially opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, wild herbs and slight floral notes.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is easy and tasty to drink.  Flavors of cherries, black cherries, spice and char.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  A perfect choice for (veggie) Burgers off the grill.  Drink over the next five years.  

I was pleasantly surprised to see this was still drinking well.  Salmon/orange in color, light but clear and bright.  The nose has some watermelon and strawberries.  Light bodied.  Nice texture.  On the palate, there is still some fruit left but no off notes and very refreshing.  It should have been consumed a few years ago, but no reason not to drink up now.  Probably  better with some lighter appetizers.  

This Rosé is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah from the Rhone Valley in France.  Light pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, strawberries and raspberries.  Light bodied.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is accessible and drinking well.  Flavors of Strawberries and Raspberries with good acidity.  It is nice on its own but better with food.  It worked well with a white pizza with asparagus.  Drink over the next year or two.  Excellent value.

This is a 60/40 blend of Grenache/Syrah from the  Rhone Valley in France.  Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with black cherries, spice, roasted herbs and slight black raspberries.  Nice texture.  Medium tannins.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, black cherries, anise and char.  Good finish.  A nice wine for casual drinking that won't break the bank.  It is nice on its own and will work well with most (not seafood) foods.  A nice choice with a pot of Chili on a fall afternoon.  Drink over the next five years.

This is a blend of Grenache 75% and Syrah 15% along with ten percent Cinsault, Mourvedre, and Carignan.  Deep garnet with purple swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is lovely with cherries, black cherries, spices, black pepper, slight black olives and black raspberries.  Medium to full bodied.  Slight tannins.  On the palate, juicy black cherries and cherries with spice and char.  Nice finish.  This drinks easy on its own and will work well with grilled meats, fowl or veggies.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

Another great value in Cotes du Rhone.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, cherries, floral notes, spices, and black olives.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this has nice depth and some complexity.  Black cherry fruit with some cherries and just a hint of strawberries.  Nice texture.  Light tannins.  Good finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work well with food.  This would be a classic match with cassoulet.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

Cotes du Rhone wines have been and continue to be some of the best values in wine.  This is a blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is interesting and nice with black cherries, black raspberries, spices, slight purple flowers and slight chocolate.  Great full bodied texture.  Good balance.  On the palate this is delicious.  It has depth and some complexity.  Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, spice and char.  Nice finish.  This is great on its own and will work well with food.  This is a great choice for g

This rosé is a blend of 50% Grenache Noir, 25% Cinsault, 20% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre.  Light salmon pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose has light cherries and light strawberries.  Slightly viscous texture.  13.5% abv.  On the palate, this is clean with strawberries and a bit of spice.  Some minerality.  Moderate finish.  A pleasant wine that is nice on its own and certainly food friendly.  It would match well with a Niçoise salad.  Drink now.