2015 Xavier Vignon Côtes du Rhône XI

Community Tasting Notes (1) Avg Score: 87 points

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  8/4/2018 - mjwstickings Likes this wine: 87 Points

  Initially, this GSM blend from Xavier (40% each Grenache and Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre), a fairly generic CdR, seems to lack anything like regional or varietal authenticity. It's all about the fruit, mostly cherry, raspberry, and blackberry, so much so that it seems to lack anything else, as if it's not just a generic CdR but one made specifically as a sort of anti-CdR for the broader international market. But Xavier knows the Rhône and knows what it's doing when it comes to making quality wine, and this is just that. Yes, it's still rather generic, and it lacks the powerful savoury elements that define CdR GSMs, but with time the fruit cedes some space to spicy black pepper and cinnamon, earth, licorice, minerals, and vague herbal notes, enough to show that Rhône savouriness. And, really, it's just nice, pleasant, mildly interesting wine, a bit too hot (14.5% ABV) but medium-bodied and clean, dry but juicy on the palate, and certainly food-friendly.

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