For me the best Price/Quality red of 2023. Labeled as a Cotes du Rhone Villages, it shows Chateauneuf worthy quality. Responsible for this affordable masterpiece is Xavier Vignon, a highly rated winemaking consultant, flying winedoctor and as a winemaker, using grapes from all over the South Rhone region. As his grapes used are changing every year, his wines also differ in recipe every year. For this Arcade le Soleil there is only 1 vintage: 2015. What a wine. No superpowers, but perfectly balanced and integrated->
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Drinks above it's price point. High acidity on opening which dissipates after half an hour in the glass. Suggest decanting for 30-60 min. Smooths out into a well balanced and tasty wine. Flavor profile consistent with pervious notes. The 90 score accounts for the price point.
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Plum and inky black fruits, sweet and ripe, done well. Only problem is, it’s too plumy, too sweet, too dark for my taste. Don’t remember the last one being like this.
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Similar positive qualities to recent TNs, but seemed to be fading a bit...though Coravined a solid sample ~4 weeks earlier where I didn't notice it...so always wonder. Quite tasty both times either way, and RTD with a bit of air time.
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Decanted 60 minutes. Inviting aroma of raspberry, blackberry, berry preserves. Cooling stony effect throughout. Mouth-filling with berries, stone, earth, and just a lovely overall minerality that plays well with the fruit, not overpowering it. Still plenty of tannins left, this has years of life ahead of it. Nice finish. Wish I had a few more bottles.
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Pnp. Black currant jam heart with a plummy rim. Spectacular nose bursting with brambly red and black fruits, heavy garrigue, ink, sous bois, cedar and wood spice. Full bodied, puckery huge fruit extract, scratchy tannins, warming alcohol and a tongue-coatingly long finish. A bit of a powerhouse! The flavours are all inky black sweet ripe fruits, liquid oak spice, dried garrigue, strong black tea and mixed black fruit skins on the back palate. The fruit is sort of in the background initially but emerges over time and includes blackberries, blue plums and black currents. Very long, dry finish. Overt but damn tasty! Easy 93 points
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Medium Acidty Medium (+) Tannin High Alcohol Full Bodied Medium Finish
Medium (+) Intensity - Black Cherry, Black Plum, Blackberry, Liquorice, Cloves, Smoke, Tobacco, Tea Leaves, Dark Chocolate, Violet
Enticing nose, sweet and floral. Concentrated and ripe black fruits, spicy, grippy but well integrated tannins, well balanced acidity. A superb value wine with ageing potential, at US$20 it's not likely that you'll find something better. Drink or hold.
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belle intégration des tanins pour un équilibre rhodanien mais plutôt fin. le vin trouve un meilleur équilibre le lendemain. encore de belles années de garde devant lui.
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Consistent with my previous note: just a bit chewy and sweet for me. Very dark colour and pretty weighty on the alcohol. Not an unpleasant by wine by any means but lacks a little character. I have some of his excellent Vacqueyras which is more to my taste.
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Under cork again. Deep plummy purple in colour. Aromas of charcoal, garrigue, crushed blackberries and purple plums, cocoa powder and some spirits at the end. Full bodied, huge fruit extract, just gobs of fruit actually, soft tannins, balanced acidity and alcohol. So dark and fruit juicy deliciousness. Lots of uber ripe dark berries underlain by garrigue and suedy savouriness. Long, silky smooth and fruit filled finish. Delicious as usual! Easy 93 points
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Slow ox for one hour. Full bodied, fairly burly. Black currant, roasted meats, a little game and spice. Still pretty youthful- feels like it could go for another ten years.
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Deep dark fruits with enough acid to keep it well away from meandering into flabby territory. Hedonistic. Really hits the spot if you are in the mood for this style of wine.
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Thin black currant jam colour. Very brilliant deep reddish purple colour. Quite deep and savoury on the nose with meat jus, dark brambly berries and plums, smoky leather and a touch of cocoa. Full bodied, gobs of sweet fruit extract, good acidity and silky tannins. Flavours of plums, blackberries and black currants, as well as cedar, fresh garrigue, anise and chalky tannins. Quite lovely but might be a bit light on the mid palate? Tingly tannins on the fruity finish.
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Deep plummy red in colour. Fresh black and red fruits, garrigue, and lightly toasted oak and a hint of cocoa powder on the nose. Sappy fresh fruit, crunchy tannins and bright acidity structure. The palate mirrors the nose with the same fresh fruit and garrigue, but initially it feels a little hollow on the back palate, but then fills in nicely with time in the glass. Ends up quite full bodied and fleshy. Lovely drop of wine!
