Domaine Paul Autard Côtes du Rhône 2015
I’m revisiting this on the third day, it’s still lovely and fresh—Paul Autard’s basic Côtes du Rhône 2015 offers a sweeping palate of aromas. Macerated strawberry, cherry and plum notes are hemmed in by anise verging on violets, crushed stones, black olives, and sweet tobacco. It’s decidedly medium bodied, with dark fruit at the core, […]
Domaine de la Gramière Côtes du Rhône 2011
The La Gramière 2011 is a cuvée of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, with vinification in concrete. A rustic, gamey nose of blackberry reduction sauce, beef jerky, freshly turned soil and violets. Aging in concrete has produced a wine that is both fresh with texturally fine tannins. There is high acidity here, too and with […]
omaine la Manarine Côtes Du Rhône Rosé 2014
Pale salmon in the glass, the nose of 2014 La Manarine Côtes Du Rhône Rosé is abundantly cherry, tart pie cherries swathed in a bouquet of spring flowers. While not overly complex, this blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 20% Syrah is fermented in concrete. It’s quite fresh, though concrete aging certainly adds a […]
Les Vignerons d’Estézargues Côtes du Rhône Villages Domaine d’Andézon 2013
Domain d’Andezon Côtes du Rhône is crafted from a blend of 40 year-old Syrah vines and 60 year-old Grenache vines grown in the arid and galet-laden Southern Rhône. Unfiltered, it’s inky and hunkered with slightly rustic notes of black olive tapenade, dried pen ink, and loamy soil overlaid by juicy boysenberries. In the mouth, there […]
Domaine Jean David Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret Les Levants 2012
As memory serves, this is one of my acquisitions from Garagiste, as is typical of Garagiste selections, Jean David is a very small producer, a husband and wife team from the village of Séguret who are committed to what Nicki refers to as “hyper- organic “farming. The vines are very old, though I can not […]
Domaine Olivier Hillaire Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes 2012
Laden with boysenberries and plums, dried thyme, earth, game, black olive, and violets the 2012 Domaine Olivier Hillaire Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes is a fabulous value. Complex aromatics lead into juicy black fruit on the palate held in check by moderate acidity and firm tannins that are seemingly steeped in earthiness. Nicely done for […]
Domaine Courtois La Grange Vinsobres Cru Des Cotes Du Rhône 2012
Lots of violets on the nose, brambly red fruit and a touch of garrigue. The 2012 Domaine Courtois La Grange Vinsobres is medium-bodied, good-natured and easy to drink with moderate tannins, a touch of earthiness, bay leaf, and white pepper on the finish. Imminently quaffable at $15.00. Sample 8.8 Points
Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Côtes du Rhône 2012
The 2012 Les Abeilles from Jean-Luc Colombo is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre and sports a nimble, savory nose tinged with bouquet garni, fennel, anise, and lilting purple flowers. It’s medium-bodied on the palate, with low tannins and firm, bright acidity. Crunchy red berries and a moderate finish. Not a […]