Château Pesquié Ventoux Terrasses 2017, Rhône, France 🇫🇷

🍇 Grenache 60%
🍇 Syrah 40%

🧐 Alcohol 14%

🍁 My Score 91 Points

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Attractive nose with aromas of cherries, plums, pomegranate, licorice, floral, light cedar and peppery notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-bodied, fresh with bright flavours, fine tannins and lively acidity. The finish is medium length with flavours of slightly tart red fruit, vanilla spices and peppery.

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For the last two years I have really enjoyed visiting Château Pesquié at this year Vancouver International Wine Festival. I am always impressed by the quality of their wines and their great value for money. So many great wines to choose from, Ventoux red, Quintessense and Artemis are my stand outs. This is my third bottle of Ventoux 2017 and was a great example of their quality. It’s a very aromatic red blend with a wonderful combination of freshness and seductive mouthfeel. Definitely a crowd pleasing wine, perfect for summer served slightly chilled. Terrific value and widely available. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Diffonty Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015, Rhône, France 🇫🇷

🍇 Grenache 65%

🍇 Syrah 25%

🍇 Mourvèdre 10%

🧐 Alcohol 15%

🍁 My Score 91 Points 

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Exquisite bouquet with aromas of plummy-blackberry fruit, dried herbs, wood smoke and light cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, seductive, spicy texture with silky tannins, terrific oak integration and balanced acidity. The finish is medium-long with a plummy, vanilla and a savoury edge.

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I usually prefer my CDP when Syrah is the dominant varietal, that being said, I really enjoyed this CPD. From it’s nose, the spicy red fruited aromatics were a give away that Grenache was the dominant varietal. It’s a very pretty, elegant, finely textured, fruit driven and flagrant CDP. Purchased @lcbo in August of 2018 and superb value at $39. Beautiful slightly chilled, to lower the impact of the alcohol, which gives the fruit more of a chance to shine. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Domaine de Longue Toque Gigondas 2014, Rhône, France 🇫🇷

🍇 Grenache 60%
🍇 Syrah 40%

🧐 Alcohol 15.5%

🍁 My Score 92 Points

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Such a sensuous nose with aromas of black fruit, plums, leather, incense, old church wood, vanilla and peppery notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied with an entirely elegant texture, silky tannins and fresh acidity. The finish is medium-long, very smooth with soft fruit and savoury flavours lingering.

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It’s been way too long since I have opened a Gigondas. Purchased this a little over a year ago. This wine is in a great place right now. Every element of this wine is well integrated at this stage, resulting in beautiful aromatics, seductive flavourful mouthfeel and very smooth Gigondas. Enjoyed with a pasta dish of lamb sausage, which turned out to be a perfect pairing. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Les Halos de Jupiter Côtes du Rhône 2010, AC Rhône, France

This wine is a blend of mostly Grenache, at 85%, with Syrah at 10% and Mourvèdre at 5% with alcohol coming in at 15%.

This wine opened up with aromas of plumy-wild berry fruit, licorice, incense, toasty and black pepper notes. On the mouthfeel, dry, medium-full bodied and smooth with concentrated flavours, savoury, mild acidity and firm tannins. The finish is medium length with flavours of black fruit, savoury herbs and spicy. This is exactly what I expect from a nice Côtes du Rhône, easy drinking with great flavours, and at this price, a great buy. Strongly recommended, score 89 points.  

Purchased June 8, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (276956) at $17.95

Domaine de la Charbonnière Les Hautes Brusquières Cuvée Spéciale Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007, AC Rhône, France

From the very good 2007 vintage, this wine is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. Each varietal is aged separately before blending and alcohol comes in at 15%.

This wine opened up with aromas of blackberry, plum, cherry, light licorice, fresh herbs, floral, earthy and sandalwood notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with delicious soft seductive fruit, herbs and spices flavours, mild acidity and fined grained tannins. Good length on the finish with flavours of sweet berry fruit, gentle wood spices, fine tannins but the last thing lingering is some hot alcohol heat. I enjoyed this wine with friends and we were all unanimous on the verdict, exquisite aromatics, great almost silky and spicy texture in the mouth but hot alcohol finish that was a real bummer. Just enough to score 90 points, but can’t see myself matching Robert Parker Jr. 95+ given in October 2009.

