Three Selections From the Rhone

These three wines were originally drunk a month or so ago.  I forgot we had tasted Reserve Saint Dominique and Domaine Pelaquie  so I recently purchased them again. Though I try to drink as diversely as possible, I certainly do drink additional bottles which are particularly enjoyable.  My tasting notes are typically revised over two nights so trying another bottle helps account for bottle variations.  I am a big fan of La Bastide Saint Dominique with a particular soft spot for the Cuvee Jules Rochebonne and Les Argiles Rouge but we did not enjoy this 2010 Vacqueyras.  In searching this blog I realize I have not yet posted on the 2007 vintages of Cuvee Jules Rochebonne and Les Argiles Rouge, I will do so this week, I have loved each and every bottle we have drunk.  The 2010 Domaine Pelaquie is a solid buy, there is good vigor for a cold winter’s night but also the ability to develop for a few years.    Having now drunk three selections from Hecht & Bannier from the 2007 vintage, I find that the 2007 Hecht & Bannier, Minervois hits a sweet spot in terms of aroma, flavor, and price.  While the this Languedoc will remind you of sunny southern-France it is best to spend the extra $5 on the Minervois.

2010 Reserve Saint Dominique, Vacqueyras – $18
Imported by Simon “N” Cellars. There is a subtle, youthful nose with underlying hints of blackberries and some sweet, blackcurrant. There are black and red fruit flavors, some creamy character, and  a large amount of fine, very drying tannins.  Lots of acidity. There were some berry and floral flavors in the aftertaste.   Plain and boring on the second night with tart fruit.  In the end, this remained restrained in flavors and heavily tannic.  It certainly needs several years of age.

2010 Domaine Pelaquie, Lirac – $15
Imported by Oslo Enterprise.  This wine is a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Mourvedre sourced from 25-year-old vines.  There is a light grapey nose with delicate berries.  In the mouth the hard red fruit mixes with herbs and gravelly fruits.  There are cranberry notes as acidity comes ou in the back of the mouth.  It wraps up with dusty tannins.  On the second night Jenn found flavors of “black licorice”.  It certainly starts off with riper fruit before taking a wild character with a wee bit of heat in the finish.  Drink now for vigor or cellar for the short-term.

2007 Hecht & Bannier, Languedoc – $12
Imported by Frederick Wildman and Sons.  This wine is 80% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and 10% Carignan.  This was a fresh and sunny wine with grapier red fruit and some minerals.  The flavors turned bluer midpalate as plenty of acidity came out.  This is an easy-going wine.

A Tasting at MacArthurs with Fran Kysela

This past Saturday I managed to arrive at MacArthur’s in time for their afternoon tasting with Fran Kysela.  He was recently nominated by The Wine Enthusiast magazine for Wine Importer of the year.  Coupled with the fact that Jenn and I drink a lot of the wine he imports, I was particularly excited to attend.  Both Fran and Jeremy Sutton poured wine and chatted about the eclectic range of wine on offer from France, Germany, Australia, and South Africa.  The 11 wines ranged in prices from $11 to $32.  With such diversity there were surely favorites for all who attended.

The Lineup

I spent most of my time chatting with Jeremy, Phil, and eventually meeting Fran.  I was rather enjoying their company, myself, and the wine so I did not bother to take any formal notes.  I should hope that I get to taste wine with them again as they both amiable and there is much I could learn from Fran.  I have already posted notes on two of the selections, tasted at home from full bottles, and will eventually get notes up on some of the other selections.  My overall impression was one of good, fresh aromatics followed by clean, pure fruit flavors.  You may read about my individual impressions below.  I rather liked the Sancerre, went back for more of both Mordoree Liracs, felt the Thorn Clarke Quartage is a great bargain, and would like to restaste the Mullineux again in the near future.

2010 Jean Reverdy, La Reine Blanche, Sancerre
This was enjoyable with its aromatic floral nose and core of sweet fruit.  Not Rated.

2009 Gaudrelle, Clos de Vigneau, Vouvray
This is dry with hints of residual sugar with smooth flavors of stone fruits.  Not Rated.

2010 Bastgen, Riesling, Qba Blauschlefer, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
This was clean, fresh, leaning towards citrus flavors and some minerals.  I only had a tiny sip but this seemed like a solid wine for the price, if not exciting.  Not Rated.

