K&L Rhone Tasting

This was a very insightful Rhone Valley tasting. I've gradually come to the realization that I'm just not a fan of southern rhone wines. I can enjoy them, but they always seem slightly unbalanced and too alcoholic to be truly great. Most northern rhone wines that I've tried have been just the opposite: complex, intense, supremely balanced. That same pattern holds true today. Too bad I don't yet have any northern rhones in my cellar. I'll have to fix that.

Overall a decent but disappointing flight.

• 2009 Château St. Esteve d'Uchaux Côtes du Rhône Blanc 70 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Oily nose, palate lacks acidity and comes bitter and odd. I've never liked viognier.

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• 2009 Domaine Charvin Côtes du Rhône (Le Poutet) 81 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Grenache. Bright red fruits, smoky; palate gamey, structured, good fruit, but the end palate is watery; no finish.

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• 2009 Château de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel 84 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Violet colored; bright red fruits, mint; structured but drinkable palate, balanced fruit, grainy texture. 84-85

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• 2009 Montirius Vacqueyras Garrigues 83 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras

  Dark purple color; smoky BBQ nose, dark fruits, blackberry; medium bodied, good gritty texture, approachable structure, EtOH on midpalate.

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• 2009 Domaine St. Francois Xavier Gigondas Prestige des Dentelles 84 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas

  Subtle red fruits and spice; palate slightly sweet, structured, young. OK, balanced, not stunning. 84-85

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Just the opposite: most were great, some were stunning. Absolutely lovely wines and far better than any new world syrah that I've tried...

• 2009 Domaine Faury St. Joseph La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph

  Lovely syrah with plums, raisins, slightly smoke; soft, smooth, structured but approachable, some fruit, not as intense as I was hoping. Ready to drink now. 89.

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• 2009 Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 60 83 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  Some fruit, but strange EtOH on the nose; fruit, structure (too young), but EtOH overtones. Unbalanced. 83

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• 2009 Domaine Combier Crozes-Hermitage 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Amazing perfume, violets, floral, hint of Indian spices, stunning nose; palate has floral, structured, needs a few years, bit meaty, hint of iron; finish is nice but a tad short. This is exactly what I'm looking for. 92-93+

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• 2009 Jean-Michel Stephan Côte-Rôtie 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Dark purple, nose of crushed red fruits, floral, rose; palate is smooth, nice fruit, good finish, gamey; really nice finish. Overall lovely and will improve for 1-3 years. 91-92+

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A nice simple and enjoyable sweet sparkling wine.

• NV Jean-Claude Raspail Clairette de Die Grande Tradition 87 Points

  France, Rhône, Clairette de Die

  Peaches and lychee on the nose; palate is sweet, delicious, sparkling. Simple and delicious. 86-87.

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