There's No Place Like Rhone

We were invited to attend a casual walk-around blind tasting, the theme of which was Rhone varieties. Each spouse contributed an appetizer and a red to fit the theme, and was to keep his/her selection a secret from their partner. Therefore, of the wines in the tasting (there were twenty in total tonight) one theoretically only knew the true identity of one bottle. The group was a mix of the geeky wine types to the very casual wine drinker, and the quality of the wines varied accordingly. The event was a lot of fun, and i hope we are invited back next year. Thanks M&R!

• NV Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Brut 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  L1303903870, from magnum. Light golden yellow color with notes of toasted almond, apple and pear and marshmallow. Medium bead with orchard fruit, citrus, toasted marshmallow and stone flavors.

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• 2011 Sine Qua Non The Moment 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Served blind as a warm up at the Rhone varietal tasting. Aromas of lemon chiffon cake, florals, pear and white fruit. Lemon on the palate, followed by butterscotch and citrus. Rich, unctuous texture with a long finish.

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• 2011 Domaine de la Guicharde Côtes du Rhône 86 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Dark fruit and spice but very ripe too, bordering on raisiny. Pepper notes on the finish.

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• 2010 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône 87 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Interestingly, two bottles of this wine ended up in the tasting and even ended up side-by-side- remarkable considering there were twenty bottles in the themed tasting. My notes were consistent, and i scored one bottle 87 and the other 88.
  
  A bit lighter than some of the other wines. Notes of red berries, pepper and perhaps some plum. Medium-bodied with red fruit, cherry, spice and pepper notes with a licorice quality on the finish. Finishes on the short side.

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• 2003 Guy Bernard Côte-Rôtie

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Wine E. Aromas of raisins- ripe & pruny. Tired, old red fruit on the palate- long gone. Hopefully a one off...will pull another, and my last, from storage tonight.

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• 2002 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  Aromas of incense, red berries and dark fruit. Simple red berry fruit on the palate; develops a pleasant eucalyptus quality. I guessed Aussie Syrah.
  
  Of 20 blind reds in the Rhone varietal tasting, this was voted dead last by the group, though this was a group of mostly very casual wine drinkers. The handful of us at the geeky end of the spectrum all rated this in the 90-93 range. Anyway, no reason to hold this in my opinion- I do not see it getting better- perhaps changing a bit- but not better. Drink now-2018.

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• 2010 M. Chapoutier Crozes-Ermitage Les Varonniers 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Dark color opening with notes of meat and dark fruit with an herbal overtone. The palate follows the bouquet in terms of the wild, meaty herbal tones though the fruit is brighter- more toward the red end of the spectrum. Nice length to the finish, tinged with spice and herb qualities.

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