2010 Mordoree, Rose, La Dame Rousse, Tavel
This sports ripe red fruit and has a lovely mouthing coating aftertaste.  Not Rated.

2009 Mordoree, La Dame Rousse, Lirac
This had been open for some time and was showing quite well.  You may read my impression of a bottle drunk in May here.  Not Rated.

2009 Segries, Clos de l’Hermitage, Cotes du Rhone
This was consistent with an earlier impression of rich blue fruits, youthful tannins, and a contemporary profile.  Earlier this month we drank a bottle and I published a note here.  Not Rated.

2009 Cave de Tain, Crozes-Hermitage
The weakest of the reds, reminded me of a light Crozes.  Available for $25 I would spend $3 to purchase the outstanding 2009 Colombier, Cuvee Gaby.  Not Rated.

2009 Mordoree, La Reine des Bois, Lirac
This was lovely and quite approachable.  Richer than La Dame Rousse but with primary red fruit, a creamier texture, and balance.  This will age for some time.  Not Rated.

2008 Thorn Clarke, Shotfire, Quartage, Barossa Valley
This was soft, savory, subtle with dark fruits.  Strong value.  We recently drank a bottle and I will post a note soon.  Not Rated.

2009 Thorn Clarke, Shotfire, Shiraz, Barossa Valley
This showed black fruit, youthful flavors, richer than the Quartage but less evolved.  I preferred the Quartage.  Not Rated.

2008 Mullineux,  Syrah, Swartland
This showed dark fruit, some herbs, plenty of acidity, structure from oak but in a balanced manner.  I was rather surprised and pleased.  Tasted blind I would not have guessed South Africa.  Not Rated.

A Lirac and a Cotes du Roussillon From 2005

West of the Rhone, Freda White

We have drunk a variety of wines from both Clos des Fees and Domaine de la Mordoree.    The Clos des Fees was $14 and the Mordoree was $15 at MacArthur’s dump bin.  If you have current vintages of Clos de Fees Les Sorcieres I would not hesitate to cellar them for several years.  The 2005 is drinking well and far from decline.

2005 Domaine du Clos des Fees, Les Sorcieres, Cotes du Roussillon
This is a blend of 35% Carignan, 35% Grenache, and 30% Syrah.  The Grenache and Carignan are sourced from 40-80 year old vines where as the Syrah stems from young vines.  The wine is aged for eight months in concrete tanks.  This wine has a light nose of red fruit with a distinct note.  The soft flavors of red fruit mix with dusty minerals and roasted earth.  There is a low-level of fine tannins throughout with the entire wine enlivened by good acidity.  The flavors take on a light amount of sweet spices and stones.  This wine has a coarse warmth to it that makes it enjoyable to drink now.  While it will last for several more years I would not hesitate to drink it now.

2005 Domaine de la Mordoree, La Dame Rousse, Lirac
This cuvee is an even blend of Grenache and Syrah source from vines that are 40 years old.  This wine has a minimal, nondescript nose.  In the mouth the simple purple and blue fruits make way to hard, dusty stones.  There are plenty of tannins that overshadow the fruit.  With air the fruit is complemented by a little spice and some herbs.  There are ample lip-coating tannins in the aftertaste along with red fruit and notes of cedar.  This vintage of La Dame Rousse has never been a personal favorite.

Four Random Tasting Notes

This post covers a mixture of wines that we have drunk this summer. The Terlato-Chapoutier is imported by Bacchus Importers, Ltd. The Man O’ War and Reserve St. Dominique were purchased from MacArthur’s. The Chasseur was purchased on sale at Arrowine.  I only recommend the Reserve St. Dominique.

2009 Terlato-Chapoutier, Shiraz-Viognier, Victoria
This wine is 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier that is fermented in cement or stainless steel.  The wine was aged in micro0-oxygenated tanks for 10-12 months.  The very purple color is of light to medium opacity.  There is a light nose of purple fruits with more toast than the 2009 Remizieres, Crozes-Hermitage.  Though rounder in flavor, it is less complex.  It is more coarse and intentionally structured with dark toast and fine tannins.  I think this wine is improving as the vintages go by but it suffers in comparison to the Remizieres.  ** Now.

