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Chateau La Nerthe 2003 Chateauneuf Du Pape

June 18, 2008 By Shea 2 Comments

I picked this up with the knowledge that Chateau La Nerthe has established a very fine reputation for their CDP bottlings, but also knowing that 2003 was a sporadic year. But, I’ve had some good 03′s so I figured it was worth a try.

The nose was classic southern Rhone grenache based blend – earthy, dusty, roasted and briary red fruits. The palate continued this trend and had a nice hint of savory earth that was well balanced with the simple cherry fruit. I found this exceedingly pleasant, but lacking depth, especially at this price point. A solid but disappointing wine from a top CDP estate.

Very Good+
$65 at BCLDB
Filed Under: $60+, French Wine, Rhone Blends, Very Good

Spinifex Esprit 2005

June 18, 2008 By Shea Leave a Comment

Another stab at the Aussie Rhone-style wines. This, as I’ve mentioned before, is made in the Barossa valley and carries its characteristically intense fruit. This is basically a GSM blend with a couple other grape varieties thrown in the mix (Cinsault and Carignan). The nose is very confection heavy, with the palate becoming tart cherry, plum skin and chocolate. The wine smooths out with air but still seems unbalanced and, honestly, a little pedantic.

Very Good
$45 at Liberty ($35 at Marquis)
Filed Under: $40-$60, Australian Wine, Rhone Blends, Very Good

Saint Cosme Cote Du Rhone 2006

April 9, 2008 By Shea Leave a Comment

It’s quite astonishing to get a wine in BC for $20 that evokes a sense of terroir. Most stuff is pretty commercialized and uninteresting, which is a shame given that in a deregulated market there would be plenty of great stuff in this price range. Until then, us BC wine consumers will have to rely on bottles like these.

This is a fabulous Cote Du Rhone that has a lot more character than most every CDR I’ve tasted. I enjoyed the dark red berry flavours, the concentration and the lush texture. Amazingly, the flavour profile includes notes of earth and is filled with the great brambly character of a tasty Gigondas or Chateauneuf. The wine has tremendous depth for a CDR and exhibits authentic Rhone character without being light, boring or overly juicy. I could drink this as my every day table wine. Overall I would compare this wine favourably to the Chateau Saint Cosme Gigondas, but note that the CDR has less complexity and refinement. However, it’s also less than half the price!

Very Good+ to Excellent (in consideration of Price)
$20 at BCLDB (Also available at Kitsilano Wine Cellars and Broadway International Wine Cellars)

Filed Under: $20-$30, French Wine, Rhone Blends, Very Good

Domaine Les Pallieres Gigondas 2003

April 7, 2008 By Shea Leave a Comment

I have tasted the 2004 Les Pallieres before and appreciated its earthy but concentrated flavours. I recently had the opportunity to pick up the 2003 for only $23 a bottle (the 2004 goes for $40 now) and so I jumped at the chance to pick a few up.

The 2003 is similar to the 04, but has more concentration and heat on the finish. It is also less of a fruit bomb, and has a little less poise than the 04. Flavours of dried cherry, licorice, kirsch, and a hint of earthiness. This has a big nose and a smooth palate, despite having a bit of heat (no doubt a result of the super hot 2003 vintage). I like this a lot, but the 2004 is, in my opinion, a superior wine and will cellar for a longer time. This is great for drinking over the short-mid term.

Very Good+
$23 (marked down from $35) at Marquis
Filed Under: $30-$40, French Wine, Rhone Blends, Very Good

Chateau de St. Cosme Gigondas 2005

March 27, 2008 By Shea Leave a Comment

The exact opposite of the wine from yesterday’s review. This is real Rhone Valley that typifies why this region is so exciting for me. Here we have a regular Gigondas wine that is bold, rustic and edgy without being manipulated or alcoholic.

