Showing 1-15 out of 15 items
Hide All Tasting Notes
Paul Avril et Fils,
Ready, but will keep,
From 65% Grenache, 20 % Mourvdre ,10% Syrah and 5% a variety of the ten other permitted varieties, a typically generous and rich wine, with spice, raspberry, garrigue and black cherry to the fore. Broad on the palate with sweet fruit and tannins already harmiously interwoven.
Simon Field M.W. - Rhne Buyer
Simon Field M.W. - Rhne Buyer
Ready, but will keep,
A new collaboration for the Vins de Vienne, but calling upon old vines and real vineyard expertise, the vineyards in question located in the top communes of Bessards and Mal. Real Hermitage power on the nose, but then as with all great examples, a wonderful finesse, a depth of fine Syrah fruit of course, with an almost baletic elegance at its core.
Simon Field M.W. - Rhne Buyer
Simon Field M.W. - Rhne Buyer
Drink now,
Domaine des Sénéchaux is currently the most exciting property in Châteaunuef du Pape. The reason? It has been purchased by Jean Michel Cazes of Lynch Bages fame in Bordeaux. Jean Michel and his son Jean Charles have recognised the outstanding quality of the terroir, with its trademark pudding stones and decorative old vines, and have adopted the clever strategy of consultation to ensure that the essence and personality of the wine is not fundamentally changed. As a result the wine is made in a similar way and its make up remains as before (65% Grenache, 15 % each of Syrah and Mourvèdre and a hint of both Cinsault and Counoise). Despite this, and maybe, paradoxically, because of it, the wine has improved virtually beyond recognition.The rich core of sweet fruit remains, but is now more concentrated and much more focused. The tannins are wonderfully woven, the aromatics infused with notes of chocolate and garrigue; the palate is profoundly satisfying. All in all very Châteauneuf Du Pape, but now from the top drawer; the Bordelais savoir faire subtly but memorably infused. The eponymous old men who adorn the label will have very good reasons to be pleased!
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)
Chateau de Beaucastel,
Ready, but will keep,
The 30% Mourvèdre is evident in the generous colour and savoury nose of the 2006; a big and powerful wine, with tar, liquorice and bonfire in support of the dense black fruit, the sweetness of which is thus far enigmatically and subtly shrouded. All will be revealed!
(Simon Field M.W. - Rhône Buyer)
(Simon Field M.W. - Rhône Buyer)
Ready, but will keep,
From vines with well over half a century of age, some more, the Vieilles Vignes Cuvée, which is not produced every year, is made up of 65% Grenache ( these being the oldest vines, from the Crau plateau) , the balance mainly Mourvèdre with a little Syrah added into add structure to the mid-palate. When I last tasted this, in situ, in February 2010, I was impressed by its weight as the savoury, crepuscular notes from the Mourvèdre harmonised pleasingly with the warm Grenache fruit. Aged in foudre, the wine has finely-etched, resolved tannins and a fine finish.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)
Ready, but will keep,
The delightfully named Mourre Des Perdrix is one of Michel Maret’s four Châteauneuf -du -Pape cuvées, these particular partridges hiding out in a sandier soil than most, their lair in the centre to north of the Appellation. The only wine with a soupçon of Cinsault in its make-up, this is the most elegant and, for want of a better word, fruity wine in the Charbonnière portfolio. As with all top Châteauneuf, of course, fruit is only part of the story; a richly savoury backdrop and spicy texture writ in large and voluminous splendour.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)
Domaine Montirius,
Drink now,
From 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, the wine has a charming nose of blackberries and truffle. Its texture is expansive and velvety, with all the charm of the vintage generously thrilling the palate.
The smoky quality on the palate would make it a great match for chargrilled food as that method of cooking imparts similar flavours and the weight of the wine would stand up to the robust flavours of the meat. Also delicious with stronger flavoured meats like pigeon. Why not try cracking one open on a Sunday afternoon with some friends over and the barbecue lit?
(Simon Field MW BBR Rhône Buyer)
The smoky quality on the palate would make it a great match for chargrilled food as that method of cooking imparts similar flavours and the weight of the wine would stand up to the robust flavours of the meat. Also delicious with stronger flavoured meats like pigeon. Why not try cracking one open on a Sunday afternoon with some friends over and the barbecue lit?
(Simon Field MW BBR Rhône Buyer)
Showing 1-15 out of 15 items
Simon Field M.W. - Rhne Buyer