October 9, 2019 - From a magnum, very characterful Rhone blend with lots of wild herbs and spice. Getting into that figgy leathery spectrum that characterises older Rhones, but very much an indepedent spirit with this one. Much life in this bottle and just superb value.
June 18, 2012 - Very aromatic. Strong anise and vegetables smell. Sufficient minerality on finish. Went great with white beans and sausages.
February 1, 2010 - Popped and poured. Clear dark garnet. Nose at first had intense celery, pepper, and blackberry. Later, the nose had smoke, leather, black cherry and licorice. Palate of black cherry, anise, minerals, and espresso with very good finish and refreshing acidity. Youthful but sweet tannins. Excellent QPR. Addendum: Day 2: Drank with Cherrystone clams in a lovely tomato sauce over whole grain pasta (can't have everything). Still has that interesting herbal celery nose, but it's more subtle today. Fresh sweet fruit on the front end, spicy fruit on the mid-palate, and nice finish. Youthful tannins very much in evidence. Full disclosure: my wife didn't much like it. She is a bit of a woodchuck.
December 27, 2009 - Barnyard Cotes de Rhone.
December 21, 2009 - A great grenache wine and a bold expression for the Southern Rhone. Great nose with a dark ruby color. Good fruit with spice on the back palate and a medium finish. Drank this with lamb chops - great pairing!!
November 27, 2009 - From memory. Placed in decanted due to sediment. Nice aromas of sweet cherries and blueberries with nice earthiness. Palate follows with a purity of fruit and earth. Smooth but lively texture with enough acid and tannins left. Nice finish. Just a fun honest wine.
November 1, 2009 - Got this bottle in the bargain bin at Beltramo's-not sure how well this has been kept. Dark inky purple. Muted aromas which eventually showed nice blue and black berries and some earth. Palate was again muted but eventually opened up somewhat to again to show nice blue/blackberries, earth, and lots of tannins. Somewhat surprising given the somewhat softer expression of the last bottle. Not sure if this is bottle variation or if the wine is beginning to shut down.
October 11, 2009 - Very nice wine for the price.
September 4, 2009 - Na hates this wine. I thought it was okay.
August 26, 2009 - Last tasting 1 year ago to the day! Left in glass for ~30 min. Noticeable sediment in bottle. Translucent purple. Aromas of earth, deep and broad, bitter chocolate, ripe black cherries and plums,and hints of clove and cinnamon. Palate show ripe black cherries and plums, followed by earth, spices and dark bitter chocolate. Texture is deep and broad with mild tannins that lend structure to the wine. Finish is moderately long echoing the palate. The tannins have mellowed substantially. This is what comfort wine is all about - good friendly wine that like an old favorite comforter that wraps around you and makes you forget about the rest of the world. 14.5 % abv