Elegantia Cotes du Rhone Valley Selections 2009 - $9

We tried the very nice Gigondas from this producer a week ago.

David: Purple/red in color. Nose is distinctive grenache, with some sweet vanilla, chocolate and spices. Full bodied. Ripe raspberry compote on the palate. Juicy, fruit bomb. However, a little lacking in structure. Finish adds some pepper and some bitters. Overall, a decent wine and decent value but no where near as nice as the Gigondas though at half the price, that isn't surprising.
Score: 3.9/5

Selection Laurence Feraud Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret 2007 - $17

90% Grenache and 10% Syrah.

David: Medium purple red. Nose of roses and lavender, red fruits, a little cranberry and oak. Spritzy mouthfeel. Medium bodied. Good well layered fruits get a little jammy and some coco. Some bitter notes. Good complexity. Strong tannins. Long finish. Very nice.
Score: 4.1/5

Domaine Grand Nicolet Rasteau Vieilles Vignes 2008 - $15

Old Vine Grenache.

David: Dark crimson in color. Nose of blackberry, pressed flowers, oak, that distinctive grenache smell. Full bodied. Luscious strawberry and cherry fruit. Weighty but silky texture. Soft tannins and a tasty finish. A pretty nice wine. Nothing jumps out at you but it is well made and enjoyable.
Score: 4.0/5

Domaine Grands Bois Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee Philippine 2009 - $13

We have tried two wines from this Domaine before. We liked the Cairanne better than the Cuvée les Trois Soeurs . 55% Grenache - 35% Syrah - 10% Carignan

David: Medium purple in color. Nose of ripe raspberry, wet stone and a little iron. No sign of oak. Medium bodied, medium acidity. Fresh black currant and strawberry fruit is quite delicious. Soft tannins. A little peppery earthiness is well balanced with the fruit. Finishes nice. Not quite as nice as the more full bodied Cairanne but for a bucks less, it is also a good value.
Score: 4.0/5

Domaine les Grands Bois Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne Cuvée Maximilien 2009 - $14

50% Grenache, 35% Mourdevre, 10% Syrah, 5% Carignan. From the Cote du Rhone village of Cairanne.

David: A dark beet juice purple in color. The complex nose shows blueberry fruit, loamy soil, graphite, some floral notes, some pepper and spices and baked bread. Full bodied, moderate to low acidity. Totally dry with subdued blueberry, liquorish fruit. Gets a little peppery at the end. The tannins are grippy and powerful and give the ending a fine austerity.
Score: 4.0/5

Perrin Reserve Cote du Rhone Blanc 2009 - $10

A Rhone blend of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier.

David: Light goldenrod in color. Nose of honeyed melon with a hint of lime and minerals. A faint bit of floral aromas from the Viognier. Full bodied and buttery with low acidity. Transitions nicely into a long finish which is dry with some bitterness, somewhat resembling a California chardonnay.
Score 3.8/5

Domaine de la Janasse Cotes-du-Rhone - 2008 - $15

David: A cote-du-Rhone from Domaine de la Janasse, a producer known for their fine Châteauneuf-du-Pape. We had one of their wines before, the Terre de Bussière , a VDP which we really liked.


The Cote-du-Rhone is blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 15% Carignan and 5% Cinsault. This one is the color of red brick, fairly light. Nose is black cherry, blueberry, crushed rock and a hint of dried herbs as well as violets. Medium bodied. On the palate, the fruit is subdued as is the acidity. Bone dry, almost bitter. Very pinot-like. Spicy tannins but not as grippy as the Terre de Bussière. Finishes well enough with hints of peppery liquorish. The wine has a purity and austerity to it that keeps it fairly interesting but it is definitely a notch down from the Bussière.
Score 4.0/5

Jessica: A lighter-bodied cote-du-rhone than have previously experienced. Juicy, fruity nose, but the fruits seem to disappate on the palate. Tart, medium tannins with a hint of earthiness. Well balanced.
Score: 3.9/5

La Granacha Cotes du Rhone Villages Vieilles Vignes - 2008 - $14

David: Granache. Garnet in color. Nose indicates dried herbs and red and black fruits. Vibrant ripe fruits, black cherry and raspberry with nice acidity, balanced perfectly with smooth tannins. Other earthy flavors are evident. Overall, very yummy. Still have my cold. Revisit this one later.
Score: 4.2/5

Jessica:
Mild nose. Tannins appropriate. Somewhat a syrupy cherry flavor. Overall this wine felt like it lacked sparkle. Fell flat for me.
3.5/5

Chapoutier Cotes du Rhone Belleruche 2006 - $10

David: Garnet in color. Vibrant nose of red fruits with coffee or cola. Medium acidity, medium bodied with delicious cherry and strawberry on the palate. Silky tannins come on quickly and carry the wine into a solid finish. Very pleasant and versatile wine.
Score: 4.0/5

Jessica: This wine was nice but not particularly memorable.
Score: 3.5/5

Domaine les Grands Bois Côtes du Rhône Cuvée les Trois Soeurs 2007 - $14

David: 65% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Carignan. Nose reveals black cherry and black currants with spice box. Full bodied. Black cherry and dark fruits dominate on the palate with strong acidity and the familiar taste of the grenache grape. Bold tannins come on strong and go on a long way accompanied with spice. Tends towards tartness at the long ending and leaves a bit of liquorish. This took a while to open up and become more enjoyable.
Score: 3.7/5

Jessica: Found this wine too harsh and sour. Not a fan at all. Normally I do like the grenache but in this wine I did not get the sweet fruits that I normally have found. The darker fruits are present but do not shine above the bitter tannins. Spice in the nose. Did not like.
Score 2/5

Delas Saint-Esprit 2007 - Cotes-du-Rhone - $12

David: Nose has red and dark fruits, maybe a hint of coffee. The darker fruits seem to dominate the flavor with some mild spice and tannins. A solid fruity, French, red but not overly complex. Went fairly well with the Pheasant Christmas Dinner.
Score: 4.1/5

Jessica: This wine did not make a strong impression on me. Could have been any old red. It seemed a bit too astringent and sharp.
3.5/5