2010 Chateau Routas "Rouviere" ROSÉ (Coteaux Varois en Provence, France)

Fantastic rosé and a great value!  But it tasted like a much more expensive Sancerre Pinot Noir rosé than a rosé from Provence -- which is strange given that this wine is a blend of Provencal varietals (Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Cabernet) and has no Pinot Noir in it.  But that's fine by me, since Sancerre rosés are my favorites.


Gorgeous, delicate light coppery color.  Fresh, high-toned nose of flowers, strawberry, and chalky minerals.  Beautiful, light-textured dry strawberry/cherry juice fruit in the mouth.  Medium-light body and excellent, crisp acids.  A little minerality in the clean finish completes it.  If I were served this blind, there is no way I would have placed it as a Provencal rosé.  This screams Sancerre.  A.  Was $11 and change at Spec's on Weslayan and Bissonnet.

2007 Paul Jaboulet-Aine COTES DU RHONE "Parallele 45" (Southern France)

Another CDR I had tucked away for the 2007 tasting that wasn't, this is also a fine example -- quality way above its entry level station.  60% Grenache, 40% Syrah.

Dark blackish ruby with a little brickishness at the rim.  Great nose of deep, dark berry fruit, roasted herbs,  iodine-infused minerals, and smoky peat.  Low-toned, minerally blackberry fruit in the mouth with some soft tannin for structure.  Bone dry, but with mouthfilling flavor presence.  Long finish with no heat at all.  B+  Was $9 and change at Spec's over a year ago, so this vintage may not still be available, but if it is, get some.

2007 Chapoutier COTES DU RHONE "Belleruche" (France)

I bought this two years ago (along with a 2007 Jaboulet Cotes du Rhone "Parallele 45") because I was going to have a "Big 3" Cotes du Rhone tasting when Guigal released his 2007.  I figured it would be good intel for readers faced with all three on store shelves.  Well I waited and waited but it wasn't until just a month or two ago that Guigal's '07s actually hit store shelves here in Houston, so since Guigal's tardiness nixed the commercial relevance of my planned tasting, I figured I'd just start drinking these one at a time.

This one is a beauty.  If you see any left (unlikely), snap them up.

Dark black ruby.  Inviting nose of sweet, dark spices, rich plummy fruit, and fragrant dry gravel.  Soft, mouthfilling flavors of inky, ripe blackberries, along with lots of gravelly minerals.  Great balance, and still a bit of soft tannin remaining.  Clingy but dry finish.  Everything seemed in perfect balance with this wine.  Very elegant for a basic entry level Cotes du Rhone.  B+.  I think I got this for about $15 at Whole Foods on Bellaire well over a year ago.

2009 Xavier Vignon GIGONDAS (Southern Rhone, France)

I know I drank this way too young, but I have four of them and wanted to see where it was in its development curve.  Very young, but beautifully made:  balanced, fragrant, long in the mouth.

Very deep black ruby with violet highlights.  Needs substantial airing to open up, but then displays stunningly pure nose of black fruit and cassis, along with a pure garrigue scents (that fragrant smell that permeates the landscape of the southern Rhone and Provence consisting of herbal scents being blown over dry, rocky soil) and flowers.  Intensely flavored yet seemingly lithe in the mouth, with bone dry, smoked mineral-infused blackberry extract.  Tight and lean, it has good acidity, lots of micro-tannin, and a long, pure finish.  This will age nicely for another 5 years of so.  A-(+).  Got this from Wineaccess.com several months ago.

2007 Domaine Vendemio "AMADEUS" (Cotes de Ventoux, Southern France)

This 80% Grenache, 20 % Syrah was a bruiser.

Completely saturated black ruby.  Dark, low-toned and highly-extracted nose of mineral-laced blackberries, pound cake, and scorched earth.  Inky, mouthcoating, peppery flavors of blackberry skins and graphite.  Boatloads of tannins in the long, dark, highly-extracted, peppery finish.  B.  A winter-weight wine.  Imported by Eric Solomon, I got this on sale from Zachys.com during one of their periodic "$20 Sales."

2007 Eric Texier COTES DU RHONE "Brezeme" (Southern France)

A good, rustic, old-fashioned style of Cotes du Rhone.  Lean, earthy, spicy, and nowhere near the more direct, fruity style that is much more prevalent today.

Dark ruby garnet.  Intensely earthy with a pleasantly barnyardy component on the first day, on day 2 the barnyard was gone, replaced with a tart, spiced cherry and raspberry fruitiness, pungent rock dust, and a hint of sweat.  Tight and lean in the mouth, with bone-dry cherry liqueur/mineral flavors, morphing into a darkly-minerally finish with a slight bitter edge.  Good acidity.  A wine that requires rustic rich food as an accompaniment.  Not a cocktail party red.  B.  Was $23 at Houston Wine Merchant, it's imported by Louis/Dressner Selections.

2009 L'Ameillaud COTES DU RHONE (Southern France)

A well-made if unexciting red.  