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Good solid Southern French Rhone blend drunk over two nights. Pretty full bodied with the majority grape Grenache coming to the fore. A little too big and sweet for my palate but a pleasant enough couple of glasses per night.
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Strawberry, plum and raspberry in the nose and palate with mineral, vanilla and leather notes with a pleasant complex and lingering finish. 4.25 Stars.
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This has improved since last year, softened a little. Liquorice & spice more prominent than the fruits with a hint of almonds. As before, very good wine, very good value and should drink well for another 4/5 years.
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Fall has kicked off, and with the chillier weather I feel the need for some heart-warming fare. Cassoulet is on the books and it requires a hearty French red in my opinion. This wine is a Grenache based blend with some Syrah and Mourvedre that packs a 15% ABV punch and is pretty opaque in the glass. Ruby in color, it looks a touch cloudy. On the nose I get white pepper, red plum, red cherry, coffee and charred wood. The palate is delicious- raspberry and red cherry with lush oak by way of coffee and charcoal. White pepper notes come out on the mid palate where the tannins start to gently grip. The acidity is finely balanced and the mouthfeel is great. Medium to full bodied, this wine has depth and complexity. The finish is mid length and really shows off the red fruit and tannins. I am enjoying this wine pre-dinner but think it will go well with my pairing. Other ideas would be grilled chops, hearty stews or the obvious- a thick steak. Drink this rather young wine till 2028. 91 points from me and at $27 a pop, 5 stars.
https://wp.me/p125DB-2d8
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Another over-delivering cdr style. Lots of ripe black fruit, acidity and balanced tannin. No need to hang on to these at 6 yrs but they can go another 2 easy
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Nose is earthy... A very balanced wine with pleasant structure, light on the palate of flower petals with a subtle red, blush fruit that finishes long with plum notes. Drink now or cellar for next 3-4 years and enjoy.
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Simple but pleasant enough as a Saturday afternoon sipper after a 3 1/2 hour decant. Tannins are a bit green, which makes it hard to drink quickly, but that's not necessarily bad. There seems to be nothing to be gained by aging, so drink now.
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Highly aromatic and forward nose of fresh red and blue berries with overtones of cinnamon ginger, toasty black licorice and star anise. Attractive nose with some degree of restraint from becoming a fruit bomb. On the palate, the spiced gingery notes permeate throughout the elegant but deep structure. There is refinement not commonly found in a Villages wine. The tannins are fine, providing a supporting role with fresh acidity extending the balanced palate. Transition to a persistent finish is smooth and lingering. Ready to drink now with minimal decanting needed. Will continue to develop for the next 3-5 years. One of the best Cote Du Rhone Villages I have tasted.
Retasted in Jul 2021, it is more nutty with fermented bean paste with the fresh red fruits and plums underneath. Good length and depth still, finish is very long. Still a long way to go for this wine to reach its peak. But it is so approachable now that I am afraid not many people will purposefully age it beyond 5 years.
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Iodine, plum, and slate on the nose. Cedar box to mushrooms through the middle. Finishes slightly abruptly with the higher alcohol content, but not out of the realm at this price point. Solid choice. 2 more years in the cellar would be ideal.
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Dark ruby. Dark fruit, blackberries, plums, black cherries, spice, liquorice. Similar palate, full bodied, medium finish. Good wine, good value. May improve, probably 4/5+ years of life. 15% alcohol.
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Arômes floraux, herbacés, foin, épices ainsi que des notes minérales...un nez parfumé ! Mi-corsé et riche. Tannins fins...rond et ample aux saveurs de fruits rouges. Éventuellement des notes de sauce soya. Longue persistance aromatique intense...chaude et poivrée. Boire entre 2021 et 2022. 91+
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this was a straight forward, easy drinking, uncomplicated Grenache. One which had no real flaws, save for a lack of complexity or even nuance. For $20, you can't go wrong, provided your expectations are in check.
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Pnp. Medium ruby/garnet in colour. Nose of black cherries with dark red fruits and a touch of iodine and coffee grinds. On the palate, a nice black cherry and garrigue flavour profile is noticed with some dark green herbs and plums at the end. Medium+ bodied with a medium finish. Excellent qpr. Last tasted April 2019.
