Lirac Domaine Du Joncier 2005

Cru Des Cotes Du Rhone. This blend from France is made from 45% Grenache, 45% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, it has a deep ruby color with initial aromas of black pepper and ripe plum. It's big on the palate combining a fragrant spice with a nice barnyard kick and a fairly high alcohol content of 14.5%. At $14.99 this is a nice replacement for an expensive Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Found this bargain at a tasting at The Wine Room of Forest Hills.

L'Aventure Cote a Cote 2006

From the Paso Robles region of California where owner and Winemaker Stephan Asseo makes this Rhone blend of 40% Mourvedre, 30% Granache and 30% Syrah comes this ruby red from 100% estate grown fruit aged in French oak for 14 months. With a subtle nose comes forth spice, red fruits and a slight slate or chalk aroma. Smooth tannins, The mouth displays nice tannins and the finish is black cherry and vanilla. Unfined and infiltered.

The website reveals their interest in sustainability:
In the spirit of sustainable agriculture, L'Aventure winery runs on solar power. "My favorite thing about the solar panels is that we are decreasing our impact on the environment, and this is a big part of sustainable agriculture," says Dave DeBusk, vineyard manager. Sustainable agriculture relies on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present, without compromising the future. Solar power is the most reliable and environmentally friendly form of energy available. Our panels are producing clean, renewable energy, and any extra power produced will go directly back into the grid. In addition to providing for the winery, we produce enough energy to power 5-7 homes here in Paso Robles.

I like that.

Curtis Heritage Series Santa Barbara County Cuvee 2005

This California red is influenced by the style of the Southern Rhone valley with a blend of 46% Syrah, 23% Mourvedre, 17% Grenache and 14% Cinsault.

On the nose, an intense flashback to cherry flavored Jolly Ranchers, morphing into roasted marshmallows on a campfire, and hints of smoked meats, leather and petrol. Noticeably high in alcohol, 14.9%, and a palate of blackberry, herbs & spices, rhubarb pie and white pepper. The tannins are a little tight, but still a good wine.

Chateau Cabrieres Cuvee Prestige Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007 Rhone Valley

From the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation of the Rhone Valley, France, made from a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault. Deep ruby in color, on the nose red cherries, leather and funk, and animal notes. Dry with medium acidity and tannins and supported by flavors of red fruits, pepper and sour cherry. Nice finish of tea and leather that lasts a good while. Retails for about $35-40.

This wine was part of a tasting at my Level ll Intermediate Certificate WSET class in Wine & Spirits this weekend at the International Wine Center.

Vidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone 2009

On his trip through France in 1787 Thomas Jefferson visited Vidal-Fleury, today considered one of the most consistent producers in the Rhone Valley.

This 2009 Cotes-du-Rhone was a great vintage year and a value at the same time. It's a traditional blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Carignan fermented separately with indigenous yeasts. They do a long and slow maceration of about 30 days with 70% aged in tank and 30% in large oak foudres* followed by a light filtration before bottling unfined for 3-6 months.

It has deep ruby colors while the expressive nose shows a dark red fruit, some strawberry, chocolate, and especially prune.

On the palate black fruits, dark chocolate, cherry, pepper and dusty spice, but after a good time on the tongue you'll find hints of dried flowers, cedar, and tobacco with supple tannins a decent finish.

What a great price and value?!? I found it for about $12/bottle discounted for a half case at Wine Express online... and shipping was free.

Pairs well with meats, pizza, barbecue, pasta, burgers and cheese.

*Foudre: A large oak or chestnut cask used for aging wine (mostly in Provence and Alsace), with a capacity between 150 and 350 hectoliters (3,960 to 9,240 gallons).

Vidal-Fleury Cotes Du Rhone 2010

On his trip through France in 1787 Thomas Jefferson visited Vidal-Fleury, today considered one of the most consistent producers in the Rhone Valley.


This 2010 Cotes-du-Rhone was a great vintage year and a value at the same time. It's a traditional blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Carignan fermented separately with indigenous yeasts. They do a long and slow maceration of about 30 days with 70% aged in tank and 30% in large oak foudres* followed by a light filtration before bottling unfined for 3-6 months.


It has deep ruby colors while the expressive nose shows a dark red fruit, some strawberry, chocolate, and especially prune.


On the palate hints of plum, dark chocolate, cherry, and white pepper with dusty spices, you'll also find dried flowers, cedar, and tobacco with supple tannins and a good finish.Pairs well with meats, pizza, barbecue, pasta, burgers and cheese.


*Foudre: A large oak or chestnut cask used for aging wine (mostly in Provence and Alsace), with a capacity between 150 and 350 hectoliters (3,960 to 9,240 gallons).

