Rhone (Rhône)

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

From Magnum.  Deep garnet in color, partially opaque and bright.  The nose is clean and very nice with black cherries, black raspberries, black pepper, black olives and roasted herbs.  Medium to full bodied.  Great energy and balance.  On the palate, this is not yet at peak (maybe it is for a 750ml) but close.  Light tannins.  Great black cherry fruit with some black olive and black pepper.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It would work well with a Beef Stew.  Drink over the next five to eight  years.  

This is their basic CdP.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight roasted herbs, slight black olives and black pepper.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black cherries and cherries with some black pepper and slight char.  Good finish. This seems to be at peak but should drink at the level for another five years.  Better with food.  This would work well with roasted squash.  

I was pleasantly surprised to see this was still drinking well.  Salmon/orange in color, light but clear and bright.  The nose has some watermelon and strawberries.  Light bodied.  Nice texture.  On the palate, there is still some fruit left but no off notes and very refreshing.  It should have been consumed a few years ago, but no reason not to drink up now.  Probably  better with some lighter appetizers.  

This is a blend of 45% Syrah, 45% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is earthy with black cherries, black raspberries, spices, dried lavender and a bit of roasted herbs.  Medium bodied.  Nice texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, black pepper and spice.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It worked nicely with Lasagna.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

This Rosé is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah from the Rhone Valley in France.  Light pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, strawberries and raspberries.  Light bodied.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is accessible and drinking well.  Flavors of Strawberries and Raspberries with good acidity.  It is nice on its own but better with food.  It worked well with a white pizza with asparagus.  Drink over the next year or two.  Excellent value.

This is a 60/40 blend of Grenache/Syrah from the  Rhone Valley in France.  Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with black cherries, spice, roasted herbs and slight black raspberries.  Nice texture.  Medium tannins.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, black cherries, anise and char.  Good finish.  A nice wine for casual drinking that won't break the bank.  It is nice on its own and will work well with most (not seafood) foods.  A nice choice with a pot of Chili on a fall afternoon.  Drink over the next five years.

This is 80% grenache with 10% Syrah and 10% Cinsault.  It is a more traditionally styled CdP.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright with some purple swirls.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, black raspberries, slight floral notes, and spice.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, slight earthiness and spice.  This seems about fully mature but should drink well for another five to eight years.  Better with food, this worked well with assorted pizzas.  

This is a blend of Grenache 75% and Syrah 15% along with ten percent Cinsault, Mourvedre, and Carignan.  Deep garnet with purple swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is lovely with cherries, black cherries, spices, black pepper, slight black olives and black raspberries.  Medium to full bodied.  Slight tannins.  On the palate, juicy black cherries and cherries with spice and char.  Nice finish.  This drinks easy on its own and will work well with grilled meats, fowl or veggies.  Drink over the next three to five years.