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Oeil : Robe quasi noire Nez : Sur des arômes de fruits rouges et noirs, d'épices et des notes de garrigue Bouche : Structure massive avec des tanins souples. Longue finale dominée par les fruits noirs et des notes de zan Accords mets/vins : S'appréciera sur du gibier, des viandes rouges en ragoût, rôties ou grillées...
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ripe dark fruit upfront, shifting to candied dark cherries, fig, slight gamy feel from the Mouvedre more so than the syrah, refined tannins, very harmonious with a fairly long finish.
my previous notes from October 2019 (not listed here) show an anticipated late drink date of 2030. very different feel this time, but I will open another in the next 6-8 months to reassess. should continue to improve through 2025.
Nothing subtle about this wine that benefited from being opened 4 hours with a two hour plus decant but it matched well with filet mignon where its bold flavours provided lots of pleasure. Good QPR too. However I do not see the point of such a heavy bottle.
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Big and bold Grenache with lots of dark and deep fruit. Need a good airing of at least a couple of hours. Great depth and length and delicious with some strong soft cheese.
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Wanted to try this, based on Xavier and the notes. Dark purple, slightly lighter at the rim. Big nose of dark fruits and spice out of the bottle, quieted a bit as it took on air. A bit sharp on the palate initially, but smoothed out considerably with some air. Lots of dark fruit, good acidity and structure. I found the finish quite long. This seems a bit more traditional, less modern than my other Xavier experiences. Two more in the cellar, will let them sit for a while.
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A nice showing of Grenache with mild aromas and flavor profile.
Easy to enjoy alone but paired nicely with mild cheese and sea salt crackers. Both the nose and palate have fine red fruits with cherry and raspberry but pretty simple.
An easy to enjoy wine with small bites and to relax with especially at this price point which is what drives my score.
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I am not a French grenache fan generally and stock my cellar with Burgs and Bordeaux and Cabs. Occasionally I like a change and Syrahs and Grenache-based wines come into play. So this wine is a good fit for me. $21 (Last Bottle including free shipping, tax and ice pack shipper) - big scores - 94 I think. It is structured, raspberry meets earth, garrigue, with a medium to full-bodied profile. Textbook Rhone entering fine Chateauneuf territory type wine. There is some heat that I like on colder nights like tonight in Upstate NY. 15% alcohol. On 1st taste after crackers and cheese it was a tad bitter but after palate redirected the smooth silky but potent quality emerged. Glad I have more...
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First, last, only bottle?! No idea. Very dark and opaque black raspberry in its depth brightening to red raspberry at the rim. Huge bouquet right off the bat as soon as it is poured. Soaring notes of brambly dark berries, garrigue, incense, graphite and char on the nose with a slight bit of alcoholic heat. Fruits are all in the black and red registers. Bursts of fruit flavours on first taste. Huge, inky fruit extract with abundant tannins and oak as well. Mouth coating texture. Lots of acidity for structure. Long lingering finish that is loaded with gritty tannins and tails off to dryness. This is waaay too young! High quality but needs at least 10 years to integrate and settle down and then it will be spectacular! 93 points at this very early stage.
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Vinturied into decanter and let sit for 30+ minutes. Medium+ ruby-garnet in colour. Nose of black cherries with some dark chocolate and a hint of espresso. On the palate, a good wallop of silky black cherries and garrigue; dark provencal herbs at the end. Medium+ bodied with a medium finish. A well made CdR that punches waaaaay above its price point.
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Finest cotes du Rhône ever? Who can say, but this very nice with lovely red fruits, modest tannin and lots of pleasure. Went well with grilled lamb burgers.
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Super. Raspberry nose with other sweet notes emanating. Also must and earth. A powerful wine without a doubt, but has some finesse and silkiness hidden within too. Dark fruit and berries with spicy notes on the palate. Leather notes too. 94 by Parker. Matter of taste, but hard to deny it.
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I'm not a big grenache fan, but this is more full bodied than most, nice. perfume nose in a good way, medium fruit. Maybe I'm influenced by the WA 93 rating, but could blossom into something interesting. Hold a couple yrs.
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80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah from 9 parcels. 1 month+ maceration. Aged 15 months 1/3 in Stockinger oak barriques, 1/3 in small concrete tanks, 1/3 in foudre. 15% Abv. Winemaker: Xavier Vignon
A(ccuray)=2: Med deep ruby. Smoky, gamey Rhone blend. B(alance)=3: Ripe fruit and firm acid matching the high alcohol. C(omplexity)=2: Red berries, spices, earth, minerals. D(epth)=1: Vibrant mouthfeel. Average length and finish.