2008 Man O’ War, Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Malbec, Waiheke Island, New Zealand
This wine is 42% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 19% Malbec, and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The wine was aged on lees for 11 months in Old French and American barrels.  This was a bizarre wine that I kept visiting over three days. There is a dark, black cherry color. The nose has aromas of dark, tight roast and toast from barrels and confected black fruits. In the mouth there are dark fruits with some minerals but again, lots of roast and coffee. There is supportive acidity in the aftertaste and minimal tannins. The nose, mouth, and aftertaste all share the same overt barrel roast, marked coffee, and dark berries. It is a bit overdone in my opinion. * Now.

2007 Reserve Saint Dominique, Lirac
This wine is approximately 65% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre.  This is light to medium opacity. There is a light nose of blue fruits. In the mouth there are ample flavors of creamy, primary, blue fruit. It is a modern style of wine with a lifted aftertaste. There are fine+ new tannins.  I would cellar this a few years before drinking.  **(*) 2015-2019.

2006 Chasseur, Chardonnay, Durell Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
This wine was aged for 17 months in 60 gallon French oak of which 67% were new.  The light gold color shows promise with its long legs. Then the disappointment hits. The light nose has apple aromas that are slightly yeasty. There are soft flavors in the mouth of creamy oak. This wine tastes expensive but is completely boring. I had Lou taste this on its second night and I believe he agreed that it was not a flawed bottle but an uninteresting one.  *  Now.

2009 Domaine Grand Veneur, Clos de Sixte, Lirac

I have written about this estate in an earlier post.  The 50 acre Clos de Sixte estate was purchased in 2003.  It lies in AOC Lirac.  This wine is a blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre.  The vines are 15-35 years old and located on soils one meter thick with red clay and sand, mixed with pebbles.  The wine is fermented in stainless steel vats.

Clos de Sixte Vineyard, Image from Grand Veneur

This wine is imported by Kysela Pere et Fils and available from MacArthurs for $25.  We have been drinking the 2004-2007 vintages over the last couple of years.  I have always felt they were easily drunk young but were able to develop for several years.  They have always been available for under $20 so I was a bit shocked to realize I paid $25 for the 2009!!  There appears to additional effort put into the 2009 and the price tag reflects the effort and the impressive 93 points from Robert Parker.  It is worth cellaring to see what happens but I do miss the previous accessibility and lower price.

2009 Domaine Grand Veneur, Clos de Sixte, Lirac
There is a very light nose of nondescript fruits and toast. There are young, purplish flavors, spices, and herbs. This wine is clearly young with good grip and plenty of fine tannins. The purple, spicy fruit is rich and mouthfilling before developing into a lifted aftertaste. This wine is clearly more ambitious than previous vintages.  I would cellar this for several years before trying again.  ***(*) 2015-2022.

2009 Lirac and Tavel from Domaine de la Mordoree

Mordoree, Image from Kysela Pere et Fils

Christopher Delorme’s father was a huntsman so named his estate after the local name for woodcock, Mordoree.  La Dame Rousse translates as “The Redheaded Lady” and La Reine de Bois as the “Queen of the Woods.”  This is a relatively young estate created in 1986.  He started with 5 hecateres in Chateauneuf du Pape and has now expanded to 60 hectares in eight districts.  Last year he began the 3-year process for biologic certification.

Geological profile of Lirac, Image from Mordoree

The domaine attemps to be as natural as possible.  To encourage natural bacteria, worms, and insects they incorporate wood and plant debris, and straw.  Nothing is divulged on how the wines are vinified.  It is purposefully kept a secret.

Geological profile of Tavel, Image from Mordoree

The wines of Mordoree are imported by Kysela Pere et Fils and are readily available at Calvert-Woodley and MacArthurs.  The Lirac is $18 and the Tavel is normally $22 but I bought the final bottle from last year’s vintage for $10!  I’ll have to try the current vintage to see if I made a good purchase.  Normally I would not recommend buying a one year old rose but this Tavel is more like a very light red wine.

