Category Archives: Rhone Blend

Rhone blends from California and Chateauneuf-du-Pape

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, Rhône, Rhone Blend, Syrah | Tagged | Leave a comment

Storrs Rhone Red 2006

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

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

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

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

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

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, Rhône, Rhone Blend, Santa Barbara County, Syrah | Leave a comment

Roaming for Rhone

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, Rhône, Rhone Blend, Santa Ynez Valley, Syrah | Leave a comment

Viva La Pink!

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

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