Wine Tally Score [2,3,2,1] = 8/10
Raising the bar for Côtes du Rhône villages!
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Garnacha, syrah y mourvedre. Granate vivo con destellos púrpura. Nariz expresiva, con notas de sotobosque, fruta negra jugosa, matices especiados. En boca tiene buen ataque, alguna sensación licorosa, buenos amargos, buena acidez, taninos dulces y carnosos, estructura media, bastante persistencia.
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4/15/2024 - Jonnytheneedle Likes this wine: 89 Points
I get it, but think it is a little un-exciting for me. it is integrated and smooth, but I don't get a lot of wow from it.
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12/30/2023 - Erik Snel Likes this wine: 92 Points
For me the best Price/Quality red of 2023. Labeled as a Cotes du Rhone Villages, it shows Chateauneuf worthy quality. Responsible for this affordable masterpiece is Xavier Vignon, a highly rated winemaking consultant, flying winedoctor and as a winemaker, using grapes from all over the South Rhone region. As his grapes used are changing every year, his wines also differ in recipe every year. For this Arcade le Soleil there is only 1 vintage: 2015. What a wine. No superpowers, but perfectly balanced and integrated->
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12/16/2023 - tominasia Likes this wine: 89 Points
Was a hit at the party.
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11/17/2023 - tominasia Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drinks above it's price point. High acidity on opening which dissipates after half an hour in the glass. Suggest decanting for 30-60 min. Smooths out into a well balanced and tasty wine. Flavor profile consistent with pervious notes. The 90 score accounts for the price point.
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11/14/2023 - Pedroel wrote: 88 Points
Plum and inky black fruits, sweet and ripe, done well. Only problem is, it’s too plumy, too sweet, too dark for my taste. Don’t remember the last one being like this.
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11/13/2023 - Laz4wine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Similar positive qualities to recent TNs, but seemed to be fading a bit...though Coravined a solid sample ~4 weeks earlier where I didn't notice it...so always wonder. Quite tasty both times either way, and RTD with a bit of air time.
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11/4/2023 - tenor12bucks Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted 60 minutes. Inviting aroma of raspberry, blackberry, berry preserves. Cooling stony effect throughout. Mouth-filling with berries, stone, earth, and just a lovely overall minerality that plays well with the fruit, not overpowering it. Still plenty of tannins left, this has years of life ahead of it. Nice finish. Wish I had a few more bottles.
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10/21/2023 - Hildo Schulz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent wine. Dark berries, earth, licorice, saline and well integrated tannins. Drinks well now and many years ahead I believe?
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9/19/2023 - kfrench150 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pnp. Black currant jam heart with a plummy rim. Spectacular nose bursting with brambly red and black fruits, heavy garrigue, ink, sous bois, cedar and wood spice. Full bodied, puckery huge fruit extract, scratchy tannins, warming alcohol and a tongue-coatingly long finish. A bit of a powerhouse! The flavours are all inky black sweet ripe fruits, liquid oak spice, dried garrigue, strong black tea and mixed black fruit skins on the back palate. The fruit is sort of in the background initially but emerges over time and includes blackberries, blue plums and black currents. Very long, dry finish. Overt but damn tasty! Easy 93 points
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9/1/2023 - Kevin Mak wrote: 91 Points
Deep Ruby Colour
Medium Acidty
Medium (+) Tannin
High Alcohol
Full Bodied
Medium Finish
Medium (+) Intensity
- Black Cherry, Black Plum, Blackberry, Liquorice, Cloves, Smoke, Tobacco, Tea Leaves, Dark Chocolate, Violet
Enticing nose, sweet and floral. Concentrated and ripe black fruits, spicy, grippy but well integrated tannins, well balanced acidity. A superb value wine with ageing potential, at US$20 it's not likely that you'll find something better. Drink or hold.
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6/2/2023 - Swaggering Beaunie wrote:
Past its prime. Drink up now, or use for cooking.
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5/19/2023 - winetobealive wrote: 91 Points
belle intégration des tanins pour un équilibre rhodanien mais plutôt fin. le vin trouve un meilleur équilibre le lendemain. encore de belles années de garde devant lui.
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5/13/2023 - hooods Likes this wine: 89 Points
Solid wine. Very well balanced in all aspects without being very exciting.
