Category Archives: Rhone Blend

Rhone blends from California and Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Ray

Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles, Cotes de Tablas 2008 The fruit is fresh and lively in the nose, with floral notes and sweet spice. In the mouth it is medium-bodied, very fruity and structured, making it a winner with grilled … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Counoise, Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Rhone Blend, Rhône, Syrah | Tagged | Leave a comment

Storrs Rhone Red 2006

Posted on April 16, 2010 by Ray

Storrs, Santa Clara County, Two Creek Vineyard, Red Wine 2006 The nose features a big heft of vanilla and freshly split oak. The oaky flavors carry through on the palate, with ripe black fruit and warmth. I can’t believe as … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Grand Noir, Grenache, Rhone Blend, Santa Clara County, Syrah | Tagged | Leave a comment

d’Arenberg Hermit Crab 2008

Posted on November 9, 2009 by Ray

d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale, The Hermit Crab 2008 The nose features a combo of the herbaceousness that we can find with Marsanne and the overt peaches that we often see with Viognier. The mouth shows us an oily richness overtop of … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Marsanne, McLaren Vale, Rhone Blend, South Australia, Viognier | 2 Comments

Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas 2006

Posted on July 27, 2009 by Ray

Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles, Cotes de Tablas 2006 California sunshine comes through in this New World wine, with ripe liqueur-like fruit and polished edges. There’s a sense of tart cherries and cranberries as well, acidity balancing the ripe character. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Grenache, Paso Robles, Rhone Blend | Leave a comment

Jade Mountain La Provencale 2002

Posted on July 27, 2009 by Ray

Jade Mountain, California, La Provencale 2002 Raisined fruit and pruniness combines with caramel to paint a complex picture in the nose. In the mouth it’s starting to dry out and show a bit of spiritousness as it has crested the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Rhone Blend | Leave a comment

Rhone Rangers Seminar 11/08

Posted on November 10, 2008 by Ray

The Rhone Rangers hosted a seminar yesterday featuring wines that pay homage to the grapes made famous in France’s Rhone Valley. The seminar was not bound by geography; there were wines from both sides of the Atlantic. The seminar was … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone, Dry Creek Valley, Grenache, Lake County, Marsanne, Mendocino County, Mourvedre, Napa Valley, Rhone Blend, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, Syrah, Viognier | 3 Comments

All over Rhone

Posted on July 15, 2008 by Ray

Monticello, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District, Estate Grown, Syrah 2005 Lush and graced by black fruits and a bit of black pepper. P&B in Napa 14.5% $ at the winery Monticello Trinafour, Mendocino County, Niemi Vineyard, Carignane 2006 There’s ample … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Carignane, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France, Grenache, Mendocino County, Mourvedre, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District, Rhone Blend, Rhône, Santa Barbara County, Syrah | Leave a comment

Roaming for Rhone

Posted on February 28, 2008 by Ray

Le Clos du Caillou Cotes du Rhone Vielles Vignes Cuvee Unique 2005 This is a solid wine, balanced in medium weight with ripe fruits and structure. The ripeness is such that there are liquer-like black fruits. The alcohol is showing … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Crozes-Hermitage, France, Rhone Blend, Rhône, Santa Ynez Valley, Syrah | Leave a comment

Viva La Pink!

Posted on January 22, 2008 by Ray

Robert Hall Paso Robles Rose de Robles 2006 Hand harvest Syrah 55%, Grenache 26%, Mourvedre 10% and Cinsault 9% make up this Rhone-inspired rose. Winemaker Don Brady. P&B Paso Robles 13.1% $8.99 at Bottle Barn Robert Hall Montevina Amador County … Continue reading →

Posted in Amador County, California, Paso Robles, Rhone Blend, Rosé, White Zinfandel | Leave a comment

GSMPS

Posted on December 3, 2007 by Ray

Spinifex Barossa Valley Esprit 2004 There is sweet black fruit and tar in the nose. The mouth shows a soft structure that is lush. The in-mouth flavors are very fruity in a candied way. This GSM blend is 36% Grenache, … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Petite Sirah, Rhone Blend, South Australia | Leave a comment

Animals on the Rhone

Posted on November 30, 2007 by Ray

Clarendon Hills Clarendon Kangarilla Grenache 2004 Vibrant black fruit, actually liquer-like in the nose. The palate is spiritous, ripe, framed with acidity around a vast expanse of fruitiness. Sourced from old Grenache vines in the Kangarilla Vineyard. P&B in Blewitt … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Barossa Valley, Grenache, McLaren Vale, Rhone Blend, South Australia | Leave a comment

The Refreshing Side of the McLaren Vale

Posted on November 30, 2007 by Ray

Yangarra McLaren Vale Single Vineyard Roussanne 2007 Pretty floral notes with bits of herbs. The mouth is full of citrus with a light body and some refreshing acidity. V&B in McLaren Vale 13% import sample Yangarra McLaren Vale Single Vineyard … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Grenache, Marsanne, McLaren Vale, Rhone Blend, Rosé, Roussanne, Syrah, Viognier | Leave a comment

Two Takes on Provence

Posted on November 13, 2007 by Ray

Jade Mountain California La Provencale 2004 Previous notes show the wine as complex and oaky though the 2nd bottle earlier in the year seemed a little alcoholic. Tonight’s bottle is very supple again and I don’t think most people would … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Cotes de Provence, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Provence, Rhone Blend, Syrah | Leave a comment

Brunier’s Satellite

Posted on November 13, 2007 by Ray

Domaine Les Pallieres Gigondas 2003 This has been a consistent performer at a more affordable price than the well-made Brunier wines from CDP. The last bottle tasted earlier in 2007 was good again, but the tannic astringency at that time … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Gigondas, Grenache, Rhone Blend, Rhône | Leave a comment

New World Rhone

Posted on October 19, 2007 by Ray

Pirramimma McLaren Vale Old Bush Vine Grenache 2003 The last two tastings of this wine earlier in 2007 showed the fruit of Grenache with ever-integrating oak. Again tonight it is supple and the raisiny fruit is surounded by acidity and … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Valley, Australia, California, Grenache, McLaren Vale, Rhone Blend | Leave a comment