Very dark violet-tinged ruby.  Direct, very clean nose of tangy blackberry fruit, stony minerals, and sweet cream.  Richly fruity, with gobs of dark berry fruit with a slight dark chocolatey component.  Lots of fine-grained tannin.  Good clean finish.  If this description sounds good, then I guess my lack of enthusiasm is that this wine simply lacked a sense of place; there certainly was nothing wrong with it.  B.  Imported by Douglas Skopp Selections.  Was about $14 at Spec's.

2009 Reserve des Oliviers CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE Blanc (Southern Rhone, France)

This unique wine had lots of character but may not be everybody's cup of tea. It's a blend of 25% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne, 25% Clairette, and 25% Bourboulenc.

Bright but deep-hued brassy gold. Rich aromas of ripe pear and sweet marzipan, along with a stony minerality. Initially round and ripe in the mouth upon entry, it develops a bitter herbal edge in the finish. Lots of body and length, but very low acidity as well in the clean finish. This is a wine for drinking over the next several months, but don't keep it more than a year. B. Imported by Massanois Imports in DC, I got this for $20 on sale at zachys.com.

2008 Clos Chanteduc COTES DU RHONE (65% Grenache, 35% Syrah) (France)

Very straightforward, although well made. It just didn't spark anything more than casual interest.

Dark ruby with magenta highlights. Clean, moderately fragrant nose of plummy, blackberry fruit and high-toned, Pez-inflected rock dust. Soft, mouthfilling, fruity, and direct, with full body and decent acid balance. No complexity to speak of, but has a nice, clean finish with a tiny bit of bitterness and tannin noticeable in the finish. B-. Imported by Eric Solomon. Was $18 at Zachys.com.

2008 LE PIGEOULET EN PROVENCE VDP Vaucluse (Rhone Valley, France

I had higher hopes for this wine, since it was about $20 and imported by Kermit Lynch. But, alas, it tasted like a cheap-o, mediocre Cotes du Rhone.

Dark ruby/garnet. Medium intensity nose of scorched earth, some vaguely stony minerals, and a bit of black cherry. Lean in the mouth, with some sharp, angular edges initially, giving way to some spicy cherry fruit in the still-lean mid palate. C. I wouldn't complain at $8, but at $20, I am. Got it at Houston Wine Merchant.

2007 "GRANACHA" "Signargues" Cotes du Rhone-Villages (France)

From the well-respected Estezargues Co-op, this wine was a little overextracted, resulting in some astringency and a rough texture.

Dark black ruby. Nose of sharp, scorched earth, smoky sandstone, and some blackberry and peach pit scents. Ripe, lush fruit is somewhat compromised in the mouth with noticeable alcoholic, peppery notes. A bit of bitter chocolate and plentiful, rustic tannins in the finish. C+. Disappointing. Imported by Eric Solomon, I got this for $18.99 from Zachys.com.

2009 Les Mugues "Balandran" COSTIERES DE NIMES ROSÉ (Rhone Valley, France)

A good, chunky rose. Lots of flavor, but needs to be drunk soon.

Light bubble gum orangey pink. Juicy aromas of ripe grapes and watermelon, with hints of stone dust and sweet cream. Round, dry, and ripe, with nicely concentrated fruit in a well-balanced, medium full-bodied format. Decent acidity. B-. About $15 at most Spec's stores. Imported by Douglas Skopp Selections.

(Sorry, 2007 depicted).

2006 Domaine Grand Veneur CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE (Southern Rhone, France)

This was classic Chateauneuf! Very traditionally styled both in flavors and structure.

Dark black ruby. Intensely earthy, roasted dark herbs and iodine-infused nose, with notes of rich blackberry and cocoa powder underneath. Richly-flavored, with mouthcoating, dense, earthy, dry gravel and herb flavors masking some highly-concentrated blackberry extract fruit. Long, very clingy finish with some nice soft tannin. Great now, this will improve over the next 2-3 years. Amazingly, this is the "least" of the three Chateauneufs this producer makes. A. Imported by Kysela Pere et fils. I think this was around $35 from Zachy's in Scarsdale, NY, several months ago.

(Sorry, 2007 depicted.)

2009 Domaine La Suffrene BANDOL Blanc (Provence, France)

A very distinctive white that, while not possessing great depth or complexity, is a real kick to drink because of its unique flavors. Try brown-bagging this on your friends. No one will come even close to guessing what it is. As for the components, it's a blend of Clairette and Ugni Blanc grapes.

Very pale, bright gold. Loads of grassy, fresh herbs and bitter pear skins on the nose. Up-front fruit smacks the palate with very direct, low-toned bitter pear fruit and a huge herbal streak. Clingy, herbal finish, with medium body and decent acidity. Drink over the next few months. B. Was $25 at Spec's on Weslayan/Bissonnet.

2008 Les Clos de Caillou COTES DU RHONE "Vieilles Vignes" (France)

Fantastic Cotes du Rhone, although not cheap either. Showing off the Grenache side of the Rhone family.