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4/28/2023 - DFBW wrote: 88 Points
Consistent with my previous note: just a bit chewy and sweet for me. Very dark colour and pretty weighty on the alcohol. Not an unpleasant by wine by any means but lacks a little character. I have some of his excellent Vacqueyras which is more to my taste.
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4/26/2023 - wetlandwino Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent wine for the price.
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3/25/2023 - RD59 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lighter than expected. Pleasant
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3/17/2023 - mclanew wrote: 89 Points
Has passed peak. Notes consistent.
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12/31/2022 - kfrench150 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Under cork again. Deep plummy purple in colour. Aromas of charcoal, garrigue, crushed blackberries and purple plums, cocoa powder and some spirits at the end. Full bodied, huge fruit extract, just gobs of fruit actually, soft tannins, balanced acidity and alcohol. So dark and fruit juicy deliciousness. Lots of uber ripe dark berries underlain by garrigue and suedy savouriness. Long, silky smooth and fruit filled finish. Delicious as usual! Easy 93 points
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12/5/2022 - StefanVB wrote:
JS 93 Wild, Lamsvlees
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11/19/2022 - mclanew wrote: 90 Points
Slow ox for one hour. Full bodied, fairly burly. Black currant, roasted meats, a little game and spice. Still pretty youthful- feels like it could go for another ten years.
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9/25/2022 - Armando B wrote: 90 Points
Deep dark fruits with enough acid to keep it well away from meandering into flabby territory. Hedonistic. Really hits the spot if you are in the mood for this style of wine.
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9/22/2022 - classicalspin Does not like this wine: 87 Points
Intensity but no finesse.
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8/26/2022 - kfrench150 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Thin black currant jam colour. Very brilliant deep reddish purple colour. Quite deep and savoury on the nose with meat jus, dark brambly berries and plums, smoky leather and a touch of cocoa. Full bodied, gobs of sweet fruit extract, good acidity and silky tannins. Flavours of plums, blackberries and black currants, as well as cedar, fresh garrigue, anise and chalky tannins. Quite lovely but might be a bit light on the mid palate? Tingly tannins on the fruity finish.
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7/31/2022 - redz wrote: 91 Points
improving with age, still needs good decant
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7/9/2022 - JCherniak Likes this wine: 92 Points
Casis, Black licorice then spice. Chewy and bold with a decent length finish.
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6/9/2022 - Bacchusandco wrote: 88 Points
Good on the first day. Minerals and spice. Very typical rhone wine. But getting old. On the second day bad taste of cooked wine.
Drink NOW
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5/7/2022 - kfrench150 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep plummy red in colour. Fresh black and red fruits, garrigue, and lightly toasted oak and a hint of cocoa powder on the nose. Sappy fresh fruit, crunchy tannins and bright acidity structure. The palate mirrors the nose with the same fresh fruit and garrigue, but initially it feels a little hollow on the back palate, but then fills in nicely with time in the glass. Ends up quite full bodied and fleshy. Lovely drop of wine!
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5/4/2022 - DDicaprio wrote: 88 Points
just ok, nothing special, but good for the price.
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4/27/2022 - DB Cooper wrote: 80 Points
Smoothie It isn’t too bold.
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2/27/2022 - cmr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Once again .. only great bottles .. this one stood way above the earlier ones.
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2/23/2022 - Swaggering Beaunie wrote:
Drank after a 3-hour decant. Decent, but nothing noteworthy....rather generic.
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2/4/2022 - DFBW Likes this wine: 88 Points
Good solid Southern French Rhone blend drunk over two nights. Pretty full bodied with the majority grape Grenache coming to the fore. A little too big and sweet for my palate but a pleasant enough couple of glasses per night.
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1/8/2022 - jcoemd Likes this wine: 94 Points
Strawberry, plum and raspberry in the nose and palate with mineral, vanilla and leather notes with a pleasant complex and lingering finish. 4.25 Stars.
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11/29/2021 - foyfrcs Likes this wine: 90 Points
This has improved since last year, softened a little.
Liquorice & spice more prominent than the fruits with a hint of almonds.
As before, very good wine, very good value and should drink well for another 4/5 years.
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11/19/2021 - Larsrar wrote: 86 Points
Big and bold style. Lacks a bit acidity and fresness to be really interesting...
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9/25/2021 - fredfta wrote: 91 Points
🇪🇸 Elegante mezcla de frutas y especias.
