May 2, 2018 - Aged well for the last 15 years. Tannins were softened but still there to help create a good dinner companion. More fruit than we expected from a French wine. We have another bottle which we look forward to opening.
January 17, 2008 - straightforward, simple, and beginning to fade. Lacks the punch I associate with the wines of Brunel, especially in a vintage like 2003. Drink up.
September 9, 2007 - lost all fruit - totally stewed veggies at this point. yecch
August 11, 2007 - Not horrible but another baked and blousey Rhone from this vintage.
March 1, 2007 - Straightforward and dissapointingly simple for a wine with Brunel's pedigree. Started a bit smoky and a touch on the gamy side, very much in line with good Rhone, but light and rather thin for an '03. Not much in the way of tannins, and no stuffing on the palate. Overall, it's pleasant, but not exciting.
June 27, 2005 - A bit ugly at first, this blew off to unveil a solid QPR similiar to a Guigal CdR
December 31, 2004 - I stumbled upon my first 2003 Rhone, while in Seattle for the New Year, at Pike & Western. This wine was highly recommended and we were very pleased. An extremely solid QPR Rhone at just $11.99. This wine is a deep almost inky purple in the glass. This CDR Villages is a forward wine with smooth tannins, smoky, peppery flavors and a moderate finish. This is the best Rhone I've had at this price point. Should drink well over the next 3-4 years.