wow, absolutely top tier syrah from a cool climate region, Arroyo Grande — 2 years ago
Cheap and cheerful — 4 years ago
Very quaffable! — 8 months ago
One of Usseglio’s top cuvées, Mon Aïeul (“my granddad”) is 100% Grenache from some of the estate’s oldest vines (about 85 years of age) in La Crau, La Guigasse and Les Grandes Serres lieux-dits – each with a different type of soil.
Situated on an elevated plateau to the east of the village, La Crau is perhaps Châteauneuf’s most famous cru, known for its distinctive “galets roulés”, large, rounded river stones deposited here by the Rhône millions of years ago. To the south of the village, Les Grandes Serres is a very warm site on gravelly alluvial soils (and the source of the estate’s biggest wine, the 18% ABV “Not for You”). La Guigasse, on the other hand, is a cooler, sandier site with hardly any galets located on the northeastern part of the appellation, near the famous Pignan and Rayas lieux-dits (Chateau Rayas)
Mostly unoaked, it was brought up in concrete vats, with 15-20% in demi-muids. Ruby red color. Intensely perfumed, with notes of red and dark fruit (strawberry, raspberry), licorice and herbs. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and concentrated. Ripe fruit (cherry) and white pepper, smooth and creamy on the palate. Long, velvety, quite tannic finish. Hedonistic wine. — 2 years ago
First Beaujolais nouveau 2020 — 4 years ago
Beautiful northern Rhône style in Languedoc. Deep purple hues with powerful game / meat scents and iron. Herbaceous, dried thyme, pepper, some ripened raspberry too. Medium body, strong tannins, medium acids.
Made out of site named “Puech Noble.” Located on a small plateau, the ground is covered with ‘galets roulés’ - rounded stones - Very similar to those found in the parts of nearby Chateauneuf-du-Pape. At 150m higher than most of Chateauneuf, so is significantly cooler and offers a fresher character. — 2 years ago
Wonderfully perfumed and rich eight year-old Central Coast Pinot Noir, with fruit, acid, tannins and earth in harmonious balance. Got better as the night went on, and the leftover half bottle the next day was great—soft and approachable yet complex and delicious interesting. Rather Old World, I would say. Enjoyed the 2014 vintage with Livarot cheese and an artisanal country loaf. Magnifique! — 3 years ago
Great well balanced red — 3 years ago
romo
Satisfying cinnamon boysenberry. Meaty matchy QPR. — 3 months ago