Vivid purple. Deeply pitched cherry, dark berry preserve and licorice aromas pick up smoky mineral, olive and floral notes with air. Chewy and penetrating on the palate, offering concentrated, mineral-drenched bitter cherry, blackberry, fruitcake and f...
A terrific vintage for this wine, which was bottled just a couple of weeks prior to my late June visit, the 2021 Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet de Beaucastel is a blend of 30% each Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, plus 10% Cinsault. From a vineyard just outside t...
Blended with 5% Petite Sirah, the 2022 Zinfandel Paso Robles is one of the sweeter fruited, exotic Zinfandels in the lineup. Candied strawberries, red plums, cigar, herbes de Provence, and sandalwood all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodie...
As the 2015 Saint-Joseph Lieu-Dit Saint-Joseph had been recently bottled when I tasted it last year and rated it 94 points, I've retasted it and upgraded it a point. Despite being aged in 100% new oak for close to 24 months, it shows only subtle hints of ...
Leading off the 2020s, the 2020 Côtes Du Rhône is ripe, medium to full-bodied, and loaded with charm. Sunny red and black fruits, spice, and garrigue notes define the bouquet, and it's going to drink nicely right out of the gate. It shows the fruit-driven...
The 2019 Côtes Du Rhône will be a no-brainer purchase. This Syrah-heavy red has lots of blackberry, bouquet garni, and peppery notes in a ripe, full-bodied, textured style. It’s well worth buying and drinking over the coming 5-7 years.