Côtes du Rhône Vintages

From: Wine Spectator, 11/15/07

Northern:
05-06: NYR, 05 expected to be great
04: good
03: some great, wide-ranging quality
02: DON'T BUY (except whites)
00-01: good
99: GREAT; Côte Rôtie especially
94-98: good


Southern:
05-06: NYR, 05 may be best in 20 yrs
04: consistently good quality
03: hold; rugged tannins
02: DON"T BUY
00-01: great, especially Chât-du-Pape
99: Grenache not great, others decent
98: GREAT
96-97: soft, not very good
94-95: good
91-93: DON'T BUY

Les Champauvins

05 Domaine Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône Villages; Alain Jaume & Fils. ~$25?

Very deep, dark color. Leathery aroma is very noticeable and consistent throughout the swallow. Slight jammy aftertaste; very bold and meaty. Would pair well with a rib-eye or game. The 20% syrah overpowers the 70% grenache and 10% mourvédre. It certainly isn't as tannic as Australian syrah, but bolder than Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Plan on saving for tomorrow to pair with dinner. Note: the vineyard lies next to Chât-du-Pape (S. Rhône)

Réserve de l'Oriflamme

06 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Seemed almost 100% grenache. Not a very aromatic nose, but the aftertaste was quite fruity. Full-bodied, amd quaffable, but doesn't have a lot of structure. Not a wine I would repurchase (price ~$20). Too light and didn't have the impact I expected/wanted from a Rhône.

Gruet brut Sparkling

$14, New Mexico. Decent dry sparkling wine. Nothing spectacular. Much better than most cheaper sparkling wines though.

Gruet blanc-de-noirs

New Mexico, $14

Excellent purchase. Aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and a near-overwhelming floral finish. Quite fantastic and I will purchase again.

E Guigal Chateneuf du Pape

$45. Outstanding. One of the top wines I've ever drank. This is my first Chat du Pape and I wasn't let down at all. Made from mostly Grenache and Syrah, it has a soft, drinkable quality with an amazingly strong tannic backbone and peppery spiciness. I could drink this everyday for the rest of my life. Definitely some tar and blackberry flavor. Considering the price, I'm nervous to try the great producers of CdP...wine is quickly becoming an expensive habit.

Georges Du Boeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

07

My first time buying Beaujolais Nouveau on its release date and I'm not impressed. It's just not good. I don't find it complex or even drinkable. I'll buy another from a different producer, but I don't have very high expectations. I think this is just a wine that I don't like. It reminded my date of "church wine" and I think it's an apt comparison. It tastes extremely "grapey" and there isn't any softness. I drank it after chilling for about a half hour.

Update: I drank the same bottle a week later and it seemed better. A little more flavor and definitely more drinkable. Still not impressed and I probably won't even finish the bottle.

Paul Joboulet Aîné

03. Crozes Hermitage. Domaine Raymond Roure

Very dark color, almost black. The easiness is amazing. It's hard to believe that it's made from mostly syrah. Nose is currants and raspberries. Medium body with only a small amount of tannins. A very nice sipping wine and doesn't need a full meal to accompany it. A bit of spiciness is left on the palate but not very strong. A very delicious wine that I will purchase again and recommend.

Stonehedge Reserve Petite Syrah

Outstanding. I think I got it at TJs so it was probably relatively cheap. If I had to guess, I'd say around $15, but I really can't remember. A floral, almost sweet sensation on the nose. Medium body, surprisingly so for a PS, but so smooth... each glass begs for another and I'm so happy with this wine. Finish is a bit quick, but pleasant. Definitely purchase again and recommend.

Mirrasou Cab 04

Nothing. This was a Wine Spectator top value CS. It was so brawny and rough that I couldn't detect any delicacies whatsoever. Really let down.