Purchased from the LCBO Classics Collection February 2011 (579581) at $54.00

Domaine Cros de la Mûre, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Massif D’ Uchaux 2007, Rhône Valley, France

 

This wine is a blend of mostly Grenache and Syrah with Mourvèdre and Cinsault in a supporting role, maturation for 30 months in oak barrels and alcohol coming in at 14.5%.

A deep purple in color, this Rhône blend opened up with aromas of blackberry, plum, garrigue, spices, meaty, peppery and light floral notes. On the mouthfeel, a medium-full bodied wine with rich and concentrated flavours, detectable oak influences, low acidity and fined grained tannins. This wines finish is long, very smooth with spicy, fresh herbs and pruny flavours. We enjoyed this wine, with several foods, cheese (oh my god, the blue cheese from Vermont was so good), a charcuterie platter and it worked well. I think that this wine would have been much better without as much oak, but overall, very enjoyable, score 88 points.

As for my experience with Terroir Wine bar, I found it to be a very cozy and charming space. A decent but challenging wine list, the food was excellent, great small plates and very friendly staff. We actually went there twice over our five night stay in New York. A great and inexpensive way to enjoy a casual meal and I would go back tomorrow if I could, strongly recommended.

Enjoyed at Terroir Wine Bar at 413 E 12^th St. New York City restaurant price $67.00

Domaine Cros De Romet Cairanne Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2010, Ac Rhône Valley, France

This wine is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah with alcohol coming in at 16%. (No other info from the vineyard)

Deep opaque purple in color, this wine opened up with aromas of black cherry, dark plum, dried herbs, peppery and smoky and earthy notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, hot with flavours of black fruit, spices and charred wood, low acidity and firm tannins. This finish is medium length, hot with baked fruit and a stony minerality texture. After tasting a number of 2010 Rhône wines, I started to think that they were (for the most part) un-balanced, lacked finesse, with high alcohol and low acidity. For my palate, Domaine Cros De Romet Cairanne Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2010 has nice flavours but the whole package is over the top for me, the fruit feels baked, the alcohol is crazy high and the lack of acidity is not helping. Disappointing, score 86 points.

Purchased October 27, 2012 LCBO Vintages New Release (42986) at $21.95

Domaine Grand Veneur Les Champauvins Côtes Du Rhône 2010, Ac, Rhône, France

This wine is a blend of mostly Grenache at 80% and Syrah with the remaining 20%, soil type is clay-gravel soil covered with rolled stones, wine is lightly filtered and alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

Pouring a deep purple in color, this Rhône blend opened up with aromas of blueberry-plummy fruit, new leather, vanilla, licorice, dried herbs and spicy notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, dry, delicious forward fruit and spicy flavours, fresh acidity and well integrated tannins. Loads of energy and length on the finish with blueberry-plum puree fruit and spicy notes lingering. Les Champauvins 2010 is showing well right now, an easy drinking wine, made in a crowd pleasing style and at this price, a great value. Strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased February 2, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (76331) at $18.95

Château Du Trignon Le Bossu Gigondas 2007, Ac Rhône, France

This wine is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. This blend opened up with aromas of blackberry, stewed plums, dried herbs and leathery notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, little fruit, dried, firm structured with low acidity and dusty tannins. Medium length on the finish, earthy, smoky and spices flavours, dusty tannins and alcohol heat making its presence felt till the end. For me this is not one of their finest wines, from Château Du Trignon that I have had, a little unbalanced for me.  This wine needed a little more acidity and a whole lot more fruit, but the aromatics were very sensuous. Score 88 points.

Purchased March 2, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (309328) at $27.95  

Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Philippine Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2010, Ac Rhône, France

This wine is a blend of 55% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 10% Carignan from 10-70 year old vines, unfiltered and alcohol coming in at 14.5%. 

Deep purple in color, this Rhône blend opened up with an attractive bouquet of cherry, plumy-blackberry fruit, wood smoke, sweet spices and cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, with flavours of dark fruit, strawberry jam and savoury spices, balance acidity and fine grained tannins. Medium finish, not particularly complex but the flavours are very nice and the texture is pure velvet. This is a very smooth, harmonious, easy drinking wine, made to please and at this price, strongly recommended. Score 89 points.  

