The red wines from the Southern Rhone follow a recipe that emphasizes Grenache. The wines of this flight highlight this underdog grape.
Unti Dry Creek Valley Grenache 2005
Pretty funky at first opening but after an hour, the smell improved to show the Grenache fruit. This wine is framed by a moderate level of tannin. GP&B Healdsburg, aged in 620 gal fourdres, unfined and unfiltered, Mick Unti winemaker 14.9% $33 at the Wine Emporium Unti
Domaine de la Mordorée Côtes-Du-Rhône “La Dame Rousse” 2006
Since 2003 my notes show a fruit bomb as if from the New World. This latest vintage has the same overt fruit in a more astringent package. Bottle number 2 soon after showed the same effect. The fruit was straight out of the new world in the nose but the green tannins are overbearing. Mis au domaine DeLorme prop-rec a Tavel, Kysela importer to the US, 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Cinsault 14% $11.99 at Bottle Barn Mordoree
Beckman Santa Ynez Valley Cuvée Le Bec 2005
Ripe black fruits and candy – it’s that lolly, soft supple profile with oaky undertones and a little warmth, 53% Grenache 34% Syrah 8% Mourvedre 5% Counoise grown at the Purisima Mountain Vineyard, Estate Bottled in Los Olivos 14.5% $18 at Wine Emporium
Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape Télégramme 2005
The initial smells featured earth, black pepper and jam. The wine has a fairly big structure with warmth and jammy fruit to taste. Given 3 hours, the fruit really started to show. Mis par Brunier et fils a Bedarrides, 90 Grenache and 10 Mourvedre, mostly from the Plateau de la Crau 14.5% $35 at Traverso’s
