Monthly Tasting Group HWS #130; France, Southern Rhone

Due to private circumstances the planned tasting could not be held. So I decided to put a new tasting together in just a few days. We were a small group and enjoyed the wines. All of my notes are not blind.

• 2017 Clos du Gravillas Côtes de Brian Mademoiselle Lily - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Côtes de Brian
  White fruits, floral and some anise in the bouquet. On the palate a very tasty wine with white fruits like pear, melon, good acidity and some pleasant bitterness. This is a blend of 70% Viognier and 30% Marsanne. 87 - 88 (88 pts.)
• 2014 Famille Perrin / Perrin & Fils Vacqueyras Blanc Les Christins - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras
  Flowers, grasses and more lush than the first wine in the flight. On the palate some honey, melon, mild acidity and minerals. Fairly full bodied. Very good wine. (89 pts.)
• 2016 Domaine Saint Préfert Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  The bouquet was a bit locked but showed grasses, flowers and some rustic flavors. On the palate ripe yellow and white fruits and a firm amount of acidity and good bitterness. Good length. The wine was served too cold, but when it became a bit warmer and after it had a few hours of air it showed much more beautiful and complex. 91 - 92+ for tonight. (92 pts.)

• 2012 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
  Beautiful bouquet with red and dark berries and soft garrigue. On the palate juicy red fruits, garrigue, good acidity, licorice, a lot of sweet spices, some sweetness and very mild tannin. A really lovely wine to drink now and the next few years. (91 pts.)
• 2014 Domaine du Cayron Gigondas - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
  Beautiful primary cherry fruits in the bouquet. On the palate firm red berries and cherries, garrigue, garrigue, white pepper, good acidity and slightly sticky tannin. Will improve with a few more years of ageing. 2021 – 2023+? (89 pts.)

• 2001 Domaine de la Solitude (Lançon Père et Fils) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Barberini - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Special and mature bouquet with spices like rosemary, leather and some celery. On the palate a firm amount of sweetness, chocolate, sweet licorice, nuts, figs, plums and some celery. A beautiful and mature wine with some beautiful tertiary impressions. Don’t wait much longer I would say if this bottle is exemplary. (92 pts.)

• 2009 Domaine Saint Préfert Châteauneuf-du-Pape Collection Charles Giraud - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Garnet color and rim. In the bouquet a beautiful and mature wine with garrige and sweet spices as well as some autumn impressions. On the palate sweet red berries, chocolate sweet licorice and spices, soft tannin, lush and with a great length. Simply a lovely, complex and delicious wine. If this bottle is exemplary I would suggest to drink it before the end of 2021. (93 pts.)
• 2009 Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Prestige des Hautes Garrigues - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
  Beautiful bouquet with dark berries, red berries like raspberries, garrigue and some pleasant stable smells. On the palate full bodied and rustic, raspberries, beautiful and juicy acidity, pleasant sweetness, garrigue, soft but still powerful tannin and a great concentration. Beautiful and delicious wine. (95 pts.)
• 2007 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Very youthful bouquet with still ripe cherries and red berries as well as good garrigue. On the palate the same impressions with juicy and fresh acidity and round, still youthful tannin. This wine will still be great or possibly even a bit better around 2024+ (95 pts.)

• 2002 Château Pontet-Canet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
  In the bouquet coffee, chocolate, dark berries like cassis and vanilla. On the palate dark berries again, good juice, tannin with still a pleasant bite and a good length. Classical wine. (92 pts.)