Casa De Las Especias Crianza 2004

Another pick from the 25 plus wines sampled at the Murcia Tasting at the Astor Center this week, from Yecla, Spain, comes this blend of 50% Monastrell*, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Syrah with 10 months in French and American oak and 14% alcohol. Color is a clear, ruby red. On the nose (nadiz) is a luscious fruitiness from the Monastrell, while the mouth (boca) has a floral freshness probably from the Syrah. The finish is long and smooth with oak influences. I like this one a lot.

* There was some speculation that the Monastrell and Mourvedre grape were one in the same, but has since been proven untrue by dna tests.

Chateau Mas Neuf Costieres de Nimes Tradition Red 2006

I sampled this French red wine at the Alsace & Rhone Wine Expo this week, poured by the vintner, Luc Baudet. Deep purple rose in color, It is a blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Carignan and is designed to go well with food, especially duck or lamb. Aromas of bittersweet dark chocolate and black pepper are host to generous, bright flavors and luscious smooth tannins. Enjoyed this one very much.

AG (Andre Goichot) Cotes Du Ventoux 2008 France

A blend of Mourvedre, Grenache and Syrah make up this subtle and simple everyday red wine from the Cotes du Ventoux region of France. Medium to light weight with cloudy rose colors and aromas of cherries and stone. A muted palate of raisins, spice and black pepper with hints of strawberry and some floral notes. Nice acidity, mild tannins and a mellow balance, perfect for a pairing with pizza. Found this at The Wine Room of Forest Hills for about $14.

Bandol Domaine De Fregate 2003

This dry red wine from Provence, France is made from 80% Mourvedre and 20% Grenache grapes (vinified separately) and oaked in barrels for 18 months. Light ruby red, and warmer colors around the edges. A good casual wine to have a meal with (meats, cheeses, mushrooms, or red sauce) -- there is a light berry and oak nose, with dry raisin and moderate tannins and 13-14% alcohol. Bon! (Thanks Carolina.)

Romanis Gres-Saint-Paul Coteaux du Languedoc 2004 France

I dropped by to see Keith Beavers at Alphabet City Wines last night, only to find him sitting around a table with friends sampling probably over 20 wines. I ended up hanging out for a couple of hours, and had a great time talking about nothing but wines.

One of his friends, Andrew, had spent some time in France and brought with him a bottle from Languedoc, that was given to him by the winemaker at the vineyard he visited. It was a standout for me, a blend of Syrah with Grenache and Mourvedre.

I was too busy listening to Keith's stand up act to take any tasting notes, but here's what I can remember. First, all of the aromas and flavors were fruity but muted, in a subtle way, finely tuned and balanced to make this gem sing. There were hints of violet, white pepper, and cinnamon spices along with a ripe cherry bouquet, ending with a beautifully soft finish.

Cameron Hughes Wine

This past Sunday Greg Dal Piaz from snooth.com had a sampling of some of the new Cameron Hughes wines. Here's their website's mission statement:

With an obsession for quality and innovation, Cameron Hughes Wine, founded by Cameron Hughes and partner Jessica Kogan, is dedicated to building a reputation for delivering the best domestic and international wine values in the marketplace today. Our focus is on buying at the high-end, small available 'Lots' of super premium wine. Because not all wine at the high-end is bottled, we rescue those 'Lots' do some stylistic blending and get it to you at a great price.

Our company produces and markets wine under Cameron Hughes Lot Series, Hughes-Wellman, RockRidge, and Evergreen. We do not own vineyards or ferment wine. Our business model is built around what we call in the industry the “spot” market for super/ultra premium bulk wines. Essentially, what this means in plain English is that we eliminate the middlemen. We use our own palates as guides to deliver delicious, super premium wine that is easily accessible price and style-wise.

Our company is founded on the concept that excellent wine should be available at a value price. We know that it’s hard for the wine lover to know how to navigate the scores, prices and hype about wine out there. By working with vineyards around the globe we bring our customers the finest values and new exciting wines that give them the unique status of truly being "wine insiders."

Sounds to me like a way to get really good wines for very low prices. I believe if purchased by the case (mixed) the average price per bottle is $10. I had the chance to try 5 red wines from Cameron Hughes new "LOTS":

Lot 98, a 2007 Campo De Borja 60% Grenache/30% Syrah/10% Mourvedre blend from Spain: 14% alcohol, jammy acohol on the nose, palate of cherries, pepper, black fruits and oak, mild tannins.

Lot 93, a 2004 Tempranillo from Spain: Deep purple, ultra fruity nose very nice aromas of violets and flowers and red cherries/ red fruit on the palate, really nice.

Lot 86, a 2006 Lodi Zinfandel from California: Nose: warm, wood, jammy on the sweet side of dry, juicy and chewy, also very nice.

Lot 72, a 2005 Meritage from California: Nose: sweet, earthy aromas with a Bordeaux model.

Lot 75, a 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa California:, Nose: oak, Fig Newtons (Eric G called it), raisins, slightly bitter on the palate.

All were very good, my 2 standout favorites were the Spanish Tempranillo and the California Zinfandel.