Rhone (Rhône)

• Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• Cornas
• Crozes-Hermitage
• Gigondas
• Hermitage
• Lirac
• Saint Joseph

Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is earthy with some "merde" notes along with cherries and black cherries.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with some earthiness.  A bit drying on the finish.  Great energy and balance.  This is about at peak but should offer up five to ten more years of top drinking.  This is great on its own, but better with food.  This would be great with cassoulet or a vegetarian bean based cassoulet.  

This is 100% Marsanne from the northern Rhone Valley in France.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great.  Earthy (think freshly tilled garden) with wax, slight quince, and almonds.  Full bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  On the palate, waxy with great minerality and slight bitter almond note on the finish.  Delicious.  This is nice on its own but even better with food.  It went well with vegetarian Spring Rolls.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

This is a Grenache/Syrah blend from the Rhone Valley in France.  Cotes du Rhone wines are often some of the best values in Red Wines and this one is included.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, spice, anise, and slight floral (violets?) scents.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries, slight cherry candies and a  bit of mint on the long finish.  This is drinking great on its own and will work well with most foods (not seafood).  Blackened chicken would work well.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  

This is a blend of Grenache and Syrah from the Southern Rhone.  Deep ruby in color, partially opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, wild herbs and slight floral notes.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is easy and tasty to drink.  Flavors of cherries, black cherries, spice and char.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  A perfect choice for (veggie) Burgers off the grill.  Drink over the next five years.  

This  is a Syrah from the northern Rhone Valley in France.  Purple  in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is serious with black raspberries, black olives, chocolate and slight violets.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nicce backbone of acidity.  On the palate, boysenberries with some char and black pepper.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It is drinking well now but will improve.  Hold for five years and drink for ten to fifteen after that.  It would work well with Roasted Fowl in a mushroom sauce.