Purchased August 18, 2012 LCBO Vintages New Release (286344) at $17.95 

Clos Saint Michel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 2007, Rhône, France

 

From the superb 2007 vintage in the Rhône Valley, this Châteauneuf is a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 30% Mourvèdre with alcohol coming in at 14.5%.

On the nose, this wine opens up with aromas of ripe plum, blueberry, licorice, incense, leather and most likely Mourvèdre, adding a touch of earthy funk. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, soft, elegant with low acidity and fine well integrated tannins. Medium length on the finish with ripe berry fruit and wood spices flavours lingering. A nice example of a softer version of Châteauneuf, however I was expecting a little more structure and tannins at this stage. I usually prefer Châteauneuf-du-Pape with a higher portion of Grenache in the blend, but I still enjoyed this wine. Score 89 points.

Purchased December 4, 2010 at the SAQ in Montréal $49.00

Alain Jaune & Fils Terrasses de Montmirail Gigondas 2009, Rhône, France

 

The majority component of this blend is Grenache with 80% with the remaining 20% Syrah. The Grenache sure comes through on the nose with attractive aromas of plum, cassis, raisins, exotic spices, floral, vanilla and light cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied (with alcohol coming in at 14.5%), savoury spices and ripe berry flavours, balanced acidity and silky tannins. Very good length on the finish, seamless texture with ripe spicy berries flavours lingering.

 

This is definitely the style of Rhône blend I enjoy the most, with a high proportion of Grenache, with little or no Mourvèdre. The biggest strength of this Gigondas for me is its mouthfeel, so smooth and very stylish. I have always enjoyed wines from Alain Jaune & Fils, you can sense the attention to details in every one of their wines, like Domaine Grand Veneur Clos de Sixte Lirac 2009, reviewed on my blog in November 2011. If you ever have the opportunity to taste their Châteauneuf-du-Pape, do not miss out, an absolute treat. As for Alain Jaune & Fils Terrasses de Montmirail Gigondas 2009, a very enjoyable wine and strongly recommended, score 92 points.

Purchased at the SAQ (11095973) in Montréal December 2, 2011 at $27.40



Domaine de Nalys Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2007, Rhône, France

 

When travelling, I love to shop and browse in local wine shops. It’s always nice to see which wines are available, that we don’t often find in our local shops. I always try to bring a few bottles home, it makes for a nice souvenir. This wine was purchased in Stockholm, Sweden, part of one of the cities visited during a Baltic cruise in August 2010.

I don’t think that I have ever tasted a Châteauneuf-du-Pape which such a high percentage of Syrah in the blend, it really shows on the nose. This wine opened up with aromas of plum, blueberry, violet, mushroom, Asian spices, damp earth and barnyard-like animal notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with alcohol at 14%, well integrated flavours, very smooth texture with fine, soft tannins and good length on the finish. I think its drinking pretty much at its peak right now, you could possibly cellar it for another 2-3 years. This is definitely an interesting, savoury and earthy style of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, very enjoyable. Domaine de Nalys Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2007 is a blend of 80% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre. Score 91 points.

Purchased in Stockholm, Sweden in August of 2010

Château Signac Combe D’Enfer Cuvée Côtes Du Rhône Villages Chusclan 2007, Rhône Valley, France

I was quit intrigued when I saw that this wine was still available in our local stores. This wine was released at the LCBO, in Ontario, in November of 2010. I purchased a few bottles then, and remember liking it along with writing a review for WineAlign. Well, how well did this Rhône blend age over the last year and a half?

This wine opens up with aromas of black fruit, stewed fruit, licorice, bay leaves, earthy and violet notes. On the palate, full-bodied, with flavours of plums, cherries and spices, low acidity and fined grained tannins. Clean, soft and very smooth finish with good depth of flavours and lots of licorice lingering. This wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Counoise, 5% Carignan and 5% Cinsault with alcohol coming in at 14.5%.

