by Ray Johnson | Apr 29, 2009 | Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
Andre Brunel, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Les Cailloux 2006 In the nose the fruit goes from fresh to raisin, with black pepper and spices from the cupboard. In the mouth, this wine is approachable already, chewy and dripping with acidity with plenty of extract to fill out...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 29, 2009 | Cinsault, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Rhône, Syrah
Coudoulet de Beaucastel, Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge, 2005 The black fruits are alight in the nose with a liquer-like character. In the mouth the fruit is very expressive with the structure you’d expect – a great combo. The grapes are sourced from the Coudoulet...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 3, 2008 | Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Rasteau
Jean-Luc Colombo, Cotes du Rhone, Les Abeilles 2006 This is a juicy-fruity budget offering from the famous Cornas producer. It drinks easily with a little bit of structure. Eleve et mis in La Roche de Glun in Tain 13.5% $??? Domaine des Girasols, Rasteau Cotes du...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 10, 2008 | 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
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...
by Ray Johnson | Oct 1, 2008 | Cinsault, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Rosé, Tavel
Château du Ségriès, Tavel 2007 The ’06 was a solid, fruity wine and the 07 repeats that performance. The nose is clean and full of red fruits. The mouth is full-bodied and a little warm. You also get a sense of red wine with a bit of grip on the palate. The...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 20, 2008 | Cotes du Rhone, Crozes-Hermitage, France, Grenache, Syrah
E. Guigal, Cotes du Rhone 2005 This wine is typically on the more polished side of Rhone blends with a hint of oak. That sense comes through again with a bit of earth and dried fruits. The blend is 55% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 8% Mourvedre and some other stuff. Eleve et...
