La Ferrande Côtes du Rhône Syrah

Oh yum!

2010 was an awesome year for Rhône wines. This wine is refined and elegant. It reminds me of a hillside Gigondas. Coffee, roses, ink, and blackberries aromas. Balanced palate with light tannins. Enjoyable.

Dark purple but notable bricking. It was a touch astringent at first, but with good length. It’s another lesson learned with Syrah - almost incomprehensibly better on day 2. I would have scored this three points lower at least on first taste. Five to six hours of air recommended.

Very robust & peppery - splendid with greek lamb orzo

Thank you Michael - Home Queer Cooking

Asked a boutique wine shop for a Northern Rhone that expressed that classic grilled meats nose. This one didn't disappoint. Lots of violets and blackberry as well in the profile. A little zip on the backend and will benefit from a few years on its back. Glad I have another to enjoy in the future.

Veru soft. Not as much spice or tannin as I would generally expect even for Rhone.

More fruit than I would expect from France, a bit more tannins than I like.

Spicy, but a bit overdone on the alcohol and not enough savory/depth/body to balance the spice and alcohol.

Black fruits with a touch of earthiness and cured meat. There's a freshness that makes this really easy to drink.