Mon Coeur Côtes du Rhône Red Rhone Blend

“This Côtes-du-Rhône is technically made from purchased fruit. Chave generally has financed his sources and takes their grapes by a métayage (sharecropping) arrangement. He has more or less complete control over the farming, which is organic. The grapes are shipped to Chave’s facility inside his Saint-Joseph Le Clos site in Mauves. Fermentation is in stainless steel tanks and élevage is in an assortment of new and old barrels, demi-muids and large foudres.”

I’ve enjoyed a few of Chave’s “Selection” series, especially the Blanche (100% marsanne from Hermitage…fantastic). While I’ve been fortunate to try Chave’s Hermitage a few times, I did my best to set expectations fairly for this (at $25/bottle). Short story…very pleased with it. I followed this over two days and it stayed consistent. Deep red in the glass with aromatics of garrique, herbs de Provence, and spiced raspberries and blackberries. The palate still sports such a “clean” profile that I associate with Chave’s Hermitage, alongside pepper and fragrant/floral notes.

This is a CdR that has some staying power. Solid value.

Dark fruits, medium body, essence of tobacco on the palette,; has a very back acidification punch. good seasonal wine. Plays well with fall; perfect for our thanksgiving day feast.

Well crafted wine, anise back notes and slights tannins. Very nice with a well cooked steak.9

Supposedly a near 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, this pours a deep, inky purple color (maybe some Mega purple?) Nose is red fruit and dried hibiscus with a touch of spicy black pepper. No smoky/meaty notes you might expect from Syrah. Lush and supple, but balanced by fine tannins and a peppery bite. Really lovely wine that opened up a lot.

Smooth, Syrah, slightly jammy, currant, plum, slight sweet finish. 2017. $19.99. Very easy to drink. Can drink straight up and/or decanting for an hour or so. Would drink in 1-2 days after opening. Should age well.

It’s not bad but I bet in a blind tasting it would not not get the 9.0 that many are giving it. Most drinkers see the Chave name and are mistakenly led to believe that it has to be a good wine just because of the name. Next time serve to people in a paper bag and you’ll get a different rating.

Dark and chewy in texture, tannic, medium finish. Well-integrated and not hot. Nice work.

Old school CDR that will show better in a couple of years. Barnyard, sour cherry, great structure.

Medium body, slight bit of dark fruit, very good balance of acidity and tannin.
Tony really liked this one at the 1/11/20 tasting at Western Reserve Wines

Pleasant but didn’t stand out much. Lite and muted. Nothing particularly stood out. Drank it the next day and it was riper, but still not much flavor. Tannic aftertaste. $17.95 wasn’t really worth it. Not sure I’d get it again.