(These notes are from memory, as I had this at the house of some friends and didn't take contemporaneous notes). Medium dark black ruby. Sinfully pure nose of spicy, tangy dark raspberries, crushed stones and roasted herbs. Pure, soft, and mouthfilling, with great fruit/acid balance. Long, pure, soft finish. 90. I got this in northwest Austin at the Whole Foods just off of 183. It was $23. Imported by North Berkeley Imports.

2005 Domaine du Murinais CROZES-HERMITAGE "Cuvee Vieilles Vignes" (Rhone Valley, France)

This Syrah was good, but nothing more.

Youthful dark black ruby. Meaty, earthy nose with warm sandstone scents and some faint, slightly yeasty cassis fruit. Tight and crisp in the mouth, and actually a bit thin and lacking concentration. The modest fruit quickly transitioned in the mouth to a clingy, brambly component. Not bad, but not a repeat purchase. 80.

Grandma, Nonno, and Molly's visit -- night 4

Polpetonne alla Toscana with two great wines I have enjoyed before and wanted to share with M&D:

2005 Chante Cigale CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE (Southern Rhone, France) -- I have reviewed this wine previously, and it remains very very good. Medium dark black ruby. Elegant, intensely minerally nose, with warm, dry gravel scents, incense, iodine, and dry blackberry extract. Dark and tannic, with deep-toned, iodine-rich blackberry fruit. Long finish coats the mouth with soft tannin on the physical side and clinging minerals on the taste side. Very nice. Drink in the next 2-3 years. 89.

2004 Renato Ratti BAROLO Rocche "Marcenasco" (Piemonte, Italy) -- Previously reviewed here, this remains a great Barolo. Dark black ruby with a hint of amber at the rim. Rich nose of dark cherries, cherry liqueur, and smoky earth. Soft, but with a dense concentration of dark cherry and dried cherry fruit. Fair amount of tannin in the back half of the palate. An excellent Barolo for drinking with special meals over the next 2-4 years. 91.

Grandma, Nonno, and Molly's visit -- night 3

2009 Hippolyte-Reverdy SANCERRE ROSE (Loire Valley, France) -- I think I've decided that the Pinot Noir roses from Sancerre are my favorites. This one was remarkable. Gorgeously light salmon color, gorgeously fruity nose of strawberries, cherries, and a light floral component. Perfumed as all get-out. Gorgeously light texture, but with intense yet vivacious fruit. Very nice acidity and a clean clean finish. Loved it. 90. $19.99 from B-21 Wines in Florida.

2005 Guigal GIGONDAS (Southern Rhone, France) -- Gigondas can be an unforgiving wine, sometimes too angular, lean, and/or rustic/coarse. But when it hits, it hits, and this one hit. Black ruby-garnet. Fantastic old-school spicy, gravelly-stony, dark berries and garrigue nose. Smells like the arid southern French countryside in a bottle. Dark, intensely rich, iodine-infused blackberry extract flavors. Full-bodied frame (just the teeniest bit of heat noticeable on the finish), and a fair amount of tannin. Very expressive and satisfying. Textbook Gigondas. 91. (Can't remember where I got this, but it wasn't in Houston).

2007 Domaine Weinbach RIESLING Schlossberg "Cuvee Saint Catherine L'Inedit" (Alsace France) -- this half bottle of late-picked Riesling (from a Grand Crus vineyard) was very backward at first, but then blossomed after about an hour. Extraordinarily pale gold color, and an amazingly rich, complex nose of deeply-spiced grapes and tropical fruit, brown sugar, and the sweetest minerals imaginable. Intensely flavorful, with earthy, spiced peach extract, ending in a long cling peach syrup and liquid mineral finish. Fairly full-bodied for a Riesling with a little heat in the long, long finish. Redunculous. 93. Was $46 per 375 ml at Houston Wine Merchant.

2007 Chateau de Saint Cosme COTES DU RHONE "Les Deux Albion" (Rhone Valley, France)

This 50% Syrah 50% Grenache wine is a perennial winner.

Luxurious black ruby robe. (Yup, it's a robe, not just color). Decadent nose of sweet berry extract and perfumey, smoky gravel. Rich, ripe, broad flavors coat the mouth with loads of low-toned berry fruit and clingy, iodiney minerals. Extremely full-bodied, with a long, warm finish that features fairly low (but not too low) acidity and abundant but ripe tannins. Made almost in a Chateauneuf style, this wine pushes the envelope but remains in balance. 89. Was $19 at Spec's. Imported by Stacole.

2009 Chateau Mourgues du Grés "Les Galets Rosés" COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES ROSÉ (Rhone Valley, France)

A very fruity, lively, and balanced dry rosé made from Syrah and Grenache.

Light, bright, youthful pink color. Intensely fruity nose of fresh peach and watermelon, with the barest whiff of stony minerals. Great purity. Soft, round, and mouthfilling, yet with a light feel. Lots of pure fruit flavors and a clean, dry finish. Not a crisp rosé, but not flabby either. 88. Good value at $13 and change at Spec's on Smith. Drink over the next 6 months. Imported by Imported by Weygandt-Metzler.