2011 Saint Cosme Cotes-du-Rhone

I am a big fan of the Southern Rhone for everyday values as well as some of the great village level wines from places like Chateauneuf du Pape, Rasteau, and Gigondas.  I first discovered Saint Cosme through their phenomenal and incredibly consistent Gigondas, and I have enjoyed many vintages of this delicious but not inexpensive (about $40 per bottle now) Grenache driven blend over the years.  It was only recently that I discovered that Saint Cosme also has a great Cotes-du-Rhone that you can take home for a little over $10/bottle.  It has quickly become one of my everyday favorites.

The 2011 Saint Cosme Cotes-du-Rhone is rather unique in that it is a Southern Rhone wine that is not Grenache based.  It is 100% Syrah, which is much more typical of the Northern Rhone.  In your glass, the wine is intense purple in color.  The nose brings aromas of blackberry, black raspberry, and black pepper along with a bit of garrigue and that almost gamy, meaty smell that most of my favorite Syrahs have.  In your mouth, this wine is very true to the nose with great blackberry fruit.  The little bit of funky game, garrigue, and mild tannins give remarkable balance and complexity to a wine that I paid less than $12 for.  This wine is a steal.

Pair this delicious and inexpensive Syrah with lamb, game, or any grilled red meats, or at $12 a bottle just sip it on its own.

Cheers!

Domaine Constant-Duquesnoy Vinsobres 2008

Vinsobres is a relative newcomer on the Southern Rhone scene that is producing some very nice wines. For many years wines from this area were simply Cotes-du-Rhone, but after many years of effort Vinsobres was given its own AOC status in 2005. Domaine Constant-Duquesnoy was established around the same time by Gerard Constant and Denise Duquesnoy who acquired the former Domain Les Ausselons and developed the great potential that was in the vineyard there.

The vineyard itself ranges from about 800 to 1350 feet in altitude, with 3/4 of the land being steeply sloped with terraced vines. The earth is a mix of alluvial soils and limestone pebbles that is planted with 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah with the age of the vines ranging from 6 to 50 years. In a short amount of time, the Domaine has put out some really good offerings, and the 2008 Vinsobres is no exception.

The Domaine Constant-Duquesnoy Vinsobres 2008 is an almost opaque, very dark red in your glass. The nose brings cassis and some plum with undertones of leather and earth. On the palate you get beautiful blackberry fruit initially that is followed by some very pleasant stony minerality on the finish. The wine is full bodied without being overdone or syrupy which is somewhat surprising considering the 15% alcohol content, and the tannins are very well integrated.

Overall, this wine is a really nice value that I picked up for about $18. The nose is a little restrained and just teases you with its potential, but once you drink it the blackberry fruit explodes on your palate and is backed up by perfect tannins and the stony element. This would be absolutely delicious with an herbed rack of lamb on the grill.

Cheers!

Cave de Rasteau Cotes Du Rhone Villages Rasteau 2008

Trying to follow the 2007 vintage in the Southern Rhone is no easy task. I worry every time that I try 2008 and 2009 wines from the Rhone Valley that I will be disappointed after having had so many great wines from the legendary 2007 vintage. It seems thought that the values just keep coming from the Southern Rhone especially from some of the lesser known and up and coming villages scattered throughout the region.

The Cave de Rasteau Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau 2008, made from 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Syrah, is just such a value. In your glass it is medium red with a little bit of brick like color at the edge which suggests a much older wine. The nose brings mixed raspberries and strawberries with spice and a subtle earthy element. In your mouth you get much more of the same raspberry and strawberry fruit with ample spice to add some depth. The acidity is nice with mild tannins, and the finish has decent length and brings an additional element of sour cherries.

Overall, this is a nice, easy drinking wine that is perfect for everyday enjoyment at a price of $12. This would pair nicely with a grilled pork tenderloin or would certainly work well with an assortment of cheese and olives.

Cheers!

Domain "La Garrigue" Cuvee Romaine Cotes du Rhone 2009

Time after time, I continue to be amazed at the values I can find from the Southern Rhone. It's like a well kept secret that I'm afraid is going to get out. Really good wines are no longer just coming from Chateuneuf-du-Pape. There are great wines in Rasteau, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, and in the plain old Cotes du Rhone appelation.

Today's subject is the Domaine "La Garrigue" Cuvee Romaine Cotes du Rhone 2009. This unfined and unfiltered blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah has a very nice, bold purple color in your glass. The bouquet is heavenly. Intense aromas of sweet black raspberry are complemented by lavender and notes of violet. It smells like a $75 bottle of wine! On the palate, you get lots more of the same black raspberry fruit up front. The wine is medium-full in body and has some strong stony tannins on the finish. This mineral element provides quite a contrast to all the fruit you get at first. The finish is subtly long with much more minerality than fruit.

