Critics reviews
(James Molesworth - Wine Spectator - 14-Aug-2009)
About this WINE
Syrah/Shiraz
A noble black grape variety grown particularly in the Northern Rhône where it produces the great red wines of Hermitage, Cote Rôtie and Cornas, and in Australia where it produces wines of startling depth and intensity. Reasonably low yields are a crucial factor for quality as is picking at optimum ripeness. Its heartland, Hermitage and Côte Rôtie, consists of 270 hectares of steeply terraced vineyards producing wines that brim with pepper, spices, tar and black treacle when young. After 5-10 years they become smooth and velvety with pronounced fruit characteristics of damsons, raspberries, blackcurrants and loganberries.
It is now grown extensively in the Southern Rhône where it is blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre to produce the great red wines of Châteauneuf du Pape and Gigondas amongst others. Its spiritual home in Australia is the Barossa Valley, where there are plantings dating as far back as 1860. Australian Shiraz tends to be sweeter than its Northern Rhône counterpart and the best examples are redolent of new leather, dark chocolate, liquorice, and prunes and display a blackcurrant lusciousness.
South African producers such as Eben Sadie are now producing world- class Shiraz wines that represent astonishing value for money.
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Description
Favourite Rhône – Red
St Joseph covers a huge and very varied area but, as is so often, there is a band of usually young, totally dedicated growers determined to get the best from what they have – and Jérôme Coursodon is firmly among these. Good St Joseph reds show an elegance and energy and this cuvée, from 55-year-old vines, showed real precision and definition.
(Tom Cave, BBR Cellar Plan Manager) L’Olivaie is sourced from older vines growing on the slopes behind the town of Tournon in Saint-Joseph. The 2007 is particularly impressive, with delicacy and power perfectly balanced, and the sweet and the savoury finely tuned.
(Simon Field MW, Berrys’ Rhône Buyer)
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