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 also not bound by tradition as we tasted blends based on combining Syrah and Cabernet [...]

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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 acidity to give this wine some tang and the tannins are ripe and refined. Sourced from [...]

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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 a bit in this chewy wine. Sourced from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, this wine is a blend of 90% [...]

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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 White Zinfandel 2006
P&B in St. Helena 10.5% $4.59 at Bottle Barn Montevina

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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, 34% Shiraz, 20% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault, sourced from six vineyards in the Barossa and Eden [...]

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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 Springs 14.5% $55.99 at Bottle Barn Clarendon Hills
Turkey Flat Barossa Valley Butchers Block 2005
A complex medley [...]

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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 Viognier 2007
A stunning example of the exotic peaches that Viognier can convey with an oily and rich [...]

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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 notice the alcohol. This is a blend of Mourvedre, Grenache and Syrah. P&B in Napa 15.2% [...]

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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 seemed out of balance with the density of flavour. Tonight we try it again [...]

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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 still kissed by oak. This is sourced from the oldest vineyard on the estate, dry farmed [...]

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