Wine Reviews: A Selection of Rhone-style Wines
Tasted Thursday, May 31, 2012 by davidwhitedc with 448 views
Introduction
I opened several Syrahs, Grenaches, and Rhone blends that had arrived over the past few months as press samples. All were tasted single blind.
2009 Amapola Creek Cuvée Alis Estate 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
SRP: $48. On the nose, a dark and brooding Rhone blend. Dark soil and earth, followed by layer after layer of blackberries and black cherries, followed by bittersweet chocolate, chili paste, and some graphite. On the palate, lots of black pepper comes out. The wine has gentle tannins and juicy acidity, but some astringency shows itself at the finish. A big wine that’ll likely take a few years to settle down – and will likely mature into something delicious.
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2009 Wesley Ashley Intelligent Design 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
SRP: $38. While the nose isn’t terribly aromatic, it shows earthy, gamey Grenache, candied strawberries and cherries, some spice and coffee. On the palate, the wine is both brighter and chewier than one would expect, with a long finish that’s dominated by drying tannins.
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2009 Andrew Murray Grenache Terra Bella Vineyard Paso Robles 91 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
SRP: $30. A dark, ripe nose of blackberry, black pepper, dark chocolate, oak, and sweet herbs. On the palate, the chocolate notes really come out – and the wine shows great depth and concentration, along with beautiful acidity that leads to a lingering finish.
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2010 Andrew Murray Syrah Watch Hill Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
SRP: $30. The nose explodes with bright, red, cool-climate fruits – maraschino cherries dominate, followed by raspberries, sweet cranberries, lavender, other floral notes, and a touch of oak. On the palate, the fruits are incredibly precise and layered – and the wine is perfectly balanced. Quite delicious.
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2008 Snowy Peaks Winery Eleve 85 Points
USA, Colorado, Grand Valley
SRP: $19. On the nose, a basic Côtes du Rhône. Black pepper and other spices, bright berries, and a hint of brett. The palate shows a bit more complexity and is well balanced, but the wine is pretty basic.
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2009 Andrew Murray Espérance 92 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
SRP: $25. On the nose, the wine is rich, sweet, and ripe – dominated by black cherries and strawberries, followed by oak, vanilla, and a laundry list of baking spices. The palate is lush, and the fruits are nearly perfect – beautifully ripe, neither pruney nor candied, just delightful.
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2010 Maison Richard Côtes du Rhône La Petite Fontaine
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
SRP: $13. On the nose, a basic Côtes du Rhône. Some funky notes of candied cherries, smoked meat, and Asian spices, but not a ton going on. The palate starts out flat, but finishes harsh and disjointed.
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2009 Andrew Murray Syrah Terra Bella Vineyard Paso Robles 93 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
SRP: $36. Wow. A seductive nose of dark blueberries, raw steak, plums, boysenberries, white pepper, a hint of licorice, and a hint of toasted oak. On the palate, everything is in harmony.
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2009 Wesley Ashley Grenache 88 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
SRP: $45. On the nose, bright, red strawberry juice with some candied plums, candied oranges, and other confectionery aromas – and it’s bordering on artificial. The palate matches the nose, and while it’s tasty and well balanced, it’s an odd wine.
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2009 Andrew Murray Syrah Tous les Jours 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
SRP: $16. On the nose, a big Syrah that’s loaded with blackberries, blueberries, smoked meat, and oak. The palate matches the nose and offers soft tannins and a pleasant acidity. A hint of alcohol shows itself at the finish, but it’s barely noticeable.
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