2009 Domaine de la Mordoree, La Dame Rousse, Tavel
This wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, and 10% Clairette from 40 year old vines.  The vineyard  soil is comprise of clay and chalk mixed with sand and pebble stones.  The grapes are harvested by hand.  This bottle was drunk over two nights.  It has a very vibrant, cranberry color in the bottle.  It is very, very light with a tinge of garnet.  There is a light+ nose with lots of tight, sharp red aromas, cherries, and minerals.  In the mouth it is a medium-bodied wine with some sweet, creamy red flavors, gobs of minerals, and a bit of heat.  It is definitely robust for a rose.  It drank well over two nights and is certainly a good value at $10.  ** Now.

2009 Mordoree, La Dame Rousse, Lirac

2009 Domaine de la Mordoree, La Dame Rousse, Lirac
This wine is a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah from 50 yaer old vines.  The vineyard soil is comprised of clay, chalk with clay, and limestone and sand with pebble stones.  The grapes are harvested by hand.  This is a dark wine.  The nose shows primary, dark red fruit.  In the mouth there are more dark fruits in this dense wine.  It is a modern style, very tight and ungiving.  There are plenty of new tannins.  With several hours of air gritty, purple fruit flavors develop and some inkiness.  This seriously needs to be aged.  For similar cost I prefer the 2009 Bastide St. Dominique, Jules Rochebonne which is showing more complexity in its youth. **(*) 2017-2022.

A Casual Tasting On Our Deck

Aaron and Lou

This week Lou joined Jenn, Lorelei, and I on our deck for a casaul tasting and a simple dinner of charcuterie, cheeses, sliders, and salads.  We double-decanted the wines and bagged them up right before we started.  The different wines made for a fun evening.  Jenn and I preferred the Mordoree and the Yarden.  I believe Lou preferred the La Garrigue and the Mordoree.  We kept the Yarden and Santa Duc to taste again.  Lou kept the La Garrigue and Mordoree.

2001 Domaine de la Mordoree, Duvee de la Rieine des Bois, Lirac
This wine is 33% Grenache, 33% Mourvedre, and 33% Syrah from 30 year old vines (at the time).  The grapes are harvested by hand, spend 30 days fermenting, then 30% is aged in oak barrels and 70% in stainless steel.  This wine has a medium nose of earth and minerals.  With air Jenn noticed a slight pee note but it was not detracting.  I found some grilled bread aromas.  In the mouth there were red fruits, minerals, and a lifted finish.  There are still fine to medium tannins.  This was deeper and richer than the La Garrigue.  *** Now-2017.

Lou visited the Golan Heights Winery and brought this bottle back home.

2003 Golan Heights Winery, Yarden Syrah, Golan Heights
This wine is 100% Syrah from three vineyards, Ortel in northern Golan and Yonatan and Tel Phares in central Golan.  The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.  The ruby-purple color was markedly different than the other wines.  It had a strong Syrah nose that was very fresh and full of piercing aromas.  In the mouth this medium-bodied wine showed creamy flavors, some wood toast, and put on a fair amount of weight with air.  This is a good wine with plenty of life ahead.  *** Now-2017.

2000 Domaine de la Janasse, Chateauneuf du Pape
This  wine looked cloudy and somewhat browned.  It had a muted nose, tasted over the hill, and quickly fell apart.  I bought it know that the wine may have seeped causing the stained label.  When I cut the foil I did not see any seepage.  Clearly it was a bad bottle so we set it aside and I opened the Santa Duc.  Not Rated.

2000 Domaine La Garrigue, Vacqueyras
This wine is a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault.  The vineyards average 30-40 years of age.  The grapes are harvested by hand and aged in concrete tanks for at least 18 months.  The nose revealed redder fruit with dusty, herbed aromas.  There was a bit of a lipstick component as well.  In the mouth the leaner red fruit was packed with dusty herbs and dry tannins.  This was the most austere of the wines.  ** Now-2017.

1998 Domaine Santa Duc, Prestige des Haut Garrigues, Gigondas
This wine is a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 3% Syrah, and 2% Cinsault.  The Grenache vines are very old. It is aged for two years in tuns and new casks.  This wine was opened as a replacement for the Janasse.  It had a light nose.  In the mouth there were big, rich flavors that stand up to the ample, lip-coating tannins.  With air it put on weight and developed cinnamon-like flavors and a mineraliness.  On the second night, there was still a light nose.  It tasted a little tired with slightly roasted fruits, minerals, cool blue fruit, and some earthy flavors.  There were still minerals and almost overwhelming wood tannins.  **** 2017-2025.

