GSM Blend/Rhone Blend

In a recent blind tasting of Languedoc wines, this was the clear winner.  It is a blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre.  Purple in color, clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, spice, slight black olives and strawberries.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is tasty with flavors of black cherries and black raspberries along with a bit of spice and pepper.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own but better with food.  This would be a nice wine with grilled meats or fowl.  Drink over the next few years.  

This is a blend of 55% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Merlot, and 10% Marselan from the Rhone Valley, France.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, some black raspberries, slight olives and spice.  Soft texture.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, red fruits with some spice/black pepper.  Moderate finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work with many foods.  The Kermit Lynch website suggest fried chicken and that sounds like a good match.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

This is a 60/40 blend of Grenache and Syrah from southern France.  Purple in color with ruby hues.  The nose is deep with black cherries, black raspberries, spices and slight anise.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, flavors of black cherries.    Solid finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another two to three more years.  It is nice on its own but probably better with food.  A nice choice for Pizza night (no Pineapple).  

This is mostly Syrah from the southern France AOP of Terrasses du Larzac.  Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, an interesting cinnamon note and other baking spices.  Soft texture.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, black raspberries and black cherries with a bit of spice.  Good finish.  This is drinking well now and probably just about at peak.  Drink over the next year or two.  It is nice on its own and will work well with Cassoulet or other meat stew type dishes.

Rene Rostaing is one of the top producers of Cote Rotie in the Rhone valley.  This is from his Languedoc winery also known as Domaine de Puech Noble.  It is mostly Syrah with come Mourvedre and Grenache.  Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is sweaty/earthy with some black raspberries and black cherries.  Soft texture.  Medium tannins.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black cherry fruit.  This seems past prime based on this  bottle and needs to be consumed.  It will be better with food.  Meatloaf would be a good pairing.  

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.