🇵🇹🇧🇷 Conjunto expressivo e balanceado.
⭐️ 4.1
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9/11/2021 - rshah123 wrote: 86 Points
Didn't find this anything special. Raspberries. One dimensional.
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9/10/2021 - caspernick Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fall has kicked off, and with the chillier weather I feel the need for some heart-warming fare. Cassoulet is on the books and it requires a hearty French red in my opinion. This wine is a Grenache based blend with some Syrah and Mourvedre that packs a 15% ABV punch and is pretty opaque in the glass. Ruby in color, it looks a touch cloudy. On the nose I get white pepper, red plum, red cherry, coffee and charred wood. The palate is delicious- raspberry and red cherry with lush oak by way of coffee and charcoal. White pepper notes come out on the mid palate where the tannins start to gently grip. The acidity is finely balanced and the mouthfeel is great. Medium to full bodied, this wine has depth and complexity. The finish is mid length and really shows off the red fruit and tannins. I am enjoying this wine pre-dinner but think it will go well with my pairing. Other ideas would be grilled chops, hearty stews or the obvious- a thick steak. Drink this rather young wine till 2028. 91 points from me and at $27 a pop, 5 stars.
https://wp.me/p125DB-2d8
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6/1/2021 - peeno wrote: 90 Points
Better without decanting.
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5/4/2021 - twain Likes this wine: 92 Points
Another over-delivering cdr style. Lots of ripe black fruit, acidity and balanced tannin. No need to hang on to these at 6 yrs but they can go another 2 easy
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4/16/2021 - twain Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really polished mouth with big berries , full body, very good CDR, like without the usual rough edges. Felt like a gigondas level of quality
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3/20/2021 - cmr Likes this wine: 91 Points
Either this has come around or this was just a bottle that was above the others.
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3/20/2021 - ewohmot wrote: 89 Points
Nose is earthy... A very balanced wine with pleasant structure, light on the palate of flower petals with a subtle red, blush fruit that finishes long with plum notes. Drink now or cellar for next 3-4 years and enjoy.
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3/13/2021 - Swaggering Beaunie wrote:
Simple but pleasant enough as a Saturday afternoon sipper after a 3 1/2 hour decant. Tannins are a bit green, which makes it hard to drink quickly, but that's not necessarily bad. There seems to be nothing to be gained by aging, so drink now.
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3/1/2021 - drmarc61 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Young wine that has all of the components there to make great improvements in 3-5 years of rest,
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2/26/2021 - Kmoose Likes this wine: 90 Points
Quite nice but don't agree with WA's 95 pts. Tar & olives nose. Long finish. Medium strong tannins.
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2/10/2021 - Psdycp wrote: 93 Points
Highly aromatic and forward nose of fresh red and blue berries with overtones of cinnamon ginger, toasty black licorice and star anise. Attractive nose with some degree of restraint from becoming a fruit bomb. On the palate, the spiced gingery notes permeate throughout the elegant but deep structure. There is refinement not commonly found in a Villages wine. The tannins are fine, providing a supporting role with fresh acidity extending the balanced palate. Transition to a persistent finish is smooth and lingering. Ready to drink now with minimal decanting needed. Will continue to develop for the next 3-5 years. One of the best Cote Du Rhone Villages I have tasted.
Retasted in Jul 2021, it is more nutty with fermented bean paste with the fresh red fruits and plums underneath. Good length and depth still, finish is very long. Still a long way to go for this wine to reach its peak. But it is so approachable now that I am afraid not many people will purposefully age it beyond 5 years.
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1/27/2021 - Truffle hunter Likes this wine: 90 Points
Iodine, plum, and slate on the nose. Cedar box to mushrooms through the middle. Finishes slightly abruptly with the higher alcohol content, but not out of the realm at this price point. Solid choice. 2 more years in the cellar would be ideal.
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12/26/2020 - foyfrcs Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark ruby.
Dark fruit, blackberries, plums, black cherries, spice, liquorice.
Similar palate, full bodied, medium finish.
Good wine, good value.
May improve, probably 4/5+ years of life.
15% alcohol.
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12/21/2020 - ChateauDutremble Likes this wine: 91 Points
Arômes floraux, herbacés, foin, épices ainsi que des notes minérales...un nez parfumé ! Mi-corsé et riche. Tannins fins...rond et ample aux saveurs de fruits rouges. Éventuellement des notes de sauce soya. Longue persistance aromatique intense...chaude et poivrée. Boire entre 2021 et 2022. 91+
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11/30/2020 - Saltiecroc Likes this wine: 92 Points
See review by GMax. Great value. Hard to find something this good for 20 bucks. Except for 5 bags of twizzlers.