Six Wines From the Rhone and Languedoc-Roussillon, 14 May 2009

These notes cover wines from the Rhone and Languedoc-Roussillon from 14 May 2009.

All three of these are very nice and attractively priced. They are all quite different. These three and the St Dominique Lirac I wrote about earlier are my favorite of those six wines. It is fun to drink the 2007s but I love coming across wines like the 2005 Meteore.

2007 Grand Veneur, Les Champauvins, Cotes du Rhone Villages – $16
This wine is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre. In the glass it is a medium, youthful, purplish ruby. There is a light to medium nose, of young, fresh red-fruit that is cranberry-like and garrigue. In the mouth there is red fruit with some grip and good Riesling-like weight and freshness. There is vibrant, controlled acidity and a perfumed aftertaste. This good value is easy to drink now but will age several more years.

2007 Domaine Brusset, Les Travers, Cairanne, Cotes du Rhone Villages – $16
This wine is 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault from 30-year-old vines. It was aged 10 months, 70% in vats and 30% in 3-4 year old oak barrels. There is a light+ distinctive perfume, a little Mourvedre stink, all with grapefruit-like lift. In the mouth, the densely packed fruit, is blue/red with steely/stone core. It coils up then expands in the aftertaste with dark, lean, blue fruit. There is hidden fine+ tannins lurking. There is a distinctive, low-lying aroma/flavor in the nose, initial flavor, and aftertaste. This is another good value that you can drink now but really should be given several years of age.

2005 Domaine du Meteore, Les Leonides, Faugeres – $13
This wine is 25% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre, 25% Syrah, and 25% Carignan that is unoaked. There is a mourvedre-like nose, red fruits, and pepper. In the mouth there are peppery, red and blue fruit flavors delivered in a stony frame, with a spiced midpalate, puckering tannins, savory finish, and dark, spiced aftertaste. With air, tarter red fruit, more garrigue-spice, pepper develop as well as more pronounced tannins. No rush to drink this.

Here are three daily drinkers to lay down for a few years. The Reserve St Dominique, Lirac was our favorite. The Perrin, Nature is surprisingly good for the price. I’m curious to see what becomes of the Veredus.

2007 Ch. Veredus, Corbieres – $16
This is an organic wine is made from 50% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah and aged for 12 months in oak barrels. The Carignan comes from 70-year-old vines. In the glass it is a medium+ ruby color with a dark blue/purple core. There is a light+ nose of blue fruit and Kirsch. In the mouth there are tight flavors of red/black fruit with a small amount of very fine tannins. Salivating, tart acidity comes out near the beginning. With air, mixed herbs and olive-like flavors develop giving a sense of identity. A young wine that is currently accessible but should be better in several years.

2007 Perrin, Nature, Cotes du Rhone – ~$11
This organic wine is made from 95% Grenache and 5% Syrah. There is a medium nose of bright red fruit and red grapefruit-like aromas. In the mouth there is bright, red fruit, acidity with dusty-herbs midpalate. Darker red fruit comes out in the finish where fine+, grapey tannins develop into the aftertaste. This wine has delicate, well delineated flavors. Very approachable now but it will age. A good value.

2005 Reserve Saint Dominique, Lirac – $16
This wine is 65% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre. It has a light+ nose of primary blue fruit. In the mouth there are cool blue fruit flavors, with a bit of grit, that are still tight. It is aromatic in the aftertaste with some red raspberry flavors. There are youthful, drying tannins. This young wine is a pleasure to drink now but should be cellared for a few years. We liked the 2004 in the past.

Three Modern Rhone Wines

Hello,I have grouped three recent Rhones that I have tasted that are modern in style. All three wines could serious benefit from some aging. I enjoyed all three with the Lirac representing a good value buy.

 

2005 Alain Jaume, Clos de Sixte, Lirac – $17
The Jaume family has been in the wine business since the 19th century. The 35-acre estate of Clos de Sixte was only acquired in 2003. This wine is made from 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 15% Mourvedre. It is made in stainless steel vats and pigeage is used. This medium+ opaque wine is a youthful purple-red in color. There is a light nose of spice and slightly volatile red fruits. In the mouth there are red fruits with blue fruits backing them up. The modern fruit quickly shifts to cool acidity and assertive tannins that are grippy and fine. Blue fruits dominate in the finish. This structured wine is medium to full-bodied. Jenn and I really liked this. My previous favorite bottle of Lirac is the 2005 Mordoree, Reine de Bois. This Jaume is excellent and at a great price. It is probably best to age it for several years.