Overall this wine delivers a nice value at $15, with a caution to those who don't like too much in the minerality or stony tannins department. The fruit is delicious, but you will get a pretty strong complement of minerality to go with it. From a pairing standpoint, I may insult the French when I say this, but this would go beautifully with some slow smoked baby back ribs slathered in your favorite BBQ sauce.

Cheers!

Perrin & Fils Vinsobres Les Cornuds 2007

This 2007 Cotes Du Rhone is yet another in a string of absolutely delicious wines I’ve had from the outstanding 2007 vintage in the Southern Rhone; however, this one is quite a bit different from the others that I have had in that Grenache is not the predominant varietal in the blend. This Cotes du Rhone from the Vinsobres region, which is further north than most of the better known Cotes du Rhone Village areas, consists of 65% Syrah and 35% Grenache.

In your glass the Perrin & Fils Vinsobres Les Cornuds 2007 is deep purple in color. The nose has no single defining element, but it has a nice blend of black and red fruit with some pepper and spice. In your mouth cherry and raspberry fruit combine beautifully, and there is also a nice but subtle element of pepper. Earthy tannins and great acidity provide balance and structure. The finish is not overwhelming, but it is pleasant and sneaky long.

Overall, this is a very interesting and very good wine. It walks a fine line between some of the cooler climate, more delicate wines of the Northern Rhone and some of the more powerful wines of the south. At a price point in the high teens, it is also an excellent value. This pairs nicely with grilled beef or lamb, and it’s a great red wine to serve with a variety of cheeses. It also tastes great just paired with a glass!

Cheers!

Chapelles St. Arnoux Vacqueras Vielles Vignes 2007

It's getting so easy that it's almost getting silly. I used to work so hard to search out values from the Southern Rhone, constantly asking my favorite retailers what they have and searching things out online. With the 2007 vintage, though, the search has almost become too easy. There are so many good values and frankly so many great values that I am pinching myself.

The Chapelle St. Arnoux Vacqueyras 2007 is one of those many great values that I have been fortunate to find from the Southern Rhone. If you like Vacqueyras as much as I do, you know that most of these wines sell in the $20 to $40 range and are often quite good values in that price range. This Chapelle St. Arnoux is a steal at $13. After tasting it and checking and re-checking what I paid for it, I was certain that some local or federal law enforcement officials would be visiting me to discuss the grand larceny that I had committed. This wine drinks like it should be three times the price.

The Chappelle St. Arnoux Vacqueyras is made from 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre and exhibits a red-purple color in your glass. The bouquet is wonderful and quite interesting in that the fruit component changed pretty significantly as the wine opened up. When first poured after 15 minutes in decanter, it smelled like sweet cherry pie in a glass, but as the wine opened up, the sweet cherries were joined by an equal component of blackberry. You also picked up some classic Rhone garrigue and the subtlest hint of leather. On the palate the wine brings sweet cherry and blackberry fruit with a hint of red currant. The fruit is complemented by some herbs and spice. It has very nice acidity and mild tannins that are very well integrated. Overall, this is an amazing wine for the price.

From a pairing standpoint, this is one of those wines that can go a lot of ways. I had it with a grilled pork tenderloin and felt that is worked pretty well. It would also pair nicely with a variety of cheeses if you are looking for one red wine to serve with a wide selection of cheese.

If you're interested in seeing other wines form Vacqueyras please see this link http://acoupleofwines.blogspot.com/search/label/Vacqueyras

If you're interested in seeing other wines from the Southern Rhone please see this link http://acoupleofwines.blogspot.com/search/label/Southern%20Rhone

Cheers!

Domaine La Monardiere Les 2 Monardes Vacqueyras 2007

I just don't think I can say enough about the 2007 vintage in the Southern Rhone. I have tried quite a few 2007 Rhones now, and I have yet to find a wine that doesn't deliver delicious taste and outstanding value. This is true of wines ranging from the most basic Cotes-du-Rhone right up to the outstanding 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Papes. There are also outstanding value to be found in some of the up and coming villages in the Southern Rhone like Gigondas and Vacqueyras.

Today's subject is one of many great values I have found from Vacqueyras. The Domaine La Monardiere Les 2 Monardes Vacqueyras 2007 is medium red in your glass. The nose brings a wonderful mix of berry fruit with an element of licorice and some very subtle forest floor. In your mouth the wine is a little lighter than most wines from Vacqueyras. It has a very refined and elegant medium-bodied mouthfeel. The blackberry, cherry, and raspberry fruit is accompanied by a little bit of spice, and very nice acidity and mild tannins provide outstanding balance. Overall, this is a beautifully structured, very food friendly Southern Rhone that drinks like a much more expensive wine, and the $21 price tag makes it an excellent value.

