Brunel De La Gardine

Château de la Gardine

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2011

We went off grid with this wine to accompany a delicious cheese selection. Had all the CdP descriptors without being heavy - medium to full bodied. Earthy with red berries - a tarry note. Good without being very good even with the age. — 2 months ago

Byron Hewett
with Byron
Byron, Tom and 18 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

Agreed. Are you still in Australia?
Byron Hewett

Byron Hewett Premium Badge

Yes. Back from Perth and Margaret River. I’ll send you an email with my thoughts! 10 wineries in 4 days, about 100 wines tasted.
9.1

Château de la Gardine

Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvée Tradition 2013

One of the few white Rhône’s I’ve really liked. Doesn’t have the acid I tend to look for in whites but the difference is appreciated - quite floral and white fruited and with good body. — 8 months ago

Tom, Andrew and 2 others liked this

Les Cailloux (Lucien et André Brunel)

Selection Reflets Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1989

I snuck this bottle into the flight of CdPs as a bonus offering from my cellar. Frankly, I was more curious than anything as I thought it could be old and tired. But if it wasn’t, I wanted to make sure the special moment could be shared. A special moment it most certainly was. The 1989 is vinous and mostly tertiary with predominate notes of mushrooms and forest floor while the mixed berry fruit set was more baked and dried. This not only held fast throughout the night, it showed some spring in its step as the hours went by. If I’m using wine as a metaphor, this is yet another reason to respect one’s elders. Often there are stories to be heard so it’s careless to dismiss. Stop and listen and you could gain some wisdom. A brilliant wine and a lovely pairing with cassoulet, Toulouse sausage and duck confit. Drink now through 2029. — a month ago

Josh, Eric and 7 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

The old label. Can still taste this one altho it’s been 30+ years.

André Brunel

Cuvée Sabrine Côtes du Rhône Villages 2019

From the producer of the excellent Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this Côtes-du-Rhône Villages has notable depth of flavor and excellent balance of smooth tannins, medium acidity and complexity of fruit. Strawberry, blackberry, black cherry, leather, garrigue (wild thyme and lavender) and a subtle meaty note. It’s like a restrained CdP. 70% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 10% Syrah. For about $20 it’s a good value — 2 months ago

Paul, Tom and 2 others liked this

Château de la Gardine

Cuvée des Generations Gaston Philippe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2017

Excellent paired with French cheeses ( Fourme d’Ambert, pavé de brebis, fromages de chèvre de Normandie et d’Anjou). Had the 2017 vintage in July 2023. — 9 months ago

Brunel De La Gardine

Vacqueyras Red Rhone Blend 2021

Soepel, fruitig, licht, pepertje — 2 months ago

André Brunel

Cuvée Reserveé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2020

This is a very good value for a classic GSM Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Well balanced, with good acidity, plush tannins and bright red (strawberry, red currant) and black fruit (blackberry, black cherry). There is already a welcome note of garrigue (wild thyme and lavender) and a hint of leather. What prevents it from scoring higher is a medium finish from toned-down intensity. For that added level you need to go for the top-tier (and excellent) Les Cailloux! — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister, Paul and 3 others liked this

Château de la Gardine

Châteauneuf-du-Pape White Rhône Blend 2013

Nice rhone white. Better than the last bottle we had. Some tropical fruits. Nice balance and body and mouthfeel. Acid slightly lower but still a refined finish. — 2 years ago

Lyle, Severn and 2 others liked this