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11/29/2020 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 89 Points
this was a straight forward, easy drinking, uncomplicated Grenache. One which had no real flaws, save for a lack of complexity or even nuance. For $20, you can't go wrong, provided your expectations are in check.
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11/22/2020 - AMC Eagle wrote: 93 Points
Pnp. Medium ruby/garnet in colour. Nose of black cherries with dark red fruits and a touch of iodine and coffee grinds. On the palate, a nice black cherry and garrigue flavour profile is noticed with some dark green herbs and plums at the end. Medium+ bodied with a medium finish. Excellent qpr. Last tasted April 2019.
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10/17/2020 - Space Nine Likes this wine: 89 Points
Ripe black fruits, chocolate with some tannins and fairly low acidity leading to decent finish. Good qpr.
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9/21/2020 - Steven84 wrote:
Oeil : Robe quasi noire
Nez : Sur des arômes de fruits rouges et noirs, d'épices et des notes de garrigue
Bouche : Structure massive avec des tanins souples. Longue finale dominée par les
fruits noirs et des notes de zan
Accords mets/vins : S'appréciera sur du gibier, des viandes rouges en ragoût, rôties ou
grillées...
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8/29/2020 - Joseph Grassa wrote:
Excellent QPR
ripe dark fruit upfront, shifting to candied dark cherries, fig, slight gamy feel from the Mouvedre more so than the syrah, refined tannins, very harmonious with a fairly long finish.
my previous notes from October 2019 (not listed here) show an anticipated late drink date of 2030. very different feel this time, but I will open another in the next 6-8 months to reassess. should continue to improve through 2025.
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7/10/2020 - Wrf1999 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark fruit and spice. Dark purple color. Very nice
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6/29/2020 - redz wrote: 89 Points
still young, might improve
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5/30/2020 - mjm583 wrote: 90 Points
Good for the money
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5/22/2020 - Swaggering Beaunie wrote: 83 Points
Our first bottle of a case. If this one is representative, it's grossly overrated by others here. Overwhelmingly buttery, light body.
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4/14/2020 - Wbharris Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great fruit. Fantastic qpr.
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4/5/2020 - Camsss Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted 2 hrs. Wonderful aromas, full bodied, goo tannins. Finish medium. Great with steak. Good QPR
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3/15/2020 - CieloVista wrote: 87 Points
Plummy
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2/23/2020 - Topazbrown wrote:
Great
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2/22/2020 - shurpa14 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Delicious. Bold wine but also delicate. 15% and you can slightly notice it. Loads of fruit and some minerality and olive. Very good value.
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2/10/2020 - burlingtonm Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nothing subtle about this wine that benefited from being opened 4 hours with a two hour plus decant but it matched well with filet mignon where its bold flavours provided lots of pleasure. Good QPR too.
However I do not see the point of such a heavy bottle.
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1/25/2020 - DFBW Likes this wine: 90 Points
Big and bold Grenache with lots of dark and deep fruit. Need a good airing of at least a couple of hours. Great depth and length and delicious with some strong soft cheese.
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11/2/2019 - Tony Poli Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wanted to try this, based on Xavier and the notes. Dark purple, slightly lighter at the rim. Big nose of dark fruits and spice out of the bottle, quieted a bit as it took on air. A bit sharp on the palate initially, but smoothed out considerably with some air. Lots of dark fruit, good acidity and structure. I found the finish quite long. This seems a bit more traditional, less modern than my other Xavier experiences. Two more in the cellar, will let them sit for a while.
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10/27/2019 - brouigu1 Likes this wine: 90 Points
A nice showing of Grenache with mild aromas and flavor profile.
Easy to enjoy alone but paired nicely with mild cheese and sea salt crackers. Both the nose and palate have fine red fruits with cherry and raspberry but pretty simple.
An easy to enjoy wine with small bites and to relax with especially at this price point which is what drives my score.
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10/12/2019 - Bacchusandco wrote: 91 Points
I like it. It is powerful. But lacks a little after taste. Perhaps it just needs a bit of time to open up?