As far as pairings go, this is a wonderful wine for those foods that could get overwhelmed by heavier reds. I love it with pork tenderloin or seared duck breast. It would also be great to serve with a diverse mix of cheeses.

Cheers!

Domaine de Montvac Arabesque Vacqueyras 2007

This week I’m focusing on regions that aren’t necessarily the best known in their respective countries. Today I’m looking at a wine from the Southern Rhone in France. This is a region that is somewhat well known, but not nearly as well known as the French regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, or Champagne. Within the Southern Rhone, the best known and most expensive wines come from the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape which is its own AOC or Appelations d’Origine Controlee; however, Chateauneuf-du-Pape is just one of many AOCs in the Southern Rhone. The Domaine de Montvac Arabesque 2007 that is our subject today is from the AOC of Vacqueyras, which is about 8 miles to the northeast of Chateauneuf-du-Pape geographically and about $15 to $50 to the south of it in price.

Vacqueyras is the newest of the Southern Rhone AOCs, having just achieved AOC status in 1990. Stylistically they are a little more subdued than wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The quality of the wines, though, is quite good, and the values you can find here are excellent. The Domaine de Montvac Arabesque 2007 is one of the best values that I have found from Vacqueyras.

Made from 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre, the wine is red-purple in color, and the nose brings intense cherry with notes of plum. More of the same cherry fruit pleases your palate with just a hint of spice. Very nice acidity and silky tannins make for a nicely structured wine and lead up to a mouthwatering finish with some decent length to it. This wine is every bit as good as some 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Papes that I have had in the $30 and $40 price range, and it retails for a little under $20 a bottle. It’s an outstanding value, and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if it ended up on my 2010 list of top wines.

From a pairing standpoint, this would go perfectly with pot roast or a nice beef or lamb stew. It would also work well with grilled red meats.

Cheers!

Domaine de Ferrand Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007

There has been a lot of talk about the 2007 vintage in the Southern Rhone, and so often when that happens the talk is just that – talk. From what I have tasted so far of the 2007 Rhones, these wines are not just talking the talk. They are good. In fact, they are very good.

Although I have tasted quite a few other Southern Rhones, The Domaine de Ferrand 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape (CDP) is the first of the 2007 CDPs that I have tasted. Domaine de Ferrand is a small estate with just 5 ½ hectares (about 13 acres) planted primarily with Grenache, a lot of it old vines. Winemaker Philippe Bravy has quickly established a reputation as a rising star of the Rhone, who has a strong interest in preserving the traditional Chateauneuf-du-Pape style. He is a big believer in limiting yields in his organically farmed vineyard. His wines have big, ripe fruit, but they also a lot more to them.

The 2007 Domaine de Ferrand Chateauneuf-du-Pape has a deep red-purple color. The bouquet is absolutely wonderful. This is a wine I could smell for hours. Aromas of cassis and black plum fruit are joined by Herbes de Provence and a really pleasant scent of sautéed beef. In your mouth, you get more cassis and plum as well as some very dark black cherry. The mouthfeel is incredibly rich and opulent without being too heavy. Tasted after three hours in decanter, the tannins were silky and gorgeous. All of this led up to a finish that was mouthwatering, very long, and delicious.

This wine has it all. It’s got big fruit, classic Rhone garrigue, rich but elegant mouthfeel, and an incredible finish. This is one of the best wines I’ve had this year, and it should only get better with time in the cellar. Retailing for $50 and up, the Domaine de Ferrand Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007 is worth every penny. If you can find it, buy some for now and definitely buy some to lay down for a few years.

I enjoyed this with grilled venison with a blackberry port demi-glace, and it was a perfect pairing. It would also work nicely with a rack of lamb.

Cheers!

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2006

With the outstanding 2007 Rhone vintage being released recently, you can expect to see a lot of reviews from me in the coming months from this wonderful region in Southern France. For today, though, we are looking at a red from the Southern Rhone from the 2006 vintage, the 2006 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2006.

Although it can no longer be considered a well kept secret, Gigondas is one of a few appellations in the Southern Rhone that are turning out some outstanding wines, but that are not as well known as the much more famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Other appellations in this group include Vacqueyras and Rasteau. In all cases these villages are in pretty close proximity to the famed Chateauneuf-du-Pape region and are making some excellent wines.

