Mostly cinsault this vintage (usually a blend of that and grenache but the vintage wiped out the grenache), and this tastes quite like an intense Provence rose with its freshness (and cinsault?!). Very much an approachable, delicious, and easygoing bistro wine.
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème
Relatively light in style, but unmistakably syrah. Slight bit of smoke, plenty of light red fruit, and juicy acidity. Modestly cofermented with roussanne if I have my story straight, because the vineyard is modestly coplanted so.
USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County
In a lighter style, with a bit of strawberry and red plum. Moderate tannins and a bit leathery on the palate. Great acidity and balance. Quite similar to how I remember this wine from last year.
Quite different from most of the zinfandel I've had -- there's definitely a bit of sweet fruit here, but this is much more elegant and lifted, with a slight bit of spice and plenty of leathery tannin. Lots of long-term potential here.
Fantastic syrah (irrespective of where this was made). Lovely fruit, a little more black than red, and heaps of classic syrah characteristics. Impressive weight and density here. Generous fruit and lots of acidity to balance everything out. I'm very bullish on this.
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban
Perhaps a little purple and dark-fruited right now. Dense, with an intense feral note that feels a little out of character for Texier. The ripe vintage shows through quite clearly here (especially next to the 2016 Vieille Serine), but a wine still made with admirable restraint. Very nice.
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème
The current release, having been held back for several years. It's a bit of a darker and more intense 2016 than I would expect for the style/vintage pair, but it's unmistakably well-made archetypal syrah, and for not much more than a song.
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème
I found this one a little challenging -- the ripe vintage and the low acidity don't make a good match, and this showed a lot of ripe stone fruit flavours as well as the attendant phenolics of roussanne without enough freshness for my taste.
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème
The maturity here has softened some of the phenolic edges, and there's a straw/hay note on the nose that's actually quite interesting. In contrast to the big 2018, this is more shapely and shows some acidity on the palate, as well as fruit that doesn't feel as ripe. More to my taste, though not sure if that's the vintage or the age behind that.
2021 Martin Texier Côtes du Rhône-Brézème Blanc 88 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème
Surprisingly light and lifted for a roussanne. A slight bit bitter on the finish but with relatively high acidity to give this pleasant elegance.
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2021 Martin Texier Le Preyna 88 Points
France, Vin de France
Mostly cinsault this vintage (usually a blend of that and grenache but the vintage wiped out the grenache), and this tastes quite like an intense Provence rose with its freshness (and cinsault?!). Very much an approachable, delicious, and easygoing bistro wine.
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2020 Martin Texier Côtes du Rhône-Brézème 90 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème
Relatively light in style, but unmistakably syrah. Slight bit of smoke, plenty of light red fruit, and juicy acidity. Modestly cofermented with roussanne if I have my story straight, because the vineyard is modestly coplanted so.
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2020 Claire Hill Mourvèdre Del Barba Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County
In a lighter style, with a bit of strawberry and red plum. Moderate tannins and a bit leathery on the palate. Great acidity and balance. Quite similar to how I remember this wine from last year.
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2019 Claire Hill Zinfandel North Ponderosa Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, Sierra Foothills, North Yuba
Quite different from most of the zinfandel I've had -- there's definitely a bit of sweet fruit here, but this is much more elegant and lifted, with a slight bit of spice and plenty of leathery tannin. Lots of long-term potential here.
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2021 Claire Hill Syrah Grist Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Fantastic syrah (irrespective of where this was made). Lovely fruit, a little more black than red, and heaps of classic syrah characteristics. Impressive weight and density here. Generous fruit and lots of acidity to balance everything out. I'm very bullish on this.
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2019 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban 90 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban
Perhaps a little purple and dark-fruited right now. Dense, with an intense feral note that feels a little out of character for Texier. The ripe vintage shows through quite clearly here (especially next to the 2016 Vieille Serine), but a wine still made with admirable restraint. Very nice.
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2016 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône-Brézème Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud 93 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème
The current release, having been held back for several years. It's a bit of a darker and more intense 2016 than I would expect for the style/vintage pair, but it's unmistakably well-made archetypal syrah, and for not much more than a song.
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2018 Eric Texier Roussanne Côtes du Rhône-Brézème 85 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème
I found this one a little challenging -- the ripe vintage and the low acidity don't make a good match, and this showed a lot of ripe stone fruit flavours as well as the attendant phenolics of roussanne without enough freshness for my taste.
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2014 Eric Texier Roussanne Côtes du Rhône-Brézème 88 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Brézème
The maturity here has softened some of the phenolic edges, and there's a straw/hay note on the nose that's actually quite interesting. In contrast to the big 2018, this is more shapely and shows some acidity on the palate, as well as fruit that doesn't feel as ripe. More to my taste, though not sure if that's the vintage or the age behind that.
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