Rhone

I love what The Wine Bible says about France's 3 greatest wine regions.  "...Bordeaux (for the

aristocracy of the best wines made there) Burgundy (for what it teaches us about the elegance of wine); and the Rhone (for the uninhibited, fearless, almost savage flavors that the top wines posses) pg. 235.

Rhone Wines Tasted:

January 8, 2018 in Three Lakes. We tasted 3 of these 4 wines and Chef Jamie Cline made an incredible lamb dish.

2014 La Piqeoulet des Brunier Vaucluse 14% abv

Grapes: 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 5% Carignan

This was my favorite wine of the night.  It was well balanced and the most complex.

The appearance was clear and ruby in color. The nose was intense with red fruit, cherry as well as juniper and white pepper. Tannin was medium with wet stone on the palate, dark fruit and spice.

2014 Les Vignerons du Mont Ventoux "Cuvee des 3 Messess Busses" Rouge,13.5 % abv 
Grapes: 50% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 20% Syrah

My Tasting Notes: Clear appearance, ruby color with medium to light intensity. Cherry, rhubarb, white pepper and gravel on the nose. There was medium acidity and a tart cherry taste.

Other information: Winemakers notes: The "Vignerons du Mont Ventoux" winery is a cooperative founded in 1924 by a small group of winegrowers who chose to join forces and pool their means of production. Today, Vignerons du Mont Ventoux has 27 employees as well as 120 winegrowers with a total surface area of 1,000 hectares: 750 produce AOC Ventoux and 250 produce vins de Pays and table wine. This winery groups together 5 districts: Bedoin, Crillon le Brave, Flassan, Saint Pierre and Modène. Drink on its own or with grilled meats, deli meats and medium/strong cheeses.

2015 La Compagnie Rhodanienne Bois de Menge Gironde 

Grapes: 75% Grenache, 25% Syrah

My Tasting Notes: The aromas were of almond, cranberry and white pepper. There was also white pepper on the palate. 

This paired very well with the lamb.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018 in Minocqua

Menu: Pork Chili Verde. This recipe was delicious and tasted best with the 2015 Campuget Syrah  from Costieres de Nimes,100% Syrah.

We tasted the white Rhone from Domaine de Courons,
the Grenache Syrah blend from Les Trous Couronnes and
the 100% Syrah from Campuget.

2013 Domaine de Couron Cotes du Rhone Villages White Rhone 14% abv  $15.99
33% Roussane, 33%  Marsanne and 33% Grenache Blanc
My Tasting Notes:
Appearance is clear with pale intensity and lemon color. The nose is clean and intensity medium. The aromas were fresh and round, honey lemon and coconut. The palate was dry with medium acidity, body and finish. The flavor was pear and vanilla with a little bit of waxiness.

More Information. Only 119 cases imported.
As described on their web site: “Mineral-laced stone fruits, tangerine and honeysuckle to go with a medium to full-bodied, textured, yet laser-focused feel on the palate.”
From the winery Spec Sheet.

Village: Saint Marcel d’Ardeche, 55 miles northwest of Avignon.

Soil: Grown on 1.72 acres terraced, at 190meters, large granite stones covering limestone.

The area is rich with ancient ruins, including vestiges of Roman settlements.  

Vinification: Harvested by hand, before the sun arises.  Skin macération for 24 hours, gentle pressing is smooth thanks to the pneumatic press. Must settles in concrete vat with  cold temperature during one day, after this Roussane in a used 600 liters barrel. The lees in the barrel are stirred every week until the end of December. The wine is blended , filtered and bottled in early February to keep all the aromas.  
      

2015 Campuget Syrah Appelation Costieres de Nimes Controlee 13% abv $15.99
Grape: 100% Syrah
My Tasting Notes:
Appearance is clear medium intensity ruby color. The Nose is clean and intensity medium with aromas of cranberry, vanilla, sweet tobacco and blue fruit, blackberry. Slight juniper berry. Dianne picked up a waxy smell along with stewed fruit and black currant.
The palate was dry with medium acidity, tannin, body and finish. The flavor was also very nuanced with blackberry, mint, cinnamon leather and stone. Dianne added stewed fruit again on the palate. This was one of our favorites and was the best pairing the the Pork Chili Verde.

More Information.
Costieres de Nimes was formerly part of Languedoc.

Perfect Puzzle to complete as we study Rhone
wines, reflects the pebbly soil of the Rhine Valley.

It is done in stainless steel, with no oak treatment whatsoever.
Winemaster's View. From France’s Mediterranean Rhone delta where the flat terroir resembles Chateauneuf's plateau (just up river) where large boulders give off their heat acquired during day to the vineyards at night. Good mid-red colour with a satisfying typical syrah nose of black fruits, spice and herbs. It is full flavoured and quite ripe, has a medium body and very pleasant acidity. Good long lasting finish. - John Brownsdon

About the Wine. Costières de Nimes, formerly part of the Languedoc, is now classed as part of the Rhône since the climate, soil and topography are so similar to those just over the river in the southern Côtes-du-Rhône vineyards.

The relatively uniform soils are marked by large pebbles on gentle, typically south-facing slopes. Château de Campuget was established in 1942 and is a top quality estate near Nîmes, steeped in history.

The Château itself was built in 1753 and at the same time the first vines were planted, prompting the 1753 range of wines which mark this historic date. The fusion of tradition and progression unite in the cellars here, producing wines with integrity, finesse and a wonderful expression of terroir, from a wide range of traditional Rhône varieties.

Goes well with. This full-bodied wine can hold up to intense flavours, so will pair well with dishes such as barbequed pork, rare meats, strong cheeses and also surprisingly very rich chocolate gateaux’s.

2015 Les Trois Couronnes Cotes-du-Rhone Tulette, France abv 14% $12.99 

80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
My Tasting Notes:
Appearance is clear medium intensity ruby color. The nose is clean and intensity medium with aromas of strawberry and nutmeg.
The palate was dry with high acidity with medium tannin, body and finish. The flavor was also less complex with flavours of blackberry and mint.
I enjoyed this wine the next day.  It is well balanced and easy to drink on it's own.

More Information. Bottle description. Well rounded wine with expressive flavours of spices and blackberries with a full bodied generous finish. Enjoy on it's own or with barbecue, stews, roasted meats and cheeses. Serve between 60 and 65 degrees F.
Straight forward simple nose. It says soft fruit and some oak. Great blueberry and currant in front followed by medium tannin. Finished with some pepper and a little heat. Prolonged linger. Dry but kept the juices flowing.

Very worthwhile especially considering price but nice irregardless. Rich and well balanced. Fruit and spice match up in a great place. This one may deserve 4 stars for value and/or anyway. 

Look for Part 2 as Rhone continues on January 16th.