Southern Twang
Château La Nerthe
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2020
Medium ruby. Pronounced aromas of black and red cherry, black plum, blackberry, raspberry, vanilla spice, earth, leather, and smoke. Juicy dark fruits on the palate, accompanied by mint and licorice. Dry and full-bodied, with velvety tannins, medium acidity, and a soft, balanced texture. Despite its high alcohol, the wine feels harmonious and refined. The finish is long and elegant. A polished and sophisticated expression of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, emphasizing nuance and finesse. Best with 30 minutes of decanting. Ready to drink now but will only improve with age.
— a month ago
Domaine du Pegau
Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2020
Fabulous CNP. Medium to full bodied, highly perfumed, garrigue, strawberry and raspberry, very smooth and elegant. Predominantly Grenache. — 12 days ago
Château de Beaucastel
Hommage à Jacques Perrin Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 1990
Pure and intense. Tobacco and growth fruit — 5 days ago
Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend
Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com
80% #grenache 10% #Syrah 5% #mourvedre and 5% #cinsault like a liquor and I love it. — 3 days ago
Château de Beaucastel
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2018
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. No formal notes due to the setting. The 2018 is a fairly classic expression of Beaucastel with a mixed bramble fruit set, underbrush, herbs and spices in lovely balance. Good structure. While still on the youthful side, the 2018 is already showing well and was an awesome accompaniment with a wagyu burger. Drink now through 2038. — 15 days ago
Château de Saint-Cosme
Côtes du Rhône Syrah 2012
Mag! Last of 6 that I bought back in 2014 for $15 each. What a steal and has aged so well. 100% Syrah. Dark purple, black plum. blackberry, olive tapenade, med tannins. — 8 days ago
Will Stanley
First bottle from a case of the 2020 Gigondas village from Ch. de Saint Cosme. It could even be my first time trying Gigondas from Louis Barruol, 14th-gen winemaker here, though I do recall a memorable St Joseph from my birth year that I enjoyed around ten years ago.
This wine is strawberry pink in colour, with good clarity. The nose is shy on the first night, better second; very pretty, with fairly light aromas of blackberry, candied cherry, liquorice, wild herbs, and a hint of grilled meat.
The palate is beautifully polished, striking effortless balance between structure and clarity, sweet fruit and acidity; the tannins are mild and it has wonderful grace through the finish, like a ballroom dancer gliding across the floor. Overall this is a really pure, fresh and elegant expression of Gigondas and has none of the rusticity for which this old appellation is oft known. In fact, it bears greater similarity to old-vine Grenache from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is no bad thing. Also zero trace of heat despite the 15% abv. Very good stuff from Louis Barruol. This will age with Burgundian grace. Can’t wait to try it again – make sure to decant.
— a day ago