Vindredi (Rhone Valley: Gigondas, Cornas, Crozes-Hermitage, St. Joseph)

Tonight's theme was the Rhone Valley. We had a couple of starter whites for which I don't have notes, unfortunately. All wines were tasted blind.

Wines are listed in order of my preference. (Group preference: Guigal, Les Pallieres, Perrin)

• 2011 E. Guigal Gigondas 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas

  Tasted blind. Red fruit, spice, herbal, eucalyptus, and dried potpourri. Pure red fruit on the body, mostly cherry mixed with spice. Medium-plus weight, fine tannins to finish. Very nice.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2013 Domaine les Pallières Gigondas Les Racines 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas

  Tasted blind. Sweet, with fruit, mint, spice, and dried meat. Lovely red/black cherry fruit mixed with some savory notes on the body. Nicely balanced with a softer tannin finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2010 Famille Perrin / Perrin & Fils Gigondas Vieilles Vignes L'Argnee 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas

  Tasted blind. Meat, iodine, leather, and mint. Dense and mouthcoating, dark and brambly body. Some green notes. Dry, dusty, fine tannins.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Wines are listed in order of my and group's preference.

• 2012 Jean-Luc Colombo Cornas Les Ruchets

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  Tasted blind. Intense brett. Silky, soft and elegant body. Dark fruit, plum, pepper, spice. Beautiful soft, fine tannins on the finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2006 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Cornas Domaine de Saint Pierre

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  Tasted blind. Nose of black pepper and spice. Lovely body; dense, dark fruit -- blue, black and violet -- quite juicy, actually. Smooth, fine tannins to finish. The age has helped.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2014 Johann Michel Cornas

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  Tasted blind. Iodine, blood, spice, and popcorn. Bright, dense fruit. Tight.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Wines are listed in order of my preference. (Group preference: St. Cosme, Graillot, Jaboulet)

• 2014 Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Tasted blind. Blood, meat, fruit, and dried flowers. Much more on the savory end of the spectrum.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2014 Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Tasted blind. Sweet fruit, spice, violets, and some funk on the nose. Almost Cayuse-like :) Bright, pure (cherry) fruit; medium body. Lengthy finish with fine tannins. Lovely!

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2013 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Les Jalets

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Tasted blind. Funky nose. Tight. Tart and a bit thin on the mid-palate. Needs time?

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Wines are listed in order of my and group's preference.

• 2015 Saint Cosme St. Joseph

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph

  Tasted blind. Yum. Purple fruit, vanilla, violets, plum. Dense, dark fruit on the palate. Really lovely, with a nice saline element on the finish.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2013 Delas Frères St. Joseph Sainte-Epine

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph

  Tasted blind. Pepper and spice. Medium weight body, a bit simple overall, and a touch astringent on the finish. I think this has some potential, but is quite tight/young right now.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Special treats from our cellars!

• 2005 Bodegas Mas Alta Priorat La Basseta

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Tasted blind. Wood spice, herbs, green pepper. Medium weight. Spice, leather, earth, prunes on the body. Definitely riper style.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1998 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pignan Reserve

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Tasted blind. Spice box, cherry, and white pepper. Light, with lots of red cherry, raspberry and a hint of green. Nice sweetness on the finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Epoch Estate Wines Syrah Block B Paderewski Vineyard

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Tasted blind. Dense and juicy, with plum, blackberry and spice. Modern, with a bit of oak.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue