Vineyard Gate: Overachieving Southern Rhones

Millbrae, CA
Tasted Friday, February 13, 2009 by Wine Spam with 415 views

Flight 1 (5 Notes)

  • 2006 Kermit Lynch Selections Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Sélectionée 87 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

    As always, this wine is complex beyond its pedigree, with deep fruit and touches of earth. A fresh, lively palate great for drinking now.

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  • 2005 La Font du Vent Côtes du Rhône Les Promesses 87 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

    Rather subdued nose. On the palate, mild pepper, herbs, garrigue and light red fruit. Nice acid, light body. Good food wine. Would be more profound had it a nose to speak of.

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  • 2001 Domaine du Grapillon d'Or Gigondas 91 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas

    Relatively deep, complex nose--dark fruits, earth, bit of leather, herbs and forest floor. Balanced, food friendly palate, still a bit grippy. Drink now or over the next five years. Excellent value.

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  • 2004 Château Rayas Côtes du Rhône La Pialade

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

    Although the palate is nice, soft and pleasurable, the nose is nearly dominated by brett. Either this is a flawed bottle, or the brett has overwhelmed the fruit with cellar time.

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  • 2004 Château Rayas Côtes du Rhône Château de Fonsalette Reserve 90 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

    Complex, rich nose of earth and fruit. Good mid palate complexity with some grip. However, I don't notice the lighter fruit, spice and herbal characters I picked up in the previous tasting note. Additionally, it appears some brett and leather characters are coming to the fore. While still good, I suspect this wine is in a dumb phase. Hold off for another few years. From 2012.

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Closing

Fun and interesting line up. Looks like the Rayas wines are either in a dumb phase or have a problem with brett, while the Grapillon Gigondas soars. Purchased two of the Grapillon.

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