Doug Powers

9.2

Rich and ripe red cherry aromas and flavors, firm yet ripe tannic structure, very nice length, this has improved — a lot — since my last bottle, medium-long finish, very fine Lirac!! — a month ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

8.9

Really nice color still, from a vintage lacking accolades, yet Rudi made a really fine little CdR this vintage, medium-long finish, very good! Cepage here is 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Carignan, 10% Cinsault, 5% Counoise; in these earlier days, before Rudi segregated his Lirac fruit from his other CdR fruit (both in this CdR and in the “Baron Louis” CdR), this CdR was a screaming value with great quality; however, I now much prefer the basic Lirac and “Baron Louis” Lirac to the regular CdR still being produced at this domaine!! — 9 months ago

with Jim

steph s

8.9

The nose threw me off initially... like cheap perfume... but it's actually a great mellow white... and the nose improves — a year ago

Doug Powers

9.3

Lovely floral and mineral aromas and flavors from these super old Clairette vines in Lirac (I’ve walked this vineyard, and they are old head-pruned, super-gnarled, vines), this vintage has aged beautifully and is still not at peak, outstanding!! — 5 months ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

8.9

Lovely Tavel-style Rose, medium-rich, nice acid and balance, medium-long finish, very good!! — 10 months ago

with Jim

Paul T HB

9.4

This was even better on day 2 Notes from K&L, 88-acre estate, Château de Montfaucon sits just across the Rhône River from the esteemed vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is owned and operated by Rodolphe de Pins, a UC Davis graduate and former member of the winemaking staff at Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe. Over the years, Château de Montfaucon has developed a HUGE following among both our staff and customers.The vines for the Mme la Comtesse vineyard were planted in the 1870s (that's not a typo). These old gnarly vines with their highly restricted yields produce some of the richest most concentrated Clairette in the entire Rhône Valley. Planted on a mix of sand, clay and pudding stones, this wine is the essence of sleek minerality. A touch of barrel fermentation adds volume and structure. The flavors resonate with ripe stone fruit flavors and white flowers, a touch of fennel pollen rounds out the finish. This reminds us of Château de Beaucastel's Châteauneuf Vieilles Vignes Blanc which sells for well over $100 a bottle. This is just as limited and just as cool for under $50. — a year ago

Doug Powers

8.9

[Delectable — Label says “La Cote” as well.] Fresh and crisp red CdR with great acidity and juicy fruit, not terribly complex, but just a great drinker, lovely. — 7 months ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.1

Lovely dark fruit aromas and flavors, made with ALL the permissible grapes (10 red, 5 white) in the southern Rhône, rich and nicely balanced, medium-long finish, really fine Côtes du Rhône!! — 7 months ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.3

Red and black fruit aromas and flavors, great balance and depth, long, lingering finish, another outstanding 2010 southern Rhône!! — a year ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.0

Floral, white peach, mineral undertones, really just a lovely white Rhône blend of 35% Marsanne, 35% Clairette, 20% Grenache Blanc, and 10% Picpoul!! — 2 years ago

with Jim