Domaine de la Côte Sainte-Epine
Vieilles Vignes St. Joseph Marsanne Roussanne Blend
St. Joseph, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
A very well made wine, but on the personal pleasure scale it’s not a favorite. I’m not sure why but it’s becoming increasingly clear to me I’m not a Marsanne guy. The nose has that hard marzipan, minerally nose that Marsanne sports. Round texture contrasts with the whack of bitterish minerals in the mouth. Not a lot on the back end. I know others will enjoy this more than I did, so this rating is not pleasure-based but technical based.
A very well made wine, but on the personal pleasure scale it’s not a favorite. I’m not sure why but it’s becoming increasingly clear to me I’m not a Marsanne guy. The nose has that hard marzipan, minerally nose that Marsanne sports. Round texture contrasts with the whack of bitterish minerals in the mouth. Not a lot on the back end. I know others will enjoy this more than I did, so this rating is not pleasure-based but technical based.
May 10th, 2020
2016 is a very special vintage for N. Rhone whites. Nose is a bit quiet . Some mineral, some Marsanne butteriness and hay. Likely too cold. Palate is the truth. Juicy, elegant and mineral with the always intriguing Marsanne minerality. This wine always needs an hour to really get going. Outstanding length and persistence. Great balance. Terrific chewiness and density.
2016 is a very special vintage for N. Rhone whites. Nose is a bit quiet . Some mineral, some Marsanne butteriness and hay. Likely too cold. Palate is the truth. Juicy, elegant and mineral with the always intriguing Marsanne minerality. This wine always needs an hour to really get going. Outstanding length and persistence. Great balance. Terrific chewiness and density.
Mar 27th, 2018
Pop and pour. Four and a half years since my laat btl. On the nose: dense honey, soft herbs, chamomile perfume. On the palate: fantastic acidity and density. Bitter herbs, grapefruit pith, loads of wet stone, and a touch of white pepper heat/spice on the finish. Wow, absolutely stunning now.
Pop and pour. Four and a half years since my laat btl. On the nose: dense honey, soft herbs, chamomile perfume. On the palate: fantastic acidity and density. Bitter herbs, grapefruit pith, loads of wet stone, and a touch of white pepper heat/spice on the finish. Wow, absolutely stunning now.
Oct 9th, 2022
Waxy with a honey quality to it. Rich, lush mouthfeel. Loads of fragrance and flavor. However Not really my style. Needs food- I could see a big, creamy chicken dish.
Waxy with a honey quality to it. Rich, lush mouthfeel. Loads of fragrance and flavor. However Not really my style. Needs food- I could see a big, creamy chicken dish.
Dec 1st, 2019
WOW. Rich. Acidic. Yellow fruits. All in balance. One of the great young whites all year. Bought from Fass Selections. ... off the charts floral inner aromatics. ... nose is almost like those teeny Japanese peaches. Not fleshy and ripe but more nuanced. Finish is such a great combination of mineral and fruit.
WOW. Rich. Acidic. Yellow fruits. All in balance. One of the great young whites all year. Bought from Fass Selections. ... off the charts floral inner aromatics. ... nose is almost like those teeny Japanese peaches. Not fleshy and ripe but more nuanced. Finish is such a great combination of mineral and fruit.
Jul 3rd, 2018In a weird place now. Gorgeous nose. Honeysuckle and lemon zest. At first just a tad watery. Takes an hour to wake up. Then it’s great. A prototypical Fass Selections northern Rhône white. Balance. Minerality. Acidity and of course classic Northern Rhône white heavier fruits but well balanced and harmonious. A worthy successor to the stellar last 4 vintages but it needs time to open up. Bought from Fass Selections.
In a weird place now. Gorgeous nose. Honeysuckle and lemon zest. At first just a tad watery. Takes an hour to wake up. Then it’s great. A prototypical Fass Selections northern Rhône white. Balance. Minerality. Acidity and of course classic Northern Rhône white heavier fruits but well balanced and harmonious. A worthy successor to the stellar last 4 vintages but it needs time to open up. Bought from Fass Selections.
Feb 3rd, 2018