Domaine La Roquète Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2005

Roquète and Roll. It’s 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre from vines that are around 45 years old. Aged in concrete vats, then foudres for a total of 22 months.

It’s CDP for the masses. Beaming aromas, silky palate and laidback tannins. A nose of blood plum, black licorice and smoky mezcal. The Grenache sings loud, and Syrah and Mourvèdre provide a smoky, meaty edge. A wine that’s only medium bodied, but has all the concentration of flavour that you could possibly ask for. Sandy mineral interlaced with black cherry and licorice, as well as unobtrusive, tightly knit tannins. Elegance, power and a bold, striking nature. At 14.5% alcohol, it’s certainly not a massive CDP.

Needs big food – aged hard cheese or rich red meat dishes. Whilst it should continue to age brilliantly, you can easily enjoy it now if you want. I know I did.

Excellent – Outstanding / 94 points

Closure: Cork

Source: Retail

Price: $100

Mas de Libian ‘Khayyâm’ Côtes du Rhône 2009

 

“Wine is a beauty spot on the cheek of intelligence” – Omar Khayyâm

A tribute to the 11th Century Persian poet, Khayyâm is a Côtes du Rhône made up of mostly Grenache, with some Syrah and Mourvèdre too. The vineyard is organic/biodynamic too.

It’s distinctly Rhône in style, although you could mistake it for an Australian take on the blend (cool climate though). With cocoa butter, black pepper, black cherry and blackberry aromas, the wine sits firmly in the dark fruit spectrum. There is a welcome highlight of vanilla too. Some pan juice meatiness complements the pepper and black fruit characters. It’s a delicious wine, but a serious one too. The flavour profile is just wonderful.

A slightly viscous body hints towards the warmer (but excellent) 2009 vintage. Some blackberry and prune fruit cling on before dusty tannins take hold. Great appeal here. All boxes ticked for an imported wine of this price.

Very Good – Excellent

Closure: Cork
Source: Retail

Price: $32

Louis Latour Chardonnay d’Ardeche 2008

Creme tangerine and Montélimar

A ginger sling with a pineapple heart

– The Beatles – Savoy Truffle

 

The town of Montélimar in Ardèche is famous for its nougat. So why not grow Chardonnay? Ardèche is part of the Rhône, and Chardonnay and Viognier are produced as Vin de Pays des Coteaux de L’Ardèche.

A simplistic, unoaked expression. Lime, white peach, flint and limestone. Ample weight and acidity, but no power or complexity. Mineral-laden refreshment is the wine’s primary purpose. Finishes a bit hard. I don’t mind it, really, though it’s overpriced.

Average

Price: $18

Source: Gift

Closure: DIAM

Guigal Côtes du Rhône 2004

Guigal

After watching Jancis Robinson's Wine Course

DVD, my respect for Marcel Guigal increased considerably. His rigorous vetting of the grapes used in his wines is impressive: he turned down the fruit grown by an old friend because it didn't meet Guigal's high standards. My feline friend Annabelle seemed to approve as well…

The blend comprises of 55% syrah, 35% mourvedre, 8% grenache, and 2% of something probably not worth naming.

Cherry, pepper and licorice on the nose. Meaty and spicy palate with fine, powdery tannins. Balanced levels of oak and acid. 

The best budget wine in the world? Maybe not, but still great value, and one of only a very few French wines worth buying for around the $20 mark. 

Rated: 90 points

Tasted: January 2009

Closure: Cock Cork

Read and post comments | Send to a friend