Was it as enjoyable now, compared to a year ago? It all depends on how you prefer your wine. More fruitier with grittier tannins or smoother tannins and texture, with more secondary aromas and flavours. My opinion is that this wine has aged gracefully, but there is no need for further aging, it is drinking well right now. I think I preferred this wine a year ago; it had more energy and fresher flavours. At the end of the day, it was very a enjoyable, interesting, mature Côtes Du Rhône Village, score 90 points.

 

Purchased at the SAQ (00917823) at $19.55 on June 30, 2012

Château de Nages JT Costières de Nîmes 2009, Rhône, France

Wow, what a beautiful and powerful wine, all for $21.95. This wine opens up with aromas of blueberry and blackberry fruit, black currants, licorice, bitter chocolate and black pepper notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied with great energy and flavours, chewy tannins and balance acidity. This Rhône blend finish is long, lively, spicy with fine grained tannins. Very attractive wine with lots of detail. This wine is mostly Syrah at 95% with Mourvèdre in a supporting role at 5%, alcohol coming in at 14.5%, maceration for 30 days followed up by 12 months of barrel fermentation of which 25% are new French oak. Great value, score 91 points.

Purchased June 23, 2012 LCBO New Release (736876) at $21.95

Romain Duvernay Vacqueyras 2009, Rhône, France

Another very good wine from the 2009 Rhône Valley, a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre. A wine of deep purple, which opens up with aromas of blueberry- blackberry fruit, licorice, burnt toast, black pepper and dried floral notes. On the palate, full bodied, concentrated flavours, balanced acidity and firm tannins. A wine of many layers on the finish including dark fruit, sweet oak, savoury notes and those same firm tannins lingering 'till the end. A Rhône blend with definitely more complexity and texture then the previously reviewed Rhône blend. Drink now or over the next 5-6 years. Strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased June 9, 2012 LCBO New Release (280966) at $24.95   

Brotte Château De Bord La Croix De Frégère Côtes Du Rhône Villages Laudun 2009, Ac Rhône, France

A very aromatic blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah aged 12 months in French oak. This Rhone blend opens up with aromas of sweet raspberry, black cherry, plums, licorice, sweet and savoury spices and dried floral notes. On the palate, fresh with white pepper notes, medium-full bodied (alcohol coming in at 14.5%), balanced acidity and dusty tannins. The finish is tasty and spicy with good depth of flavours. Well priced and strongly recommended, score 88 points.

Purchased April 14, 2012 LCBO New Release (263218) at $16.95   

Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas 2007, Rhône, France

This  is a very ripe example of Gigondas made for the North American palate. On the nose, this wine opens up with aromas of blueberry-blackberry fruit, stewed plum, ground coffee, underbrush, dried herbs, violet and minerals notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, balance acidity, velvet tannins and solid core of ripe fruit. The finish is long with good depth of flavours and chest warming, slightly hot. Not exactly elegant with 15% alcohol, but very rich and enjoyable. This Gigondas is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre/Cinsault. Score 91 points.  

Purchased July 9, 2011 LCBO New Release (209718) at $31.95

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Plan de Dieu Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2009, Rhône, France

From the very good 2009 Rhône vintage, this wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre. A beautiful lively violet in colour with aromas of red plums, blueberry, white pepper, violets, underbrush, incense and earthy notes. On the mouthfeel, medium to full bodied, bright and spicy flavours, fresh acidity, fine grained tannins but the surprising alcohol at 15% dominates everything else. A good length on the finish with spicy red fruit flavours and chest warming heat. An enjoyable wine overall, however I wish that the alcohol would have been about 1% less, it would have made this wine more balanced, more elegant. Recommended, score 88 points.

Purchased on February 18, 2012 LCBO New Release (252270) at $22.95

Domaine Saint Andéol Séduction Cairanne Côtes du Rhône Villages 2007, Rhône, France

What a charming southern Rhône blend here (60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan), with attractive aromas of cherry, plums, baking spices, licorice and black pepper. This blend is medium bodied (with 14,1% alc.), very ripe fruit and rich mouthfeel, balance acidity, oak well integrated with dusty tannins.  This wine  is sweet, spicy with excellent depth of flavours and mild tannins on the finish. This Côtes du Rhône Villages is uncomplicated, youthful, fresh with bright flavours and a great value. Strongly recommended, score 89 points.

This wine was purchased January 7, 2012 LCBO New Release at $17.95