Important Update From the Founder Read message >

Jungle Jim's Southern Rhone Tasting

Jungle Jim's, Fairfield, OH

Tasted March 29, 2008 by cobbpa with 496 views

Introduction

Various wines, each coming from a different part of the Southern Rhone.

Flight 1 (5 notes)

White
2006 La Vieille Ferme (Perrin & Fils) Luberon Blanc France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Luberon
82 points
Very very light gold color, nearly clear as water. Green apple and baked pears on the nose. Tastes of some pear, very sour apple with a good burst of crispness in the transition. Is light bodied, has a finish that lingers nicely, but the alcohol is apparent, and that bothers me. Some nice elements are there and it became better when tasted with cheese, but the heat didn't let me enjoy this as much as I would have liked. This was served at room temperature, so perhaps serving it chilled could help as well.
Rosé
2005 Domaine Longval Tavel France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Tavel
79 points
100% Grenache rose. Orange color. Scents of cough medicine...both losenges and a blend of red & orange Robitussin. Interesting, but not sure I'd call it pleasant on the nose. Touch of nice orange zest on the midpalate, some good acid throughout that gets a little too big on the finish. Worst part is the heat--all through the experience, alcohol is present. Not many flavors up front to mask this and it becomes apparent a few seconds into the finish as well.
Red
2006 La Vieille Ferme (Perrin & Fils) Cotes de Ventoux France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Ventoux
83 points
50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Carrignan, 15% Cinsault. Some eucalyptus scents, hints of alcohol, celery tops, and a touch of black pepper on the nose. Hollow on the flavors up front, light body has a touch of white pepper, so so fruit. Finish shows some alcohol, has ok acid & a decent grip from tannins.
Red
2005 Jean-Luc Colombo Côtes du Rhône Les Abeilles France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
84 points
Nose gives off bright strawberry & raspberry with a tinge of leather. Liked the nose pretty well! Wine had a medium body, just ok fruits throughout and a decent finish that was somewhat unblanced somehow...not sure what exactly, but the mix of tannin / acid / flavors just seemed off. Little let down after enjoying the nose so much.
Red
2005 Domaine de l'Echevin Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint-Maurice-sur-Eygues France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint-Maurice-sur-Eygues
86 points
80% Syrah 20% Grenache. Had at a tasting; not certain this is the same wine, but pretty sure.
Deep purple color with nice ruby edges. Big leather scent accented by touches of sweet tobacco, a little smoke, some dark cherry & blackberry on the nose. Big sour cherry flavors are the first taste leads to a touch of spice, some plum, blueberry and a little kick in the mid palate. Finish has good grip but is kind of short.

Flight 2 (5 notes)

Red
2006 Mas de Guiot Gard Grenache/Syrah France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Gard
87 points
Very deep, nearly black purple color. Lots of dark berries on the nose, sort of a syrupy smell. Good upfront black fruits, spicy / smoky midpalate, and good tannins. Pretty good body as well. This wine could probably keep for a few years.
Red
2005 Alain Jaume Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras
87 points
65% Grenache, 20 syrah, 5 Mourvedre, 10 Cinsault. Nice dark purple color. Dirty nose--mushrooms, horse dung, and olives past their prime. Slightly thin with little flavors up front, some mild leather, smoky, herbacious flavors show themselves and are highlighted with a little bit of zesty red fruit peeking in. Interesting finish from these flavors. Smooth and pretty well balanced.
Red
2005 Alain Jaume Lirac Clos de Sixte France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Lirac
88 points
50% Grenache, 35 Syrah, 15 Mourvedre. Nice deep purple, slightly reddish color. Eucalyptus on the nose, with some stewed blueberries. Plum flavors up front with some blueberries and a very little touch of white pepper. Good tannins on a finish that develops well and has balanced acid.
Red
2003 Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
89 points
75% Grenache, 10 Syrah, 10 Mouvedre, 5 Cinsault. Deep red, brick color. Leather, burnt tobacco, cut carrots, and mossy tree bark with a bit of mint on the nose. Good body, nice blue fruit up front. Soft, nice tannins and mild acid to match on the medium finish.
Red
2005 Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
91 points
80% Grenache, 10 Mourvedre, 5 Syrah, 5 Cinsault. Dark red color, but not dark enough to be completely opaque. Big blueberry, dark cherry, cranberry nose with a touch of herbs thrown in. Big dark fruit juice up front, nice transition leads to smooth tannins that build throughout finish, which continues to show some of the good fruit prevalent throughout the wine.

Closing

Not quite as impressed as I was hoping to be, but definitely enjoyable and gave great education about grape varieties & their place.

© 2003-24 CellarTracker! LLC.

Report a Problem

Close