Cotes du Rhone, A few treats and WS Game 1

Last night the City of Cleveland hosted three pretty amazing events.
#3 - The Cavs home opener including receiving their Championship Rings and Raising the Banner
#2 - Game One of the World Series vs. the Chicago Cubs
#1 - Wine Tasting Group with a theme of Cotes du Rhone
Jeff was kind enough to set up a television so we could watch #3 and #2 options, and we tasted some wine. I love CdR as a theme as they are often wines that are quite good and realistic pricing. There are not a lot of red wine regions in the world that offer up that kind of value. With 2015's soon to hit the shelves, I will be buying so it was good to find a few new wineries. The wines were consumed blind over a couple of hours. As the game takes longer than that a few more contributions were added including some beers. Some great breads, cheeses and cookies were served with the wines.

The Cavs beat the Knicks, the Tribe one game one, the wines were good to amazing. A fun night!

• 2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Queen's Road White 93 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Wow, what a great showing for this wine. I read Jeb's note and think this must have been a bit shut down as I found this flamboyant but with piercing acidity. Blind, I was pretty sure it was northern Rhone. Gold in color. The nose is great with spice, tangerine and pineapple. I don't know if this saw oak, but there really isn't any hint of any. On the palate, piercing acidity. Tart citrus. Alight peach. With air, a waxy quality comes out. Complex. drinking quite young, I would expect this to age. Jeff said he paid $60 which is a lot. Still, a great wine. Would like to revisit it again.

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• 2010 Domaine les Grands Bois Côtes du Rhône Villages Cuvée Philippine 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages

  The groups #1 (although only one first place vote, but 4 seconds). Purple in color. The nose has nice spice. A bit of dark chocolate. More open on the palate. Juicy black cherries. Some tannins left. Certainly has plenty of life left.

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• 2014 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône Belleruche 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  I tend to drink this at a lot of events, weddings, and restaurants. Its a cheap go-to wine that seems to squeeze its way onto lists. It was good to try this against its peers. It showed just fine. Around $18 Ohio. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has sweet ripe red fruits. The palate matches. Not a lot of delineation or complexity. Good acidity. Very drinkable and enjoyable though. It seems a bit more open than prior bottles from this vintage. I wouldn't let it go more than a couple of years more though.

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• 2013 J.L. Chave Sélection Côtes du Rhône Mon Coeur 87 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  The group liked this more than I. Lou mentioned this was cleaner than the 09. I sill found brett but it did not bother me. There was also some pine on the nose that did bother me. Between the two, the fruit seemed obscured. On the palate, it is better. Some tart cherries. Drying fruit on the finish. I would not age these wines as the brett may get worse and the fruit won't last long. very surprised to see this on unveiling as Chave Mon Coeur is another wine that I often choose on restaurant lists. But, as I said, the group liked it more than I and three people had it as number 1.

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• 2000 Château de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel Flawed

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  I threw this in as an extra. sadly, corked. seemed to be really good underneath and not showing too old. Oh well.

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• 2014 Domaine de la Solitude (Lançon Père et Fils) Côtes du Rhône 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Ruby/purple in color. The nose is very tight. Never did get it to show much. Some cherries and spice. On the palate, this is soft but there is a nice complexity. Cherries with slight earthiness. Very accessible. Little tannins. Drinking well enough right now.

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• 2010 Château de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  excellent wine, but I would have expected more. That said, it might just be shut down at this stage. Everything was tight. The nose has black cherries, slight smoke and spice. The palate has a great texture (usually a sign of things to come) but the fruit is very tight. What is there is very vibrant though. Black raspberry fruit with a bit of char. Good acidity. I was very impressed until I saw the label. For the name and price, I wouldn't mind a bit more. Perhaps that is unfair but if this was $18, it would be a great value. At $35, maybe not so much.

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• 2013 Gabriel Meffre Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu Saint Mapalis 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu

  I liked this far more than the group. To me it was at peak, good fruit but more depth than the others. I had not had this wine before. $20, I found it a very nice value. Cherries and dark cherries and a bit of spice on the nose. Nice juicy texture. Good depth with cherries, dark cherries and some Asian spice on the palate. Nice finish. I would like to try this in a better vintage.

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• 2010 Les Vignerons de Laudun Chusclan Côtes du Rhône La Ferme de Gicon 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Another wine I liked more than the group. The nose is initially tight with cherries and spice. With air some dark cherries come out. On the palate, the fruit is a bit reserved but was is there, is excellent. Dark cherries. Very pure. Good acidity. Nice finish. Probably at peak but I would let breather for an hour.

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• 2005 Ojai Syrah Special Bottling Bien Nacido Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  Purple in color. Gorgeous nose. This wine is still youthful. The nose has a bit of earthiness, black raspberries, plums, violets, sandalwood and a touch of bacon fat. On the palate, plenty of tannins left. A lot of fruit. Juicy, lush texture. Very deep. Vibrant fruit. Long finish. This still needs air or time, but it was delicious and just fantastic. Still, I think it has a bit more upside to it. A real treat. Thanks Jeff.

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• 2005 Saxum James Berry Vineyard 96 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  This had been decanted for about 3 hours, double decanted back and allowed to breathe for three more hours. Also still quite young. Inky purple. The nose is nice, but this is much better on the palate. A nose of black raspberries with some roasted meat, and black pepper. On the palate, this has great verve. Light on its feet yet powerful. Lots of black raspberry fruit. Starting to get some tight layers. Still some smoother tannins. Long finish. Getting closer to prime time, but not there yet. Loved it. Thanks Trent.

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We finished with three beer.
Revolution Straight Jacket Barley Wine Deep Woods Series 5/5
Mikkeller Invasion IPA 4.25/5
Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasle 4.5/5

On to Game 2. Go Tribe!