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10/7/2019 - henrijanssen wrote: 89 Points
Moor stevige wijn en tannine lekker
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9/13/2019 - Huh wrote: 92 Points
I am not a French grenache fan generally and stock my cellar with Burgs and Bordeaux and Cabs. Occasionally I like a change and Syrahs and Grenache-based wines come into play. So this wine is a good fit for me. $21 (Last Bottle including free shipping, tax and ice pack shipper) - big scores - 94 I think. It is structured, raspberry meets earth, garrigue, with a medium to full-bodied profile. Textbook Rhone entering fine Chateauneuf territory type wine. There is some heat that I like on colder nights like tonight in Upstate NY. 15% alcohol. On 1st taste after crackers and cheese it was a tad bitter but after palate redirected the smooth silky but potent quality emerged. Glad I have more...
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6/28/2019 - kfrench150 Likes this wine: 93 Points
First, last, only bottle?! No idea. Very dark and opaque black raspberry in its depth brightening to red raspberry at the rim. Huge bouquet right off the bat as soon as it is poured. Soaring notes of brambly dark berries, garrigue, incense, graphite and char on the nose with a slight bit of alcoholic heat. Fruits are all in the black and red registers. Bursts of fruit flavours on first taste. Huge, inky fruit extract with abundant tannins and oak as well. Mouth coating texture. Lots of acidity for structure. Long lingering finish that is loaded with gritty tannins and tails off to dryness. This is waaay too young! High quality but needs at least 10 years to integrate and settle down and then it will be spectacular! 93 points at this very early stage.
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5/17/2019 - Neil Pedersen Likes this wine: 90 Points
Last bottle of about 6, really enjoyed this.
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4/7/2019 - AMC Eagle wrote: 93 Points
Vinturied into decanter and let sit for 30+ minutes. Medium+ ruby-garnet in colour. Nose of black cherries with some dark chocolate and a hint of espresso. On the palate, a good wallop of silky black cherries and garrigue; dark provencal herbs at the end. Medium+ bodied with a medium finish. A well made CdR that punches waaaaay above its price point.
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4/6/2019 - Craigvb Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep red color, opens with lots of berry and fruit. Smooth finish. Great value!
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4/4/2019 - jeffal66 wrote: 87 Points
Good but without the depth. Shortish midpalate and finish, tannins, medium intensity. Some heat, a bit disjointed.
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3/19/2019 - Mr T wrote:
Finest cotes du Rhône ever? Who can say, but this very nice with lovely red fruits, modest tannin and lots of pleasure. Went well with grilled lamb burgers.
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3/1/2019 - ChopperWine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Super. Raspberry nose with other sweet notes emanating. Also must and earth. A powerful wine without a doubt, but has some finesse and silkiness hidden within too. Dark fruit and berries with spicy notes on the palate. Leather notes too. 94 by Parker. Matter of taste, but hard to deny it.
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2/19/2019 - redz wrote: 91 Points
I'm not a big grenache fan, but this is more full bodied than most, nice. perfume nose in a good way, medium fruit. Maybe I'm influenced by the WA 93 rating, but could blossom into something interesting. Hold a couple yrs.
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2/5/2019 - BKG wrote: 89 Points
Excellent QPR on this one. Bought at Costco for $9.99. Much better than the Kirkland Villages IMO.
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6/29/2018 - traubenliebe Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bold present and playfull. Do not expect a deep experience red fruit and wonderfful tannic structures. A true delight.
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5/5/2018 - WineTally Likes this wine:
80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah
from 9 parcels.
1 month+ maceration.
Aged 15 months 1/3 in Stockinger oak barriques, 1/3 in small concrete tanks, 1/3 in foudre.
15% Abv.
Winemaker: Xavier Vignon
A(ccuray)=2: Med deep ruby. Smoky, gamey Rhone blend.
B(alance)=3: Ripe fruit and firm acid matching the high alcohol.
C(omplexity)=2: Red berries, spices, earth, minerals.
D(epth)=1: Vibrant mouthfeel. Average length and finish.
Wine Tally Score [2,3,2,1] = 8/10
Raising the bar for Côtes du Rhône villages!
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4/29/2018 - PacoHigon Likes this wine:
Garnacha, syrah y mourvedre. Granate vivo con destellos púrpura. Nariz expresiva, con notas de sotobosque, fruta negra jugosa, matices especiados. En boca tiene buen ataque, alguna sensación licorosa, buenos amargos, buena acidez, taninos dulces y carnosos, estructura media, bastante persistencia.
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