Ruby with some red in color, medium+ intensity. On the nose, youthful, medium+ intensity, red fruit, wild strawberry, raspberry, hay oats, dry earth, white pepper, medicinal herbs, some oak, and some earth. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium tannin, medium acidity, smoke, meat, red fruit, white and black pepper, nice body, nice finish. Performed pretty well, and will age well.
Category Archives: Cotes Du Rhone
2006 Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee 3 Cepages
2005 Clos de l’Hermitage Cotes du Rhone
I had the last bottle of this gem last night with the Clan. Equal parts Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. Nice garnet color. On the nose, moving toward bouquet, medium+ intensity, stewed plums, blackberry, inky, meaty, earthy, also green herbs, black pepper, some spice leading me to think there was French Oak involved. On the palate, dry, medium+ intensity, cherries, plums, leather, dirt, herbs, black licorice, very nice depth, medium tannin, medium acidity, very nicely balanced with a solid 10 second finish. Complex wine everyone enjoyed, if you have some left, it’s starting to hit its stride. I wish I had more.
2005 Kermit Lynch Cotes du Rhone
Another of this weeks blind tasting made by master wine importer, Kermit Lynch. On the nose, youthful, medium+ intensity, plums, strawberry, blueberry, herbs, hay, sweaty gamey element, and a nice floral component, with slight usage of oak, and some wet clay earth to it. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium tannin, nice acidity, similar flavors, very nicely balanced, with an solid A- finish. Well crafted and classic example of a Grenache based blend.
2007 Château de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone
This is one of those over achiever wines, that a few of my winemaker friends consume as every day drinkers to remind them what great inexpensive Rhones reds are like. 100% Syrah. On the nose, youthful, medium intensity, blueberry, black cherry, graphite, meat, nutmeg, slight earthy component, and some detectable oak treatment. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium tannin, medium+ acidity, cherry preserves, clove, anise, pea patch, wet stone, with judicious oak. This wine really got better on the palate, nice finish, well made for under $20. I will seek more of this out.
2005 Clos de l’Hermitage Cotes du Rhone
I brought this equal parts Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre to a tasting group preparing for the Court of Master Sommelier Advanced Level exam. A pretty serious time restrained regiment of wine tasting, and in some weird way also a fun exercise more people should practice, but it’s so damn intimidating. It’s so hard to tell your brain to stop analyzing and be still and observe. The mind has a tendency to over think things, and that just gets in the way. Wine tasting is an art of the casual observer so relax and listen. On the nose, youthful, medium intensity, cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, dried oregano, hay, clove, wet earth, and some French Oak. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium+ tannins, medium acidity, lots of dark berry fruit, an herby quality, some gingerbread cookie, game, cinnamon, wet earth, balanced wine, with moderate length on the finish. Probably not much left of this one, but if you can find it, you’ll enjoy it.
2005 Clos de L’Hermitage Cotes du Rhone
Equal parts Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. I broke another bottle of this out for our blind tasting, it showed pretty well. Ruby with some fuchsia to it, med intensity. On the nose, sound, youthful, meat, smoke, dirt, cherry pie, strawberry, leather, hay, grain, some oak, and some earth. On the palate, dry, med+ intensity, sweet cherry, vanilla, med tannin, med+ acidity, and creamy finish. Pretty wine, nice structure, and good balance between power and grace.
2004 Domaine Remejeanne Cotes du Rhone Les Genevriers
The following four wines were blind tasted yesterday. Single blind for me and double blind for everyone else. This single vineyard Grenache based blend from the Southern Rhone, behave more like Syrah from the North. Black garnet in color, of med+ intensity with stain to the legs, and medium viscosity. On the nose a bit restrained, aroma, of medium intensity. Wet earth, tree bark, smoked meat, black pepper, and in the background, raspberry, cherry, and herbs. On the palate dry, medium+ intensity, raspberry cordial, cherry, medicinal herbs, earth, and a bit of oak. Medium tannin and acidity, with a pretty long finish. This wine started off muted and quite but was a really strong finisher.
2005 Clos de l’Hermitage Cotes Du Rhone
I tasted this a couple of weeks ago and had to have it for a few of the wine club members, and revisited it last night. Earth dominates this blend of equal parts Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvedre. Some pretty dark berries and raspberries, are lurking behind the hay, and dirt, and chalk. I also got tea leaves, breakfast cereal, smoke, meat, black pepper, and spice. Very dry on the palate, but mouth watering acidity to balance it out. Medium tannin and med+ finish. Seek this wine out.