Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Medium Ruby with aromas of black and red fruits with cedar, floral and spice notes. On the palate flavors of cherry, blackberry and cedar with smoke and tobacco notes. Generous acidity on fine soft tannins with a long finish ending with fruit and spice. Drinking well now! — 4 months ago

Zain

9.5

Excellent wine. Dark red fruit hint of tobacco and spices. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

4 left after this one. Following my plan of having one per year until complete. This has not changed much from 12 months ago. At its peak sitting on the plateau. Notes of dark chocolate, mocha and blackberry - the Penfolds DNA in essence. Tastes a lot younger than 20 years of age. Medium plus bodied with a savoury twist at the finish. 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Shiraz. — 4 years ago

Dylan Thomas

9.1

Valle D’ass funk — 6 years ago

John Chawluk

9.2

Even better than the first. — 6 years ago

with Scotti and Sophie

James Gourley

8.9

Great structure and fruit, but the tannins were a bit chewy. Maybe let this one sit for a couple of years. — 7 years ago

Michelle Tracy

10

One of the best wines I've had in a while — 6 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.1

Winegeeks cuu — 8 months ago

Jenny

9.0

A bit creamy — 4 years ago

Amanda Burton

8.9

Serviceable. Heavier than my usual every day CDR. — 4 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

9.0

I really liked this one. Deep, dark black cherry on the great nose and throughout. — 5 years ago

Guillaume Duchesne-Lessard

9.0

Faisait soif — 6 years ago

Michael Ross

9.2

Pomegranate, rosemary, thyme, cigar box, cocoa,‘multiple layers of flavor. Very nice — 6 years ago

Emily Virgil

9.3

Ultra brut pairs perfectly with cipolline fritti e pizza margherita!
Superb value — 7 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

N: central coast nose a bit of candy.

P: candyish central coast fruit. Long. Juicy.

Grapevine 15.83 on 2 — 7 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Gabriel Meffre ‘Saint Mapalis’ Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu 2023
Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic Southern Rhône red blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre (GSM), sourced from the stony, sun-drenched vineyards of the Plan de Dieu appellation within the Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC. This cuvée honors Saint Mapalis, a local figure tied to Rhône’s viticultural heritage.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with enticing blackberry, plum, and licorice, layered with earthy garrigue and touches of black pepper and spice. A hint of dried herbs and violets rounds out the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is juicy and approachable, carrying dark berry fruit through to a smooth finish.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, soft, and balanced, with silky tannins and a gentle persistence. Shows freshness alongside its ripe fruit core, making it both food-friendly and enjoyable on its own.

Winemaking Notes
Vinified traditionally with careful extraction to highlight fruit and terroir, then aged to round out tannins. Designed for youthful drinking while retaining Rhône typicity.

Food Pairing
Excellent with roast chicken, grilled lamb, charcuterie, and Provençal herb dishes. Its balance of fruit and spice also works well with pizza or casual Mediterranean fare.

Verdict
A lovely value-driven Rhône blend—expressive, soft, and versatile. It feels more expensive than it is and showcases the charm of Plan de Dieu’s terroir. — a year ago

Jason Sliwa

9.2

Rich and elegant. Such a nice find in an excellent wine list. — 5 years ago

Ross Larson

9.0

As much as I think French wines are overrated, this is a very good Bordeaux for the price — 5 years ago

Amanda Burton

9.1

This might be a contender. — 6 years ago

Dominic O'Mahony

8.9

Bready aromas with a sherbet sharpness and slight cheesiness(!) on initial opening; peardrop, malt loaf, a little minerality. — 7 years ago