2005 Alain Jaume, Terrasses de Montmirail, Gigondas – ($18 on sale) $22
This wine is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. It is a medium opaque youthful, purple. There are somewhat rounded blue fruits, almost peppery. The flavors expand in the mouth, with upfront fine tannins that coat the mouth, and an inky blue finish. There is moderate acidity throughout. This wine comes across as a cooler example of Gigondas. This young and modern wine can be drunk now or better yet, held on to for several years. Elegant enough to be a summer wine.

2006 Domaine du Coulet, No Wine’s Land, Cotes du Rhone – $23
Matthieu Barret is a young winemaker, only in his early 30s, located in Cornas. Domaine du Coulet was founded in 1999 and this wine comes from an 1.85 ha plot. It is 100% Syrah from 40 year old vines. These vines are located in the limestone portion of the hill Les Arlettes. This portion of Les Arlettes is located between Cornas and St. Joseph and can only be used for Cotes du Rhone hence the name of the wine. In the glass this is a very young, medium-opaque, grapey purple. There is a light young nose. In the mouth there are lots of tart red berries presented in a clean manner. There are young, fine-grained, mouth-filling tannins that provide structure for the wine. The finish is slighty juicy, wrapping up with a tart/puckering aftertaste.

Best,

Aaron

Affordable Rhones

I had a string of tasty, affordable Rhones over this long weekend.

2005 Bastide Saint Dominique, Cotes du Rhone – $10
This Cotes du Rhone is a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache. It is sourced from 6 Ha owned by the domaine. A vibrant ruby in the glass. A lights nose of syrah and red berries. In the mouth more syrah flavors for this medium bodied wine, with fine tannins, and good acidity. It opens up after several hours and drank well on the second day. A good buy.

2004 Bastide Saint Dominique, Reserve, Lirac – $14
This is 65% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre. This is ruby with hints of purple. There are subtle red berries on the nose. In the mouth there is assertive red berries and cranberry flavors. A light to medium-bodied wine, lighter than the Cotes du Rhone. There are super fine tannins and acidity that provides a juicy finish.

2005 Domaine des Amouriers, Cuvee Les Hautes Terrasses, VDP – $26
Domaine des Amouriers is located in Vacqueyras and is run by Igor Chudzikiewicz and Patrick Gras. The estate started bottling their own wines in the mid 1990s. The Cuvee Les Hautes Terrasses is a 100% Syrah wine labeled as VDP and only produced in the best vintages. Alcoholic fermentation is finished in barrel then it is aged for up to 24 months in new through three year old barrels and demi-muids. A vibrant purple/red with medium opacity. An immediate creamy mouthfull of fresh red cherries with some blue fruits. There are some minerals in this supple, medium-bodied wine. There are fine tannins, wood, and syrah flavors that then develop. It leaves a nice aftertaste. It is a very good young wine worthy of buying.

2004 Domaine de la Garrigue, Vacqueyras – $17
This is an old domaine in Vacqueyras with the vines planted in the late 1940s. It is a blend of 75% Grenach and 25% Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault. Garnet in color with medium opacity. An attractive perfurmed berry nose. In the mouth there are round fruits, spice, and grip from well integrated tannins. Some minerality does come out in this assertive Vacqueyras. A good buy.

2005 Clos du Mont-Olivet, Cuvee Montueil-La Levade, Vieilles Vignes, Cotes du Rhone – $12
This is an ancient estate that I always associate with Chateauneuf du Pape. This wine is 80% Grenache, 15% Carignan, and 5% Syrah. The vines are 50-60 years of age. A good garnet color with medium opacity. Blue fruits and spice from a nose immediately after opening the bottle. In the mouth there are dark fruits, spice, a minerally core that provide juicy flavors. This wine is medium-bodied with a good finish of fruit and mouth coating tannins. A very satisfying young wine and very cheap. The best buy out of these five wines.

Enjoy!

Aaron