Yves Cheron Les Dentelles Côtes du Rhône 2015
I wanted to find a little more concentration of fruit at the core of this otherwise easy-drinking blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah from Yves Cheron. The 2015 ‘Les Dentelles’ sports a classic Southern Rhône profile of plums and blackberries couched in garrigue, warm spice, and dried violet. It’s bright on the palate, not […]
Clos du Joncuas Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret Domaine de la Garancière 2015
From organically farmed old-vine Grenache, with a smidge of Carignan and Cinsault. The 2015 Domaine la Garancière Seguret radiates black fruit on the nose—a bit deceptive because the true red-fruited character of Grenache comes through on the palate. Layered flavors of raspberry turnover, roasted strawberries, and a suggestion of black blackstrap molasses dissolves into chewy […]
Domaine de la Mordorée Plume du Peintre Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2014
Brooding, serious and bordering on high-octane, the 2014 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Belle Voyageuse-du-Pape opens with notes of blackberry reduction, freshly turned soil, graphite and violets. A faint topnote of barnyard eventually blows off revealing a wine with lots of power and verve, firm tannins and close of Garrigue and spice. Lots to […]
Domaine d’Ouréa Gigondas 2014
An example of the sort of wine I bring when visiting the boyfriend—as a chef he has a real passion for game meats, so this seemed like a good choice. Brooding plums, black cherries, and grilled meat form the base of the profile. Add to this a dusting of earth and iron ore followed by lighter notes of […]
Ferraton Pere & Fils Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Rosè 2016
Like the perfect accessory, Ferraton Pere & Fils’ 2016 Samorëns Rosé matches my reading glasses. I sit here in my studio, pondering this Provencal pink, I am reminded of how much I love these wines despite a long, chilly spring in the Willamette Valley. It’s a wine that manages to be energetic and delicate all […]
M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône 2013
A wine I return to year after year, simply because it’s such a stellar value. Belleruche is one of Chapoutier’s entry-level labels, a tempting and fleshy blend of classic Rhône varietals: Grenache blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette, and Bourboulenc. It’s rife with pear and stone fruit with the merest twist of lemon peel, fennel and white […]
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert 2010
Infused with smoky blueberries and blackberry jam, and crowned by lighter notes of ash, dried violets, and baking spice—the Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert 2010 has much to offer. It’s softly textured on entry, with fine, slightly woody mahogany-tinged tannins encircling a richly fruited core. From start to finish, it’s a seamless wine, […]
Boutinot La Côte Sauvage Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne 2012
Flat out pretty the 2012 Boutinot La Côte Sauvage Côtes du Rhône Cairanne is a warm embrace. Juicy black cherries, plums, lavender, vanilla and perhaps even a whiff of blackberry cobbler, fresh from the oven. It’s satiny smooth, with moderate acidity and body with ultra-fine tannins to match. This is a wine that will deliver […]
Cave de Tain l’Hermitage Crozes-Hermitage Grand Classique 2016
A lovely winter white, the Cave de Tain Crozes-Hermitage Grand Classique 2016 is composed of 100% Marsanne, sourced from granitic slopes of Hermitage. It’s got that classic Marsanne profile; Asian pear, white peach, blanched almond and just a touch of lanolin. I love the tension in this wine, one that perpetually borders on silky richness […]
Château Saint-Cyrgues Costières-De-Nîmes 2015
Nice value to be had in this bottle, the 2015 Château Saint-Cyrgues Costières-De-Nîmes offers up a bouquet of violets, perhaps even a hint of dried rose petal. Following this perfumed floral bloom are plums, bramble berries, soil and dried moss, lilting clove and allspice notes. This is a lighter red, with a palate is soft […]