Gigondas, which became its own appellation in 1971, is located a mere 10 miles to the southwest of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Gigondas wines are predominantly made from Grenache, and the most common blending varietals are Syrah and Mourvedre. The wines are typically bold and muscular and have quite a bit of stylistic similarity to Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

The Chateua de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2006 has an intense purple color in your glass. This blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault has a bouquet that is dominated by cassis and also brings notes of blackberry, a floral element, and just a hint of raw meat. In your mouth you get a wonderful full body with mixed black fruit flavors. I get quite a bit of black cherry on the palate that I didn’t necessarily pick up on the bouquet as well as some cassis and blackberry. The tannins and very nice acidity give this wine some serious backbone, and the finish is sneaky long.

I decanted the wine for an hour before drinking it, and I have to say that after an hour in decanter it was still pretty tight. It was when I poured my second glass after about two hours in decanter that this Gigondas really started to shine. With some serious decanting, this wine is drinking well now, but with the structure this wine has I suspect it will be drinking much better after a couple more years or even much longer in the cellar.

Retailing for about $35, this wine is an outstanding value. It drinks as well as many Chateauneuf-du-Papes that are almost twice the price. From a pairing standpoint, this would be perfect with a rack of lamb or grilled game.

Cheers!

Domaine La Montagnette Cotes Du Rhone Villages 2007

I love wines from the Rhone Valley. I’m putting that right out there at the beginning of this post. I especially love wines from the Southern Rhone. Whether it’s Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Rasteau, or just a Cotes du Rhone, I love the red wines from this part of the world. So when I started hearing all the hype about the 2007 vintage in the Southern Rhone being one of the best ever, I was pretty excited to say the least. I have already started to acquire some 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but those should not see anyplace other than my cellar for the next couple years (although personal history tells me that some of these might get out a little early). So I’m focused now on trying some of the more basic Cotes du Rhones from the 2007 vintage.

The first wine I have tried from 2007 is the Domaine La Montagnette Cotes Du Rhone 2007. Made from 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the remainder Mourvedre and Carignane, it’s a nice entry level Cotes Du Rhone. Purple red in color it brings aromas of mixed berried and plum as well as some floral elements. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied with extremely mild tannins, which leaves me wanting a little more. It does, however, have some very nice acidity, which provides some structure. Flavor wise, you get more of the mixed berry and plum with some spice and a hint of sour cherry on the finish.

Overall, this is a nice, everyday red which provides very good value for a wine in the $12-14 range. As far as pairing go, this would pair very nicely with an herb rubbed, roasted chicken or braised chicken legs. It’s also a nice choice when you just want to sit back and enjoy a glass of inexpensive, easy drinking red wine. More to come soon on the 2007 Southern Rhone but for now this is a nice one to pick up for the everyday rotation.

Cheers!

Camille Cayran Gemellus Rasteau 2006

I will start this one with full disclosure. The Rhone Valley has become one of my favorite places in the world for red wine, and I especially love the wines of the Southern Rhone. The Southern Rhone is filled with incredible but relatively expensive choices in some of the better know village level wines, the best known of which is Chatueauneuf du Pape. This village just sounds like a place that would have expensive wine doesn't it? Well, it certainly does have some expensive wines, but many of them are well worth the money and believe it or not some of them in the $50 to $100 price range compare very favorably to much more expensive wines from other parts of France and the rest of the world.

For this post though, we are looking at a wine from the nearby village of Rasteau. Rasteau is one of a couple village appelations that are close to but not as well known as Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Since it is not as well known, Rasteau can be a great source of high quality wine with great value for the money, and I am always on the lookout for great values for my cellar. Like Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rasteau will allow a number of different red wine grapes, but the predominant grape is typically Grenache with Syrah and Mourvedre being the most common blending grapes added to the mix.


The 2006 Camille Cayran Gemellus Rasteau is composed of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre. In your glass you get a beatiful deep ruby-purple color. The nose is filled with intense berry aromas that include blackberry, black rasberry, and blueberry as well as a touch of spice with an herbal element. In your mouth you get a medium-full bodied wine with wonderful berry fruit and a little bit of spice and some very pleasant and just a little bit dusty tannins. Very nice acidity rounds out the structure.

At a price point of about $15 this is a very nice, well balanced wine that drinks like it shoud be almost twice the price. I also wouldn't be surprised if this continued to improve if you laid it down for another year or two.

I had this last night with a sauteed chicken dish with a portobello mushroom and roasted red pepper sauce. Although this wine would be a little intense for many other chicken dishes, it worked beautifully with the portobello mushrooms and roasted peppers. It would also pair well with just about any grilled red meat or a nice beef stew or pot roast.

Cheers!