Les Vignerons d’Estézargues Côtes du Rhône-Villages Signargues Les 40èmes Rugissants 2006

December 29, 2008 | In WINE REVIEWS | 1 Comment

It’s a great thing when Astor Wines focuses it’s “15% Off Tuesdays” on the Rhone valley. It will save you absolutely no money, of course, because if you’re like us you will interpret this as a license to just buy better bottles - like this modern style effort from the Estezargues Coop. These vignerons have an interesting set-up, there are ten separate growers who all share a winemaker. They bottle under each individual estate’s name, but they also pool their grapes to make a series of blended cuvees under the coop’s name. While all their blends (even the boxed wine) is naturally vinified and unfiltered, this is the only carbonic maceration cuvee - a technique which mellows the tannins of these grapes (this year it’s 50% grenache, 25% mouvedre, and 25% carignan) and profoundly affects the style of the wine. The approach keeps the feel soft but this one is balanced with an earthy, blueberry fruit and a subtle spiciness. Retailing at around $19, it’s a good value despite the flood of decent 2006 Cotes Du Rhone at lower price points on the market.

Domaine “La Garrigue” Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Romaine 2006

September 5, 2008 | In WINE REVIEWS | No Comments

Another steal from the 2006 Cotes du Rhones, this cuvee is two-thirds Grenache with the rest being mouvedre and syrah, all from old vines. Dense with black fruit, blackberry jam and mouthstaining power, this unfiltered gem will rekindle the love affair you used to have with low priced French wine. This one has everything you want from a Cotes du Rhone, rugged beauty and the smell of rocks, garrigue and brambly pines being warmed by the Mediterranean sun- Stock up-this will keep you warm all winter.

Andezon Cotes du Rhone 2006

September 5, 2008 | In WINE REVIEWS | 1 Comment

The Market is flooded with 2006 Cotes du Rhones, and if you know where to look, its a great thing for the budget minded shopper. For all of you drinking nothing but New World reds, its time to give the Old World another look. Throughout the Rhone Valley in 2006 vignerons produced plump rich Grenache and meaty smoky Syrah- Andezon is primarily the latter; it is a dense wine with spicy fruit, bacon fat, smoke and loads of herbes de provence. Great with grilled lamb or a spicy pasta- A serious value at $10


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