The nose was very much that of baked earth and fresh cherry; I can feel the sun beating down on the grapes. This does not have that ‘baked’ fruit flavour, though, but is quite well balanced. The palate is again roasted earth and cherry with waves of gamey pepper and spice. The flavours also concentrate and expand on the finish, which brings a fantastic end to a sip of this fantastic Gigondas. One of the best Gigondas I have had. These guys also make a single vineyard Gigondas, which I have sitting in my cellar collecting the appropriate amount of age. I have high expectations.

Excellent
$46 at Broadway International Wine Cellars or Kitsilano Wine Cellars
Filed Under: $40-$60, Excellent, French Wine, Rhone Blends

Chateau de Montfaucon "Baron Louis" Cotes Du Rhone 2005

March 26, 2008 By Shea 2 Comments

It’s bound to happen. At some point. Against all my expectations this was one of the worst wines I’ve had in recent memory. This came highly recommended as a Cotes du Rhone made in the Chateauneuf du Pape style (blending Chateauneuf varieties) from a single vineyard across the river from CdP and in a great vintage. And, amazingly, this vineyard is owned by a former member of the winemaking team at none other than Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe.

The nose was very simple and slight – a hint of red berry. Palate-wise this was all sour-cherry and boring. Too acidic and poor balance. Overall this was actually hard to drink and it took a few days and two people to get it all down (and with food). After an hour decanting it opened a bit and the fruit was a little more concentrated. So, while not gross, I cannot recommend this to anyone. I hear the 2004 was better.

Fair
$35 at Kitsilano Wine Cellars
Filed Under: $30-$40, Fair, French Wine, Rhone Blends

The Rhone Gang "Hold Up" no. 6

March 14, 2008 By Shea Leave a Comment

Today’s post brings us quite a unique wine, and one that I am happy to say hails from the Rhone Valley in France, which as I’ve mentioned before is probably my favourite wine region. The first interesting detail with this wine is that it is put together by some of the Rhone’s top producers, including the likes of Louis Barruol (from Château St. Cosme) and Frederic Chaudière (from Château Pesquié) who collectively go by the name “The Rhone Gangsters”. The second, and quite surprising point of interest, is that this wine is a blend of Pinot Noir and Grenache! I didn’t think I’d ever see these two grapes together, especially in a Rhone wine. But there you have it.

The Hold Up no. 6 is light but bright with a good acidic core and smooth tannins. The palate brings forth some really nice sour cherry flavours (probably from the Grenache) and a hint of strawberry (there’s the Pinot). Underneath the fruit are some pretty tones of earth, rocks and flowers. This will go great with lighter meats and cheeses and is also a heck of a lot of fun to drink. This is an exceptional wine, and quite under the radar right now. Plus, at this price point, this stuff is worth buying by the case. I just hope there’s some left when I can afford to buy a few bottles.

Excellent
$27 at Kitsilano Wine Cellars
Filed Under: $20-$30, Excellent, French Wine, Rhone Blends

Domaine Les Pallieres Gigondas 2004

December 7, 2007 By Shea 2 Comments

I just wrote my first exam and handed in my only paper of the semester, so this called for another yummy wine. What can I say: very very juicy. The wine seems mild but it develops into a really intense fruit bomb. And I mean that in a good way. This wine is mostly Grenache and, as a Gigondas it hails from the Rhone Valley, which is maybe my most favourite region in the world. With wines of this quality coming in at only $40 (in BC of course) who can doubt that the Rhone makes some seriously good vino. I only wish I could afford some of the $80+ wines. I’m lucky enough to have one Hermitage cellared, but that one will probably be sitting for quite a few more years.

Anyhow, back to the wine at hand. I would describe this as having a very open and fruity nose consisting mostly of dried cherries. The wine itself is heavy in cherry and plumb, a bit of leather and chocolate and with a tarry inky texture. I love this sort of thing so this wine gets a very good rating for me. I would definitely buy this again. Drinking very well right now.

Also, to clarify my rating system, I will really only end up buying wines rated excellent or higher more than once. I have very high standards for rebuying wine, since there is always more to discover. That might give you a better sense of where I’m coming from.

Excellent

$40 at BCLDB and Marquis (where I got mine)

Filed Under: $40-$60, Excellent, French Wine, Rhone Blends
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